A life’s journey takes Hillebrand to priesthood

Trinity-St. John’s Rev. Walter Hillebrand knew he was called to become a priest since he was 13-years-old and has prepared for this through his life experiences. At 47, he’s now ready.

On Saturday, Hillebrand will be ordained into the sacred order of Episcopal priesthood in the first ordination the Hewlett-based Trinity-St. John’s Church has ever hosted. “I truly feel called by God to be a priest in this holy Episcopal Church to serve the people of God,” he said. “I want to be able to preach the gospel, live the gospel as a Christian example in this life and draw people into Christ and I’m not able to guide them unless I’m ordained.”

Hillebrand has been at Trinity-St. John’s for the past two and a half years and is most grateful for the supportive community that surrounds him. “I want to give back to the community and serve them as best as I can,” he said. “I want to reach out to the people in need and support people in their struggles in life and that is my calling.”

As a lifelong member of Trinity St. John’s Church, which merged with St. John’s Church in Far Rockaway in 1973, Lawrence resident Margaret Carpenter met Hillebrand about three years ago at St. John’s Episcopal Hospital, while he was the hospital chaplain and counseling patients as a part of the pastoral care program. “I was very impressed with his compassion and love of people,” she said. “When he came to Trinity-St. John’s I was thrilled.”

Carpenter said when Hillebrand decided to become an Episcopal priest, the bishop told him he would have to begin as a postulant — a candidate seeking admission into a religious order — and would have to attend a seminary. “Basically he did this with great humility and was more or less starting over,” she said. “This is a testament to his caring and wanting to become a priest. He’s a remarkable person and I’m very proud of him.”

Hillebrand began his one-year ordination process and then served as a transitional deacon. On Sunday he will conduct his first service and will be able to perform all the duties of a priest, including presiding over marriages and baptisms. “This will allow me to offer more services to the community and do all the things a priest is able to do,” he said of the ordination. “My community has really supported me through everything I’ve gone through and it’s just great to have these loving people surrounding you and carrying you.”

Rev. Owen Thompson has worked with Hillebrand for the past two years at Trinity-St. John’s and can relate to Hillebrand’s journey, as he was ordained in 2003. “It signifies a new beginning for us and is a time of hope as other churches within various denominations are struggling these days financially, with membership and changing demographics,” he said of the ordination. “It’s an opportunity to experience new life and think about our presence and our ability to continue the legacy of this church in the future.”

Working with Hillebrand has made him a better priest, Owen said and he wants the soon-to-be ordained priest to enjoy his time. “I hope he experiences the great joy I’ve known and all priests have known, and a sense of relief that you’ve arrived at a moment you’ve been called to for quite some time,” he said. “It’s been quite a journey getting him to this point and I hope it fulfills his vision and will be the truth to the call he has from God to make the world we live in a better place.”

After his ordination, Hillebrand wants to make Trinity-St. John’s a significant part of the community, build the church’s presence on the Internet and continue the morning prayer line in which members call the church by phone and pray together. “It’s all a journey,” he said. “I want to connect as many people as possible while encouraging and empowering them to live a real Christian life.”