Gail Chandler grew up in Garden City, Long Island, NY and was a member of the Cathedral of the Incarnation. While growing up at the Cathedral, Gail sang in the Girls’ Choir, served on the Junior Altar Guild, and felt called to ordained ministry. At that time, ordained ministry wasn’t possible for women so Gail turned her attention to teaching. She majored in Spanish and Psychology in college and taught High School for several years. After having children, Gail went back to graduate school and received a Masters in counseling with a concentration in marriage and family therapy. Gail has had a private counseling practice for 26 years, (sixteen in Connecticut and ten in Maine). She worked in Family Service agencies and supervised the work of clinicians at a Children’s home. Private practice provides somewhat of a flexible schedule so for most of those twenty six years, Gail taught part-time at St. Joseph’s College in West Hartford, CT, and at USM.

Throughout the years, Gail attended various Episcopal Churches, (in CT, NY, and Maine), serving in various capacities: Vestry, Directress of the Altar Guild, Sunday school teacher, lay Eucharistic minister and lay Eucharistic visitor. Once again, Gail heard God’s call. This time, however, it was possible for women to be ordained. Gail entered the discernment process and then the Deacon Formation program and was ordained Deacon on June 28, 2008 at the Cathedral Church of St. Luke in Portland, Maine.

Gail has two grown daughters, two sons-in-law, and three wonderful granddaughters.