How long have you been affiliated with Saint Philip’s?

It will be 23 years in February.

How long have you been a deacon?
I was ordained the end of January 2011 so this month marks 12 years.

What do you focus on as a deacon?
In addition to the usual tasks related to worship, my umbrella focus is social justice (which I consider work that helps change systems that don’t honor all individuals).

At Saint Philip’s, I help coordinate events on the border, including the annual Christmas trip to the Naco Wellness Clinic to provide toys and food, co-facilitate the Anti-Racism Discussion Group, and write Daily Bread reflections for the second Monday of each month.

Beyond Saint Philip’s, I work with Pima County Interfaith, a broad-based organization which develops leaders and institutions to speak out and act on issues impacting our families today, such as the education system and immigration issues; I’m a faith leader with the Arizona Democratic Resilience network (a new non-partisan group that works to strengthen confidence in the election system); and, I serve as a Regional Deacon leader for the Diocese of Arizona (which involves planning the first in-person deacon’s retreat this March).

Were you raised in a faith tradition?
I was raised in the Disciples of Christ Christian Church but strayed a bit from formal religion as a young adult. I later joined the Methodist Church and was fairly active in it. When I moved to Washington, D.C. I was invited to attend an Episcopal Church…and began to feel called to become a formal member. I was confirmed in 1997 in Ft Worth, Texas.

When I moved to Tucson and discovered Saint Philip’s, Outreach was one of the ministries I became involved with. Outreach and different experiences with that ministry eventually piqued an interest in becoming a deacon.

What did you do professionally before you retired?
My first career was as a librarian. I then joined the Air Force (USAF). I chose the Air Force because the Army required basic training and I didn’t want to get that dirty! Through a USAF program, I attended law school and, upon graduation, became a judge advocate (JAG) for the remainder of my 20 years of service.

The last 21 years of my professional life melded my two loves: I worked as a librarian for the University of Arizona’s School of Law.

What’s one of your superpowers?
I’m good at helping people make connections. It’s what I did as a reference librarian.

What’s something you’re really proud of?
I dared to end my 37-year marriage 5 years ago, and have created a good life for myself.

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.