Elizabeth Wood
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, Elizabeth Wood.
How long have you worshiped at Saint Philip’s?
Since 2019 when I retired and began living in Tucson full time.
Which service do you typically attend?
The 9:00am service.
Were you raised in a faith tradition?
I was brought up in the Church of England.
My father was a primary care physician until all three of his children were in college. He then attended divinity school and was ordained in the Church of England—so I’m now an official PK (preacher’s kid).
Since moving to this side of the Atlantic, I’ve been a member of the Episcopal church.
What about Saint Philip’s appeals to you?
I love the liturgy—the formality of the service—and the music.
What makes you feel like you belong to this community?
One of the first things that made me develop a real sense of belonging—beyond attending services—was going on the pilgrimage in 2019. I spent an extended amount of time with a smaller group of people and developed some deep friendships.
How are you involved in the parish?
I served on the Vestry for 3 years (including during COVID which was very challenging). Before the Beloved in the Desert program was discontinued I was on that Board. And now I volunteer as an usher on Sunday mornings.
Do you volunteer beyond Saint Philip’s?
I do. There are two main things I do.
For the last three years I’ve served as a court appointed special advocate (CASA) volunteer.
My role is to be the voice for a young person in foster care going through a challenging or disorienting period in their life—and to make sure their voice doesn’t get lost amidst all the other agencies and individuals who want to influence what happens.
The training is intense but so worthwhile. Volunteers have to learn the “ins and outs” of the system because we’re involved with schools, therapies, social agencies, etc.
One of “my girls” will turn 18 this summer and I’m incredibly proud of her. We’ve worked together for three years—a combination of mentoring and enrichment activities. This spring she will graduate from high school, and will be the first person in her family to do that.
What’s the second volunteer activity you do?
Three times a week I read to an older gentleman in the community who lost his eyesight to macular degeneration. That resonates with me because my grandmother was almost blind by the time she died. And I have a close friend who is undergoing treatment for the disease.
I benefit as much as he does. He has interests very different from mine so I’m exposed to books that I wouldn’t normally read.
What did you do professionally before retiring?
My entire career was in Human Resources—most of it in the retail sector. I was Head of HR for Brooks Brothers, a division of Calvin Klein, ToysR us, and Levi Strauss.
What about that work engaged you?
People often think that HR is only about listening to employee complaints or keeping the company out of legal trouble. But it’s so much more. Most of my time was spent identifying and recruiting talented individuals, and then motivating them to meet the organization’s goals.
I’ve always enjoyed helping people understand what their strengths are, and finding opportunities that will let them shine. It was a very rewarding career.
What’s something you’re passionate about?
I like life to be varied: consulting, family, church, volunteer work. I struggle sometimes to balance it all but I love it.
I’m also passionate about life-long learning.
What’s something new you’ve done recently?
I just started my 1:1 Spanish lessons. That’s motivated by another passion: travel. My husband’s keen on traveling to South America so when we go to Argentina next year I hope to be able to engage people in Spanish.
What’s one of your core values?
We have two ears and one mouth for a reason! I try to listen and seek to understand before diving into a situation.
How do you live that out?
It takes time. I can’t rush in with a bunch of assumptions. I have to force myself to try to get a variety of inputs or listen really hard to what the other person is saying. It’s ultimately about making that commitment of time and space.
Do you have a favorite prayer?
Growing up we had family prayers in the evenings. I always loved the prayer: “Lighten our darkness, we beseech thee, O Lord, and by thy great mercy, defend us from all perils and dangers of this night.” I still say it at bedtime most nights.
What’s one of your guiding principles?
"Sometimes you have to choose between being right and being happy". Let go of trying to have the last word and win every argument. I learned that from my mother.
What’s something you’re grateful for?
My children, Charlie and Olivia.
My husband and I adopted Charlie when he was 2 weeks old. A few months later his birth parents contacted the adoption agency and said they were expecting another child—so we adopted Olivia the following year.
They’re both adults now and live in Phoenix. I’m grateful that they each have jobs that they love, steady relationships, and their own passions.
What’s one of your super powers?
I’m good at helping people identify their strengths and matching them with opportunities to thrive—professionally and personally.
What might people be surprised to learn about you?
I get the impression people think I’m more serious than I am. I love a good party!
What’s a fun fact about you?
I was born in Kampala, Uganda when my parents worked there. My father was training doctors in anticipation of the country becoming more independent of the UK.
My father wasn’t able to join my mother when she traveled to Kampala to give birth; he had to stay elsewhere in the country working. When someone called to let him know I was delivered safely, they didn’t tell him my gender. He had to wait another 12 hours before learning he had a baby girl.
What do you like to do when you have extra time?
Watch British murder mysteries like Shetland. I’m also a big Ted Lasso fan. The show is inspiring because it’s about a coach who worries less about winning and more about helping the players on the team be the best version of themselves in a very competitive macho field.
Do you have a hidden talent?
Since retirement, I have been working with a trainer to build my strength (so important as we age!) I can now squat 150 pounds and bench press 100. It’s taken me awhile to build up to that but I’m proud of how far I have come!
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.