Barbara Elizabeth Nixon leads St. Luke's Episcopal Church

Barbara Elizabeth Nixon has led St. Luke's, a mission church in Galt, for a year-and-a-half, replacing the late Rev. Roger Wilkowski. She was a "supply priest" for the church, where she filled in for services, the previous three years.

Before coming to Galt, Nixon was a priest in New England, Illinois, Virginia, Canada, Uganda and Europe.

Barbara Elizabeth Nixon

Nixon was born in Detroit and raised in Connecticut. She attended Kirkland (now Hamilton) College, Columbia University, Regent College in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, and Yale University.

She lives in Sacramento with her husband, James Wirrell. They have a cat named Comfort.

Nixon responded by e-mail to a questionnaire from Religion Editor Ross Farrow.

Q: What is one of your strongest childhood memories?

A: Dancing at the Metropolitan Opera House (the original one) in the opera, "Falstaff," with the famous singer, Judith Raskin.

Q: What prompted you to become a pastor?

A: I believe God called me to become a pastor through my life experiences and the desires that God gave me.

Q: What is one of your most prized possessions?

A: My photographs from a mission trip to Uganda and several watercolor paintings by a Connecticut friend and artist, Catherine Lepoutre.

Q: What is one of the most difficult decisions you had to make?

A: Leaving a life of pursuing dance in New York City for seminary.

Q: When have you questioned your faith?

A: When the drunk driver who killed my brother received a $35 misdemeanor fine.

Q: For what do you most often ask for forgiveness?

A: Perhaps impatience ... and many other things!

Q: If you weren't a priest, what do you think you would be doing?

A: A writer, maybe even a journalist, a librarian, a dancer/artist or working in public relations, hospitality, campus ministry, overseas work and/or the arts.

Q: What is your proudest achievement?

A: Being a good friend.

Q: What is your favorite scripture passage, and why?

A: I have several, but one of the first I memorized and like a lot is Philippians 4:6-8. "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything through prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God and the peace of God which passes all understanding will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."

This passage reminds us to not worry and instead share everything with God in prayer. God also promises us His incredible gift of peace in Christ Jesus.

Q: Aside from the Bible and other religious materials, what are your favorite books?

A: I enjoy fantasy and children's books and books by George Macdonald and CS Lewis. I also enjoy mysteries and a variety of fiction and non-fiction books as well as biographies. I enjoyed "The Secret Life of Bees," by Sue Monk Kidd.

Q: Do you have any other hobbies, sports, diversions?

A: I love all forms of dance; ballet, modern, folk, English, Scottish, etc. And I enjoy the theater, music, singing, and a variety of activities like tennis, hiking, swimming, and pilates. I also enjoy travel and offering hospitality.

Q: What is your favorite TV show and movie?

A: I have always liked "The Shawshank Redemption," "Miracle on 34th St.," "It's a Wonderful Life," "The Fugitive" and numerous others. I enjoyed "Mad About You," a sitcom that took place in NYC starring Helen Hunt and Paul Reiser.