A large white tent pitched outside Trinity Episcopal Church in Fuquay-Varina swelled with 180 people celebrating Roxane Gwyn's ordination to the priesthood earlier this month.

Gwyn said the event was a "powerful, sacred afternoon."

She came to ministry later in life, after what she calls a "natural progression" that included elementary school teaching, volunteer social work and church volunteering. She earned master's degrees in divinity from Duke University and General Theological Seminary in New York. Now, she and husband Owen, longtime residents of Chapel Hill, have bought a home in Fuquay-Varina to be close to the church.

Slightly diverging from the usual route to the priesthood, Gwyn began serving at Trinity in mid-March before she was ordained. She said the need for a stable presence at the small church, the only Episcopal church in Fuquay-Varina and Holly Springs, took precedence. In an interview, she talked about her vision for the church.

Q: Did your volunteer work serve as a springboard to the religious life?

A: I was a volunteer social worker for 20 years. I helped with literacy, addiction recovery, spiritual formation and local hunger relief in Chatham County. I do believe that my experiences were a large part of the call to the priesthood. It weaves all of that together. I hope to use my faith to lead others into the call.

Q: It sounds like you hope to be a mentor to others considering the priesthood. Did you have a particular mentor who helped you?

A: I have had some amazing mentors and guides along the way. Once I set myself on this road, they were always there for me, whether it was priests in the Episcopal Church, spiritual directors or laypeople who gave me advice.

Q: How did your teaching and education experience influence you?

A: I taught third grade for four years, and I think teaching is a big part of why I sought the priesthood. I love teaching in church about liturgy, church history, Scripture and theology in general. Whether I'm teaching adults or children, I love it - the more intergenerational, the better.

Q: Why Trinity? How did you feel called to this particular church?

A: Trinity has been through a lot of challenges in the past year. It was founded in the mid-1950s and has a strong tradition of faith. Trinity has had a lot of transition in leaders, and I feel a steady presence is important.

Q: You have said that you want to reach out beyond the walls of your church. What are your goals?

A: I will be visioning with the entire church over the next several months about how we want to reach out. I am the only Episcopal priest in Fuquay-Varina and Holly Springs, and I keep that in mind.

Q: Traditionally, wives of ministers have had certain expectations on their involvement in their husband's churches. As a female priest, how does your role affect your husband?

A: The Episcopal Church has no expectations of spouses, whether male or female. Already, Owen is a vital part of Trinity's life right now. I don't think they will need him to bake any apple pies.