The Reverend Canon John Blossom was ordained as a transitional Deacon in 1973 by The Right Reverend William Litchfield after two years preparation by The Commission on Ministry of The Diocese of Quincy.
In June of 1974 The Right Reverend Donald J. Parsons (former dean of Nashotah House) ordained Father Blossom a priest of The Episcopal Church. Father Blossom was ordained for special ministry to the church as a non-stipendiary priest. He has served The Church for fifty years without financial compensation.
Father Blossom’s first cure was as priest in charge of an inner city parish in Peoria, Illinois for four years. When the church was demolished for urban renewal he served another inner city parish for two years as an assistant.
Father Blossom then served as priest-in-charge of a start up parish in Quincy, Illinois for four years. He next served as a staff member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral in Peoria for over ten years. After receiving an MBA degree in church management from The Graduate Theological Foundation he served the Cathedral parish as Canon Evangelist. Canon Blossom is an Associate Alumnus of Nashotah House Theological Seminary.
In Canon Blossom’s secular ministry, which he refers to as “my other congregation”, he grew a small business into a nationally prominent retirement plan administration and investment consulting business employing a staff of seventy five and serving more than $3 Billion in retirement plan assets.
Canon Blossom serves The Brotherhood of St. Andrew as Vice President - Planned Giving. He has presented many workshops on Planned Giving to donor groups and church leaders. His topic “Smart Giving”….is focused on innovative ways to make gifts to charitable organizations. The presentation will help others find ways to fund their own charitable gifts and tools to help them generate “Smart Giving” for a parish they may lead.