by Victor William Bustard, M.D., Christ Episcopal Church, New Bern, North Carolina, 2016

Ann Bustard was born in Barrie, Ontario, Canada, where she attended elementary, middle, and high school. Her family attended Trinity Anglican Church where she was baptized, confirmed and married. After graduation from high school, she continued her education at the University of Toronto, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Foreign Languages. Next, Ann graduated from the Ontario College of Education with certificates to teach French and Latin in high school. Ann taught in many different locales, and her love of teaching has continued to this day.

In August 1978, the family moved to New Bern where her husband Vic opened a medical office to practice Obstetrics and Gynecology. On their first Sunday they attended Christ Episcopal Church with their two children, Jim and Suzy, and here they found a welcoming parish family.

Ann has been involved in many ministries: teaching Sunday School for more than 25 years; Sunday School superintendent; Vestry (three terms); Altar Guild; Parish Ministry; and Prayer Shawl Ministry. In 1991, she organized the ministry to take Communion to the hospital and shut-ins.

Ann’s interest and passion for children and youth led her to leadership positions in the parish and diocese. For many years she served as Director of Children’s Ministries. For two years she was also the interim Campus Minister at St. Paul’s in Greenville. She attended many conferences at Kanuga and beyond to enhance her skills. In 2000, she and her team introduced Journey to Adulthood to the parish, followed by Godly Play. Built into the J2A program was a pilgrimage; Ann and a group of chaperones and teens traveled to South Dakota to experience the life and history of the Lakota Native Americans. She will tell you that this experience was one of the highlights of her life.

Ann has always had a heart for Pastoral Care; she felt led to pursue the fifty hours of training to become a Stephen Minister. Later she trained to become a Stephen Leader, serving for eleven years. Stephen Ministry gave her the opportunity to exercise her gifts as a mentor and nurturer to adults in crisis. She is now a member of Daughters of the King whose members are dedicated to prayer, evangelism and service. In January 2017, Ann will assume the role of President of Episcopal Church Women to continue the excellent work of her predecessors. She has served at the past three memorable General Conventions representing East Carolina as first Alternate or Deputy. She has had the great privilege of witnessing the election of two Presiding Bishops, one in 2006 and the other in 2015.

Ann has been blessed by the opportunities which God has given her to grow her faith. Her daily mantra is to be obedient to God and to serve Him wherever she is needed. Her mother once told her that when God opened a door, she needed to walk through, demonstrating a willing heart and a relentless spirit. She continues to follow her mother’s advice.