Tom Lindell

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 Saint Philip’s parishioner and volunteer, Tom Lindell.

How long have you worshiped at Saint Philip’s?
Since 1977. That’s 47 years!

Were you raised in a faith tradition?
I’m a third generation Swedish Episcopalian from Minnesota. 

What brought you to Tucson?
A job at the University of Arizona’s medical school in 1970. While I had a PhD in Biochemistry, I was hired by the Department of Pharmacology. I was at the medical school for 13 years and then was invited to become the Acting Head of a newly formed department of Molecular and Cellular Biology on the main campus. I was at the University of Arizona for a total of 36 years; I retired in 2006.

What was your area of interest?
My research interest was the regulation of RNA synthesis by enzymes called RNA polymerases. These enzymes copied DNA to produce RNA.

I taught two very interesting courses that invited students to think. One was a bioethics course which dealt with the impact of modern biology on society. At that time the human genome project, genetic testing, and gene therapy were all making an impact.

The other course was on Science and Theology which I taught with a Jesuit cosmologist from the Vatican Observatory.

Both courses focused on inviting students into the questions. That’s what I love to do.

What prompted you to become a deacon?
When I was young and innocent, I thought I wanted to be an Episcopal priest. I ended up going to a small Lutheran college (Gustavus Adolphus) and I put on my application that I was going to be either a chemistry major or a pre-seminary.

I was invited to visit with a professor in the theology department: a staid, Swedish-trained PhD in Theology from the University of Lund, Sweden. I don’t even remember what we talked about.

I left his office and walked to the chemistry department and did not look back. I put the notion of attending seminary on the back burner. Different relationships over the years also took me farther and farther away from the idea of ordination.

So what changed?
I met my wonderful wife, Marilyn. She had absolutely no problem with me being ordained so the year that we married (2000), I also became a deacon.

How are you involved in the parish?
I was a Sunday School teacher, served on the Vestry, and was Senior Warden. Currently, I’m Chair of the Pastoral Care Commission and serve as a deacon. I was involved in the development of the Come & See alternative service in 2005. I continue to lead this service at 4:00pm on Sundays in the Music Center. It’s met weekly since 2007.

Can you say more about the Pastoral Care Commission?
The other commissioners and I are invested in supporting connections and relationships within our parish community. While pastoral care involves everyone, we have been especially attentive to those who are over 80 years old and/or home bound without any support system. Currently, there are over 200 people at Saint Philip’s who are over 80. We think of it as community care as much as pastoral care.

How do you spend your time when not at church?
I’m a print maker and instructor at The Drawing Studio, a local nonprofit.

What about print making engages you?
The manual part of it. I really enjoy working with my hands.

What’s something that people might be surprised to learn about you?
I was the chemist for the first winery in Arizona back in the 1980’s. My friend, Bob Webb, knew I had a chemistry background so asked if I would help. I got involved with crushing and fermenting the grapes—the whole process. It was fun.

Why did you stop?
It’s one thing to produce a quality wine but it’s another thing entirely to market it. That was a very challenging job because Arizona wines were virtually unknown.

What do you do to relax?
I do a lot of reading. I like spy novels, especially those by the author, Daniel Silva.

I also read a lot regarding religion. I just finished the book, The Exvangelicals: Loving, Living, and Leaving the White Evangelical Church. It was very interesting. Over the years I’ve also read a lot about the historical Jesus, and I’m struck by how little we actually know about him.

What’s one of your guiding principles?
Live with ambiguity. None of us is able to anticipate what will happen in our lives. When an unfortunate event happens, we don’t have any choice but to deal with it—whatever it is. I also minimize my expectations.

What’s something you’re grateful for?
I’m grateful to be alive. I’m grateful that I have had the opportunity to use my gifts and talents in the service of others as a teacher, husband, parent to my two daughters, and as a clergy person.

In all those roles I realized that I was a role model—whether I wanted to be or not. Accepting that was quite life-changing for me. That opportunity invited me to walk and speak more carefully knowing that what I say and do had the potential to affect others.

What’s one of your super powers?
I think I’m good at creating community and encouraging everyone to contribute. I view myself as a catalyst who facilitates interactions and connections. I’m also able to invite people into safe spaces where they can be open and share how they feel (or think) without fear of reprisal.

Do you have an unknown talent?
I have an uncanny ability to fix things. But I also love to solve problems and innovate.

What’s something you’ve created?
I’ve developed a way to create etchings that are different than traditional printmaking methods. Many of the prints I’ve shown in the Murphey Gallery have been done using this process.

What’s something you’d love to be able to do—that you can’t?
I’ve never tried it but I think I would have enjoyed playing the flute. Years ago, Marilyn and I were in a bar and a flautist played jazz tunes. It was incredibly expressive.

What might people be surprised to learn about you?
That I’m trying to grow the perfect tomato—and entertaining a group of Screech Owls on our front patio.

Also, some people have been surprised to learn that I have a sense of humor. I have a cadre of Ole & Lena jokes from my past.

What’s something you love to do?
Marilyn and I enjoy the sanctity of our home and studio that are always welcoming spaces. I also enjoy cooking and BBQ.

What have I not asked that you would like people to know?
I consider my life a gift that is meant to be shared. Aging as I am, I am embracing my mortality. I don’t want to have any regrets at the end. I want to be totally expended.

My experience is that a lot of Christians want to relinquish responsibility for their actions by deeming God in total control. I do not personally have a need for God to be in control because I think God has a singular role to love us unconditionally. If we acknowledge that gift, we agree to become the “hands” of God.

That means it’s up to us to be God-like to everyone, using the gifts and talents we have in the service for our neighbors. Our responsibility is to share the love we receive.

At the end of the day, I ask myself, “What’s ultimately most important?” When we gather as a church community for worship, we tell stories (Scripture), and have a meal (Eucharist). What can be better than that?!

What’s a fun fact about you?
When Marilyn and I got married at Chapel Rock (at a deacon’s retreat prior to ordination) our wedding guests were present wearing their pajamas and house coats.

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.