Emily Lyons

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 Emily Lyons.

How long have you worshiped at Saint Philip’s?
Since the fall of 2021. I know because I joined the choir then.

Which choirs do you sing in?
I’m in the Adult Choir and in Scola Cantorum (which sings Choral Evensong) on the third Sunday of every month.

Were you raised in a faith tradition?
I was raised in the Roman Catholic church and attended Sunday mass fairly regularly until I was about 12. By the time I entered adolescence, my mom was fed up with the church’s politics and the role of women in Catholicism. My own awareness expanded and I started asking lots of questions.

For a long time I identified as an atheist. It’s only in the past few years that I noticed a shift.

What made you decide to return to church?
It was a gradual process, and it helped that I approached the idea with an open mind. I respected church even though I didn’t think it was for me. But watching people who are smart and rational find meaning in their lives through religion made me reconsider my position.

I spoke with different clergy here about my questions. For example, I asked what sense there is in making the same motions every week in the liturgy. The conversations changed my perspective and I now appreciate the importance of ritual as a discipline.

I made the connection to my yoga practice. When I attend one class I get a day’s benefit. But reinforcing that practice through regular repetition offers deeper growth. Having those conversations invited me to think about church in a different way.

And seeing women and people who are “out” and queer all participating in church made a big impact.

Is there something about Saint Philip’s that stands out for you?
The wide range of people. There are so many families, young people; I appreciate how multi-generational and lively the parish is. And everyone takes good care of each other. I love that.

How are you involved in the parish?
I sing in the choir and am part of the Prayer Shawl Ministry. I’ve also recently worked with Dcn Kim Crecca who is the lead contact for the diocesan Prison Ministry. My goal is to do more with prison ministry.

Do you volunteer outside Saint Philip’s?
I’m a pen pal through Black and Pink, an organization that connects LGBTQ inmates with pen pals. I correspond with an inmate in California who is a transwoman in a men’s prison. That relationship is very important to me.

How does participating as a volunteer contribute to your spiritual growth?
They’re inter-related. I’ve always been interested in social justice and see this parish’s commitment to that. I appreciate that there is a network of resources here that is grounded in faith.

My interest in social justice brings me to the church. And what I get from the church animates my commitment to social justice.

What do you do professionally?
I’m a lecturer at the School of Information at the University of Arizona. I teach classes on media studies.

My background is very different from what I do now. When I was finishing my PhD in 19th Century British Literature, I was hired as a part-time adjunct. But seven years later I teach pretty much full-time now. 

You teach about social media but don’t engage it personally. How does that work?
I used to be very online but determined it was detrimental to my focus and mental health. I follow a lot of social media journalism and my students provide a lot of information about what’s going on so I don’t have to be in that bubble.

But many people’s careers require that they engage social media so the students and I discuss how to approach it in a healthy, balanced way.

You’ve said that church is an antidote for social media. Can you expound on that?
Social media is often about sound bites that are decontextualized and calculated to elicit strong reactions. There is no listening.

The church is the inverse. It’s a space for deep reflection where a lot of time is spent trying to understand complicated ideas. Social media offers the illusion of connection but real connection requires sustained, thoughtful engagement.

How does your faith influence decisions you make?
I’ll say this: I think it’s no accident that I found my way to Saint Philip’s in the midst of the pandemic and this season of political discord. Being here helped me feel less insane and less hopeless—and more patient and forgiving. I’m reminded to always try to be patient and compassionate with people. And even if I don’t agree with them, I can choose to remember they are people and try to understand where they’re coming from.

What’s one of your guiding principles?
That nothing is permanent—including anything that is stressing me out or frustrating me. I try to focus on the bigger connections, and remember that everything is inter-connected—and that I am part of that big picture.

What’s one of your super powers?
I’m curious. It’s a lot easier to have compassion for people with different beliefs when I remember that people are complex and things aren’t black and white. None of us is static; things shift constantly. 

What’s something you’re proud of?
The times in my life when I’ve stood up for myself. I don’t consider myself a big risk taker but there have been times when I made big changes that were scary. That doesn’t come naturally so I’m proud of the times I’ve done that.

What do you do to refresh yourself?
I love all forms of music. And knitting is fun and relaxing. But I also love to camp and spend time outdoors. I wish I did more of that.

Where’s the most unusual place you’ve camped?
I was doing a big road trip across the country and visiting friends on the east coast. I had seen a friend in New Jersey and was enroute to Ithaca, New York and thought it would be fun to stop in New York City. The cost was prohibitive so I searched for a campground in Staten Island. And one actually exists! It was too weird to pass up.

I did spend one night there, but a friend of a friend caught wind of what I was doing and said (correctly) that it was insane. He invited me to stay on his couch in Brooklyn, and enjoy a shower and some cold gin. I said, “yes!”

What have I not asked that I should know?
I would like everyone at Saint Philip’s with whom I’ve had any interaction—big or small—to know that I appreciate it. I don’t always express that. 

I’d also like people to get in touch with me if they’re interested in being part of a working group or reading group related to learning more about justice for prison inmates. My email address is elyons@arizona.edu.

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.