My husband, Phil, and I moved to Santa Fe two years ago, arriving on All Saints Day. I have been attending Holy Family since that time, first via livestream, then in person (yeah!).
I was raised in a Christian household where many relatives were pastors: some Presbyterian, some Methodist, some Church of the Brethren, some Baptist. At age 15 I met God in the Anglican Church while overseas and never looked back. The liturgy, the grounding in scripture, the lay participation, the welcoming breadth of the American Episcopal version all drew me and keep me meeting God in an honest and joyful way.
I have been a speech-language pathologist for over 35 years, working in low-income public schools. I have mostly worked with non-verbal students who require pictures or machines as a way to communicate. For the last 4 years, I have been working as a reading tutor in low-income neighborhoods. I am currently working for ReadingQuest, a non-profit tutoring program, at our neighborhood schools: Nina Otero and Sweeney.
As far as church leadership goes, I have participated in and led just about every aspect of church life with the exception of money and buildings/grounds. I have been the junior warden, worship steward, education director, music team leader, liturgist, welcoming steward, preacher, EFM mentor, and discernment committee chair. Specific skills I would bring to the Bishop’s Committee include organizational abilities for both administration and worship, an understanding of our church as part of the larger world Church and a deep commitment to our call to service in God’s name.
We are blessed to have three Episcopal churches in the Santa Fe area and I attend services, bible studies and special events at all three every week. As part of the bigger church, opportunities at Holy Family for worship, study and service can grow. In addition, I see Holy Family as perfectly situated to support the families, businesses and services in the South side. In addition, with new housing going up quickly in the area, we will have plenty of opportunities to offer God’s love to our new sisters and brothers. What a privilege!