Pastor D.J. Kiessing

Pastor DJ was called to Church of the Holy Spirit in May, 2025. She had been Rector of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Smyrna, DE since April 2012. Her Masters of Divinity is from Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, PA where she also received a Certificate in African American Studies. She was ordained a Deacon in May 2006 in the Diocese of Bethlehem and then a Priest in September 2007. After ordination, DJ served part-time at her home parish, St. Gabriel’s in Douglassville, PA, for five years and then as a non-stipendary associate at St. Alban’s, Sinking Spring, PA until she was called by St. Peter’s.

She has an Associate’s and Bachelor’s degree of Business Administration majoring in Business Management from Ursinus College in Collegeville, PA. DJ worked full-time in the business and corporate area for thirty years before entering parish ministry full-time. Her past experiences include being a secretary, a travel agent, a small claims aviation adjuster, a computer programmer, and a 401(k)-retirement plan manager. All have taught her life skills and confirmed her true love and passion for parish ministry.

In 1992 DJ made a weekend silent directed retreat at a Jesuit retreat house. Beginning in 1993 and continuing to the present, DJ has made an eight-day silent directed retreat at a Jesuit retreat house each year. In 2008, she made the 30-day retreat on the Spiritual Exercises at the Campion Renewal Center in Weston, MA. The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola have been instrumental in her spiritual journey of cultivating a friendship with God.

DJ is single and has two Yorkshire Terriers–Brady and Amadeo–whom she enjoys pampering. She enjoys walking, reading, relaxing, puzzles, and kayaking. Over the years, she’s had the opportunity to travel out of the country to England, Israel, Nepal, Tibet, Thailand, Ireland, Scotland, Canada, and Mexico.