New Faces at St. Cross

You may have seen Robin Chatfield around campus on Sunday mornings or during week day mornings. Robin is working with Dave as a facilities manager. Dave is not leaving us, but also suggested that we should start training up someone new in case he does want to take off to his dream vacation for three weeks! Robin has cheerfully been helping in the kitchen on Sundays, along with opening the campus. She can sling tables and chairs with the best of them and is quickly learning where all of the random light timers, fuse boxes, and tools are located. Welcome to Robin. So very glad to have her on board with us.

Two weeks ago I introduced Michael Allen to the congregation during both services. Michael is doing a DDY (Diocesan Discernment Year) with the St. Cross. You will see him vesting with us in service, doing some teaching, outreach, liturgical work and also preaching a sermon or two in the next nine months. This DDY is a time for a person who is discerning ordained life. Our diocese requires an internship working with another congregation as part of the discernment process. I hope that you will welcome Michael (and I am wondering when he is going to start a live cam of that fish tank!).

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What excites you about coming to St. Cross to work?

Robin: I love coming to work at St Cross because of that sense of being a part of the Hermosa Beach community that I live in. It's what I desired to find and I'm thrilled that it came to fruition.

Michael: Imagine being 51 and feeling like a kid again, marveling at an entirely new world. This is how my faith journey has made me feel and the opportunity to explore a whole new community is thrilling. I just visited St. Cross for the first time and found everyone I met to be very kind and welcoming... it's a truly lovely parish and I think I'll find much joy here.

What is your favorite book of the Bible and why?

Robin: I think Corinthians, Love is patient, Love is kind has always been my favorite

Michael: James ... Many of the best moments on my life have been in the service of others. In these moments, I have felt the most fulfilled, alive, and in the joyful embrace of God. I am relatively new to the Episcopal Church, but in the initial exploration of my faith I was drawn to the understanding that followers of Jesus are naturally "doers of the world"... how could it be otherwise?... our faith always alive in the loving of others -- in not only word, but likewise in deed.

What is one of your early memories of church?

Robin: My earliest memories of church come from attending a private Christian school kindergarten - 4th grade. Attending a service every Wednesday with my classmates and memorizing and reciting a bible verse every Friday to my class.

Michael: My earliest memories of church revolve around its music...here's some examples: as a kid I found myself mesmerized by the closing scenes of the movie, "A Bridge Too Far," hearing the beleaguered English paratroopers first hum, then slowly sing, "Abide with Me" undefeated if only in their spirit.... in later years, hearing a New Orleans clarinet gently play, "Just a Closer Walk with Thee"... and then seeing my tough father's eyes tear up upon hearing, "Amazing Grace," and also finding my own eyes had become red too... - even at an early age, I knew something amazing was to be found in the notes and verse of the music.

What is one hobby that you love doing in your free time?

Robin: In my free time I enjoy exploring interior design and hanging with my family (mostly my guy of 8 years, Roger and my Pomapoo puppy, Scout) and my amazing friends.

Michael: Also, if you do need my hobby --- much to the annoyance of my family, I keep a 100-gallon fish tank with rare tropical fish from the Amazon River and hard to keep aquatic plants. This money pit requires constant attention and is the cause of much frustration... I mean, joy....

What is one thing you want us to know about you?

Robin: I've always loved singing and was in choir and chamber singers in junior high, high school and junior college. My best friend and I also studied "Caruso's" method of singing with Russian opera singer, Marina Koshetz, in Malibu when we were in our late 20's. Now I just enjoy a little karaoke around town once in awhile

Michael: I sometimes talk too much when excited... but I mean well...

St. Cross loves a good meal. What is your favorite food?

Michael: Steak, ribs, and tacos (you know, health food)...