The Rev. Susan Cushinotto was ordained to the diaconate on May 16, 2009, in the Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey. Her ministry has been rooted in the call to social justice, with a particular focus on helping congregations discern the needs of the marginalized and empowering them to serve through local feeding and clothing ministries.

Susan’s leadership included opening a clothing thrift store and guiding her previous congregation in becoming a Center for Jubilee Ministry. At the diocesan level, she served as a mentor to students at the Diocese of New Jersey’s School for Deacons and co-taught Foundations of the Diaconate.

In 2018, Susan retired after 17 years with the Cape May County Department of Social Services. That same year, she and her husband Rich moved to Wilmington, North Carolina, to be closer to two of their children, Theresa and Matthew, and their families. Their daughter, Jennifer, resides in Maryland with her family. Susan and Rich delight in spending time with their eight grandchildren, cherishing every moment of family life.

After taking a period of sabbatical upon moving to Wilmington, Susan received her license to serve in the Diocese of East Carolina in 2019. During the pandemic, she and Rich devoted much of their time to caring for their grandchildren as their parents navigated the challenges of working during those uncertain times.

Since retiring, Susan has found joy in exploring God’s wider creation through travel, having journeyed to Alaska, Hawaii, California, Central America, and England. Visiting places of worship and engaging with diverse cultures deepens her sense of connection to the universal Church and God’s people across the globe.

Now joyfully rooted at St. Andrew’s On-the-Sound Episcopal Church, Susan’s primary ministry focus is pastoral care. She has been working to expand visitations to the sick and homebound members of the congregation through the training and deployment of Eucharistic Visitors, and she is working with the Pastoral Care Committee to explore additional ways St. Andrew’s can care for her members.

She is grateful to serve as deacon among this vibrant and welcoming congregation. In her ministry, she seeks to embody the deacon’s calling: bringing the needs, hopes, and concerns of the world to the Church and carrying the Good News of Christ from the Church into the world. She looks forward to walking alongside the people of St. Andrew’s in faith, service, and fellowship as they journey forward together.