Members of St. John’s Circle of Care are lay pastoral caregivers licensed to serve in the Episcopal Church of Minnesota. They are spiritually formed and commissioned to practice the Benedictine Spirituality and Pastoral Theology set forth by Community of Hope International.
Over the next couple of months, we’ll be introducing you to everyone in the Circle of Care so you can get to know them better: who they are, and what this ministry means to them.
Be sure to watch the videos for lots of fun question-and-answer moments in addition to reading the profiles written by the members!
Kathy Brown
Click here to watch the video on YouTube.
Describe your perfect day.
Waking up! with Marty. Swing my feet out of bed onto the carpet… I love that feeling of the carpet on my feet. OK here we go! I enjoy walking outside almost anywhere….lakes, streams, rivers, prairies and forests with a path, please. Birds! and flowers please. I enjoy walking by myself or with family or friends. Dinner together with family and playing games. I really like those special moments when I am in the kitchen and can hear the murmurings of happy voices and conversations—all is well.
What was the first concert you ever went to? My dad took me to the MN Symphony Orchestra in Northrop Auditorium when I was a young girl. The first rock band concert I went to was Jefferson Airplane (Gracie Slick), May 1970, Mpls Auditorium, next to the stage!
What would be my super power? Be my True self. (With God’s help.) No masks!
What is the weirdest food I have ever eaten? I am not an adventurous eater, but I did try—and liked—fiddlehead ferns with butter and salt and pepper. What’s not to like?
Who would I have coffee with? Well, Jesus, of course. If that line is too long….the mystic Therese of Lisieux. I like her style: simple and humble. This question also made me think of my twin brothers (James and Joseph) who died at 7 days old, a couple of years before I was born. I imagine myself holding, rocking, and singing to them….
What is the most exciting thing about my life? All 8 grandchildren!! I had no idea how wonderful grandparenting is!!
If I could visit one place with all expenses paid where would that be? Marty and I would go see the Monarch Butterflies in their overwintering grounds in Mexico. On the way back, we would swing by a tropical rain forest and go birding with an excellent guide.
Brad Parsons
Click here to watch the video on YouTube.
How long have you been at St. John’s?
I started attending St. John’s in 2012, I think.
Who is the first person who welcomed you?
Probably not the first, but definitely the most impactful welcome was from Don Husband. He happily greeted me each Sunday, and was instrumental in getting me more involved, attending Men’s Breakfast, Men’s Group, Hanging of the Greens, and things like that. Just such a kind, fun, and generous person.
How does participating in the Circle of Care feed your faith?
COC feeds my faith in many ways, but it mostly hearing about the faith journeys of others in the group. As we do our monthly meetings, the “dwelling in the word” and other activities tend to elicit such interesting, often very meaningful stories. It may have to do with childhood church experiences, people who have been important at various stages of life, experiences visiting people through the COC ministry itself, and more. It helps with self-reflection of my faith to hear about the journeys of others.
The most exciting thing about my life right now is being less than a month into retirement, after a 40 year career with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. While my work was very challenging and fulfilling, it was definitely time to move on to my next chapter. In my farewell message to my staff, I ended with a quote from Red in the movie The Shawshank Redemption: “I find I’m so excited, I can barely sit still or hold a thought in my head. I think it’s the excitement only a free man can feel, a free man at the start of a long journey whose conclusion is uncertain.”
Part of that journey is with St. John’s, serving in the COC and as junior warden. I look forward very much to sharing that journey with you all, and hearing your stories.