St. Paul's By the Sea

Pastor Jill comes to Ocean City from the Diocese of Newark where she recently served as Priest-in-Charge of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in northern New Jersey. She has previously served churches in Ridgewood, New Jersey and Baltimore, Maryland. She is a graduate of the Virginia Theological Seminary. Prior to entering seminary, Pastor Jill was a teacher in the Baltimore County Schools.

“I am so blessed to be joining this wonderful community as they continue to live out their vibrant and loving faith. I am excited to get to know everyone and walk through this life together. I can’t wait to see what God is going to do with us all!” said Pastor Jill.

Email Pastor Jill

Jill Lake joins St. Paul’s By-the-Sea Outreach Ministries following a 29-year career in the federal government and a recent graduate from culinary school. She began her professional life as a scientist with the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service before transitioning into information technology and program management.

With a lifelong passion for cooking and baking, and a vision for a meaningful second career, Jill earned her Culinary Arts Certificate from Anne Arundel Community College. She later expanded her experience by working in a fly-fishing lodge and restaurant near her family’s 100-year-old home in northern Michigan.

Jill and her wife, Beth, moved to Ocean Pines in 2022, where they share their home with their one spoiled dog. Jill brings to St. Paul’s By-the-Sea Outreach Ministries a blend of scientific rigor, organizational skill, culinary creativity, and a compassionate commitment to serving the community.

Shirley says that “God has been good allowing me to use the gift of music that he gave me for 67 years. My very first piano lesson was at age 10 and I have never tired of playing. This has allowed me to meet so many wonderful people from around the world while I have traveled very little. I have sat on the piano/organ bench playing in beautiful Ocean City for 41 years and have never desired to go anywhere else. I started playing in church at age 12 and have continued to this day. I consider myself blessed!”

Shirley plays the pipe organ and the piano and collaborates with the Rector to determine music selections each week.