Rev. Julianne Sifers

The Reverend Julianne Elyea Sifers had a peaceful passing in going home to God's eternal kingdom on March 23, 2013. Her husband Russ Sifers was with her at home, holding her hand as she passed. Her fourth battle with cancer claimed Mother Juli's body, but not Juli as she was already claimed by Jesus as Christ's own, forever in her Baptism.

Mother Juli was born to Hazel and Ed Elyea on September 4, 1941 in Belleville, KS. Juli graduated from Belleville High School where she enjoyed playing in the band. She married Jim Swiercinsky and they had three children: Tim, Wendy and Dave. Juli worked at Ed Roberts Chevrolet and Bud Brown Chrysler Plymouth before answering her call to the priesthood. Juli attended Johnson County Community College and graduated from Ottawa University KC before studying at the St. Paul School of Theology in KC and then transferring to the Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest in 1993.

Juli met Russ Sifers on St. Patrick's Day in 1978 and they were married the following year in a chapel wedding with their four children: Tim, Wendy, Dave and Sarah.

Mother Juli was ordained to the priesthood on December 14, 1996 In the Episcopal Diocese of West Missouri. Mother Juli first served at St. Luke's Crittenton Children's Center as priest and chaplain. Her husband, Russ Sifers, was adopted through Crittenton in 1948.

Mother Juli was next called to serve at Sacred Hills Regional Ministry, serving as priest in charge to St. Paul's in Maryville, MO, St. Mary's in Savannah, MO, St. Oswald's in the Fields outside of Skidmore, MO, Bethany, MO and Hiawatha, KS.

Mother Juli then served as priest and chaplain at Bishop Spencer Place in Kansas City, MO. While in the Diocese of West Missouri, she served the diocese in many capacities including Dean of the Metro Deanery.

In 2005 Mother Juli accepted the call to St. Aidan's in Olathe, KS where she became the rector until her death. She led the church in new growth and increased outreach ministry. Mother Juli also served the diocese in many capacities including The Council of Trustees and its Executive Committee as well as the chaplain of the Crossroads capital campaign to raise funds for the Kansas School for Ministry's new campus.

Mother Juli loved music and singing. She began playing the church organ at age 14. She was one of the original members of the Winds of Harmony while she was at St. Thomas the Apostle. Juli was also very involved with Episcopal Community Services, Cursillo, Education For Ministry and was an oblate in the Order of St. Benedict at Conception Abbey with Abbot Gregory. Bishop Wolfe said, "She taught everyone she encountered so much about Christ's love not only through her words but through her life and now, even through her death."

Mother Juli is survived by her brothers Hugh Elyea (Ruth) and Fred Elyea (Audrey), and her husband Russ Sifers. They had four children: Tim Swiercinsky (Terrie - deceased), Wendy McCrary - deceased (Chuck), Dave Swiercinsky (Viet) and Sarah Clements (Ted). Juli and Russ had eleven grandchildren: Nick, Ashley (Matt), Tiffany (Jon), Jessica, Jacob, Kristin Ann (deceased), Vil, Chin (Rose), Alina, Sebastian and Adelina. They also have six great grandchildren: Ryan, Lauren, Zander, Izabella, Trevor and William.

A celebration of Mother Juli's life and her ministry will be held on Saturday, April 6, 2013, at 10:30 am at Grace Cathedral 701 SW 8 (8 & Polk) in Topeka, Kansas. Mother Juli's ashes will be scattered on the diocesan grounds where the new Kansas School for Ministry campus will be built.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to St. Aidan's for outreach ministry at 14301 S. Black Bob, Olathe, KS 66062-2537 or the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas for the School for Ministry at 835 Polk St., Topeka, KS 66612-1688.