The Rev. Susan Klopfer Ellinghaus serves as a deacon at St. Ann’s in Sayville. Her faith journey has been deeply shaped by her church community and personal experiences, having been baptized at St. Joseph’s in Queens Village and raised at St. Thomas’ in Farmingdale through the Girls’ Friendly Society and Youth Group. She fondly remembers how faith was “in her blood,” even while navigating early challenges—like being told at age 14 that “women do not belong on the altar” when girls were first allowed to serve as acolytes.
After a fulfilling career in education, Susan felt drawn to offer herself fully to God’s work, inspired by the story of Hannah in 1 Samuel. Reflecting on her calling, she shared, “I realized I wasn’t asking God for something, but offering Him the rest of my life.” This realization launched a discernment process that led to her ordination to the diaconate.
Her path to ordained ministry has been enriched by serving across the diocese—teaching Sunday School at St. Mark’s,volunteering at St. Paul’s in Patchogue and Christ Church in Babylon, participating in Sacred Ground, and serving as a seminarian at St. Ann’s. She remains deeply grateful for the mentors who guided her along the way, including Fr. Jeff Stevenson, Fr. Ben Brenkert, Mo. Christina Van Liew, and the late Fr. Jerome Nedelka.
In addition to her ministry, Susan is a wife to Bob, mother to Chris, Scott, Heather, and Kristin, and grandmother to Taylor, Lily, and Hailey.