The Rev. James Warnke, Priest Associate

The Reverend Jim Warnke is the priest associate at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. He is known for keeping his listeners’ attention during his sermons by using honesty and humor to offer God’s loving message. While Father Jim has made his living as a psychotherapist, he acts as a priest associate at St. Mark’s and a spiritual director for the diocese at large.

Father Jim first heard of St. Mark’s from Michael and Ellen Newfeld, who left Lake Placid, where the Episcopal Bishop from Albany was not ordaining women. They came to stay with Jim and his wife, Marie, and joined St. Mark’s Church. It was then that Jim and Marie also became interested in St. Mark’s.

After being received into the Episcopal Church, Jim became interested in becoming a priest but didn’t think there was any way he could study to become an Episcopal Priest as a practicing psychotherapist. He was encouraged by Lucinda Laird, a previous Rector at St. Mark’s. Despite his concerns, Father Jim was ordained at the age of 49 at St. Mark’s.

A desire for social justice may have been awakened when as a young child Jim had to overcome many adversities. He was born to a young mother in Plattsburg, New York and was raised in Elmsford, New York. He lived with different family members and moved quite a bit as a child. During these many transitions, Jim also had to find a way to live with visual impairment in a world that did not offer help for the visually impaired. As a young boy he encountered bullies on a daily basis and sought refuge by praying at church. Perhaps it was the spiritual comfort he received at these times that propelled young Jim towards understanding the pain of humanity and pursuing a life of counseling and religious studies.

Jim was raised with Vatican II in the Roman Catholic Church, and at age 19, spent time in the seminary. He left the Roman Catholic seminary and began a journey towards a religion that he felt provided values which resonated with the beliefs he held in his heart and soul. Jim completed a degree in History and Theology at Fordham University. It was at this time that he met and married his wife, Marie. Later, he received an MSW from Manhattan College and became a psychotherapist. His work has included marriage counseling and working with children and adolescents. Father Jim’s visual challenges became more complex when he was diagnosed with acute glaucoma (a painful ailment) in his 30’s. He became interested in hypnotherapy as a way to address the pain. He then received a post-graduate degree in clinical hypnosis. He uses hypnotherapy to help address the pain he suffers from osteoarthritis, which began in his late 50’s. Father Jim has also used hypnotherapy to help patients in his work as a social worker. Father Jim is grateful for the prayers he is receiving as he appears to be winning a battle with brain cancer.

Father Jim and his wife Marie have two children, Amy and David, who reside in California. Amy is single without children. David is married to Amy Moore and they have two daughters, Beatrice and Lucy.

A passion for martial arts began between the ages of 27-59. Despite his disabilities, Father Jim earned a six-degree black belt. After retiring from martial arts he and his wife enjoyed engaging in Thai Chi together.