The Rev. Ruth Pattison

Denomination: The Episcopal Church (TEC)
Organization: Holy Innocents' Episcopal Church, Atlanta, GA

The Rev. Ruth Lindberg Pattison is an Episcopal priest currently serving as Associate Rector for Liturgy, Pastoral Care, and Creative Ministries at Holy Innocents’ Episcopal Church in Atlanta, GA. A graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania, she earned a diploma of lay ministry at Trinity Episcopal School of Ministry, and her M.Div. from Candler School of Theology at Emory University. She has served in various parishes in the diocese of Atlanta since her ordination in 1994, most recently, before coming to Holy Innocents, as parson at Highpoint Episcopal Community Church. Ruth created the Pop-Up Studio for Practicing the Pastoral Arts, and leads e-retreats and creative workshops. She is the author of the new book from Church Publishing, Celtic Ways to Pray: Finding God in the Natural Elements.

Ruth was born in Pittsburgh, PA. Her professional church ministry began with a move to Trinity Church, Columbus, GA, in 1984. Ordained in the Diocese of Atlanta in 1994, she has practiced her priesthood with great joy and deep devotion ever since.

With a lifelong career as a parish priest, Ruth has been immersed in real life with people, and the everyday spirituality that creates the yearning of modern-day souls. Her work speaks to that yearning with the Celtic underpinnings of Creation and Incarnation, in terms that stir the imagination, extend practical initiatives for the person who longs to find God in ordinary life, and flourishes with the practice of Celtic Spirituality in a congregational setting. She sees her daily work as inviting people to a sacramental life, to find God in the matter of their daily lives, and partners with them in a life of meaning making.

Ruth has a passion for the scriptures, and is convinced that art is powerful, healing, and transformative. After the fashion of the Book of Kells, she created a Bible study process called Illuminated Pages, where the students engage in Bible art journaling on the pages of the Bible.

Ruth completed the School of Celtic Consciousness with John Philip Newell, and conducted a self-directed Celtic Pilgrimage to the British Isles, culminating in Iona. She considers herself to be keen on spiritual pilgrimage. In recent years, she has backpacked the Camino de Santiago, joined a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, and to Cape Coast, Ghana. She led a mission to Kenya, and relished in a cross-country family camping trip, from Georgia to Wyoming, and visited a family farm for calving season in Nebraska.

Ruth is married to Benno Pattison. They love to camp and fish, hike and bike, cook and bake, sing and dance, and talk on the porch. Between them, they share a love for their six young adult children.