A welcoming and loving community helps people become who God is calling them to be. St Philip’s is such a welcoming and loving community.

I am currently a postulant to the Diaconate because the community of St Philip’s helped me discern who God is calling me to be. Along the path to diaconate study, this blessed body of open-hearted and caring Christians supported me through changes, challenges and transformation.

I think of St Philip’s as supplying the A.R.C. in my spiritual journey. Not the kind of ark Noah built. The St. Philips Phixers are good, but they aren’t in the boat business! More like an electric arc, a luminous, curved bridge of energy, the St Philip’s A.R.C. helped me make leap of faith from one tradition to another, from one calling to another. The energetic sparks of this A.R.C. were Adult Formation, A, the Rector, R, and the community, C: A.R.C.

When I began coming to the St Philip’s campus about 7 years ago to see my spiritual director, I noticed a flyer for the Quest program. Greg Foraker, who was my teacher at the Hesychia School for Spiritual Directors, was the facilitator. The write-up for the Quest series intrigued me and the comfort of already knowing Greg prompted me to sign up. Quest not only nourished and stretched me spiritually, but provided friendships at St Philip’s. If you have not yet taken Quest, I recommend it highly. Quest as part of Adult Formation is the A in the A.R.C.

The R in A.R.C. is Rector John Kitagawa. I’d met John during Quest and saw him a few times again when I became a small group leader for Quest. When I broke my ankle a few years ago and was wheelchair bound, John visited me at home, bringing a prayer shawl and communion. I was amazed at his generosity in visiting since I wasn’t a member of St Philip’s. During the visit, John invited me to attend services at the church.

I took John up on his invitation, an invitation that, I’m sure, the Holy Spirit inspired at the right time in my spiritual journey. My spiritual director, Jeanette Renouf, and I had long been discussing how I might follow a sense of call to ordination since women’s ordination was not an option in my Catholic tradition. John opened a door of possibility with his warm invitation to worship services at St Philip’s. The day I met with John to discuss the possibility of ordination was transformational – I took a somewhat frightening leap from the Catholicism that had defined and fed me for nearly 60 years to embracing the Episcopal faith.

The leap was made easier by the supportive, affirming community of St Philip’s, the C in the A.R.C. I’ve changed parishes many times because of moving around the country. Never have I been welcomed or embraced more sincerely and quickly than at St Philip’s! I credit John, Greg and Jeanette for helping me find a niche and getting me involved in the community immediately.

My involvement at St Philip’s is primarily in Eldercare Ministry. As part of this ministry, I co-facilitate the Family Caregiver Support Groups. St Philip’s offers overworked, overwhelmed caregivers a safe place to share their burdens and find support and helpful resources for their difficult jobs. I’m privileged to witness the positive impact and the transformational aspects of the caregiver support groups. “I don’t know what I’d do without this group. You help me keep going.” and “I learn so much in this group about coping with my stress and finding community resources.” are typical comments from support group participants.

Authentic love is the defining characteristic of a Christian community. Authentic love is the salient characteristic of St Philip’s community. Love changes us, turns us in new directions, challenges us and transforms us. We change not only for the better, but we become more what and who God calls us to be. Adult Formation, our Rector, John Kitagawa, and this loving community originally attracted me to St Philip’s and now hold me here. This A.R.C. is why I support St Philip’s through both ministerial and financial contributions. I want to sustain what St Philip’s embodies. I want to continue to be transformed by and be an integral part of the transformations St Philip’s ministries make possible. I invite you to join me in supporting St Philip’s. Become involved in one of our many ministries and increase your financial contribution to fund these transformational ministries.

Thank you. May the love of God and this community enfold you, bless you and transform you.