Saying Farewell to the Elliott & the Van Yperen/James Families.
By Ellie Watkins
For the past half-decade, St. John’s has been blessed with two families who have enriched
us with their presence and the stories they’ve helped us share as they’ve presented in our faith forums. They are both moving away this summer, prompting us to look back and appreciate their time here.
Nate Van Yperen and Elaine James and their children Hank and Forest are relocating back to Princeton, NJ. They came to St. John’s in the fall of 2013, shortly after moving here from Princeton. They visited a few other churches, but were drawn to St. John’s by the warmth of the community, number of young families, and the farmer’s market. “These,” they say, “were signs of a vibrant and engaged community of faith.”
Elaine’s first offerings for Sunday morning faith forums were on women in the Old Testament—she gave a talk on Ruth (while she was pregnant!), and then a series on women in the ancestral narratives. “Each week I was grateful to hear stories about the women in our congregants’ lives who modeled strength, insight, and faith.” Nate’s first talk was about Theology and the Environment; his most memorable forum was a talk on Bayard Rustin. “It was enriching to hear and engage diverse responses to Rustin in his own words.”
Elaine and Nate were impressed with the lively, thoughtful conversation that consistently characterized the forums here. “The most interesting moments were when someone would use the material to connect to their experience, which would in turn connect to another’s experience,” they say. They want the church to know that “it was a privilege to serve as regular forum speakers.”
The Rev. Neil and Mary Ellen Elliott are moving to New Mexico. Neil first spoke at an adult forum here in the 90s, and was impressed at how engaged and educated the group was. “This is a smart congregation!” he observes. Then in 2012, Neil and Mary Ellen visited again as parishioners looking for a new church, and were impressed that St. John’s had taken a stand in support of recognizing same-sex marriages. “We knew we’d found a home.” Since then, says Mary Ellen, “Our time at St. John’s has been very full.”
Their house group has been “a real blessing” and a close-knit group of very good friends. Mary Ellen was involved with building and grounds, vestry, and the fellowship committee. Neil has preached and helped with planning faith formation offerings. He observes that people here aren’t afraid to bring up controversial things—”not just politically, but to express that they have doubts.”
It can be scary to express doubts or to challenge the usual teachings, but, says Mary Ellen, “it hasn’t shaken our faith.”
Is there anything else they would like to say to the church community? “Keep doing what you’re doing,” Neil tells us. “Don’t be afraid of controversy, or taking a stand, or holding on to your convictions.”
“Continue to come together,” encourages Mary Ellen. “House groups, summer meals.” She recalls many instances where parishioners have gathered and felt a strong spirit of fellowship. “Everything has been a lot of fun.”
Knowing these families has indeed been a lot of fun. We wish them well—and hope they’ll stay in touch and share stories from their new endeavors!
Originally published in the July/August 2019 Evangelist.
