How long have you been attending Grace St. Paul's?
About 4 years now.
Which service do you attend regularly?
The 10:00 am Sunday service.
Why do you attend GSP?
I found my way to GSP through an E-Harmony match. The gentleman was an Episcopal priest and while the romance didn't work out (we became friends instead), he suggested I visit GSP. I followed his suggestion and he was right!
I've stayed at GSP because of how flexible the Episcopal church and GSP are. (It should be noted that I'm not just a fallen Catholic; I'm a runaway Catholic!) Before I found GSP I visited other Episcopal churches. Not a single person welcomed me. But when I visited GSP I was not only welcomed, but immediately embraced. Gini Pilon took me under her wing and introduced me to people and sat with me at hospitality hour. And during the following week someone called me! All those things made me feel welcomed and cared about. GSP is a place where I can be myself, no questions asked.
What GSP ministries are you involved with?
I'm part of the Quilting and Prayer Shawl ministries, and help with the Welcome Ministry.
How long have you been volunteering with them?
I've been with the Prayer Shawl ministry about a year and with the Quilting ministry since it began in October 2011.
What does volunteering for the two ministries involve?
It's about a 4 hour time commitment but it can be more or fewer hours depending on the person. The prayer shawl and quilting ministries have combined their meetings so we meet on Wednesdays from 10:00 - 2:00 in McBride Hall.
I sometimes work at home which can be more convenient depending on my schedule. The important thing to know is that people can participate without attending every weekly session at GSP.
Why do you volunteer?
It feels good! I like getting to know other GSP members and I like the idea of making the blankets and prayer shawls for babies and others who might not otherwise receive a gift like ours.
What prompted you to begin volunteering?
I attended the GSP Ministry Fair and learned about the two groups then. They appealed to me because I could participate from home. At the time I was working so attending the weekly sessions at GSP wasn't possible.
What was your professional job before retiring?
Most recently I was a research nurse in the cancer center at UMC North. We studied drugs either not yet approved by the FDA or being tested for a new use. I did that for a year and a half and loved the direct client contact.
Before working as a nurse I was an auditor for pharmaceutical companies and clinical trials. It was a very isolating job because I worked from my home. I would visit different sites and meet with the physicians and nurses who did the research but all my reports would be prepared at home. I audited the site records to confirm the patients existed and really had the disease and that federal regulations were being followed. In essence, I was the drug police! I did that work for about 20 years. I loved the independence but eventually the isolation made me lonely. That's when I changed jobs and worked as a research nurse.
I was also a teacher and taught kindergarten for a year and third grade for 3 years.
Can you tell us something about yourself that people would be surprised to know?
On a spur of the moment decision I traveled to Turkey by myself about five years ago. I was already in Budapest and a high school friend and her business partner in Turkey planned my trip. I was given the princess tour of Istanbul for a week! I even had the opportunity to pray with muslim women in the Blue Mosque. The tourist books say this isn't possible but I was able to experience this real treat.
What other interests do you enjoy?
I love Argentinian tango and take classes. I'm looking for a permanent partner and will consider all skill levels! I like anything that's creative. I'm an avid reader and belong to two book clubs. Right now I'm enjoying books written by new women writers.
