Member Profiles
New member profiles are added regularly, so be sure to check back.
Cristina Damian
Years at Messiah: 3 1⁄2 years
Children: Julia 19 years old
Pet: Marley (Chihuahua)
Favorite quote: Serve the least, the last, and the lost
Favorite Prayer: The Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi
Historical figure that she would like to invite to Messiah: Socrates
Food Item: Mac & Cheese the way Grandma made it in Romania with homemade cheese & bacon.
How did you come Messiah? Why did you stay?
I came to Messiah by invitation from Ken Kawamura. I stayed because it’s an environment that fosters spiritual growth at one’s own rhythm. It’s a place that rekindles memories of my childhood church-going days through its architecture, iconography, and the liturgy. I stayed because I found a group of individuals who are loving, inclusive, open for debate, and non-judgmental. I also like the adult education classes.
Can you tell us of a joyful experience that you have had at Messiah?
The Blessing of the Animals. At first I was intrigued, but then I found it a very unique way of imparting God’s love to the animals. Its some thing that in my culture is unheard of since animals have a very practical purpose like serving as guard or keeping vermin away. We never thought of animals as part of our lives or as enriching our lives in any way other that from a pragmatic sense.
An event illustrative of Messiah’s community life was Mark and Becca Hendrickson’s wedding. It reminded me of how weddings were planned back in my grandma’s village where the collective effort of almost everyone in that small place made a memorable and priceless gift to the newlyweds. The involvement of a handful of dedicated women at Messiah during the wedding rekindled memories of a time where the community played an integral part in each individual’s life and reflected how important we are to each other in an increasingly alienating world.
Last year you travelled to Africa on a medical mission trip with a group of nurses from Messiah. How did you decide to participate in that event?
The decision to engage in the medical mission in Kenya stemmed from a deep-seated desire to give from what I was fortunate to receive through good health, opportunities, and hard work. I grew up in relative poverty, and having been blessed with the comforts of Western life for the past two decades created an imperative to share it with people who are less fortunate than I. Also, it was the only way to come in contact with people in areas that I may never get a chance to visit even in the context of a carefully planned trip.
Hearing a poor Masai widow, who lived in a one-room clay hut with a small fire pit in the middle and a hole in the ceiling for ventilation, thanking God for the little she had (a pot of corn was boiling on top of an anemic fire) and sharing her gratitude for a blessed life was the ultimate affirmation of my decision to travel to Kenya.
Matt Hollenbeck and Peter Lee
Years at Messiah: Matt: since baptism; Peter: 15 years
Pets: Riley (dog adopted from Jenny Lopez at the Blessing of the Animals in 2010)
Church Service: 10:15 AM
Favorite Bible Verse: 23rd Psalm (Matt)
Historical figure that he would like to invite to Messiah: Peter: My dad. He brought sunshine into everybody's life and supported his church. Matt: My grandfather, Father Wesley Havermale. I would like him to see Messiah as it is today.
How did you come to Messiah? Why did you stay?
Matt (Martha Streutker’s son) came to Messiah as an infant, and was baptized by his grandfather, Father Wesley Havermale. Peter came because he knew that Messiah was very important to Matt. When he arrived he felt like parishioners were “instant family.” He was presented for confirmation by Father Brad and became a part of the Messiah family immediately.
“I’m proud of what we offer and the outreach we do,” says Matt. He likes knowing that those in need are being helped through his donations.
This year’s stewardship campaign theme is “We are the church!" What does this mean to you?
Peter: “It’s just an amazing congregation! We have so many caring people. We’re not big, and we need to support the church and the people who bring light into our lives. We know that parishioners are there to help one another."
Matt recalled the recent baptism of several children, and the pledge that we make to the newly baptized as a church family by responding to the question, “Will you who witness these vows do all in your power to sup- port these persons in their life in Christ?” It is always a resounding “We will!”
Do you have a Messiah story to tell?
Matt’s memories reach back into Messiah’s history. He remembers Sunday School teacher, Margaret Boyer, and a particular Christmas pageant. “One minute I was standing in front of the pulpit in my full costume. The next thing I remember was waking up outside at the top of the stairs leading to the office, with my grandfather, standing over me.”
Peter recalls meeting with Father Brad in his office before being confirmed, and getting to know Jan Karelius at the auction.
How are you involved at Messiah?
Matt & Peter are regulars for Done in a Day pro- jects, helping out whenever work days are scheduled. They have participated in Supper Clubs and Aelred and Hildegard.
Shout out for Messiah!
“I’m proud that our church is open to gay ministry,” says Matt. “And that Messiah founded Sts. Aelred and Hildegard support group. I think Grandpa would have supported the openness. ”
Sarah, Paul and Mark Fraley
Years at Messiah: Four Years
Pets: Two cockatiels, one beta
Church Service: 10:15 AM
Favorite Bible Verse: Ecclesiastes 3 “For everything there is a season...”
How did you come to Messiah? Why did you stay?
Paul and Joyce Dery were co-workers at Starbucks. Sarah met Joyce at a community event where Star- bucks employees were volunteering. They hit it off and Joyce invited Paul and Sarah to Messiah. (Thank you, Joyce!)
They came, they loved it, and they kept coming back. Paul was raised Episcopalian. He said, “Let’s go to a church where they talk about God.” The ritual of the service, the inclusiveness and the open attitude are among the reasons the Fraleys stayed. Messiah is a place where “it’s OK to have doubts and questions, and to falter,” added Sarah.
This year’s stewardship campaign theme is “We are the church!” What does this mean to you?
“When like-minded folks get together, that means you’re a unit. You get together for commonality, especially in these times,” said Paul. “It becomes more internal and you carry it with you every day.”
Do you have a Messiah story to tell?
There was a time when the Fraleys returned to Iowa, leaving Sarah very sad, especially missing Messiah. She had felt such positive energy from Joyce Dery and others. Sarah added, “When we returned Joyce gave me a scarf that Esther Lopez had knit. Joyce told me that Esther prayed for us while she was knitting it. That is a Messiah story.”
Then there was the time that Sarah and Mark went to the LA Pride Parade in Los Angeles. “It was a great ex- perience, and made me proud to be a part of a church that is supportive of all relationships,” related Sarah.
Speaking of Mark, he likes going to Sunday School—especially working with the sand box.
How are you involved at Messiah?
“I’m just happy to be here!” said Paul. “I believe in faith—something bigger than ourselves. And I’m here for Sarah,” said Paul.
Sarah initiated the Make a Joyful Noise music class for young children. It meets twice monthly after the 10:15 service for 30 minutes of song, dance and musical instru- ments. The class offers hymns and other Christian music— with a focus on playfulness and faith through children’s eyes.
Stephanie and Tony Miller and Sierra
How did you come to Messiah? Why did you stay?
Stephanie: I’d been looking for a church, but hadn’t really been satisfied with any I’d visited. One day, when I went to the Post Office, I noticed the Noah sign hanging outside the church. I liked that here was a church that wasn’t just thinking about itself, but about the community, so I decided to visit. I remember my first Sunday was Palm Sunday, and I talked to Sussie Quinn and Brian Kelly. Brian was quite the storyteller! And Sussie said something which particularly impressed me. As I left she said, “Good luck with your church shopping! I hope you find the church you’re looking for – a church which meets your needs.” And I was so moved: here was someone who was thinking about ME and what would work for me and wasn’t just thinking I had to do what she was doing! That made a big impression – it was very freeing – and I felt that this was the sort of place I was indeed looking for! I was pregnant, and I knew I wanted to find a community in which to raise my child, as well as a place where I could kind of “recharge.”
Tony had been raised Roman Catholic, and had about “had it” with liturgy, so I was worried about how he would feel, but he felt right at home here. He immediately thought this church was a good choice for us.
Tony: Yes – I was put off by liturgy which was more for show, like a performance or something. But I didn’t feel that way about liturgy here at Messiah. It felt real. I immediately sensed that this church was more about supporting a relationship with God than about “following the rules.”
And Sierra likes the nursery – she loves Miss Phyllis, and likes to bring things from home to share with her! And she likes having some other children to play with.
What have been your involvements at Messiah?
We’ve really liked having been asked to do things! It’s a good way to get to know people, and it also makes us feel like we belong, like we’re important to the life of the church. We joined Supper Clubs right away and met a nice community of people. But the wonderful thing about Messiah is – you meet a group of people and think, “Oh, there – I’ve found my place, my little “clique” – and then you meet another group, and they’re really different, and you really like them, and then you realize – it isn’t just a bunch of little cliques – we’re all different, and we all like each other and we have different things to offer. It really reinforced the reasons we chose Messiah as our church!
We had a great time helping out with the Alabaré Music Camp last summer! That’s where we first met a lot of the “strong Messiah women” like Maria Rodriguez and Lorna Adkins. They are amazing!
I think my number one favorite activity is Wednesday’s Women – I love the food, the wine, the openness, the readings, the safe environment in which to share things. It stimulates me intellectually as well as supports me emotionally. And I’m looking forward to the retreat this year – I told my mother-in-law she had to plan a visit to us that weekend so she could watch Sierra and I could go! And I’m getting involved in the Book Group, and, of course, I’m on Vestry.
And we’re both looking forward to Oktoberfest and the Messiah Christmas Party!
This year’s theme for stewardship is “Love of Christ is Calling.” Where do you see the love of Christ in your life?
In the community! It’s in the community of people here at Messiah, certainly – and in the way we have a commitment to doing ministry in the community beyond our walls as well. We definitely got the community we wanted for Sierra!
Brad Brafford
How did you come to Messiah? Why did you stay?
I had met Father Brad when he was at St. Mary’s in Laguna, and I was looking for a place to host an outreach meeting of the Gay Community Center. When I was looking for a new church to attend in Santa Ana, my earlier connection with Father Brad made Messiah a natural. I enjoyed his sermons, because it felt like he was not preaching at the parishioners, but was having a discussion with them. (We are very fortunate as a church to have had such good sermons from all our priests.)
I stayed because people were so friendly and welcoming. Messiah was the place for me—I found a home!
“Messiah: All Are Welcome in this Place” is this year’s stewardship campaign. What does this mean to you?
It’s stating the obvious. When I first came to Messiah, someone acknowledged me as being new, and welcomed me. This is what I felt when I first arrived, and this is how I still feel. I have made many friends here.
Do you have a Messiah story to tell?
Oh, many! When I first came to Messiah, I met the Rev. Ellen Hill, and she was most welcoming of me. I’ve had some grand adventures with Supper Club, and gotten to know many people I would otherwise not have gotten to know – I go to 8 o’clock, but most of them go to 10:15! because when it’s my turn I always have my dinner catered, I have plenty of time to socialize and enjoy myself.
How are you involved at Messiah?
I have been involved in Saints Aelred and Hildegard GLBT Ministry for many years. And I am in charge of the “Pew Crew.” We are a group of people who come in weekly to make sure the pew racks are stocked with contact cards, offering envelopes, church information brochures, etc. (I had been approached about being on Vestry, but I travel so much to ski in various places that I wanted a commitment where I wouldn’t have to worry about missing meetings, and so I took on the chairmanship of the Pew Crew.) I’ve been a member of Supper Clubs every year since they started, meeting or getting better acquainted with many new people along the way. And I LOVE the parish auction! I’ve purchased Janet Elerding’s boat trip a couple of times (once I even hosted my supper club on the boat), and it’s always great good fun!
John Cartaya and Richard O’Neill
How did you come to Messiah? Why did you stay?
Coming from the Roman Catholic tradition, we were looking for something similar. “I worked with Episcopalians through the Cursillo movement, and we knew that Messiah was an accepting congregation.” said Richard, who was a Deacon in his previous church involvement.
John and Richard both remember their first visit to Messiah. Father Brad preached and Carolyn celebrated the Eucharist. Following the mass, Brad waited at the door to greet us and shake our hands. “He wrote my phone number down on a piece of paper and made sure Richard and I went to Coffee Hour,” said John. “At coffee people came up to us and talked. They were friendly. That really helps with the start of community building,” recalled Rich- ard. “Also, I like the involvement in the community through Hands Together, Noah Project, and Morning Garden. The church is responsible. The church is actually doing the work and responding to the community.”
“Messiah: All Are Welcome in this Place” is this year’s stewardship campaign. What does this mean to you?
“It’s the reason that we stay. It was heartwarming to hear those words on our first day, ‘All are welcome here, at God’s table.’” said John. “It was neat. It wasn’t long before Brad called and we had lunch.”
Richard’s recollection remains strong, too, “I felt that Messiah is not exclusive, but inclusive, with a warmth to that feeling. And having Carolyn, a female priest, is great—she’s caring, warm and friendly.”
Do you have a Messiah story to tell?
John: I have been looking at the church since I was a kid. I grew up a few blocks from the church, in a house next door to St. Joseph’s. I had friends who went to Messiah and was interested in seeing it, but rather than face confessing that I had gone there (doing so would have been a sin) I stayed away. Years later I went there when my sister, Teresa, was married there. I thought it was a neat church.
Richard: I think a turning point was being invited to an event at the Budners’. We got to know a lot of parish- ioners. We heard their stories and shared ours. The feeling of welcome was overwhelming. It was really fun.
How are you involved at Messiah?
Richard serves as an Usher and on the Profile Committee for the new Rector search. He and John are team leaders for the Every Member Canvass and they are in a Supper Club. John also serves as Chalice Bearer.
Julie Chay
How did you come to Messiah? Why did you stay?
I came to Messiah for the first time to see the Tiffany windows. I was also single, and I was looking for a church that was welcoming to singles. I had never been to an Episcopal Church, but when I came in it just seemed like the kind of place I wanted to be.
I remember that the Singles Group consisted of me, Christine Garcia, a former parishioner who was single at the time, the Associate Rector, Colville Smith, and Mar- tha Havermale, Martha Streutker’s mother and Harriett Kelly (when she was single). I remember meeting at Harriett’s house. We had quite a span of ages and inter- ests. It was really about getting together and enjoying one another. It was comfortable and open. I guess I stayed because I knew I was home.
“Messiah: All Are Welcome in this Place” is this year’s stewardship campaign. What does this mean to you?
Hospitality is being open and available to people, especially those in need at a particular time. Messiah is available to anyone at anytime as a place, as a community, as individuals with one another. That’s really who we are.
When José and I were married here, and Reverend Ellen Hill officiated the wedding, quite a diverse group of people attended—from our workplaces, our families and our Messiah family. When it came time for the communion, Ellen paused. She didn’t just say that you are welcome here. She said, “You are here because you want to share with José and Julie in their celebration. And,nomatterwhereyouareinyourjourneywith God, you are also welcome here at God’s table.” She was so warm and sincere, and I remember lots of guests participating in that Eucharist.
Also, I think of Larry Budner. One time he taught a class about studying Torah. We learned that one of Judaism’s mitzvahs or commandments is hospitality. The importance of hospitality really impressed me at that time. Ever since I took that class, I take hospitality more seriously - that hospitality is opening my heart and my home. Hospitality is welcoming.