Meet the Assistant Rector

Edwin Johnson is a smiling, singing and dancing Jesus-freak who seeks to promote love, compassion and justice everywhere he goes. He became the Assistant Rector of St. James’s Episcopal Church, Cambridge, MA in June 2010, fresh off his graduation from Church Divinity School of the Pacific in Berkeley, CA and his ordination. While at Seminary, Edwin hit the books, did lots of Church, and developed passions for green-living, Biblical Hebrew, Godly Play and Liturgical Dance. Edwin grew up in Dorchester/Roxbury, attended Tufts University, and lived and worked in Cambridge. Edwin’s parents immigrated to Boston from Costa Rica & Montserrat; a combination that cost him a Boston Accent but made him bilingual, birthed his passion for Salsa and has contributed to his explosively relaxed disposition. A life-long Episcopalian and member of St. John’s St. James’ Church in Roxbury, MA, Edwin felt the call to the priesthood at a young age but also enjoyed a passionate and diverse lay ministry. As a youth he served on the Massachusetts Diocesan Youth Council, the Union of Black Episcopalians, and the 1997 General Convention Youth Presence. As an adult he remained highly involved on parish and diocesan levels while serving as one of the directors of Breakthrough Cambridge, a non-profit academic enrichment program. When he isn’t praying and working, Edwin spends most of his time at the gym or on the dance-floor. He loves Olympic and Powerlifting and has found mutli-modal, competitive fitness through Crossfit. He is an avid Salsa dancer who has also trained in tap, jazz, West African, modern and hip hop dance. He also enjoys spending time with family and friends, singing, reading, practicing Karate and smiling widely at anyone who dares to look in his direction.