The Reverend Jessie Akerson joined the staff at St. Peter’s as Deacon in Advent, 2022. Jessie grew up in Newington, Connecticut, in the same house she lives in now. She is also a cradle
Episcopalian and has loved the church since she was a young child. She had the privilege of serving as an acolyte at St. Mark’s in New Britain, Connecticut as a teenager, where her love of liturgy was formed.

She attended Central Connecticut State University, in New Britain, Connecticut, where she earned her BS in accounting.

After taking part in the Education for Ministry of the University of the South at Sewanee at her home parish of Trinity Episcopal Church in Wethersfield, Connecticut, she began listening to God’s invitation to
explore a call to the diaconate. In answer to that call, she had the privilege to be a member of the first graduating class of the Province 1 School for Deacons in June 2017.

Jessie was ordained to the vocational deaconate the following year and began serving at Trinity Church, Portland, Connecticut after her ordination. Jessie also served for several years on the Deacons council both before and after her ordination.

Crocheting prayer shawls and baking cookies and making candies for family and friends are ways that she engages in prayer. Her heart is fed by studying history, especially Tudor England and church history. Jessie is the proud parent of an adult daughter, Bernadette, and daughter-in-law, Ally. She shares her home with Cleo, her cat, who enjoys reminding Jessie that she is allowed to live in Cleo’s home.