The Reverend Samuel O. Cross
Associate Priest and The Open Door St. John's AIDS Ministry Chaplain
The Reverend Samuel O. Cross, a native of Tennessee, holds a B.S. in Education from Memphis State Univerity and received his M.Div. in 1976 and S.T.M. in 1981 from General Theological Seminary.
After ordination to the transitional diaconate in 1976 and the priesthood in 1977, he spent several years as a mission priest in Tennessee, then returned to New York and GTS to pursue an advanced master's degree. His S.T.M. in Pastoral Counseling included supervised clinical training in borderline personality disorders. He served as vicar and rector of several parishes in the Diocese of Long Island from 1979 to 1993, and has been an associate priest at St. John's in the Village since 1993.
In retirement, Father Cross says that he finds great challenge and fulfillment as chaplain to The Open Door, St. John's AIDS ministry program, where he offers counseling and spiritual direction to people living with AIDS, as well as their family members, lovers and care-partners. His bottom line is always: Finding God in AIDS.
Father Cross enjoys listening to music, especially classical organ, English choirs, and contemporary jazz. His interests include antiquing and furniture restoration.