I am a convert from the Methodist tradition, through a Roman Catholic High School experience and the priest that ran it, and is to this day a hero of mine for helping me find my spiritual center. I relish the radical generosity and hospitality of Jesus, and look forward in finding, together, ways for us to learn that even more, and to share that with the world around us. I currently serve as the Bishop of the Diocese of Olympia.
Greg R. | Good Shepherd, Vancouver
I am a native Washingtonian who has lived in the Midwest and Far East. I am also a cradle Episcopalian who loves the church and embraces its gospel future; much of my adult life has been tied to the Church of the Good Shepherd in Vancouver (yes, Washington). I’ve held many leadership positions, both professionally and in the church. Most importantly, I’m husband to Heidi and father to Nikki and Tommy, who manage to still laugh at the same jokes I’ve been making for years.
Robert O. | St. James, Kent
I have been born and raised in the Puget Sound area as an Episcopalian. During high school, I was very active in the HYC/6Day program and continue to staff JYC's. I am working on completing my Bachelor's degree in Computer Science. I have a heart for the work of the church, especially in raising up young adult leaders. I look forward to what lies ahead of us as a church and continuing on the path that God has set before us.
Kelly N. | Good Shepherd, Vancouver
Kelly came to the Episcopal Church as a young adult and has been a member of Church of the Good Shepherd in Vancouver for 14 years. During that time, she has served in a number of leadership roles including two terms as senior warden, vestry member, chair of search committees for interim and rector, and member of the board of directors of Good Shepherd Montessori. She was one of the initial members of Good Shepherd’s Leadership Development Team. Before “retiring” to raise her three daughters children, Kelly worked as a lawyer in Houston, Juneau, and Spokane and as a grant writer for The Nature Conservancy of Oregon and The Columbia Land Trust. She serves on the board of YWCA Clark County and spends her spare time running and attending countless youth soccer, basketball, and softball games.
Rev. George B. | St. Benedict's, Lacey
While my parents considered themselves Christian, they both worked on Sundays. It fell to my grandmothers to take me to church. I traveled between the worlds of the Roman Catholic Mass and the Greek Orthodox Divine Liturgy. At 16, I made the choice to attend church on my own. I fell in love with the Episcopal Church the first time I walked in the door. My home parish in New Jersey was small and without many children. The children they did have, they loved deeply. I have lived and worshiped in seven different dioceses (regions) in the Episcopal Church.
Being from the generation commonly called X, I have found that I seemingly live in two worlds: the world of the church and mostly older generations and the world of my peers and younger generations. I've often wondered how to bridge those two worlds.
I currently serve as a priest in Lacey, Washington and the questions that I strive to ask myself over and over is who is not here yet in our congregation and how to express to people that church on Sunday morning might actually be a better option than Starbucks.
Brad H. | St. Paul's, Bellingham
Brad grew up in another tradition, and found a home in the Episcopal Church in 2009. He is a very active member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Bellingham, and serves on the Vestry. He has a background in communications and is involved in Outreach and Faith Formation. In recent months, he has been on two mission trips to North Korea where he helped install water systems at rural healthcare facilities.
Rev. Sarah M. | St Andrew’s Aberdeen
I grew up in rural Washington State and came to the Episcopal church from an evangelical background. My passion is for community based ministry and confronting economic injustice. I am serving as transitional deacon in Aberdeen, a post logging town in economic crisis, and seek to work alongside and learn from folks on the street and on the edge in the Chehalis River Valley. In my spare time, I love to hike, garden, and spend time with my nieces and nephew.
Rev. Doyt C. | Epiphany, Seattle
The Rev. Doyt C. is the Rector of Epiphany Parish in Seattle. Doyt grew up in Rochester, Minnesota, and received his Bachelor of Science from Northwestern University in 1989. After college he worked as a Project Director for the international relief organization AmeriCares, based in New Canaan, Connecticut. In 1992 he joined the Hawk Group of Companies in Cleveland, working in a variety of positions, including Director of Corporate Strategy. In 1997 Doyt received his MBA from Case Western University. Doyt was called to the priesthood from St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Cleveland Heights, and ordained by the Bishop of Ohio in 2003. Upon graduation from seminary he worked as the Associate for Pastoral Care at All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Beverly Hills, until he was called to Epiphany Parish in 2008. Doyt is married to Kristin and they have two children, Margaret and Desmond.
Rev. RC L. | St Luke's, Ballard
RC L. is the vicar of St. Luke's Church in Ballard, and the program director of the new Seattle Episcopal Residential Vocational Experience (SERVE), which will welcome its first class of program participants in August. A native of Minnesota and a graduate of the General Seminary in New York (2010), R.C. is new to the Northwest, though his wife, Angie Merrill, grew up here. R.C. enjoys cooking, soccer, baseball (he loves the Twins, but is quite fond of the Mariners as well), playing music and spending time with family and friends.
MaryAnn S. | St. Paul’s, Port Townsend
I grew up in Yakima, WA. I’ve had the good fortune, since 1970, to serve in numerous leadership capacities, both inside and outside the church walls. While living in the Diocese of Spokane, I was a member of Diocesan Council and then Director of Education and Training. It was also my privilege to be a “pioneer” in the training and leadership development opportunities offered through-out the 8th Province. Outside the church walls, my heart belongs to non-profit organizations where I continue to serve as a consultant, mentor and board member. I feel blessed to have been chosen for this Steering Team. I believe we are all sons and daughters of God. I believe we are all called to be ministers. I believe through-out eternity God will be making all things new. I believe our God is confronting us to “tear down the walls” and bring Christ to the world in new ways. “I know not where the road will lead, I follow day by day. Or where it ends; I only know I walk the King’s highway.”.
Selene N. | Church of the Good Shepherd, Vancouver
I am fairly new to the Episcopal church- we started coming to Church of the Good Shepherd in Vancouver in the summer of 2009 and last January we were received. I have lived in the Pacific Northwest all my life. I went to college at Seattle Pacific University and I recently finished a Masters of Arts in Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary. I am also currently in discernment for the priesthood. My husband and I run a non-profit called Courts for Kids where we take teams to the developing world to partner with communities to build multi-purpose sports courts. I am also a mom to two adorable little boys who are 6 and 3. In addition to spending time with my family I pretend to be a foodie, and I love reading, traveling, running, watching independent movies, visiting National Parks, and anything outdoors.
Eliacín Rosario-Cruz
I am a happy father of three creative and loving kids. Their presence in my life is a constant summons to life authentically. I unashamedly drive a mini-van. I've been known for paradoxically falling asleep watching movies and drink way too much coffee. I was born and raised in Puerto Rico. In 2005 my family and I moved from the warm waters of the Caribbean sea to the cloudy skies of Seattle as part of our pilgrimage toward a more harmonious life and vocation. My family and I are participants in a web of communities with different levels of intentionality– residential and non-residential. My interest and practice is in exploring and creating spaces for spiritual communities of resistance and creativity. I am a Postulant for Holy Orders in The Episcopal Church, that means I am a "Priest wannabe."
Chuck M. | St. Peter's, Long Beach
I grew up in Hood River, OR and was active in EYC programs and Ascension Summer School in Cove, OR. I am a graduate of U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, a US Navy veteran, and retired after 40 years working in US maritime industry. I have been married to Doreen (a fellow camper at Cove) for 54 yrs. We have 3 adult children, 7 grandchildren & 4 great-grandsons. I have been an active member of 6 mission & parish Episcopal churches, serving as a youth adviser, acolyte adviser, on the Bishop's committee, Vestry, outreach and winter homeless shelter programs, church visioning, two search committees, 2 or 3 Diocesan Commissions, and delegate or alternate to Convention 18-20 times in past 44 years. Doreen and I are now members of St. Peter's Episcopal Church on the Long Beach Peninsula in Seaview.
Jim C. I St. Mark’s, Montesano
I grew up Episcopalian at another St. Mark’s in Plainfield, Indiana, then moved to the Northwest after college at Purdue. I have been active in leadership in the Episcopal Church in Western Washington in local church ministry since the late 70s, as well as in Diocesan leadership the past 12 years—Diocesan Council, Budget & Finance Committee, and Standing Committee. I am working again at Boeing after taking early retirement for 5 years. My wife Bonnie is a non-stipend Episcopal priest at our small church in Montesano, and I am Junior Warden, treasurer, webmaster for our church website, and licensed preacher. We have two grownup kids and three grandsons, all of whom are very special to us. We enjoy travel anywhere, but love the Northwest as our home. I welcome this call to look at how our churches can be more accessible to people everywhere, and how our Diocese can do its best to support our churches in their successes.
Rev. George B. | St. Benedict's, Lacey
While my parents considered themselves Christian, they both worked on Sundays. It fell to my grandmothers to take me to church. I traveled between the worlds of the Roman Catholic Mass and the Greek Orthodox Divine Liturgy. At 16, I made the choice to attend church on my own. I fell in love with the Episcopal Church the first time I walked in the door. My home parish in New Jersey was small and without many children. The children they did have, they loved deeply. I have lived and worshiped in seven different dioceses (regions) in the Episcopal Church.
Being from the generation commonly called X, I have found that I seemingly live in two worlds: the world of the church and mostly older generations and the world of my peers and younger generations. I've often wondered how to bridge those two worlds.
I currently serve as a priest in Lacey, Washington and the questions that I strive to ask myself over and over is who is not here yet in our congregation and how to express to people that church on Sunday morning might actually be a better option than Starbucks.
Brad H. | St. Paul's, Bellingham
Brad grew up in another tradition, and found a home in the Episcopal Church in 2009. He is a very active member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Bellingham, and serves on the Vestry. He has a background in communications and is involved in Outreach and Faith Formation. In recent months, he has been on two mission trips to North Korea where he helped install water systems at rural healthcare facilities.
Rev. Sarah M. | St Andrew’s Aberdeen
I grew up in rural Washington State and came to the Episcopal church from an evangelical background. My passion is for community based ministry and confronting economic injustice. I am serving as transitional deacon in Aberdeen, a post logging town in economic crisis, and seek to work alongside and learn from folks on the street and on the edge in the Chehalis River Valley. In my spare time, I love to hike, garden, and spend time with my nieces and nephew.
Rev. Doyt C. | Epiphany, Seattle
The Rev. Doyt C. is the Rector of Epiphany Parish in Seattle. Doyt grew up in Rochester, Minnesota, and received his Bachelor of Science from Northwestern University in 1989. After college he worked as a Project Director for the international relief organization AmeriCares, based in New Canaan, Connecticut. In 1992 he joined the Hawk Group of Companies in Cleveland, working in a variety of positions, including Director of Corporate Strategy. In 1997 Doyt received his MBA from Case Western University. Doyt was called to the priesthood from St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Cleveland Heights, and ordained by the Bishop of Ohio in 2003. Upon graduation from seminary he worked as the Associate for Pastoral Care at All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Beverly Hills, until he was called to Epiphany Parish in 2008. Doyt is married to Kristin and they have two children, Margaret and Desmond.
Rev. RC L. | St Luke's, Ballard
RC L. is the vicar of St. Luke's Church in Ballard, and the program director of the new Seattle Episcopal Residential Vocational Experience (SERVE), which will welcome its first class of program participants in August. A native of Minnesota and a graduate of the General Seminary in New York (2010), R.C. is new to the Northwest, though his wife, Angie Merrill, grew up here. R.C. enjoys cooking, soccer, baseball (he loves the Twins, but is quite fond of the Mariners as well), playing music and spending time with family and friends.
MaryAnn S. | St. Paul’s, Port Townsend
I grew up in Yakima, WA. I’ve had the good fortune, since 1970, to serve in numerous leadership capacities, both inside and outside the church walls. While living in the Diocese of Spokane, I was a member of Diocesan Council and then Director of Education and Training. It was also my privilege to be a “pioneer” in the training and leadership development opportunities offered through-out the 8th Province. Outside the church walls, my heart belongs to non-profit organizations where I continue to serve as a consultant, mentor and board member. I feel blessed to have been chosen for this Steering Team. I believe we are all sons and daughters of God. I believe we are all called to be ministers. I believe through-out eternity God will be making all things new. I believe our God is confronting us to “tear down the walls” and bring Christ to the world in new ways. “I know not where the road will lead, I follow day by day. Or where it ends; I only know I walk the King’s highway.”.
Selene N. | Church of the Good Shepherd, Vancouver
I am fairly new to the Episcopal church- we started coming to Church of the Good Shepherd in Vancouver in the summer of 2009 and last January we were received. I have lived in the Pacific Northwest all my life. I went to college at Seattle Pacific University and I recently finished a Masters of Arts in Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary. I am also currently in discernment for the priesthood. My husband and I run a non-profit called Courts for Kids where we take teams to the developing world to partner with communities to build multi-purpose sports courts. I am also a mom to two adorable little boys who are 6 and 3. In addition to spending time with my family I pretend to be a foodie, and I love reading, traveling, running, watching independent movies, visiting National Parks, and anything outdoors.
Eliacín Rosario-Cruz
I am a happy father of three creative and loving kids. Their presence in my life is a constant summons to life authentically. I unashamedly drive a mini-van. I've been known for paradoxically falling asleep watching movies and drink way too much coffee. I was born and raised in Puerto Rico. In 2005 my family and I moved from the warm waters of the Caribbean sea to the cloudy skies of Seattle as part of our pilgrimage toward a more harmonious life and vocation. My family and I are participants in a web of communities with different levels of intentionality– residential and non-residential. My interest and practice is in exploring and creating spaces for spiritual communities of resistance and creativity. I am a Postulant for Holy Orders in The Episcopal Church, that means I am a "Priest wannabe."
Chuck M. | St. Peter's, Long Beach
I grew up in Hood River, OR and was active in EYC programs and Ascension Summer School in Cove, OR. I am a graduate of U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, a US Navy veteran, and retired after 40 years working in US maritime industry. I have been married to Doreen (a fellow camper at Cove) for 54 yrs. We have 3 adult children, 7 grandchildren & 4 great-grandsons. I have been an active member of 6 mission & parish Episcopal churches, serving as a youth adviser, acolyte adviser, on the Bishop's committee, Vestry, outreach and winter homeless shelter programs, church visioning, two search committees, 2 or 3 Diocesan Commissions, and delegate or alternate to Convention 18-20 times in past 44 years. Doreen and I are now members of St. Peter's Episcopal Church on the Long Beach Peninsula in Seaview.
Jim C. I St. Mark’s, Montesano
I grew up Episcopalian at another St. Mark’s in Plainfield, Indiana, then moved to the Northwest after college at Purdue. I have been active in leadership in the Episcopal Church in Western Washington in local church ministry since the late 70s, as well as in Diocesan leadership the past 12 years—Diocesan Council, Budget & Finance Committee, and Standing Committee. I am working again at Boeing after taking early retirement for 5 years. My wife Bonnie is a non-stipend Episcopal priest at our small church in Montesano, and I am Junior Warden, treasurer, webmaster for our church website, and licensed preacher. We have two grownup kids and three grandsons, all of whom are very special to us. We enjoy travel anywhere, but love the Northwest as our home. I welcome this call to look at how our churches can be more accessible to people everywhere, and how our Diocese can do its best to support our churches in their successes.
Is sad that we have three members from good Shepard in Vancouver. The panel does not really appear to encompass the entire diocese. What happened to the rest of dioceses? Could you not find somebody from other communities, say Longview, snoqualmie, whidby island, the san juans port angelses etc.It appears like we are the"dioceses of Puget Sound" and Vancouver. Shame on you.
ReplyDeleteI would respectfully disagree. I think we have a great deal of diversity, as much as a committee of 12 people (plus our facilitator from Vancouver, and our bishop) could hope to have, especially given the specific skills needed to do the work we're doing. Of our 12 members, 3 are from Seattle, 2 from Vancouver, and the rest are from the rest of the diocese. While it may not have someone from everywhere, and certainly won't please everyone, the bishop has, in my opinion, called a diverse group of people from around the diocese to do this work.
DeleteI'll be happy to discuss it further with you if you'd like to contact me directly, Anonymous.
Bishop Rickel and I assembled this team, prayerfully and collaboratively over a couple meetings. We had an eye toward people who could fulfill the mission of this team (as expressed in our "About" statement here on the blog), and with an eye toward being broadly representative of the diocese, while not trying to achieve a rigid representation. We trusted not primarily in our wisdom, but the leading of the Holy Spirit.
DeleteI hope you will pray with us that the Spirit will continue to guide the process to a faithful outcome, to become the church God is calling us to be.
I would like to respond to the question concerning 3 folks from Good Shepherd.
DeleteThank you for reading our blog carefully enough to ask critical questions of us.
While the point about the 3 folks from Good Shepherd is true, I would like to mention that we have some other aspects of diversity, in age, gender, socio-economic backgrounds, education, length of time spent in the church, and of course different points of view. While our diversity is not perfect by standards of one person from person from each region, one person from each category, I think that I want to trust the Holy Spirit on this. It was prayed about and the ones who said yes to the call.
As the team that is called to do this work, it is a team that has made a commitment to pray for one another daily and it is a team has made these meetings and work a priority. I hope that, you will choose to pray for our team as well-- for our purpose and work together.
Please keep reading and asking questions.
It sounds very interesting to this marginalized/silenced individual who is passionate about the Gospel and the Episcopal Church. I wonder if the issue is that you are interested in the people who will and can "fit in" rather than the folks that yearn to "belong". The quotes reference the work of Brene'Brown author of "Daring Greatly, How the Courage to Be VUlnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent and Lead". Eric Law well known author and Episcopal Priest has much to offer as well. Interestingly Brene' actually quotes her clergy----an Episcopal priest!
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting topic to chew on- Belonging vs. Fitting in. I am going to have to check out that book because that is a very interesting point. Great thoughts. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteAbout the 3 from Good Shepherd.....Jesus chose the 12 from a fairly tight-knit community. When the Holy Spirit moves should we ask him to be more creative?
ReplyDeleteHim?
ReplyDeleteSeveral of us from St Columba, Kent, have had conversations in the community and more are planned. We have many details, but the gist of the concerns so far stem from homelessness, low income levels, and immigration and language issues, For example, at a local elementary school often when students disappear and the staff is unsure what has happened to the students, they may eventually determine that someone in their family has been deported and then the family uprooted. We each have heart touching stories of encounters that are each a blog in themselves.
ReplyDeleteIn a few instances store or business managers did not perceive that the community has needs and in a couple of cases were not willing to discuss by policy.
Overwhelmingly though there are service providers, schools, and businesses who are acutely aware of needs, and they suggest that churches may be able to help by offering supplies, language skills tutoring, adopting a housing unit and helping equip it, and by facilitating access to budget planning and job training. One of our OCW team members suggests that more access to free dental care would help, too. South of St. Columba a gas station and mini mart cashier said that homelessness and drug issues are the biggest concerns for her and that it is part of being in this "hood." Not far north from St. Columba, is a small strip mall which includes three churches (each closed during the day of our visit), a Mexican restaurant, an insurance agency, a beauty salon owned by a Korean speaking hair stylist who attends a Korean church in Tacoma, a pizza restaurant with a Latina cashier, a denture clinic run by a Russian Orthodox gentleman who had been friends with a former organist at one of my own neighborhood Episcopal churches, and an Indian, Fijian, and Polynesian grocery store whose owner moved here 10 years ago from Fiji. In that little mall, the big concern is the traffic congestion along Military Rd and the need for more lanes and access in and out of the mall and neighborhood and not so much the needs in the community.
So meanwhile while all of the conversations go on, the people of St. Columba continue to minister in various ways and to some of our neighbors at the Transitional Housing Center on the west hill of Kent and serve clients at our emergency food bank. --submitted by Shirley Hickey for our St. Columba OCW Team