Kate Appel
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, volunteer, and part-time staff member, Kate Appel.
How long have you worshiped at Saint Philip’s?
Six and a half years.
Which service do you typically attend?
The 9:00am service.
Were you raised in a faith tradition?
I was. Until high school I attended a Pentecostal Holiness denomination in which my dad was raised. But when I was 17, I was confirmed in the Episcopal Church. Since then I’ve had wonderful interactions with Baptist, Reformed, Lutheran, Roman Catholic, and Orthodox traditions.
How did you find the Episcopal church?
My sister and I fell in love with English choral music. We wanted to hear more and stumbled upon English choirs. Our family also hosted an English choir that was on an exchange trip.
It was around that point that my parents realized it was time for them to move on from the church denomination I grew up in—but they weren’t sure where to go. My sister and I were out of town but they knew we liked choral music so they thought they’d visit the Episcopal Cathedral.
My parents fell in love with the liturgy. My mother cried and my father felt like he’d come home.
What about Saint Philip’s appeals to you?
One of the things that made Justin and me decide to come to Saint Philip’s (when he was interviewing for his position) was that the search committee talked about how much the church does. And the fact that Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is part of the formation curriculum was a real gift. I’d been exposed to that previously and had prayed that we would find a church with a CGS program.
How would you describe Saint Philip’s to someone unfamiliar with the parish?
It’s like a large family with a lot going on! That family is warm and full of varied interests with a real heart to serve each other and the people around it.
How are you involved in the parish?
I’m one of the co-chairs of the Children, Youth, and Family Ministries Commission. I also volunteer for the music department. For example, I assemble programs and help with logistical things.
I recently became part-time staff (5 hours/week) to help Mtr Taylor with some formation program details, and with fundraising and administrative matters for the upcoming UK Residency & Pilgrimage.
What keeps you busy when not at Saint Philip’s?
My job is to be a homeschooling mom to five children ages 9 to 17.
What do you do just for fun?
My hobby interests are historical textiles. Right now I’m most interested in Northern European textiles from 700 to 1450AD.
I spend time reading various journals and papers that people have written and watch youtube channels.
My main interest is linen and wool—particularly for clothing. I’m fascinated by anything people back then used to make fabric.
How did you discover this interest?
I was interested in weaving for a long time yet wasn’t making anything. That was in part because there are so many lovely things to weave that I couldn’t settle on anything that seemed to make the effort worthwhile.
And then—quite randomly—I discovered on youtube a video of a young creator who made herself a late 13th Century outfit. Something about that sparked my interest. I thought, “That is what I would want to try to weave!”
Now I’m on my loom and learning.
What about weaving do you find so compelling?
It models life in that it’s a very multi-step process. You have to stay in the process. You can’t rush. You have to be in the stage that you’re in. It’s very centering. When I’m in flow, it’s close to meditation.
What’s something you’re proud of?
I was raised to keep pretty strict boundaries so—after my children—I’m proud to be in a place in my life where I enjoy interacting with people who have different perspectives and follow different faiths.
What’s one of your guiding principles?
Everything is a growth opportunity. I may not grow as much as I want, but no matter how hard something is there is lasting growth.
What’s something you’re grateful for?
The first thing that pops into my mind is the stability that Saint Philip’s offers my family and me. Since Justin and I married, the past six and a half years are the longest that we’ve been in one place. Justin has a wonderful job, I love our home, and this parish is a community that’s allowed our family to focus on living rather than preparing to leave and settle somewhere new.
What’s one of your super powers?
I really enjoy researching something, assimilating the information, and then sharing it in a way that others can quickly comprehend and use.
What I do allows people to move forward in their decision making process more quickly because a lot of the heavy lifting has already been done.
If you couldn’t fail, what’s something you’d like to do/or try?
I’d love to create an accurate reproduction of an archeological fabric find.
What have I not asked that you would like people to know?
That I’m a work in progress. That Jesus is not done with me yet—thankfully.
Know those magnets on cars for new drivers? “Student driver—please be patient.” I would love to have a magnet to put on myself! We’re all in this life together and I love having fellow pilgrims on the way. Other people who are “in progress” are always welcome.
What’s a fun fact about you?
I enjoy collecting power tools.
I’m the one in our house who likes to fix things. I tore up the sink plumbing before coming to this interview. I can always come up with a power tool I need.
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.