The Reverend Jo Ann Hainline, born into this world on November 7, 1949, in Davenport, Iowa, passed into the Light on September 17, 2023 in Reno, Nevada.
Jo Ann graduated from North Miami High School in Miami-Dade, Florida, which she attended because of national level swimming competitions. At one time she held the women’s national record for the 400 meter individual medley, one of the toughest swimming events.
Later, in Des Moines, Iowa, Jo Ann attended Augustana College and the University of Iowa. She first contacted the International Community of Christ/Cosolargy in June of 1975. Inspired by many mystical experiences, she enrolled in The Academy.
By April 1976, she became a member of the Order of Monk de Jure of the Rectory Abbey, an Order which played a major role in sponsoring the publication of The Secret Sayings of Jamil codices of The Sacred Teachings of Light.
In February of 1977, Jo Ann became a member of The Ship’s Company of the Feathered Serpent II, with her contribution toward the purchase of the ship, a stay sail schooner which sailed as The Community’s second Ship of Light. The Ship of Light – Feathered Serpent II – voyaged during a time of both religious inspiration and spiritual prophecy for The Church from 1977 to 1980.
In May of 1978, Jo Ann made the decision to move to Reno, Nevada and become a resident member of The Community, bringing her two children, Michael Shane and Erica Jalayne. Shane and Jalayne became among the first students of The Community’s Jamilian Parochial School. Jalayne was in the first graduating class.
Jo Ann enrolled in the Sacred College of Jamilian Theology, receiving first level ordination on July 22, 1978. In March 1979, she entered The Academy’s First Clergy Program continuing through Liturgy III.
After settling in Reno, Jo Ann met the Reverend Bruce Kanzelmeyer, also a member of The Community. They married in October of 1986 and soon, thereafter, were blessed with two sons, Jonathan Christopher and Gabriel James.
Jo Ann received second level ordination in 1994 and was given a Special Assignment as Deacon-Overseer of the Sanctuary at the Red Rock Consecrated Sanctuary. In 2007, she was ordained at to third level as Presbyter-Overseer of the Sanctuary with the title of Reverend.
Jo Ann was the mother of four children and loved teaching. She was a Montessori-trained and credentialed teacher, teaching in Iowa and then in Reno. The love of teaching the whole child was the core of all her work as a parent, teacher and counselor/therapist. In 1993, Jo Ann received her Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) in General Studies, and then her Nevada Elementary Teacher’s Credential in 1994.
Jo Ann received her Master’s Degree in Counseling and Educational Psychology from UNR in 1998, specializing in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) and School Counseling. In 2002, she received her Nevada State MFT License. She transitioned to teaching in the Washoe County School District in 1998 and then, in 2015, she became an elementary school counselor, until she retired in 2020.
In 2003, Jo Ann began working evenings and weekends for several agencies as an MFT, working with parents and children, and facilitating domestic violence and parenting classes. She opened a private practice – Insight Therapies — in 2013, where she specialized in working with foster and adopted children and blended families. Jo Ann continued counseling until her last day with us.
Jo Ann was profoundly devoted to The Community, Cosolargy and The Teachings of Light and a fierce defender of the Truth within the Sun of Righteousness. Bishop Gene Savoy, Jr. and officials of the Church performed the Anointing of the Remains of the Deceased prior to cremation in company with members of Jo Ann’s family on Wednesday, September 20, 2023. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, December 9, 2023 in the Chapel of the Holy Child.
