My Saint Michael’s Story: Joe Hannan
Sit quietly and pray, that is what the Nuns would tell me when I was younger. For most of my life I thought that being spiritual required a person to be sitting in silence and praying. For those of you who know me sitting silently for more than a few seconds – well let’s just say it’s like mixing oil and water.
Read MoreMy Saint Michael’s Story: Tina Blondino
I, as all of us, have had a wide fluctuation of feelings during this pandemic. St. Michael’s, church, our community – all have helped center and stabilize me. I look forward to Sunday and usually get a little dressed up to “go to church.”
Read MoreMy Saint Michael’s Story: Anita Donahou
I am a cradle, “always have been, always will be” Episcopalian. Historically, Episcopalians don’t speak openly about their faith journey, so please bear with me. Our family came to St. Michael’s 17 years ago. We had visited several Episcopal churches after moving to the Eastside, and St. Michael’s felt comfortable and familiar; best of all, our children were welcomed by the kids here. Never underestimate the power of kids!
Read MoreMy Saint Michael’s Story: Carol Chipman
When I was a child, my parents “made” me go to Sunday School. I couldn’t understand why, because they chose not to go to church themselves. When I was 12, they told me I didn’t have to go to church anymore if I didn’t want to, so I didn’t. Fast forward to when I was pregnant with my son Gabriel, and a coworker and I were talking about our plans for the Christmas holiday. Out of the blue, she sheepishly asked me to explain to her the story of Jesus’ birth, since she had never had it told to her. I was shocked, because I assumed everybody knew about that particular story, even if they had never gone to church. So I decided that when my son was a little older, I would do exactly what my parents had done to me, and send him to Sunday School, only this time his parents would go with him, of course. I finally realized that having the foundation for a Christian faith, even though I hadn’t attended church for a long time, was a source of strength and comfort that I would not otherwise have had, so thank you Mum and Dad, and I wanted that same foundation for my son.
Read MoreMy Saint Michael’s Story: Carol Szwajkos
Good morning. My name is Carol Szwajkos. I have been a member of St. Michael and All Angels church since moving here from the Philadelphia area three years ago. The Daughters of the King chapter that I belong to uses the African Bible Study method at its meetings. It involves reading a Bible passage three times. After the first reading, each person says just the Word, or the Phrase, that touched them. We don’t discuss the word or phrase till after the second and third readings. When Tina sent me an email asking me to speak today on the topic of “How has St. Michael’s been part of my faith journey”, the word JOURNEY jumped out at me. We often hear the saying, “Life is a JOURNEY”. So, as I reflected on this word and how it relates to my JOURNEY of FAITH and my St. Michael’s story, many thoughts and memories wove through my mind. Mine is now a fairly long story with many years, experiences, and miles behind me—but new adventures ahead!
Read MoreMy Saint Michael’s Story: Mikaela Kang
Good morning everyone! My name is Mikaela Kang and I have been a member at St. Michael’s for almost 20 years. I love St. Michael’s for so many reasons. This is a place I have grown up from age 5, to now 24. A place where my family could get together every Sunday to worship and my brothers and I could play out in the yard afterwards. Where I got my first ever paying job! Where I learned to serve my community and now, I am part of this church as a member of the vestry, a role that I only ever saw as “for the adults”, but I guess I am that adult now.
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