Clergy
The Rev. Dr. Kim McNamara
The Rev. Dr. Kim McNamara was called to become a priest through the Total Common Ministry process at St. Hugh in 2010. She was ordained by the Episcopal Diocese in 2015 and currently serves as the priest at St. Hugh.
Churches were plentiful in the North Seattle suburban neighborhood Kim grew up in. Her first Vacation Bible School days were enjoyed at the Methodist church and she attended Sunday School at the Presbyterian church. During her college years, Kim’s studies included learning about religions and religious practices from around the world. She and her husband, John, were married in the Lutheran church. After their daughters were born, Kim and John brought their family to St. Hugh, where they have been active members since 1992. Kim taught Sunday School for many years, then moved into preaching and serving as a lay eucharist minister when her daughters grew up.
Prior to becoming a priest, Kim taught for the business program at Olympic College for over 25 years and worked as a consultant, facilitator, and trainer for large and small businesses, as well as government and community organizations. She earned her Ph.D. in Leadership and Change from Antioch University and her Master’s degree in Human Resource Development from Antioch University Seattle. Her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington was in Pre-Law and she studied accounting at Seattle University and became a Certified Public Accountant.
Kim has long had an interest in environmental and social justice issues and brings this focus to her work for God and God’s people. After studying and working in the legal and financial worlds, she decided to focus her research on strategies for fostering sustainability in our lives and work.
This foundation provides her with the perspective and skills needed for identifying, developing, and implementing sustainable and just solutions together with real people in a complex world.
Kim and her husband, John, manage 25 acres of timberland and a 6-horse ranch in Mason County utilizing environmentally sound practices. Each year, they plant hundreds of trees and only generate one garbage can of landfill waste. In their spare time, they play with grandkids, horses, pets, and gardens, and, whenever possible, stop to watch the sunset and give thanks to God for this precious gift of Creation.
Deacon Karen Kennedy
The Rev. Karen Kennedy is one of two deacons serving St. Hugh. Karen moved to
Allyn in October of 2003. Looking for a church home, Karen visited St. Hugh in
January 2004 and never went anywhere else! In 2010, Karen was called by the
congregation to begin the formation process for becoming a deacon and was ordained
October 2015.
Karen attended Jr. College and at the same time attended a two-year program
centered at the Children’s Unit, in Camarillo State Hospital. She received her A A.
degree in Early Childhood Education along with a certificate as a Child Care
Practitioner.
Karen spent several years as a teacher’s assistant working in a classroom with
children of special needs. Karen spent years working in childcare settings; the last
twelve years of her career were spent working with infants.
She has three grown children and four grandchildren. Karen remains active in the
deacon community through the diocese and loves serving in any way she can.