Steve and I are “cradle Episcopalians,” born and raised in Rhode Island. But our paths did not cross until some years later. When our first marriages ended in 1978, we both realized that God had a different plan for us.
At that time, Steve had graduated from Marietta College in Ohio and was working on his MBA at Bryant College in Rhode Island. I also had graduated from URI and had just moved back home from Dallas. I was attending real estate school and was busy caring for two very young children, Amy and Billy. By chance we met and realized that it was meant to be.
We were married three years later and soon moved to New Jersey for a new job for Steve in Franchise Operations. Barbara was able to return to her career, teaching elementary school. We stayed in this area for nearly thirty years. Our children grew up here, and we loved the time we had at the shore. We were all involved in a wonderful historic (1702) Episcopal Church.
In 2012, we were fortunate to be able to retire and head south. Being near the Atlantic coast all our lives, this area was a natural pick for us and we happily moved to Brunswick Forest. Like many people, we “church shopped” when we arrived, and on our very first visit to St. Paul’s we knew we had found a new home. The warm greeting by Randy Green and the friendliness of everyone was so welcoming!
We consider St. Paul’s our church family and we’ve been happy to involve ourselves in many ways. We have both served on the Vestry, as Eucharistic ministers and in outreach. Steve is in the choir, and I work in hospitality, greeting and membership now. The friendships we’ve made here are lasting ones, built on a common Faith.
In our retirement days we love to travel, enjoy the ocean and volunteer our time. Visits with our two grown children, their spouses, and our two dear granddaughters in California and New Jersey keep us busy! We feel truly blessed.