Welcome Rev. Latimer!

This biography first appeared in The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

The Rev. Susan J. Latimer, a third-generation Southern Californian returning home after 35 years on the east coast, began July 1 as the new rector of The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Hemet. During her 27 years of ordained ministry, she has served as a priest in the Dioceses of Atlanta, Maine, West Virginia, and Southwest Florida.

The Rev. Latimer grew up in Vista, California, where she had horses and focused on music – voice and piano. She received a bachelor’s in music from Yale University, and a master’s of music in accompanying at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, before seminary at Candler School of Theology, Emory University, Atlanta where she received the master of divinity degree, Magna Cum Laude, in 1992.

The liturgy and music of the Episcopal Church have appealed to her ever since she was a child singing in the children’s choir at All Saints’, Vista.

She was attracted to Good Shepherd by the faithfulness of the people, and the long history of the parish in the valley, as well as its emphasis on prayer, spiritual formation, outreach, and music.

The Rev. Latimer is married to John Roberts and they have two grown sons.

Welcome to our diocese!