Dear Friends,

I rejoice at being an Episcopal Priest for over fifty years. My priesthood has been concentrated in two areas of Christian Ministry.

First, I was appointed by the Episcopal Bishop of Newark, New Jersey, to relate the over one hundred churches and the clergy of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark to the Social Problems and needs of the community on the local, State, national, and international scene. I was privileged to play a lead role in resettling over three hundred refugees from behind the Iron Curtain during the Cold War.

Second, I pioneered in establishing and serving as a Chaplain in institutions covering mental, medical and surgical, cancer, tuberculosis, geriatric, mental retardation, and correctional activities in New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. I was privileged to serve as Chaplain to the then fledgling Sloan Ketterring Cancer Hospital.

I began writing poetry but my chief literary outreach is drama. I was greatly honored in having my play, "The Easter of Claudia" recently performed at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Maumee and in several other Episcopal churches in the greater area of Toledo, Ohio.

And ever associated with and vital to my ministry has been my beloved and devoted wife, Loretta Irene Green.

May my poetry and plays enrich you, and bring you closer to me and our dear Lord Jesus Christ, and His Peace. And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you for ever. Amen.

Your servant,

John Green
October 10, 1999