Father Jeffrey Hamblin
Father Jeff Hamblin was born in Southern Indiana, raised in Central Indiana, and then in "Da Region" - Illiana (the Indiana/Illinois border). He sang in the choir at Christ Church in Gary, IN, and in 1971 started his undergraduate studies at Indiana University, majoring in Biology and Spanish in the School of Education, with an equal number of hours in the school of Music and Voice studying instrumental and keyboard. He also served on the Vestry at Trinity Church, Bloomington as a student, graduating in 1975 and going on to teach Junior and Senior High School in Fort Wayne, IN. During the summers, he did volunteer street work in the heart of Gary, working with immigrants from South America, Africa and Eastern Europe. At the end of each summer, he assumed the educational leadership for the Diocesan Summer Camp at Howe, IN, which he continued for 6 years.In 1977, he left the public classroom and started his theological studies at Nashotah House Seminary outside of Milwaukee, WI. During seminary, he was taught by the then-retired Michael Ramsey, the 100th Archbishop of Canterbury. It was through Bishop Ramsey that Fr. Jeff was able to work in England and later in Rome. After his ordination in 1980, Fr. Jeff served in Gary, IN at his home parish, working with Cuban refugees who were being settled in the area. In 1981, he left for Erie, PA, where he lived in an Episcopal religious community, ran two missions, and taught Spanish and Botany as well as assisting with the Mercyhurst College football team. He cared for a young family of three boys who, now in their 30’s, still call him Dad.
In 1988, as a result of Fr. Jeff’s work with HIV and AIDS patients, his bishop, along with two physicians called him to study medicine. He went to Her Majesty’s Crown Colony of Montserrat, attending the American University of the Caribbean, also serving three congregations while there. He did additional study in Lubbock, TX and drove 150 miles every Sunday caring for two missions. He did clinical work in Milwaukee where he served two mission congregations – one English speaking and one Spanish speaking. He did his residency and a Child and Adolescent Psychiatry fellowship at Downstate SUNY/Kings County. Fr. Jeff continues on the Psychiatry Faculty at SUNY and as an attending physician at Kings County in the adolescent ward, as well as working three nights a week in the Psychiatric Emergency Ward.
During his 20 years in New York City, Fr. Jeff has served as a supply priest, associate on staff, and priest in charge of numerous parishes, celebrating the Eucharist almost every Sunday. He also serves on the Board of the American University in the Caribbean, presently as Secretary and formerly almost 25 years of service as Chairman. He is actively involved in the arts, produces and sponsors several cabaret and other performers as well as other drama and musical events. Many of these artists are involved in the choir at St. Clement’s. Father Jeff came to the congregation of St. Clement’s as our priest in November of 2014 and works to continue the unique blend of ministry to Broadway and Hell’s Kitchen that uplifts social consciousness, witnesses to the Gospel and praises God through the arts.
Four phrases have been used to sum up Father Hamblin: “To pray is to work and to work is to pray.” “The one who sings, prays twice.” “Love one another.” “May I always be willing to give up who and what I am for what I may become.”