Meet Abby Kocher

Children’s ministry at St. Stephen’s Church is in an exciting new phase. Not only is Dogwood Preschool moving to St. Stephen’s later this year, but in February, the Rev. John D. Rohrs, rector of St. Stephen’s Church, announced that the Rev. Abby Kocher had accepted his call to serve as St. Stephen’s director of children’s ministry.

Abby was already known to many people at St. Stephen’s. Her children attended St. Stephen’s Preschool. As a trained catechist, she has been a familiar figure in our Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program. When she accepted John’s call, she was an early childhood assistant at Richmond Montessori School, where she supported classroom teachers for children from age 18 months to six years in a Montessori learning environment.

As an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church, Abby has served on the staffs of Duke University Chapel and Richmond’s Reveille United Methodist Church. She has also served three North Carolina churches: Oak Ridge United Methodist Church in Greensboro, Salem United Methodist Church in Morganton, and Davidson United Methodist Church in Davidson.

Abby is a graduate of Duke University, where she received her bachelor of arts in psychology cum laude, and Duke Divinity School, receiving the master of divinity summa cum laude.

She and her husband, the Rev. Dr. Craig Kocher, chaplain at the University of Richmond, have two daughters, Caroline and Catherine.

“This is one of those occasions where it feels like the Holy Spirit is at work,” said John.

“Abby’s journey as a parent led her to St. Stephen’s Preschool some years ago, and that in turn led her to Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. She will bring that background to this role.

“She also has extensive experience as an ordained pastor in the United Methodist tradition, which will translate well to the Palmer Hall community and to other aspects of our children’s ministry. I’m excited to welcome Abby to our ministry team.”

“There is something really special about the way St. Stephen’s honors children,” Abby reflected.

“I’ve experienced that as a parent through my own children who seemed to sense, in the way that children do, that this community of faith is one where they could deeply belong. Through the preschool and children’s formation opportunities, I’ve seen their souls grow. I’ve grown alongside them as I took training as a catechist and became involved in Sunday morning Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.”

She added, “My background in ministry prepared me for many things, but it had not prepared me for the ways I would grow in faith by sitting on the floor trusting the ways the Holy Spirit is already alive in our children. For me, it has been the experience of re-encountering the gospel through children that has cultivated my interest in this particular ministry.

“I look forward to living together as the kind of community that receives the gifts of children. Whether it is in Palmer Hall or on the playground, I am eager to grow together with the families of this parish.”

Along with the rector, the interview process included the Rev. Cate Anthony, who has been the primary priest in the Palmer Hall service; the Rev. Will Stanley, vicar; and two of the parents who serve on our family ministry guild, Katherine Farley, and Whitney Robertson.

“I am so excited to collaborate with Abby in generating rich, thoughtful children’s formation at St. Stephen’s,” said Cate.

“I admire Abby’s commitment to and wisdom about creating many access points for children at church, meeting the wide spectrum of needs and abilities represented in our community. I know she will walk tenderly with our children and parents as we all journey in faith as one body of Christ.”

Whitney said, “Abby is already an integral part of our children’s and family ministries team, and I’m thrilled that she’ll be stepping into this central role. She brings warmth, knowledge, and a uniquely inviting presence to her work, as well as extensive experience in ordained parish ministry and in Catechesis. Abby also carries the valuable perspective of a parent of young children and a participant in our parish life. I know that our programming and community will grow in exciting ways under Abby’s leadership, and I can’t wait to work with her in her new role!”

Katherine is enthusiastic as well: “Abby comes to us with great experience, a love of our church and a desire to build on what already makes the children’s ministry at St. Stephen’s so special. I am excited for what the future brings.”

John added, “I want to acknowledge the wonderful foundation that Betsy Tyson laid as the previous chaplain to Palmer Hall, and the great work that Cate Anthony has done in shepherding our children’s ministries these past months. Cate and Abby will make a terrific team going forward, alongside the children and families who enliven our hallways and our hearts each week.” Sarah Bartenstein is director of communications at St. Stephen’s Church and editor of Seasons of the Spirit.