Mike Humphrey

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 Mike Humphrey.

How long have you worshiped at Saint Philip’s?
Off and on since 2000. 

How’d you find your way to the parish?
My very close friend Susan Gamble.

Which service do you typically attend?
The 11:15am service.

What do you like about Saint Philip’s?
The church is beautiful and the music is wonderful. But mostly it’s the clergy.

The clergy have meant so much to me over the past 20 years. There have been three different rectors with various staff clergy during my time and they have all been really wonderful. They share a sense of being connected to God, and by being connected to them I feel closer to God.

Were you raised in a faith tradition?
I was raised and educated in the Roman Catholic church—which made it easy to transition to the Episcopal church. I really appreciate that women can lead the liturgy, clergy can marry, and that, generally, clergy seem more connected to people like me living our day-to-day lives. The Episcopal church is also in sync with how I view religion.

How do you view religion?
It doesn’t matter what I do on Sunday if I don’t translate my faith in Jesus Christ and God into how I live my life during the week. That’s what it’s all about. If I don’t do that, then what I do on Sunday is just a show. Religion and the world have to be intertwined, and Saint Philip’s offers many opportunities for those connections. Two recent examples are providing school supplies for low-income children and offering the outstanding music program for children that we do.

I believe your volunteer work mirrors that approach.
It does. I have a Masters in Public Health and am on the Pima County Board of Health, participate in a juvenile diversion program run by the District Attorney’s office, and serve on the Community Editorial Board for the Arizona Daily Star newspaper.

At Saint Philip’s, I helped form the ad-hoc gun violence committee in the wake of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Littleton, Connecticut. Most recently, I’ve focused on campus security generally.

Is there a particular area of public health that you focus on?
There is. I’m very passionate about reducing gun violence. My brother-in-law killed himself with a firearm. There are so many issues that need attention so I focus my efforts on what might have a local impact.

Right now I’m working on trying to enforce laws that make it illegal for someone to pose as a buyer when that person is, in fact, purchasing the firearm for someone else. These are called straw-purchase laws.

The Tucson community has given so much to me that—now that I’m retired—I have to give back to those who need my help.

How would you describe Saint Philip’s to someone unfamiliar with the parish?
A warm, loving and accepting place. It takes you as you are and doesn’t try to make you into something you aren’t.

What did you do professionally before you retired?
I worked at the Pima County Health Department. I started as a clerk and finished my career as a Public Health Manager. I managed medical records and health planning, and also taught at the University of Arizona.

We developed new health clinics in underserved areas. For example, we opened new clinics in Flowing Wells and South Tucson.

How do you relax?
Attending church on Sundays is a real outlet for me. I can be in the moment, relax, be with people I like, and feel close to God. I love to sing. I don’t have a good voice but I’m enthusiastic! Outside of church I love to play golf and meet with different groups of friends.

I also exercise every day. I walk the upper course at McKale Stadium. It’s fabulous! It’s air conditioned and yet no one is there. I don’t get that.

Both your arms are covered with tattoos. Can you share something about that?
A lot of people get ink because of something that’s happened to them. Tattoos are a way to express feelings and emotions.

I lost my wife and sister in a car crash on I-10 in 2008. The ink I have is related directly to how I felt immediately after the crash and up through 2015.

It started with a tombstone on my upper right arm. The next phase represented how I was barely hanging on. I have a tiger and monkey a la the myth. The monkey represents me and the tiger represents life. The monkey has to keep riding the tiger because if the monkey falls off the tiger will eat him.

And then I met my current wife and felt more optimistic. The crane signifies a long life and the magpies are good fortune.

I think one of the nicest byproducts is that my sleeves have opened doors with young people. They see them and give me a chance to prove that I’m more than an old white man who can’t understand them.

What’s one of your guiding principles?
Help others—not because I expect something back but because I want to help somebody else. That’s what we’re here for. We can’t live just for ourselves.

What’s one of your super powers?
I’m a good listener. I have the ability to look at both sides of an issue but more importantly—I’m willing to listen to someone I disagree with so that I can test my own beliefs. It’s not always easy but it sure is helpful because most of our issues in the world are in the gray zone. 

What’s a fun fact about you?
I’m almost 70 years old and really like heavy metal music. The band Tool is one of my favorites. That edgy, blasting boost of sound is great! 

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.