Kevin Justus

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 Kevin Justus.

How long have you worshiped at Saint Philip’s?
That’s an interesting question. I first attended Saint Philip’s as a very young boy because my father sang in the men’s choir and was the music director in the 1960s and 1970s. But then we left, and I didn’t return until the late 1980s. Then I left again in 1995 to pursue my Ph.D and returned permanently in 2001 after completing my degree at Chapel Hill. I’ve worshiped here since then.

What about Saint Philip’s appeals to you?
The ritual within the liturgy. I find ritual very, very important. I feel a sense of security with ritual; knowing the flow within the service lets me focus on really feeling God.

The space of the church appeals to all of the senses; it is a part of the art, architecture and music while—at the same time—it’s also separate from them. I think of how cathedrals, such as Chartres, are meant to be heaven on earth. For me the beauty of Saint Philip's accomplishes the same thing.

Ritual’s other appeal for me is knowing that Christians have been saying the same prayers, such as the Nicene Creed, for centuries. Being a historian I very much appreciate this connection with our past. When we lose that connection we lose ourselves—not just as Christians, but as humans.

In other conversations you’ve mentioned an additional reason Saint Philip’s is special to you.
My husband David and I had one of the first full-blown eucharistic weddings here on October 11, 2013. We arranged to get married in Arizona the minute federal law permitted same-sex marriages. (Ironically, we married the previous June in New Mexico at Saucy Cutlip's.) We didn’t have incense at the October ceremony, but with two artists getting married and with all of our close friends participating, you know it was well curated!

Which service do you typically attend?
Usually the 11:15am because I enjoy the incense and the choral eucharist, and that is where I am needed. Give me that ritual!

How would you describe Saint Philip’s to someone unfamiliar with the parish?
It’s a remarkable space that combines the beauty of its buildings with evangelism. The church is alive.

What do you do professionally?
I wear many hats in the arts that are constantly changing. A had a career in music and now I primarily wear the art historical hat. Music is never far away, because the synthesis of the arts is of paramount importance to me.

I’m an independent scholar and have various projects. My biggest one right now is creating a series of photobooks on the Palace of Versailles. I am also working on small films that combine all of my passions: art, music, and text.

How are you involved at Saint Philip’s?
It seems likes ages ago but I was very involved in the 75th anniversary of the church, participated in Friends of Music, and I was on the committee that created the labyrinth. Now, I chair the Sacred Arts Committee. That group was created because it was decided that caretaking the parish’s sacred arts and how they’re used needed specific attention. (It has become a monumental task.)

When I visit the Louvre, I see the most remarkable works of art and I can hear them begging to sing. They’ve been taken out of their context. But here at Saint Philip’s, we have works of art, like the beautiful Dossi, Saint Philip, that are in the church building—and are that much more vibrant because they’re in the context similar to what the artists imagined.

What are you passionate about?
What I do professionally is what I love and enjoy the most, generally. It is all about beauty. I am also passionate about travel and seeing this wondrous world of ours. So it’s no surprise that I also love nature. When I was a younger adult (less than 55), I was an avid caver.

I caved because I saw the most beautiful things underground. It was sporting and active but it was about seeing something that only a few people have ever seen. God’s handiwork in a drop of water…it’s a great metaphor because it takes so much time (centuries really) for a formation in a cave to grow several feet.

What’s on your bucket list?
The world is a beautiful place, and I want to see parts of it I haven’t yet.

Australia, New Zealand, and Indonesia are my biggest draws right now. They fascinate me. Do you know that Australia has the largest, most poisonous insects in the world?

I also want to go to India. It has such a remarkable visual culture.

What’s one of your guiding principles?
My wonderful parents taught me lots of things but honesty, transparency, and the importance of communication are three that I try to live out every day.

Not that it’s always easy! But I think trying to be honest and transparent in communication—even when painful—is the reason for my marriage’s success. David and I never stay mad at each other because when we do feel mad we communicate about it. We don’t fight because we talk it out.

What’s one of your super powers?
My empathy. Feeling is more important to me than thinking. I’m more heart driven than brain driven. Emotion is in everything but some people try to cut it off. But you can’t sever emotions because there is feeling behind everything.

You’re a whirling dervish. How do you sustain yourself?
I sustain myself with beauty in art and music. Without God there isn’t any beauty. That beauty can be Michaelangelo’s David or a tiny stalaglite. If you just look, you’ll see lots of beauty everywhere.

When the world and its weight becomes heavy, I remember to look at something beautiful. The mesquite tree outside of your office is beautiful. It reminds me that all will be well.

What’s a fun fact about you?
I’m a gym rat and work out all the time. I love and need physical activity—weights and cardio. And despite that I experience severe body dysmorphia. That’s a human thing not just a woman thing.

What’s something you’d like people to know about you?
My passion and exuberance scare people sometimes. Never be afraid of that.

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.