Savannah Merchant

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, Savannah Merchant.

How long have you worshiped at Saint Philip’s?
Since February of 2022. I remember that it was during Lent and I had never participated in Lent in earnest before.

I attended the Methodist church but neither my parish nor my family ever leaned into that season the way Saint Philip’s does. It was a very moving experience—especially because I hadn’t been to church in ten years.

What prompted you to return to church?
The short answer is that I wanted to meet people. I moved to Tucson shortly before the pandemic and working from home and having everything shut down made it really hard to make friends. My father also died during that time. I was lonely and my world view had become pretty dark.

I remembered from my childhood that church knows how to do community. So attending Saint Philip’s was a last ditch, Hail Mary effort to connect with people.

Where did you move from?
A really tiny town in the middle of nowhere, Texas. Almost in Louisiana.

What about Saint Philip’s enticed you to explore it?
I shopped the churches in Tucson and subscribed to all their newsletters. Saint Philip’s had some of the most interesting programming. I connected with Mtr Taylor who took me out for coffee.

Another big thing that made me interested in exploring church again generally was a dream I had.

I was a child back in my childhood church receiving communion. I never dreamed that before. I wasn’t even particularly involved in church growing up. But when I woke up I told my husband—who’s an atheist—that I wanted to try church. He said it was sort of random but ok.

What’s kept you here?
Children, Youth, and Family Ministry (CYFM) really pulled me in—and that continues to be my anchor. On those Sundays when I’m feeling lazy and unmotivated, I think of the kiddos who are counting on me and I go to church. And I’m always glad I did.

What makes you feel like you belong to this community?
I think the CYFM community plays the largest role in that. Mtr Taylor has done something really special that I haven’t seen done before.

She’s cultivated an environment that’s bigger than the individual formation classes. All the leaders for CYFM have lunches together and it’s helped me to form relationships with some of the parents. We sit in the courtyard and engage in programming together. Those relationships have been great to help me feel that I’m more than just a drop-off place for kids. And that’s important because I want to connect with adults who are my age, too.

I’m 30 and don’t have any kids yet. But my husband and I are planning. I sometimes feel like the parents are my older siblings who I get to have as role models. They show me what it means to be a godly parent or spouse. I’m growing up in a beloved community that is helping me transition. I don’t have a lot of role models for my next phase so I am very grateful to be part of this community.

What do you do professionally?
I’m Court appointed counsel and represent children who are in abuse and neglect proceedings.

How do you manage the heartbreak of what you do?
First and foremost, my role is to give kids a voice in the court proceedings. I remind myself that I didn’t create the mess they’re in but I do have the ability to help them express themselves. I help them have their voices heard.

Too often children are pushed to the side or forgotten. I think of Jesus and his love for children. My work is very fulfilling.

What led you to this work?
I always babysat but had never considered a career working with children. But working with the kids at Saint Philip’s—and being told I had a gift for it—let me to this job…which I think is my vocation.

In some ways, I feel like I’m a baby Christian. I don’t know a lot about what I think God is but it’s clear that God has been present in drawing me back to church, and guiding me to work with children.

What do you do to relax/replenish yourself?
I’m a hobby enthusiast. Ask me weeks apart what my hobby is and I’ll have a different one. Right now I’m falling in love with reading again. I’ve read 21 books so far this year.

What’s something you’re proud of?
I’m proud of my ability to take risks and leaps of faith. One example that comes to mind is leaving where I lived my entire life (including college) in Texas and moving to Tucson for law school.

I did the same thing walking into Saint Philip’s. I thought, “I want to belong here and I will make that happen.”

Is there something in your history that helped shape that?
I had a sheltered, secure, safe upbringing. I grew up in a small town where everyone knew me. I had two loving, very involved parents. By the time I reached adulthood, I had a real sense of security and self-esteem; I knew that I would always have people to love me and help me.

All that love and security helped encourage me to trust that things will work out. And they do!

What impact did your father’s death have on you?
His death was probably the first event in my life that changed me overnight. I woke up the next morning and all the things that I thought mattered no longer did. And those things I had thought didn’t matter—going home for holidays, answering the phone when my mom calls—suddenly became important.

One of the best sermons I ever heard was on the Beatitudes. The message I took away was that the promise isn’t that everything happens for a reason. The promise is that in every moment of sorrow, God can find comfort and good for you. Light can always be found in the dark.

What’s something you’re passionate about?
My work. I’ve been at it only a year so the energy might run out, but this is the first time in my career where I get up in the morning and feel called to do the work I do.

My old job was pretty sweet. I worked only 35 hours a week and had tons of vacation because I was at the University. In comparison, I now always work overtime, and am stressed pretty much all day. I see horrible things. But, no amount of money could make me return to my old job. In fact, I took a pay cut for my current position. Nothing can match the feeling of doing what I’m called to do.

What’s a core value?
Earnestness. I need to wake up every morning and try. There’s no shame in trying and failing. There’s no value in having pride and pretending that I don’t care or that everything is easy. I have to try—to be kind, and to make the world a better place.

I try to speak my truth. And when I fumble and hurt someone, then I apologize.

What’s one of your guiding principles?
Have grace. The world is a much nicer, nicer place when I choose to believe that everyone is trying the best they can.

Brenee Brown explains that how harshly we judge others is how we judge ourselves. I certainly need others to have grace with me when I fail so I do my best to reciprocate.

What’s something you’re grateful for?
My husband, Brandon. Even if I say everything all wrong and embarrass myself—which I do all the time—I know I go home to someone who loves me, sees me, and holds me unconditionally. That gives me the strength to put myself out there with other people.

What’s one of your super powers?
I think I’m really good at making people feel loved. I value that and try to let every person in my life know how much I care about them, admire them, and think they’re special.

What might people be surprised to learn about you?
In many ways I’m an introvert.

As much as I love connecting with people, I’m going to have to go home after this interview and not talk to anyone until tomorrow. It drains me and I need a lot of time by myself. I read my books, and do my crafts in silence because all the talking wears me out.

What have I not asked that you would like people to know?
I hope people reading this interview who don’t know me will stop and say hi if we meet on campus. I would like to know you!

What’s a fun fact about you?
I love super cheesy, ooey-gooey corny shows because they’re wholesome and make me feel good inside. Think, “Anne of Green Gables” and “Steel Magnolias.”

What’s something you would love to do—that you haven’t yet?
My husband and I share a dream of retiring to Vermont. We watch YouTube and tourist videos of people living there. We even put together puzzles of Vermont scenes. It’s a weird, quirky dream that has become a hobby.

Has either of us been there? No. But it looks so beautiful—the maple syrup and the trees and the leaves all seem so nice. Whenever it’s 110 degrees outside, we’ll talk about Vermont.

We don’t know if it will pan out but right now the dream works for us.

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.