Jen Tellman
EDITOR’S NOTE: A church community is created when people gather together for the love of God. At the same time, Saint Philip’s is comprised of many people who represent different ages, life experiences, and world views.
The “In conversation…” series is one attempt to create possibilities for connection between the different people in our community. As varied as we all are, there are also similarities and mutual interests waiting to be discovered. And there is one thing we all share: a desire to know God and be in relationship with him.
This week’s conversation is with parishioner and volunteer Jen Tellman.
How long have you worshiped at Saint Philip’s?
Since January 1990.
Which service do you typically attend?
I’m not a morning person so I attend the 11:15am service.
Were you raised in a faith tradition?
I grew up a Congregationalist which had far less ceremony than Saint Philip’s. Remember that it was brought to America by the Puritans and I’m a descendent of them.
How are you involved in the parish?
Very early on I got involved with Outreach, and then I began to usher—which I still do.
In 1991 we started Literati. That’s the book discussion group that meets at 7:30pm on the 2nd Monday of every month in the library. I’m one of the only original people left.
Literati is where I met Steve Telman whom I later married. Even though he died in 2018, he remains the love of my life.
I also participate in the weekly Antiracism Discussion Group at 1:00pm on Sundays via Zoom.
What about Saint Philip’s appeals to you?
I feel very deeply rooted here. When I first arrived, I was going through a difficult time and people were incredibly kind. And that continues. I love the people here. That’s not hyperbole. I feel the love and the clouds of witnesses of people gone but still here.
How does participating as a volunteer contribute to your spiritual growth?
Mtr Taylor gave a sermon once where she used the phrase “spiritual tune-up.” Volunteering is reinforcement.
My divorce was extremely painful but I didn’t want to become bitter. It’s what led me to Saint Philip’s. I told my mentor that I had to forgive so I came to church and prayed. I don’t dare leave.
What did you do professionally before you retired?
I was an academic librarian. I moved to Tucson in 1971, and in 1972 I became the librarian for the National Observatories. That includes Kitt Peak and the observatory in Chile. Later I was a research librarian at the University of Arizona Library.
What did you like about your work?
The people!
It’s a terrible stereotype but I’ve always loved to read. I also love to learn. And I also liked the ambience of a library.
For example, I just learned that 12% of women have tetrachromacy. That’s a condition where a person has four cone types in their retina instead of the standard three. It’s a genetic mutation that can occur only in women. And it means they can see 100 million different colors—just like an insect can. How interesting is that?!
What do you do just for fun?
I love to read. Chiefly non-fiction. Right now, I’m reading a book of essays that’s mostly about the landscape and life on the Four Corners region. I also read a lot of history. Unfortunately, I don’t have as much time to read as I used to because I keep falling asleep! There are also so many other things to do.
I volunteer as a docent at the Arizona State Museum. I lead tours about the pottery, baskets, and other exhibits. I love doing that. I work very hard at learning as much as I possibly can to encourage people to learn more themselves.
What’s one of your super powers?
My enthusiasm—which I love to share.
I think another super power is empathy. I very profoundly don’t want people to suffer—and can’t overstate that. I want people to feel comforted and loved.
What’s something you’re proud of?
I’ve become more compassionate, loving, and understanding than I used to be.
What inspired that?
This church and other groups I belong to like The Companions of the Holy Cross. Those are my two chief inspirations.
I also try to be with people who I think are loving and kind; who help me want to be that way, too.
Do you have a favorite prayer?
I have two. One is in the baptismal ceremony: “Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself? Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being? I will with God’s help.”
The second prayer is the one attributed to St Francis: “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace: where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy.” I say that to myself every night when I go to bed.
What’s one of your guiding principles?
Try not to judge. Some people get their exercise by leaping to conclusions!
What’s something you are grateful for?
I’m grateful to have had parents who valued compassion and demonstrated that in how they interacted with people. They believed it was important to be kind. They were also highly educated and interested in all sorts of things so I learned from them while I was growing up, as well as in school.
My father was quite ill most of his life and my parents didn’t have much money. But they always found money to share with others. I didn’t know about it at the time.
Where did you grow up?
In Richmond, Maine.
Do you have a pet?
I have a whoodle named Monty (for Montague). When he turned two I had a conversation with him about becoming more mature but he’s still holding out. He’s very lovable!
What have I not asked that you would like people to know?
I’m so grateful to Saint Philip’s. I feel extremely connected. My dearly loved dogs are in the pet memorial, my husband is here, and I’ve purchased a spot in the columbarium right next to him.
If you knew you couldn’t fail, what would you want to do?
I’m a terrible swimmer so I would love to dive deep into the ocean and see all the fish and life.
I’d also love to learn Chinese.
What’s a fun fact about you?
My favorite novel is War and Peace. I just love it. It’s well written and I find the story very, very engaging. I’ve read it three times. I think there’s something exotic about Russian literature that appeals to me. I like the familiar, but I like the foreign, too.
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you like to go?
The land next to the Magellanic passage at Tierra del Fuego.
Why there?
The topography is supposed to be very interesting and beautiful. It was very perilous but the only route to the Pacific before the construction of the Panama canal. I have sea captain ancestors on my mother’s side and that the route was so important only adds to its appeal.
Missed an interview? All previous interviews can be found on Saint Philip’s website under the “About Us” tab. Click here to visit that page.