Former Director of Worship
The Rev. Gwendolyn Tobias
The Rev. Gwendolyn Tobias
The Rev. Gwendolyn W. Tobias was director of worship at the Cathedral through Sunday, October 2, 2011. In collaboration with the entire worship department and working closely with the dean and the director of music, Tobias led other clergy and staff in the planning, design, and creation of all worship services at the Cathedral to ensure excellence and integrity in all worship offerings. She worked as priest associate for liturgy at the Cathedral for two years prior to becoming director of worship.
Tobias holds a Master of Divinity degree from Virginia Theological Seminary. Under the supervision of Eugene Sutton, then canon pastor, she did her field education training at the Cathedral for two years and received advanced training as a centering prayer leader. Tobais co-led one of the Cathedral’s Centering Prayer gatherings and established the Listening for God small group, which continues today. She has a B.A. in arts and humanities from Florida Atlantic University with a minor in women’s studies.
Prior to seminary, Tobias served as lay chaplain for St. Joseph’s Episcopal School in Boynton Beach, Florida, for approximately 12 years. Her ministry included officiating, planning, and preaching at most of the chapel services, teaching sacred studies, and directing the acolyte guild. She also served as Youth and Children’s minister, lay altar minister, and small group leader for St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church.
A registered nurse, Tobias specialized in psychiatric nursing for ten years in south Florida and received advanced certification from the American Nurses Association. She brings to the Cathedral an expertise in emotional intelligence, having led workshops for the diocese of southeast Florida and the Florida Council of Independent Schools.