Although I was born in St. Louis, MO and am therefore a lifelong Cardinal fan, most of my formative years were spent in Peoria, IL, where my family belonged to St. Paul’s Cathedral. It was there I was confirmed and served as an acolyte for most of my teenage years. I attended the University of Illinois and received my BS in Business Administration. Upon graduation and following my marriage to my wife of 50 years, Jane, I attended the University of Michigan where I received my Juris Doctor degree. My working career was spent practicing law in the Chicago area from which I retired in 2017. Since retirement, I play golf (not very well) which I have enjoyed since my childhood. Jane and I also enjoy riding our bikes, walking and in general staying active. I discovered boating when we started coming to Naples and enjoy the water. Jane and I were fortunate enough to meet a young Episcopal priest by the name of Alvin Johnson, Jr. in 1980. Curiously, and unknown to us at that time, Father Johnson’s father, Al Johnson, Sr., was a member of St. John’s. Father Johnson had been tasked by the Chicago Diocese to start an Episcopalian mission church in Bloomingdale, IL (Chicago suburb). Jane and I were one of about 4 or 5 founding couples of this mission church, which ultimately grew into the Episcopal Church of the Incarnation. I served in a variety of capacities at Incarnation for a number of years as the church grew.
We bought a place in Naples in 2007, began a snowbird migration pattern, and discovered St. John’s very soon thereafter. We found out almost immediately that St. John’s under the leadership of Father Joe was the place for us. I enjoy serving as a lay reader, and Jane, along with our dear friend from church, Mary Frances Aiken, head the Stitches of Love ministry (the folks who make all the prayer shawls). I feel very honored that Father Joe asked me to serve as Senior Warden, but also perhaps a bit overwhelmed. Jane and I attend service on Saturday so there are many of you who I do not know. I hope to rectify that situation and encourage you to call with any questions, problems, ideas, etc. Hopefully, with God’s help and all your prayers, we can continue the wonderful trajectory St. John’s is on.
Bill Kindorf