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ARCHANGEL

A Publication of St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, Raleigh, NC • Vol. 4, Issue 2, Summer 2021

KEEPERS OF THE KINGDOM

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Table of Contents 4

The Holy Spirit Works Here

As he looks back on his 17 years in our parish, the Rev. Samuel Gregory Jones sees a living, growing church, despite the challenges of the past 15 months.

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Ready for Take-Off

After a difficult year, the Rev. Dr. James L. Pahl Jr., ponders keeping community as we enter church life again.

8 Find Your Passion and Pursue It

The Rev. Anna S. Page bids farewell to the St. Michael’s community as she reports for active duty as a chaplain in the U.S. Army.

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Our Tender Shepherds

Jesús Epigmenio and Marcela de la Cruz are daily fixtures at St. Michael’s, caring for our building and grounds. Suzanne Naborna learns more about them in conversation about how they came to be with us.

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Who’s Who at St. Michael’s Church Phone: (919) 782-0731

All area codes are 919 unless noted

FEATURES 12 In Stitches

St. Michael’s stitchers create new childinspired altar hangings for Beckwith Chapel that have origins in our windows.

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In It for the Long Haul

More than half of our staff has been working in the parish for more than 20 years. Take a look at who they are and why they chose to stay.

The Middle Ground

The Rev. Jamie Pahl explores the “via media,” the middle ground where we will all meet when we gather again.

THE GOOD NEWS 20 Consider Something New

It’s never too late to challenge yourself in new ways. The Rev. Holly Gloff invites you to join her in exploring later-in-life pursuits.

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Our Family’s Keeper

One of Lee Hayden’s many hats allows her to provide a safe haven for all who are interred on our grounds.

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We Remember

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Making Our Way Back

St. Michael’s has lost far too many in our family these past few months. Take a look with us at the mark they made on our community and our parish.

Writer Will Lingo finds particular touchstones guiding him as he returns to church.

The Rev. Samuel Gregory Jones, Rector ext. 117 • jones@holymichael.org (c) 559-2004 The Rev. James L Pahl Jr. Vicar ext. 105 • pahl@holymichael.org (c) .339.3854 The Rev. Holly Gloff, Associate Rector ext. 127 • gloff@holymichael.org (c) 612-7228 VESTRY

Class of 2020 Ashleigh Black •789-8284 |John Connell • 336-407-891 Rob Griffin • 510-9982 |Marty Munt • 847-6780 Karen Wagoner • 604-4701 Class of 2021 Liz Driscoll • 886-3424 | Matt Marchione • 426-8504 Katherine Poole • 623-3498 | Logan Price • 270-3700 Melissa Raley • 219-2746 Class of 2022 Amanda Carson • 961-4952 Claren Englebreth • 252-205-4126 Robert Marshall • 260-4363 |Sam Taylor • 908-339-5566 Rose Vaughn Williams • 922-0386 STAFF

Stella Attaway, Coordinator of Nursery Ministry • ext. 106 Ann Garey, Publications • ext. 103 Charlotte Griffin, Director of Development • ext. 121 Lee Hayden, Director of Operations & Newcomer Ministry • ext.108 Abby Van Noppen, Director of Children & Youth Ministries • ext. 115 Kevin Kerstetter, Director of Music • ext. 101 Susan Little, Financial Administrator • ext. 113 Carolyn L’Italien, Coordinator of Christian Education and Assistant to Operations Jean Olson, Parish Secretary • ext. 112 Susan Rountree, Director of Communications • ext.122 FACILITIES STAFF

Jesús Epigmenio, Groundskeeper Marcela de la Cruz, Housekeeper PARISH DAY SCHOOL 782-6430 Mandy Annunziata, Director • ext. 110 Courtney Alford, Assistant Director • ext.114

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The Holy Spirit Works Here

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Words & Photo: The Rev. Samuel Gregory Jones, Rector

THE CHURCH IS NOT SUPPOSED TO BE COMPOSED OF IMMOVABLE AND DUSTY OLD OBJECTS THAT STAY IN PLACE UNCHANGED FOREVER — BUT RATHER IT’S ABOUT EVER-MUTABLE, EVER-DEVELOPING PEOPLE THAT BY DEFINITION CANNOT STAY FIXED OR CHANGELESS. THE SPIRIT OF GOD IS EVER BREATHING, EVER BLOWING, EVER AGITATING THE LIVING TO KEEP ON LIVING AND MOVING AND HAVING THEIR BEING … AND THAT’S WHAT WE YEARN FOR HERE AT THIS PARISH.

In my

office, above my desk, on the top of the bookshelf is a glazed terracotta corbel from St. James’ Episcopal Church in Richmond, Virginia. That church was built in 1912 just a few yards from the famous Monument Avenue, and stood until 1994 when a fire wiped it out. This little piece of decorative molding is one of the few pieces left over. When they rebuilt the church small pieces like this one were used by artisans to help reproduce original design elements of the church. It was given to me by St. James’ as a memento of my five years there as Associate Rector, from 1999-2004.

When I moved into my office at St. Michael’s, I put it up on the shelf, and it’s been there for 17 years, not moving an inch the whole time. I look at it often, and it has become something of an icon of the passage of time for me. This small artifact, which once adorned a grand church in Richmond for the better part of a century, now adorns the rector’s office in another church in Raleigh and has for almost two decades. Apart from its one big shift in purpose and location, it has not changed or moved much in its duration on this earth. It was a piece of church for a very long time, and now, it is just a dusty old thing.

I pray to God the same will not be said for myself. For though like it I also have been in this office for 17 years, it’s not as if a lot of change and movement have not happened. Unlike this little curio from my last church, which hasn’t moved an inch or changed at all, I am significantly changed, and significantly moved from who

and how I was when I first got here. Perhaps the better word is not changed, but grown. Through the many seasons of life at St. Michael’s, and through the now different seasons of life as a person transitioning from mid-30s to early 50s, what can I say? I have grown. And so have we all. And so has this parish. We are not in the same place we were seventeen years ago. We are not unmoved.

We are not a dusty old thing.

What’s so wonderful, and what I am so grateful for, is that it feels like we have all not only grown, but we have grown together in this parish. We are grown and growing, and that’s what life is about in the Kingdom of God. That’s what life in the Church is supposed to be about. The Church is not supposed to be composed of immovable and dusty old objects that stay in place unchanged forever — but rather it’s about ever-mutable, ever developing people that by definition can not stay fixed or changeless. The Spirit of God is ever-breathing, ever-blowing, ever-agitating the living to keep on living and moving and having their being … and that’s what we yearn for here at this parish.

It is true that among my colleagues who are rectors of other Episcopal churches, I have now entered into a pretty small group of clergy who have remained as the rector of a given parish for more than 10 years, let alone, 15, or more.

Once upon a time, in the so-called olden days, people were rectors in some places for decades.

But that era ended a generation or more ago. I suppose a new trend could emerge where folks begin to revisit

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longer tenures as clergy in parishes. I don’t know. I don’t actually have any classmates from seminary, or peers close to my age, who have been a rector somewhere this long. Maybe I’m starting a new trend. Or resurrecting an old one. Who knows?

Maybe I’m just blessed. I do know that for years now, I have had peers and colleagues inquire as to when I was going to move on. Some have even said they can’t believe I have stayed for so long.

What’s pretty great though is that I am by no means the longest-serving member of the church’s professional staff. Indeed, a number of our most beloved, talented and hardest-working church professionals have worked here far longer than I have. And they are still among our all-star cast.

But what’s fascinating to me is that while I am now pushing 20 years here — and several of my beloved parish colleagues are well past that number — it still seems like the parish is moving right along, keeping fresh, doing new things, evolving, changing and growing.

And all this despite the fact that we have just faced one of the greatest challenges to church life imaginable — we have been shut down. Or at least shut out. We have been shut out of doing church as usual. Despite our near total lack of meeting in person for the better part of a year, and though we are not quite back to normal, this church doesn’t feel stuck, fixed, unchanged or unmoved and unmoving.

Indeed, through the incredible challenge to our common life that COVID-19 pandemic created, we responded as a parish in innovative ways, and with remarkable flexibility and creative thinking.

What is even more amazing is that we not only survived through a year-long shut-out, we worked around the challenges with impressive agility given our size, and we pulled it off with a spirit of generosity, kindness and patience from parishioners, staff, leadership and so on. Unlike a crumbly piece of old church stuff, unmoved and covered in dust, our parish managed to get through more than a year of great stress, and without falling to pieces.

In this, our third issue of Archangel during the pandemic, you’ll learn about some of the people who’ve been keeping this place going. Jesús Epigmenio and Marcela de la Cruz quietly keep our building clean and our gardens growing. And we profile the members of our professional staff who have been here far longer than I — the longest for 30 years. We look at how we are safely keeping those whose ashes have been entrusted to our care.

And for all this, I thank our Lord, who has called us together and kept us as one. The Lord God is eternal and unchangeable and immovable and everlasting — yet is also somehow living and moving and alive and not like a dusty old thing on a shelf, but like a dancer who never grows tired and whose moves amaze us more with each new year.

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Ready for Take-Off Words: The Rev. James L. Pahl Jr., D. Min., Vicar

Like many

others, growing up as a young boy I dreamed of being an astronaut. But truthfully, that was never really in the cards (even though I didn’t realize it until years later), as I never really got the math and science thing – apparently it is hereditary! And, as it turns out, one really needs to excel in these areas in order to be a successful space adventurer… or do we really?

Much of my excitement about space centered on Hollywood’s depictions, filled with adventures and fascinating characters. One of my favorite television shows in the 1970s was “Battlestar Galactica,” about a traveling space-colony of long-lost descendants in search of their planet, Earth. There was nothing to stop me from watching the latest episode on Sunday nights. They were one big family and community traveling, serving, working and caring for one another, all focused on the ultimate goal — the discovery of their true home. There was Commander Adama (Lorne Greene,) Apollo, Starbuck, and others, including a robotic dog — a diverse group of family and friends embarked on a common mission.

And of course, Star Wars — the forces of good and evil clashing in a battle for the universe, with the appropriate Christian themes of sin, forgiveness and redemption taking center stage. This group was also one community, traveling the vast expanse of space, serving together, caring for each other and seeking the same goal in finding a home where love and peace would reign. We know them all: Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo, Chewbacca, C3PO and R2D2. Once again, this was the company they chose to keep — three humans, one human-animal hybrid, two robots and others all on a common mission for the greater good. Oh the dreams these productions elicit in a child!

As I grew older and wiser, I recognized the realities of space and science while visiting places like Cape Canaveral (now Kennedy Space Center), and learning about the actual NASA missions: putting a man on the Moon, the Space Shuttle missions, physics and astronomy. And now at almost 50 years old, the continued wonder and amazement

Photo Illustration: Susan Rountree

in all of the Mars missions. I hope to live and see the day a human being actually stands on the surface of that planet.

I don’t know about you, but it is truly amazing to see the recent pictures, videos (almost real-time), and audio from the latest Mars rover and helicopter. I find myself looking closely at the photos, taking in the rocks, soil, landscape and horizon, and imagine a distant, lonely, alien world. And yet, when understood within the context of creation and what we know from the Scriptures, it was all created by the Almighty God and continues to be of God; just like our own planet.

As Eucharistic Prayer C says in the Book of Common Prayer, “God of all power, Ruler of the Universe, you are worthy of glory and praise. At your command all things came to be: the vast expanse of interstellar space, galaxies, suns, the planets in their courses, and this fragile earth, our island home.”

Now this is not a favorite prayer of many celebrants in the Episcopal Church, and I concur for different reasons. But it does a good job in the language describing the vast and unimaginable grandeur of God. And yet, even with this knowledge on the heart, Mars still would be a strange and difficult place to be… and frankly, quite lonely to say the least.

Imagine traveling for six months or more in a small spacecraft, not knowing if you will ever return again? Once you arrive to the surface of Mars, you will certainly be there for years, if not the rest of your life. It is deathly cold, barren, windy, red and dusty. You would likely have one or two traveling companions, and you only hope they are good company. Because, keeping company is paramount on an adventure like that.

Imaginatively, I guess I would love to go to Mars, but not by myself. And frankly, I would want assurance I could return!

Community is so vital to our success and survival in life — and that is one thing that Hollywood gets right in their space odyssey adventures: “keeping community.”

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There are all kinds of ways of keeping community. The Rev. Jamie Pahl looks to unlikely sources for clues about how post-COVID St. Michael’s might get on board.

We the Church are sort of like that community on a journey to undiscovered territory — traveling forward to distant lands. Or at least we should see ourselves that way. Clearly, Jesus was never standing still, waiting for the world to come to him; rather he went out to us!

We have not been created in order to remain stagnant.

We are to always be moving forward with new adventures in heart and mind... reaching out to others. And I believe that is what made this past year-and- a-half so difficult — we were in a dead position — and it was challenging to see past the moment, any moment!

As we begin the process of “firing-up” this ship, which has been stagnant for a while, we must understand there is room and seating enough for all — we are ready to take off again. We are not a homogenous community, rather we are diverse and unique in the gifts and offerings we each bring for our success and survival. And yet, just like the Hollywood productions and storylines, we are on a journey, looking for our home in Christ — that place where peace and love reign; that place where we gather and travel together, and are never alone. It is time to get onboard.

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Find Your Passion THE REV. ANNA S. PAGE REPORTED FOR ACTIVE DUTY AS AN ARMY CHAPLAIN IN MAY. HERE, SHE SAYS THANK YOU TO THE CONGREGATION FOR LOVE AND GRACE.

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ear Congregation,

I offer you these words of thanks from Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi: “I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now…” (Philippians 1:3-6).

When it comes to saying, “Thank you,” I firmly believe that St. Paul says it best. The sincere thanks and joy that Paul felt toward this Philippian church is the same that I extend to each of you. From the personal conversations held over many coffees and miles walked, to the communities formed out of shared calling and similar life stages, I am grateful for every opportunity I had to meet in Gospel Love together over the last, nearly, two years.

The Rev. Anna S Page, now Captain Anna S. Page, in her U.S. Army clergy stole.

The fact that many of these conversations occurred over Zoom or in e-mail does not diminish the connections I felt to each of you.

Despite the pandemic, we explored life, scripture, and theology together. We grew the young adult community. We built a ministry explicitly focused on social justice. We laughed together.

Celebrated together. Lamented together. Puzzled together. Some of us even cried together. All of this was beautiful and, I believe, all of this stemmed from Love. From the first day I entered St. Michael’s until now, and even long after I am gone, I know that we did — and you will — share in the Gospel.

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and Pursue It Now, though, is my time to start a new chapter with a new community as I report for Active Duty as an Army chaplain. Serving as an Active Duty Army chaplain is answering a call toward which I have been working since 2013 when I began Army ROTC in undergraduate. While I have loved my last four years as a chaplain in the U.S. Army Reserve and am forever grateful for the last two years at our parish, I am extremely excited to come onto Active Duty.

As an Army chaplain, I am both a religious leader and religious advisor. As a religious leader, I am responsible for performing and providing for the religious and spiritual needs of all soldiers, families, and Department of the Army civilians within my care. This work looks a lot like parish ministry — just in a different uniform and surrounded by many more armored vehicles.

As a religious advisor, I advise my commander on all matters pertaining to unit morale, ethics and religion, internal and external to our Battalion.

This means that I must keep my ear to the ground, be present in my community, and stay academically and intellectually engaged. One of the aspects of the Chaplain Corps that I love the most is the dynamism of this vocation. No day looks the same as the day before, and there is always new and engaging training occurring.

Assignment details are still unfolding as I write this letter to our congregation. I believe that I should be assigned to a Battalion out of Ft. Bragg, with a summer start date. Sara, my fiancé, will be coming to Ft. Bragg in the fall after she completes her Field Artillery Captain’s Career Course.

After four years of long-distance friendship and romantic relationship, Sara and I are eager to begin our lives together in the same place. The excitement from the St. Michael’s community around our engagement means the world to both of us.

I take with me into this next chapter of fulltime Army ministry the Love and grace that St. Michael’s poured into me. I will always remember your spirits of joy, openness and service. Over the last two years, I have daily been inspired by your longing to be in community with one another. I am also constantly motivated by your willingness to have challenging conversations, consider our Christian call to justice, and desire to help co-create God’s reign on earth.

To the young adults, continue to gather and build your community. Be active in church. Find your passion and pursue it. To anyone concerned about the well-being of our world, remain curious, keep learning, and do not stop pursuing Love-inspired social justice in our world, local communities and relationships. This is the work.

I return to the words of St. Paul and leave you with this: “…it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God” (Philippians 1:9-10).

In Love and Peace, Anna

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Our Tender Shepherds Words: Suzanne Narbona Photo: Susan Rountree

JESÚS EPIGMENIO AND MARCELA DE LA CRUZ CAME TO AMERICA FOR A BETTER LIFE, AND AT ST. MICHAEL’S THEY FOUND A NEW HOME.

If you

are like me, to say that you have missed being able to physically be at church during this past year would be an understatement. I certainly found new meaning in the phrase, “Distance makes the heart grow fonder.” Thanks to the amazing YouTube Sunday video services, I was soothed by the familiar images of the windows, trees and hallways of St. Michael’s, struck anew by the incredible beauty of our nave and gardens, and I gained revived appreciation for all of St. Michael’s worship spaces.

Recently, I had the pleasure of speaking with the two people whose hands, work and dedication keep our beloved church spaces always shining and clean: Marcela de la Cruz and Jesús Epigmenio.

When I came in, Marcela said with a smile, “Oh, I know who you are now!” Not only do she and Jesús go over every nook and cranny of our church spaces with a fine-toothed comb to keep everything running smoothly, but you may be surprised to know that they also know each of you, whether you have actually spoken to them or not. If your photo is in the church directory, then Jesús and Marcela know you. I am honored to be able to tell you a little of their story.

Jesús left his native Veracruz, México in July of 1996 to search for better opportunities for work in the United States. He arrived with a desire to work at whatever he could to begin to make a living here, although he had worked as a salesman in Mexico. His first home here was a house in Durham that he shared with 10 other people that he did not know. Marcela arrived five years later, in March of 2001, and both Jesús and Marcela recall their beginnings here as being hard.

They had known of people who had come from Mexico, and from afar, it had appeared to be much easier to create a home here than it has been. They had seen photos of big houses and big cars, and thought they would make enough

money to be able to go back to Mexico. No one told them that sometimes, in order to send money back to family, they had deprived themselves of food or medicine. They couldn’t imagine that not knowing English would be such a challenge.

Once they arrived, the priority was to start working, which left no time to take language classes. They had to figure things out as they went.

Not only does the language barrier complicate simple things like grocery shopping at first, but the fact that Marcela de la Cruz and Jesús Epig there are so many more products can tend. also be very overwhelming. In Mexico, they were used to there being one type of milk in the store, and in the US, there are so many. It is easy to be confused. Jesús remembers his surprise and frustration when he first bought buttermilk by mistake!

Despite being far from their family, missing many Mexican traditions and the challenges they faced, Jesús and Marcela are so grateful for all of the opportunities that they can find here. Jesús and Marcela don’t remember having a youth.

Marcela began working at the age of 7. The weekly salary in México is about 700 pesos, which is the equivalent of $35; working sunup to sundown doesn’t cover much. While Marcela considers things like air conditioning, heat and the ability to buy an extra pair of shoes to be luxuries, she knows that they do make life much more comfortable. The memories of the hardships they faced in starting their lives over here, and their original goals of hoping to return to Mexico, have faded with time.

Marcela laughs when she says that she spends more time at the church than she actually does at her house, but St. Michael’s, she says, is a true blessing in her life. She con-

siders it to be her second home, mainly because of the way the people here make her feel. Jesús and Marcela began work at St. Michael’s in January of 2005. Jesús was working with a landscaping company and by word of mouth heard about a possible job for two people at what he originally thought was for housekeeping and groundskeeping at an office building.

gmenio in front of the church they caringly

At that time Ángela, their daughter, was just one year old. Marcela had never left her with anyone, and when she went to work, Ángela cried all day each day with the babysitter. Marcela spoke with Sam Brown, church operations manager at the time, and told him that she would not be able to keep the job because she needed to stay home to care for her baby.

“Bring her with you,” Sam said, shocking Marcela.

This one gesture has made all the difference in their lives, and they will never forget it.

And so, Angie, as she is called, grew up in the halls of St. Michael’s, playing alongside her mother as she worked, completing homework at the church kitchen table. When she grew old enough, Marcela enrolled her in the children’s choirs and Vacation Bible School, and she attended choir camps and took lessons at Community Music School. She now plays at least five instruments.

Still, creating a life in the United States has not been easy.

Marcela describes how sometimes in stores and other places, the treatment has not been inclusive, but that they have always felt welcomed at St. Michael’s. They are appreciative to be in a place that respects all races and cultures. Being a part of St. Michael’s has connected them to many opportunities many who immigrate don’t even know are available — like camps and youth programs for children.

Over the years Jesús recalls how many members of St. Michael’s have helped them — even donating them a car once — but both Marcela and Jesús say people’s friendly smiles are enough.

Their typical day starts around 7:30 a.m. — vacuuming, cleaning offices, classrooms and bathrooms, checking all of the lights and making coffee. Their many other jobs keep the church in shape.

Marcela and Jesús enjoy a variety of activities in their free time including going to the park, taking walks, soccer and of course, like many of us, using technology.

While both Jesús and Marcela do have some family members here in North Carolina or in other states, the rest remain in Mexico. In all of these years they have never been able to visit, but they have passed along to Ángela the stories of the family and the recollection of flavors of fresh tortillas, moles and chiles — all homemade from the things grown on the land there. Their hope is to travel next year to Mexico when Ángela turns 18, so she can meet her grandmother and try for herself the authentic tamales she has always heard about.

COVID and the stay-at-home orders and restrictions affected Jesús and Marcela in different ways. First of all, they both had the virus, and Marcela was even hospitalized for a week, but thankfully recovered. Secondly, they were not able to come to the church. Taking care of St. Michael’s is much more than a job to them and suddenly they had to stay at home. Even when they were allowed to return, there were parts of the job that for safety reasons had to be completed by an outside company. Both Marcela and Jesús recall the joy they felt when this past March they were allowed to clean the Parish Day School rooms again.

St. Michael’s is their family and when a member has moved, passed away or they just haven’t seen someone in a while they feel sad, but they are excited now and look forward to the days when we can all enjoy church together again and can walk the buildings and grounds which they so caringly tend.

Suzanne Narbona and her family have been members of St. Michael’s since 2011. She is a Spanish instructor at Saint Mary’s School.

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In Stitches

Children who have been through fourth grade at St. Michael’s will want to revisit Beckwith Chapel this fall. The window art they created has become the “windows” in Beckwith and inspired new altar hangings that capture the quality of their art.

Words & Photos: Susan Rountree, Christine Haarvig-Taylor & Lynne Farrow

E

ach year

(pre-COVID), St. Michael’s parishioner Harriet Hill takes the church’s fourth graders on a stained-glass tour of the Nave. More than 30 years ago, Harriet spearheaded an effort to have the windows designed and installed, and she can tell you everything about them, from the crosses and the colors to what each flower represents. As part of the class, fourth graders create their own versions of our stained glass, and their collective windows have hung in the classroom for years.

The project was created by volunteer Allison Reed.

The children’s windows contain images of fire-breathing dragons, flowers and crosses. There are birds and stars, candles and chalices, triangles and orbs.

Though we’ve not gathered St. Michael’s children in Beckwith Chapel in more than a year, Carolyn L’Italien and friends have been keeping it safe for when we can return.

And they’ve been using the time apart to spruce up the chapel in the most child-oriented way. That’s where the windows come in.

In early spring, Carolyn gathered the window images created by our fourth graders and hung them on the chapel walls. Then she had an idea: Why not create new altar hangings based on the images the kids had designed? So she enlisted the help of parishioners Christine Haarvig -Taylor and Gretchen Kemmer, members of the Capital Quilting Guild, and they set to work. Christine contacted friend and fellow quilt designer Lynne Farrow, who studied the children’s images and created a pattern for new hangings. The three women started in March to create the new hangings, which replace the traditional altar vestments that have hung in Beckwith Chapel since the 1970s.

“The traditional tapestry is beautiful,” says Lynne, who designed church banners in California until her retirement. She studied the children’s windows before creating a complementary design that would capture the quality of the children’s art. Then Lynne, Christine and Gretchen chose fabrics and colors that would both blend and create motion in the completed project.

“There are 77 pieces in each panel,” says Christine, who spent hours stitching the pieces together in the sewing room of her house.

“In starting this project,” Carolyn says,” I didn’t want them in a classroom. These banners are amazing, and I could tell the kids who created them put a lot of thought and time into making them. I wanted everyone who enters Beckwith to see and enjoy.

“I can’t thank these ladies enough for their generosity, talent and the time they put into this project,” says Carolyn.

Their work is beautiful and outstanding, and I know this will add to the beauty of this chapel. I look forward to when we will all be together again in the Beckwith Chapel.”

Carolyn L’Italien with window panels created by St. Michael’s 4th graders.

Christine Haarvig-Taylor and Lynne Farrow show off new altar hangings for Beckwith Chapel, which they created.

Color combinations and shapes dance across the fabric.

Center, quilter Gretchen Kemmer; at left, Christine sorting through fabric squares to choose colors and movement.

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IN IT FOR THE LONG HAUL NOT EVERYONE IS CUT OUT FOR CHURCH WORK, BUT ST. MICHAEL’S STAFF LIKES THE WORK SO MUCH, THEY STAY. FOR YEARS, AND YEARS AND YEARS. TAKE A LOOK AT THESE LOYAL LAY MINISTERS AND FIND OUT WHY THEY STAY.

Susan Little — 30 years

W

hen Susan first reported to work on Nov. 1, 1991, our second rector, the Rev. Larry Brown was her boss and our first rector, the Rev. James Beckwith was rector emeritus. As financial secretary, she’s the employee who has logged the most consecutive years at St. Michael’s — besting even Mr. Beckwith by two years. When she came on staff, the church had eight full time employees — three clergy, a business manager, secretary, a sexton and a housekeeper. Christian Education, Youth and communications were all part time. The kindergarten was privately owned.

At that time, too, the church had an outstanding loan that the Vestry wanted to retire, so they began a capital campaign and reached their goal. “Since then, we have not carried any debt without first having a campaign to cover the cost of our expenses,” Susan says. The last campaign — $5 million — came during a downward turn in the economy.

“That campaign, which included add-

Photos: Matthew Busch & Susan B Rountree

ing the north transept, office space and the pipe organ was a huge undertaking but the good people of St. Michael’s pulled through and the debt was retired early. “I am very thankful for the finance committee and the wardens who navigated those waters.”

Matthew Busch Photography

Words: Susan Rountree

Susan Little

Churches must be audited annually, and Susan spends a good part of her time preparing for it, and she was baptized by fire her first time out.

“My first audit was done by a new audit team a few months after I had arrived,” she recalls. “This revealed that the church had many checking accounts that were not under church control.” (A definite audit ‘no no.’)

We pulled all accounts back under

church control, so we now have accurate records of all money collected and disbursed.” Susan oversees nine checking accounts (which include the day school, Canterbury Shop and Holy Michael Foundation) along with 55 fund balance accounts.

In 30 years, the way Susan keeps up with church finances has changed dramatically. “When I came to the church we had limited computer

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access with a dot matrix printer. I also used a typewriter on a table behind my desk. A main frame computer had been donated, and we had a home grown software system.

Checks were written on the dot matrix printer or the typewriter until 1995, when the church purchased the Automated Church System (ACS) which provides us with parishioner information and contribution records and a full financial suite that includes our general ledger, accounts payable and receivable and payroll.

“We also collected all funds by cash and check as well as stock sales when I first arrived,” she says. “Now we offer direct deposit and debit options as well as credit card transactions. These methods have been very helpful during this pandemic.

“Another focus for me during the pandemic has been applying for the PPP loan and going through the process of forgiveness of that loan.

“I originally took the job because it offered flexibility for my role as a mother of two young children,” she says. Now she’s the grandmother of four. “The warmth and encouragement of parishioners has always been so important,” she adds. The staff has been outstanding and supportive. I can’t think of a better place to work.

It is like my second home. “ Carolyn L’Italien — 27 years A longtime Parish Day School teacher, Carolyn was 26 years old and a single mother when, as a nanny working for a St. Michael’s family attending the kindergarten, she got called to substitute teach when her 9-month old daughter and twins she nannied were in school. After subbing for four months, she was hired

She loves teaching in a church setting, because she can bring Jesus into a child’s life. “This year, with COVID, we did not offer chapel, so I chose Carolyn L’italein a different route to still have Jesus with us,” she says, and each day she read The Spark Bible for children. “Not only were they attentive and engaged but they as a 2-year-old assistant and quickly would question and comment on moved up to lead teacher for several many of the things we read. I hope ages. “When my daughter Katie was in they all continue to keep Jesus with 2nd grade I left the Parish Day School to work in Wake County. My mom died them wherever they are in life. two years later, and I wanted to be in In her years at St. Michael’s Carolyn a place where I was happy,” she says, has met new challenges. In 2013, she so she came back to teach 4-year-olds joined the Children’s Ministry team as before moving to the kindergarten Stella Attaway’s assistant. In 2015, Lee class. “Coco Jones was in my first class Hayden tapped her to be the assistant teaching kindergarten and now she’s for facilities, and in 2020, she became soon to be a high school senior next director of Children’s Ministries for year!”

1st - 5th grade. Starting this fall her job changes again, as she becomes When she first came to St. Michael’s coordinator for children’s ministries Carolyn was very shy and quiet. for ages 2 - 5th grade.

“Coming to a new place scared me. I “Something keeps me here. I have felt a little insecure, but I had a love taught so many children. And I have for working with children and I knew a closer relationship with God as that was my reason for being there.” well. Maybe it’s a combination of evToday she has a Masters in Educaerything that keeps me at this special tion and a grown daughter. “I want children to love coming to school and I place. Once a teacher friend said “magical place” and I think she’s right; want them to love learning.” it is a pretty magical place.

“SOMETHING KEEPS ME HERE. I HAVE TAUGHT SO MANY CHILDREN. AND I HAVE A CLOSER RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD AS WELL. MAYBE IT’S A COMBINATION OF EVERYTHING THAT KEEPS ME AT THIS SPECIAL PLACE. ONCE A TEACHER FRIEND SAID ‘MAGICAL PLACE,’ AND I THINK SHE’S RIGHT; IT IS A PRETTY MAGICAL PLACE. BOTH THE SCHOOL AND THE CHURCH ARE A BIG PART OF MY LIFE. MAYBE THIS IS WHAT GOD HAD IN HIS PLANS FOR ME.” — Carolyn L’Italien Continued on the next page

Mandy Annunziata

“Both the school and the church are a big part of my life. Maybe this is what God had in his plans for me.”

Mandy Annunziata — 24 years Mandy was a 25-year-old preschool teacher when she first reported to work as St. Michael’s new Day School director. What had been the St. Michael’s Kindergarten had closed and had undergone a complete reorganization, and Mandy would be its first director.

started this job I didn’t even have a computer in my office, and all communication was by paper. Now we primarily communicate by email and text to meet the needs of a technologically savvy generation of parents. Classrooms have websites where they can post pictures and messages, and we are migrating to online registration.

“There have been many challenges over the years,” she says, from two major church construction projects to ever-present staffing challenges — from hiring the most qualified teachers (and creating a work environment where they want to stay) to finding subs. “And of course, there are many wonderful preschool programs in our area for parents to choose from,” she says. “Continually finding ways to attract new families and give them the best preschool experience possible is always a top priority.”

But she had experience teaching in a half-day nationally accredited laboratory preschool on the campus of Auburn University for two years while working on her master’s degree. In her years at St. Michael’s, the fundamentals of the work haven’t changed, she says.

Operating a preschool program during a pandemic was more overwhelming than that first year on the job, she says. “Shutting down and moving lessons online last spring, replacing over half the staff who left because of COVID, keeping up with ever-changing rules and regulations related to cleaning the facility and keeping everyone safe,” all were terribly challenging.

“And trying to communicate with children while wearing masks, keeping up communication with parents who couldn’t even enter the building, conducting staff meetings and trainings over Zoom . . . the list goes on and on.

But we all learned that we are stronger than we think we are and can rise to a challenge. Despite the challenges, we’ve had a stellar school year!”

“But the evolution of technology has definitely been a factor. When I first

Despite all, she says, much stays the same. “Children love learning through

“I had never been a director before, so the Parish Day School Committee took a big gamble on hiring someone so young and inexperienced (but I’m so glad they did!). My biggest challenge was trying to hire a full staff of 25 teachers in one summer so we could open in the fall of 1997. Luckily, I had a lot of support from a very involved and experienced Parish Day School Committee.”

hands-on activities and have boundless energy, enthusiasm, and curiosity. Parents still look for a place their children can blossom socially and learn some academic skills through play. Over the years, there’s been a push from well-meaning politicians toward turning preschools into mini elementary schools with the primary focus being on academics and preparing them for testing down the road.

But those of us in early childhood continue to try to educate people about how children learn best — and it’s not on a computer or smartphone, or through drills or flashcards — it’s through hands-on activities that are meaningful to them and engage their sense of wonder.”

Though Mandy didn’t envision being at St. Michael’s so long, it’s been a great fit for her and for her family.

“Both of my boys attended the Day School, and I had the flexibility to pursue my passion for education as well as be present for my kids and husband.”

St. Michael’s, for Mandy, is all about the people.

“The children and their enthusiastic, funny personalities are the reason I go Matthew Busch Photography to work every day. I enjoy the camaraderie on both the Day School and church staffs, and the Day School families are lovely and supportive as well. God’s love is at the heart of everything we do!”

Jean Olson — 23 years Jean was helping her older son look for jobs in the classified section of the newspaper when she stumbled upon an ad for an administrative assistant/ secretary for a large Episcopal church.

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Archangel Forty-nine at the time, she wasn’t working but had worked at St. Timothy’s for a time so she decided to apply.

“Having previously worked in a church, I was familiar with most of the job duties involved,“ she recalls. “I was in awe of the size of St. Michael’s and worried that I’d never learn everyone’s name. It didn’t take long to become adjusted in my new place, and I’ve gotten to know so many of our parishioners.”

The eyes and ears for the staff, Jean knows everything — who is in the hospital and who’s had a death in the family, who has a new baby or is planning a wedding. She has watched the church footprint change, too, from the “new” office wing, the transept, the labyrinth, and the wonderful bells in the memorial tower. And she’s seen new groups like OWLS form and fill the rooms.

What hasn’t changed is the love the staff has for each othJean Olson er. “We’re always there for each other,” she says.

“I still look forward to coming to work every day.”

Jean has worked for two rectors, and it’s hard to compare them, she says.

Ken Henry retired shortly after hiring her. “Greg is a good decision maker and is very committed to St. Michael’s and the responsibilities of his role as rector. His integrity and dependability are outstanding, along with his people skills. He has a great sense of humor and is fun to be around.”

Jean, who worked at State Farm Insurance for many years, finds church work to be her preference. “I enjoyed working in the secular world, but have really loved being in the church. I enjoy helping people, listening to them, seeing them during their good times and being there for them when they have lost loved ones, employment, etc.

It is rewarding and fulfilling to know that I’ve hopefully made a difference in a positive way.

Kevin Kerstetter

Matthew Busch Photography

“It doesn’t seem like I’ve been here almost 23 years,” she says. “When I started I had no idea I would stay this long. The saying ‘Find a job you love and you’ll never work a day in your life’ certainly applies in my case.

“St. Michael’s is such a beautiful and welcoming place. I love walking around the campus. It’s comforting and peaceful. Every day is different, and it’s always great to catch up with the parishioners when they come in.

Even though it’s considered a fairly large church, we never lose sight of our main purpose, which is to help others and let everyone know that they are valued.”

Kevin Kerstetter — 23 years Kevin was not yet 30 when he became St. Michael’s organist and choir director. After completing his master’s degree he took a full time position at another church, but while working with the Raleigh Boychoir he met several families from the church.

“When the position at St. Michael’s became available, I was eager to learn more about the parish and its people. It was clearly a place with great musical potential, and I will be forever

grateful that Ken Henry, rector at the time, hired me.”

When Kevin joined the staff in 1998, the adult choir had gone through a period of decline. “Chip Chase (former organist), Jim Good and others had done a superb job of carrying the choir through some interim periods,” Kevin says. At that time, the adult choir would rehearse as one choir, but then divide into two choirs on Sunday mornings, with some singing the earlier service and others singing the later. “Because of the smaller number of singers,” he says, “it was not uncommon to have only one singer on a part.

Fortunately, just as the parish has grown steadily, so has the choir.”

Directing the choir is an integral part of Kevin’s work. “The adults, boys and girls who sing in St. Michael’s choirs are the most important part of my work. Because they are eager to be challenged to offer their very best gifts in the worship of God, our work together continues to be an adventure as we delight in singing more and more of the great sacred music of our Anglican tradition.”

In 2011, Kevin was able to realize a dream with the installation of the magnificent Nichols & Simpson pipe organ. “It is an extraordinary tool of Continued on the next page

18 the trade that is a perfect match for our needs,” he says. “It accompanies our congregation and choirs superbly, and serves as an impressive concert instrument.“ Next year we’ll celebrate its 10th anniversary.

One important aspect of growing the music program has been the new choral scholars program.”The choral scholar program was begun a few years ago to provide opportunities for local college students with a passion for choral singing to be mentored as members of our adult choir, while also sharing their promising vocal expertise with the choir.” Kevin is in the process of choosing new scholars, who will join our choir when they are finally able to sing together again.

The past 16 months have been a particular challenge for choir directors, as it will still be some time before full choirs — and unmasked congregational singing — can take place. At Kevin’s direction, St. Michael’s choir has risen to the challenge, with close to 30 of them participating in the virtual choir for our recorded services. “They have given their souls for this choir,” he says.

Still, he’s amazed at how quickly his time at St. Michael’s has gone by, “and how much there is that I’d still like to accomplish with our wonderful choirs in whatever time I’m given to work in this place.”

there’s so much life and energy here,” Kevin says. “The Vestry and parishioners encourage creativity and ambitious dreams. And working for Greg Jones is a pleasure because he trusts his staff to do their work well and supports them in such a positive way.

The clergy and staff at St. Michael’s thoroughly enjoy working with each other as they serve this remarkable Christian community.

Ann Garey — 21 years Ann was a 35-year-old mother of two and a member of the Day School parent council. She produced a monthly newsletter for the school, and when the church communications coordinator resigned, a friend approached her during carpool to see if she’d like a part-time, temporary job. So she found herself creating weekly newsletters and bulletins, a job she could do while her two boys were in school.

“I always enjoyed the graphic design aspect,” says Ann, who had taught school previously. “I loved creating class newsletters, my own classwork/ homework worksheets, and any kind of ‘template’ to make my classroom more organized.”

Suddenly she was faced with learning a desktop publishing system — Quark Express, and juggling a schedule with a 2-year-old. “ I was in the office Tuesday and Thursday, 9-1, and mailed a weekly

newsletter! I carried a 3.5“ floppy disk back and forth from the office. Every few weeks it would become corrupted, and I’d have to start over.”

Another challenge was learning the ins and outs of the Prayer Book. “For the first few weeks I did not change the Collect of the Day,” she recalls.

A few years ago she ditched Quark and began learning the Adobe Suite of design products, which she uses to produce the Canterbury Tales and bulletins, and in pre-COVID world, an array of invitations and programs for our many events.

The Adobe Suite changed everything about how Ann does her job, as has the invention of YouTube. “Susan (Rountree) and I purchased an Adobe InDesign Manual when we first started learning the software. I rarely use it now. There is a YouTube tutorial for EVERYTHING you need to learn! “ In recent months, Ann has shown her continued acumen for learning new things by becoming proficient at Adobe Premiere Pro, the suite’s video production offering. Together with Stella Attaway and Carolyn L’Italien, she’s produced the children’s videos brought to St. Michael’s families each week, and she’s even produced a service video or two.

“I never thought I’d be able to learn filming and editing. Now I am really going to miss it after we stop doing Children’s Ministry videos.”

“People like to stay at St. Michael’s for a long time because Ann Garey

Matthew Busch Photography

If he could share some wisdom with his younger self, he would say: “Take every available opportunity to learn from the masters of the profession.

The most surprising thing about her long tenure?

“How much technology has changed. I went from floppy disks to online cloud storage work e-mail on my phone, and apps that can be accessed from anywhere.

Even on a Caribbean island while on vacation!”

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Archangel If she could share a piece of advice for that 35-year-old, it would be in a word: Multi-task! “This job ranges from print work and website work to organizing events and everything in-between. Yet we really enjoy being together and always offer support and encouragement to one another.

It is a nurturing and fulfilling environment.”

Stella Attaway — 21 years Stella joined our congregation 34 years ago, when she was 28-yearold mother of young children. An active volunteer “downstairs,” she was hired as a nursery coordinator 21 years ago. Though it was challenging juggling unhappy babies and children, she was a natural, and her responsibilities grew.

“I had started with the nursery and the 2-year-old class,” she recalls, “then I became more of the assistant covering every other weekend for Priscilla Laite, then director of Christian Education, when she was out of town. It was gradual and educational. In 2002 when Priscilla left the job, Stella took over the reins.

She has a talent for seeing the hidden gifts in people, and as the church grew in numbers, so did her volunteers. Before the children’s ministry closed in March of 2020, she and Carolyn L’Italien were managing more than 90 volunteers and 150 children.

Stella is a member of the children’s formation program within the Episcopal Church and Providence IV Christian Educators. She attends annual conferences, where she’s made

many friends, to learn about trends in Children’s Ministry. “They are a valuable source of information,” she says. “If you reach out, someone has dealt with whatever you are dealing with. I have learned many curriculums and publishers, the strengths and weaknesses of each, and how to tweak a program to this parish’s needs.

“I’ve enjoyed using new curriculums and seeing how they have evolved with the times.

Resources like Beulah Land, which works for in-person learning, has adapted easily to video,” she says.

This summer, Stella’s job has evolved once again, and she’s back in the nursery, coming full circle as coordinator of Nursery.

“I love the babies, and it is with these children that we plant the seeds of our faith. Without personal connections with the parents, we can’t help them grow. I hope I can focus on supporting these parents as they raise these small children in the Episcopal faith.” The goal for her and for the entire Children’s Ministry team is to provide a loving and safe environment for St. Michael’s children downstairs, so parents can be fed spiritually upstairs.

If she had any advice for that young mother who started working in the nursery so many years ago it would be this: “Have patience, offer a

Stella Attaway

smile and loving kindness to young parents. They need love and reassurance, too, not just the children.

Often this will be the first separation for many.”

And to the parents: “This parish offers your child the best place to learn about our faith we can offer... be patient if your child hesitates at first and continue to bring him or her. You will be glad you did!”

At press time the team was planning to reopen the nursery.

Susan B. Rountree is director of communications for St. Michael’s.

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Consider Beginning Something New

It’s never

too late to begin something new. Have you heard that before? I have often in my life. But have you acted on it? Ah, there’s the rub!

We are all called to be co-creators with God, even within our own lives. I lean in the direction of being a “jack of all trades and master of none,” and I blame my mother for that. She encouraged my sister and me to explore new avenues — and even other religions — which she regretted when I became a Christian Scientist for a time. She even wrote a story which she read to me when I was a child. I don’t remember much about it. She never finished it. That went against the grain of all we held dear in our house! If you begin something, you follow it through. If you can’t do something you promised, you explain why.

I’m afraid I’m following in her footsteps. Recently I started writing about my mother— it’s highly fictionalized, since she didn’t share a lot of detail about her life. It seems an unspoken rule amongst those who lived through World War II: Don’t talk about the war years in later life. Perhaps it is too painful. But what I did hear, I can speak to. I’m not a hugely imaginative person, and I find this to be daunting, but if it doesn’t go well, I’ll have learned something.

Writing about my mother will, I hope, give me time to ponder her motivations and discover a bit more of what made her tick. I really only knew her as my Mum, but after my father left us, and it was just the two of us in the house (and my 35-pound Pomeranian, Theophilus), most evenings, we sat after supper and chatted. She was surprisingly witty and well read. Until then, I hadn’t realized how much she had explored her world and how brave she had been.

I have often read that even though someone has died, as Christians, we believe that since they continue to live (albeit out of our sight), we can have a relationship with them.

And that’s what I am exploring with my Mum. While I can’t sit with her and have a good long chat, I can still ponder questions, whose answers are often revealed by looking at how she reacted in various circumstances and how she treated other people.

She developed the concept of Morning Pages, a requirement of writing three pages daily in longhand in the morning. You write about whatever comes to mind.

Perhaps you’d like to try something new – knitting? Photography? Woodworking? Learning to play a musical instrument? I’ve met people who began piano lessons at age 80.

I have over the years had flute, clarinet and harp students who began to learn those instruments well into retirement, many joining the senior center’s adult band in Charlottesville. Who knows what you might explore?

Another “requirement” is to take yourself on a weekly “Artist’s Date, ” to a place that sparks joy. I have taken myself to the NC Museum of Art to spend an hour with the icons and religious artwork from the Medieval period. I am always drawn to the ancient altarpieces like triptychs — portable altar artwork. I have gone to the Arboretum with my lunch and a thermos of tea, spending time in the quiet with the plants, admiring the intricate beauty of the flowers and the ways in which they are planted.

I’m also writing a memoir! Cameron suggests breaking it down into five- or six-year managable segments. t is so much more fun than I thought it would be! Turns out, I’ve had a pretty interesting life.

Do you like the idea of being given permission to try your hand at something — anything —new? I invite you to ponder this leap into creativity and see what God might have in store for you in the way of untapped gifts! Writing stories is not something I ever thought I’d be capable of. I’ve been a reader all my life (TV was not permitted in our house), and I admire writers— far more creative and brilliant than me, so writing is a stretch. But I find it feeds some unexplored patch of my soul.

It’s all led me to lead a new group in the fall with parishioner Shelia Pueschel. Shelia and I will lead a learning circle this fall using the Cameron book, and we would love for you to join us. We aren’t experts, but we are all co-learners, and we will gather weekly for about 10 weeks and work through the chapters and exercises together.

I was encouraged in this venture by reading a book by Julia Cameron entitled It’s Never Too Late to Begin Again. In it, Cameron introduces creative exercises — like writing. The book is the basis for a program that encourages one to “Discover creativity and meaning at midlife and beyond.”

If you’d like to participate, consider purchasing the book ahead of time and see if it sparks something within you.

This will be a no-judgment zone. Only encouragement is permitted. Dates and times will be announced closer to our start time in September.

Cameron, many of you know, is the author of The Artist’s Way. The New York Times calls her “The Queen of Change.”

— The Rev. Holly M. Gloff

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Archangel

Can We Find Our Way To Middle Ground?

We live

hermeneutical lenses, and there is bound to be disagreement. But in the Church, we are to always come back to the center where Jesus reigns. That is where the cross stood, in that place where he died for everyone — and defeated death for everyone — no matter who we are or what we have done in our life. As we are told in the Scriptures, Jesus did not just come for the Jews, but for the Gentiles — the whole world.

So many folks are firmly entrenched in the extreme ends of issues — from politics, social agendas, faith and religion, and even personal communication via social media. It is like the positive and negative thresholds of a magnet, where neither end can find its way to the center — or even something resembling the center.

What does the “center” look like at St. Michael’s? Well, I believe it is that place where we respectfully gather (in all forms) and speak the truth with one another. But, it is the place where we do more listening and understanding from all perspectives than we do talking. It is what I would refer to as “constructive conflict”.

in dangerously polarized times, and the Church is not exempt. All we have to do is take a look back over the past year or more and see where we find ourselves today. If there is one thing I have learned in this new world, it is one must be very careful in the use of words and phrases.

We see this in mass conflicts like the centuries-old disputes and battles between the Israelis and Palestinians, Republicans and Democrats, ethnic groups, and so on. In fact, it has gotten to such a point that my twin sons recently changed their political party affiliation to independent (unaffiliated), so as to avoid any disparity with their professors and fellow students at NC State University.

This makes me sad, because I believe we have lost our way and what really binds us together. What happened to the “big tent” and “agreeing to disagree”? Or, as I like to remember, the days when President Ronald Reagan and the Speaker of the House, Tip O’Neill, would battle it out fiercely and respectfully during the day, and gather for a drink together in the evenings? Those days are gone.

Surely we can find our way back to the middle? That is where Jesus lived, moved, and found his being – and where he calls us to be. It reminds me of the words of the song, “We Just Disagree” by Dave Mason in the 1970s: “There ain’t no good guy, there ain’t no bad guy, there’s only you and me, and we just disagree.”

The Church is at times more political than Washington, DC. You get a bunch of diverse folks together with varying thoughts, ideas and opinions all looking through different

This is where we are called to model a “non-anxious presence in the midst of thoughts and ideas we may not agree with — a commitment from each of us to stop, look, and listen, and then, maybe, speak.” What often alienates us to the extremes is the tongue and our proclivity to lash out.

And in today’s world, the tongue is also our keyboard on social media.

In the Letter of James, Chapter 3 we are told: “How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire! And the tongue is a fire…but no one can tame the tongue — a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God.” The center is the place in the Church and world where we actively foster a spirit of “love and welcome” for all people to be heard respectfully and patiently: This means everyone, because we are all created in the image of God. As we gather together again as newcomers in this space, let us take a few steps toward the center, recognizing the colorful beauty of our community — there is nothing homogenous about it. We must hold to and keep the center!

— The Rev. James L. Pahl, Jr.

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Archangel

Our Family’s Keeper When Lee Hayden took the job of Director of Operations, she inherited notebooks filled with records of

those buried in our memorial gardens. In the years since, she has immersed herself in these old documents to simplify her record-keeping. The pandemic months allowed her to explore creating a digital format, so not one of those buried with us will be lost.

Words: Lee C. Hayden, Director of Operations & Newcomer Ministry

“

May his

soul, and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.”

The gates of our Memorial Garden mark an entry to holy ground. Most of my workdays since 2012 begin by opening the gates and stepping into another world — a world that captures the cycle of life. In the surrounding natural setting, each of our four seasons bring forth life and death as our flowering plants bud, bloom, die back and bud yet again. The bright green leaves of the old oak which stands guard welcome spring and yet, all too soon turn brown and bare, only to delight us with spring green yet again.

While many people find thoughts of our final days on earth uncomfortable, I know death is inevitable.

For me, a journey through the garden is life-giving, as I imagine the lives led by those whose remains rest there beneath the granite stones. As I walk the 330 markers and plaques, some names are unfamiliar, but over the past nine years as keeper of the garden, those unfamiliar names have become friends.

After Sam Brown’s departure as Business Manager in 2012, I spent several months rummaging through shelves and boxes to familiarize myself with all that accumulated during his tenure. I had been introduced to six notebooks and numerous files where Memorial Garden records were meticulously kept by hand for 38 years by those staff members who came before me. Yet the volume of papers created a cumbersome process for further record-keeping.

Immersed in old documents, it was essential to check, double-check and triple-check that all contracts and reservations were accurately recorded,

Photo: Susan Rountree

and while doing so I began having conversations with other cemetery managers about their record-keeping. In the world of cemetery management, there is a plethora of management programs available – Plotbox, CemSites, Cemetery Find, Chronicle, Crypt Keeper, Cem Editor, CemSoft. After numerous conversations with others in the business, I found the cloud-based program, Cemify, to be user friendly, reasonably priced and quite intuitive. Was going digital the right move? Yes! Would I sleep better at night knowing our vital records were safe from fire or other calamities that befall a building in foul weather? Yes! As Director of Operations and Newcomer Ministry, days are typically fast-paced, with little room for additional projects, especially ones that require sustained attention with few interruptions. And then came COVID, which created time and space for the complete digitizing of our records. While the migration of records continues, I can rest knowing our information is accurately locked in a “cloud” for both immediate use and for years to come. While the notebooks still hold a place of honor in my office, they aren’t nearly as important as they once were.

While my days here at St. Michael’s are full and often demanding, it is an honor to serve as a keeper of the Memorial Garden and to meet with parishioners and families as they make plans for a final resting place.

All those interred have found safe haven here.

Upon leaving the grounds each day, our bell tower reaches for the heavens and our faithfully departed rest in peace in sacred ground.

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We Remember Another four months have passed since St. Michael’s parishioners have been able to gather to say goodbye to our loved ones. Sadly, we’ve lost a few more of our friends. Here’s a look at who they were.

Words: Susan Rountree

Charles Fuller Blanchard October 3, 1923 – March 10, 2021 If ever there was a man with a twinkle in his eye, it was Charlie. A member of St. Michael’s for 65 years, he and his first wife, Bernard, raised their family in the parish, and Charlie was among the early leaders.

Eagle Scout, Navy veteran, father and friend, he was president of the Duke University student body and became an attorney.

The year St. Michael’s was formed began a 60-year law practice, Blanchard, Miller, Lewis and Isley. He was also the founder and president of NC Supreme Court Historical Society.

“Charlie and Bernard were one of the first couples that Isabel and I met when we first visited St. Michael’s in 1957,” says longtime parishioner Ford Worthy. “They lived in a small white house which was located on Canterbury Rd. and later purchased by the church.The Blanchard lot is now part of the westernmost parking lot.

The youngest Blanchard daughter was the same age as one of Isabel and Ford’s daughters. “This brought our families closer. The Blanchards moved to Alamance Drive soon after we did,” he says.Charlie was a plaintiff ’s lawyer and a very strong Democrat, which meant that we were about 180 degrees apart. However, we served on the Vestry

Photos: St. Michael’s & family archives

and the love of God transcended all other considerations.”

Charlie was a founder and first President of the Wake County Association of Retarded Citizens, now known as the ARC of Wake County. His daughter, Lelia, was born with special needs.

He was friend to “literally thousands,” his obituary read, “one of Charlie Blanchard, third from right, at the burning of the his most endearing traits church mortgage, 1969 was his way of making everyone feel so important and cared for.” together and voted the same better than 90 percent of the time.”

Charlie was predeceased by his wonderful wife Bernard, his infant son Charlie, his In his obituary, philanthropist Dr. Assad daughter Lelia, and his brother Lawrence E. Meymandi described him as a mixture of Benjamin Franklin for his intellect and wisdom, Blanchard, Jr. of Richmond. and Abraham of Ur for his ability to teach others “the principles of civility, sound govern- Remaining to cherish his memory are his beloved wife of 13 years Archie Blanchard, ment, and devotion to the republic which the daughter Anna Neal Blanchard, stepson Brad founding fathers created.

Ashley and wife Marian, and stepdaughter Carla Ashley.

“I think of St. Jerome and St. Augustine of Hippo,” he wrote,”who came, who gave, and who served unselfishly, unreservedly, and openly, and whose devotion to truth, justice

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Archangel Barbara Boney Campbell May 9, 1946 - April 27, 2021

Allen Hornthal August 4, 1940 - March 6, 2021

St. Michael’s folks who knew Barbara felt her warm greeting from the front desk whenever it was her turn to answer the phones. A teacher by training, Barbara was deeply committed to her faith, social justice and historic preservation.

Allen and his wife, Lindsay, moved to Springmoor several years ago from Edenton. A Tarboro native and UNC grad, he opened his small-town dentist practice in 1968 and practiced in Edenton for 30 years.

Born in Tarboro, she taught school before moving to Raleigh to work for the North Carolina Bar Association. She later opened a catering business, “Barbara Boney Caters,” and threw beautiful parties for over 25 years.

The recipient of a lung transplant, Allen and his family were grateful for the additional years he was able to be with his family. His obituary reads: “Allen also loved his patients, accepting calls day and night and payment in the form of cash, credit, and livestock.”

Her obituary reads: “At an early age Barbara developed a deep concern for social justice.

That concern manifested in her work for African American voting rights and for the rights of the LGBTQ community. Barbara served for many years on the Alliance of Aids Services Board in Raleigh.”

In 1971 she was appointed to the Edgecombe County Historical Society, and throughout her life she served on various historic preservation boards, including the Raleigh Historic District Commission and the Wake County Historic Preservation Commission. She served as President of the North Carolina State Capitol Foundation and was a recipient of the Order of the Longleaf Pine for her longstanding work in preserving North Carolina architectural heritage.

“Barbara was all about giving back,” says her husband, Robert. “She found that the Martha’s Ministry could use her cooking talents, and she could give back through cooking for those in need of help. It also gave me the opportunity to deliver the foods she prepared.

Her being in a wheelchair didn’t stop her from helping others in need.”

She is survived by her husband, Robert Campbell, and her niece Lauren Dugan.

When he wasn’t practicing dentistry, he played tennis and golf. He even coached high school tennis for 40 years. A devout Tar Heel, and “spent his final hours hearing the Heels deliver a sound defeat to the Blue Devils,” the obituary reads.

Allen was a lifelong Episcopalian and member of St. Paul’s in Edenton, where he served on the Vestry and with Lindsay was the leader of the church’s youth group for many years.

“Allen was a lover of all music, from jazz and classical to rock and roll and the blues, the world’s biggest fan of a good joke, both tasteless and tasteful, the owner of quick wit, impeccable posture and memorable charm,” the obituary reads. “He was a second generation steward of a legendary collection of notable bridal announcements and obituaries.

He loved a good martini, peanuts in any form, licorice, Necco wafers, and cat naps. He was an avid reader and movie fan, a trivia whiz, and thoroughly enjoyed engaging conversations. Perhaps his greatest joy was found in the role of grandparent, and being present in their four grandchildren’s lives — from the dinner table and the sofa to the sidelines and bleachers.”

was close by, but they didn’t feel at home.

Their Springmoor neighbor, Cater Riggan, brought them to St. Michael’s. “That first Sunday when the procession came by us and the choir was singing, Allen turned to me and said ‘we are home’ and he was right,” Lindsay recalls. “He enjoyed everything about St. Michael’s, from that very first Sunday. Having been an Episcopalian his entire life, he also enjoyed Greg’s wonderful orientation classes.

The outstanding sermons and the friendly inclusion of St. Michael’s parishioners always made him feel welcomed even though he was not able to attend on a regular basis.

“St. Michael’s is a blessing to many and I feel so fortunate to be there!”

He is also survived by daughter Elizabeth Worley and her family of Raleigh; daughter Martha and family of New York City, and daughter (by luck!) Maria Fernandez de Cordoba of Chile.

His obituary ends with this paragraph.

“Today in heaven, it’s 72° and sunny. Allen has enjoyed rounds of both tennis and golf with healthy lungs. Good music is playing, the Heels will soon play, and a whole host of family and friends who’ve gone before him will be joining him for cocktails. Cheers to a good life well loved and well lived!”

Don Howard August 30, 1948 – May 14, 2021 Don was a member of St. Michael’s Adult Choir for ? years. With a Master of Music degree, he worked for Burrage Music Company until his retirement. He loved the arts and participated in choirs and in community theatre.

“Don sang bass in our choir,” says Kevin Kerstetter. “He was a fine, trained musician with a gentle spirit. Don was always eager to be helpful and offer an encouraging word. The choir and I will miss him very much.

He and Lindsay were married 56 years. When the Hornthals moved to Raleigh to be closer to their daughter, they joined a church that Continued on the next page

26 Jack Matusiak March 10, 1935 - Jan. 24, 2021 When Jack and Pat Matusiak moved to Raleigh 25 years ago, they visited Catholic churches but didn’t feel at home. So Pat visited St. Michael’s, and longtime parishioner Gwen Nicholson welcomed her. “I felt like I came home,” Pat recalls.

Jack, who began his career in insurance, had an entrepreneurial spirit, and he owned a series of businesses that took them from their home in New Jersey to California, New York, Vermont, Chapel Hill, Florida and eventually to Raleigh. In Vermont, he bought a small tractor business and expanded the inventory to include Thiokal snow grooming machines, selling one to former President Gerald Ford. They lived in a farmhouse and never had a key to the front door, Pat says.

“He loved a challenging business,” she adds, and the couple then moved to Florida and started a business supplying nurses to nursing homes and for in-home care. They moved to Raleigh to be closer to their daughters, because Pat traveled all over the country and Jack’s health was declining.

Jack loved the OWLS programs, she said, though because of his health he wasn’t able to be active in church. He was active in his children’s lives, however, offering advice and even helping his daughter with a home renovation.

In the past couple of years, Pat engaged a series of home health care workers to care for him, and very early this year he contracted COVID-19.

The Matusiaks met at a family wedding when Pat was 19 and Jack had just returned from serving in the Marines.

“Jack stopped by to say congratulations to (the groom) and it touched my heart,” she says. “He asked me to dance and to a fraternity party and we were married a year later.”

On their wedding anniversary 62 years later, he would be hospitalized with COVID symp-

Archangel toms. Pat developed symptoms as well, and she, too, was hospitalized, but on a different floor. A kind hospitalist had Jack moved to Pat’s floor so she could visit him, and she was able to be with him when he died.

“He was smart and he was funny,” says Pat. Together they have two sons, two daughters and four grandchildren. “And he loved to eat. He was the best cook. His grandchildren loved his spaghetti.”

Jack was 84 when he died. His remains will be buried at Oakwood Cemetery at a later date.

Priscilla Swindell August 9, 1936 - May 21, 2021 Longtime St. Michael’s parishioner Priscilla Swindell was 84 when she passed away.

A native of Reading, Mass., she moved to Raleigh with her children after a divorce, diving head-first into life at St. Michael’s.

She was chapter chair of St. Mary’s ECW and was active in creating the Angel Tree each year. She was committed to serving others.

“She loved mission trips,” says friend and traveling companion Mimi Keravuori, whether with the EYC or other groups.“She traveled all over the world. She went to Haiti on a mission with Marge Fraser (wife of the late Bishop of North Carolina, the Rt. Rev. Thomas Fraser) and traveled to the Gulf Coast on a mission trip when she was in her 70s, doing whatever task she was asked to do.

Priscilla served on many diocesan boards, including the Standing Committee, Environmental Ministry, and the Penick Village Board.

She also set up an endowment in her parents name to fund diocesan seminars. In May of 2016, she was named Senior of the Year at the annual Spring Fling. Survivors include two daughters, Robin Dills and husband Steve of Mebane, and Courtney Thompson and husband Jeremy of Rock Hill, SC; three grandchildren and a great-grandson.

Steven Techet August 15, 1945 - April 10, 2021 Steven Techet and his wife, Joan, had been married for 50 years before he died in April of melanoma. Joan’s father, Ed Richards, was a founding member of the parish, so the young Techets — both lifelong Episcopalians, joined the church and raised their family here.

Steven was a storyteller, businessman, father and grandfather, Manhattan born, orchid enthusiast, philanthropist.

“He always had flowers on the table,” Joan recalls. “He learned that from his grandmother.” When the Techets moved to North Ridge, he planted the back yard with azaleas, which grew to be quite beautiful, she says. He even gave a rose garden to his daughter-inlaw, Ashley, who placed an azalea blossom in his hands after his passing.

He was owner of Country Club Homes and Ridgewood Shopping Center,. He served on the St. Michael’s Vestry in the 1980s and was a lay reader and lay Eucharistic minister.

He cultivated his lifelong passion for the arts through his philanthropy and support of theater groups, such as Raleigh Little Theater and the Carolina Ballet, as well as his own art.

“He had a good eye for color,” Joan says, and in his retirement took art lessons. He painted flowers and his grandchildren and landscapes, a few of which Joan had made into cards for friends and family.

Steven and Joan retired to Key Largo, Florida, where they played tennis and golf, and where he spent time with his grandchildren on the ocean. His orchid tree at Ocean Reef is a beautiful sight to see every March.

He is also survived by his two children Alexandra and Andrew Techet and seven grandchildren.

27

Archangel

Making Our Way Back

Building Something New & Better

If you

don’t believe in human frailty now, I don’t know what to tell you.

Physically and pretty much every other way, we proved over the last 15 months that our faith in ourselves is misplaced.

We know this in our hearts. But we prove over and over that we do not, in fact, get it.

Simplistically, the Bible is God (Old Testament) and then Jesus (New Testament) telling us, Y’know, your priorities and behavior aren’t exactly where they need to be. You might be better off looking beyond yourself and following It was a little a few of these simple rules . . .

And us saying, Nah, that’s OK. We got this.

We don’t even see ourselves in the right characters in Bible stories. Like the Prodigal Son, where we identify with the good brother and then find out that he’s actually the bad brother?

Who saw that coming?

Or the one about the lost sheep?

Where we think we’re part of the 99 but we’re actually the one that’s lost?

touches. But if you’re reading this, then I’m assuming that not being able to come to St. Michael’s was a key ingredient.

See, even now, we should be coming at this with thankfulness, and we’re not. Our church produced virtual programming that was as good as any church, anywhere. It was thoughtful, it was intentional. People put so much time and energy into it. We had other alternate programming like drive-through services that affirmatively reached out to people.

The upheaval didn’t threaten the future of our church. The building and campus we return to looks like the building and campus we left.

awkward, a little

cumbersome — and incredibly moving. The energy in the air fairly crackled, just because it was real people worshiping together in close proximity.

— Will Lingo

It makes sense that when we hear the story in church as part of a group, we feel part of the 99. So if nothing else, COVID Times taught us what it’s like to feel lost.

Because if you can say you didn’t feel lost at any point in the last 15 months, then let us refer you to a few of our favorite parables about lying.

Having so many of the conventions of daily life stripped away was a singular experience. Or at least I hope so. Because I don’t want to experience it again.

And yet.

We missed so much in those 55 Sundays. Not to mention all the other days.

Much like a Zoom call replicates meeting in person, yet is nothing like meeting in person. Our alternative forms of worship sustained us, but could not fill the St. Michael’s-sized hole in our souls.

In the early stages of life starting to open up again, I was fortunate enough to attend an outdoor Vestry gathering where we walked through a Eucharist in order to see if it was feasible to do for a larger group.

It was a little awkward, a little cumbersome — and incredibly moving. The energy in the air fairly crackled, just because it was real people worshiping together in close proximity. The feeling stuck with me, even though it would be months before we could gather in the Nave. It buoyed me, knowing that better times were ahead, and unfortunately reminded me that there was no substitute for it.

I was not at my best personally, professionally, and definitely not spiritually. Like, a lot.

Finally, we’re going through things that we will remember as bookends to the pandemic on the other side. Reservations, sitting in every other row, no singing. Singing in masks. Remember these and everything else from the past year as we replace them with our more familiar rituals.

We will never know the individual recipes that made the pandemic year-ish unpleasant for each of us. It was a true misery gumbo, with each chef adding his own particular

What we once knew as normal will never be that again. Our old ruts are overgrown, so maybe we can build something new and better on the way back.

Continued on the next page

ARCHANGEL

NON-PROFIT ORG. US POSTAGE PAID Raleigh, NC PERMIT NO. 696

©2021 A PUBLICATION OF ST. MICHAEL’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH 1520 Canterbury Rd. Raleigh NC 27608-1106 919.782.0731 holymichael.org

EDITOR: SUSAN B. ROUNTREE

St. Michael’s Confirmation Class of 2021, with the Rt. Rev. Anne Hodges-Copple

Jeff McLamb photo

Something New from page 27

For me, a key touchstone was a group of 25 middle schoolers getting confirmed in June. Last March their confirmation went into limbo — to steal a Catholic term — until we were finally able to schedule an in-person service for them.

Bishop Suffragan Anne Hodges-Copple confirmed them and framed her sermon around the game of hide and seek. She told the kids that no matter where their lives led, God would always be looking for them.

We have all been hiding for too long. It’s time to return to our flock, and I couldn’t be happier.

Former Senior Warden Will Lingo is a writer, editor and principle of Helium, a baseball-focused media agency.