Testimonials
Marcia Wharton
10/5/25
Why Me?
I’ve been here for 32 years. Maybe that’s why. We were here when the front glass doors and the elevator were installed, when the columbarium was built, and when the labyrinth was created. We’ve seen a lot happening at Mount Calvary.
I’m a seeker and a pilgrim in my faith, and I love Jesus. My mother helped ground my beautiful faith from the time I was just a little child. My father was with the State Department, and we lived abroad for four years—between the ages of four and eight. The nuns in my Catholic school in Lima, Peru also solidified my love for Jesus.
When we returned to the States, I continued in Catholic school through 8th grade. That early foundation sustained me with a strong faith in Jesus through high school and into college.
In college, after I met Dean, I started to have some doubts about the Catholic Church. I joined him in the Presbyterian Church. We were married there. For years, it was good, but I began to feel a need… a lack… a longing for more frequent Eucharist and a more meaningful communion—something I wasn’t getting in other Protestant churches.
We had our two daughters and lived in San Francisco. We returned here when they were little. I wanted them to have a church school experience that was more than just coloring pictures and singing pretty songs. I wanted them to learn to love Jesus—not that they didn’t already, but I wanted that love to be reinforced.
Around 1973, Dean and I were looking for another church here. We visited all over. I was invited to come to the women’s group at Mount Calvary. Alter the meeting, I happened to talk to Father Hoyt.
I told him of my longings, and he asked, “Have you ever been to the Episcopal Church?”
I said, “No.”
He said, “I think you might find what you are searching for here. Why don’t you come on Sunday?”
Then I told him what I was looking for in a church school for our children. He said, “Let me show you something.” And he walked me back to the Children’s Chapel.
When I saw the pews, and the little altar, I thought, Wow. this is where they might learn to pray with others and by themselves. Maybe this would give them additional access to Christ—another spiritual experience I felt they weren’t getting in other churches. They could still color pictures and sing songs—but maybe they’d get a little more.
So we came here that Sunday. And we never went anywhere else. For 52 years, we’ve been coming to Mount Calvary.
I came here with a deep faith—but I needed, and still need, continual renewal of that faith. And I’ve been blessed. We’ve been blessed—by a wonderful array of clergy: Father Hoyt, Father Duncan, Father Greg, Canon Bob and Deacon Stu. They have enriched us with their teaching and their leadership.
So what is it about Mount Calvary that kept us here? And how did it continue helping me grow in other ways—spiritually?
It’s you. Each one of you.
You helped me grow spiritually because of who you are and how you live. I see you. I’ve been blessed by you—your hello, your prayers for me and my loved ones. Your voice is in song, in prayer, in friendship, and caring and loving me and others as Jesus would. I see Christ’s love in your eyes, and I have felt it all along. This is our community of faith.
I see you serving Jesus in so many ways: I see you taking care of the altar, and as Eucharistic ministers. I see your children as acolytes.
I watch the little ones in the children’s program—and I’ve watched them grow up. I’m not going to mention others by name because I don’t want to leave anyone out, but don’t you just see Jesus coming right through Melanie?
You visit the sick and you visited my mother often at the end of her life. You prepare meals and create events right here in our own kitchen—and prepare soups and the breads for our tough days.
You give hours serving on the Vestry. And you in the choir—our beautiful choir—and our devoted directors. You come week after week to practice so we can be uplifted by your music each Sunday.
I see you caring for this building and our beautiful grounds. And my husband Dean and Dave Kauffman, even when Dave was sick, were here patching and painting the walls of this church and the classrooms along with Melanie.
You help build and maintain houses for the poor and work in our communities in so many ways.
These are the kinds of blessings I have seen, experienced and been blessed by…Given to me through your example. I’ve learned from you. You’ve helped me grow spiritually here at Mt. Calvary. I am also blessed by participation in our Women’s Study Group and the Contemplative Prayer Group.
In all our lives, faith moves in waves. So now, I ask you to do something with me.
Take both hands and hold the railing in front of you. Hold it. Touch it. Feel it beneath your fingers. In all those years when you felt those waves of faith…you came here, in your grief. In your worry. In your fear. And in your joy.
You’ve prayed—and you’ve hung on.
Think of all those who held onto that same place before you those who are not here now, who are with the saints in heaven—Whose hands were on that very same railing, holding it in prayer in the very same way. Connecting generations.
That’s the kind of strength I’ve received here at Mount Calvary.
One last thought I want to share: I have a granddaughter who was baptized here. My sister was married here. My mother-in-law, Alice, had her funeral service here.
My mother-in-law and I were far apart in spiritual matters. We never talked about Jesus or God. There was separation. She thought that being Episcopalian meant I was still Catholic, and that just didn’t fit with how she was raised. I didn’t blame her that was her experience. But after her death, Father Hoyt held a beautiful Christian burial service right here for her. It was grace-filled… A moment of peace.
And as we prayed today—for our new priest and his family who will be joining us soon, and for our loving, supportive community—I was reminded again: This community is welcoming. It’s embracing. It’s holy.
God’s grace truly lives here in Mount Calvary.
And it lives in each of you.
Thank you.
Lisa Golding
10/1/25
My name is Lisa Golding and this year marks a special milestone—my membership in this church community is old enough to drive a car! I thought this year would be a perfect year to volunteer and speak during this “time to grow” stewardship campaign.
As we anticipate the arrival of our new rector, I reflect on the leadership of at least six different church leaders—both permanent and temporary—during my time here who have shaped this community and left a lasting impact.
However, it’s not just the leadership of the church that matters, it is each and every one of you. Whether it’s participating in a specific ministry, singing in the choir, stocking the coffee hour, or simply being here for worship, every contribution is essential. Together, we create the welcoming, generous, and faithful community that first drew me in—and still keeps me here today.
Neither my husband nor I are originally from this area, and after moving here, it took us some time to make finding a church community a priority. I first came to Mount Calvary after a simple conversation with a teaching colleague who mentioned that this was where his family attended. Tim and I were open to different denominations—my husband had grown up Catholic, and I was raised in the United Methodist Church— we had been visiting other churches in this general area (with no real love connection).
We immediately enjoyed the atmosphere here and wanted to return. At the time, my oldest child was just 16 months old, and we were expecting our second. I’ll admit, one of my main concerns was whether my young child would make noise during the sermon—we sat in the back. I also remember commenting to my husband about the size of the sanctuary, ‘We’ll probably be signed up for something in no time.’ But what actually happened was far from a high-pressure experience. Instead, we felt welcomed, and the faithfulness of the parishioners at that time ministered to us and included us.
People introduced themselves, made conversation, and over time our family did step out in faith to participate more fully. Tim and I participated in the confirmation class and started making pledges of our finances, as well as our time.
Over the years, I’ve been involved with church school, vacation Bible school, the food bank, and a handful of other inreach and outreach opportunities. As our family has grown, I have been especially grateful for the church school and youth ministries for which my children have had the opportunity to experience.
I’m here today to encourage you to invest in our community. Let’s meet our goal of a 14% increase in giving. But let’s also remember that stewardship is more than just financial giving. Simply sharing what you love about Mount Calvary and inviting others to join us is an act of stewardship in itself.
Mount Calvary is a place where all are welcome and all belong—a place where generosity thrives, and a place I genuinely look forward to being a part of every week. I encourage you to continue nurturing this community, so that together, we can continue to grow in faith and service.
Tim Spigelmyer
9/18/25
We gathered together as a parish to celebrate Welcome Day at Mount Calvary this past Sunday. We shared food, played games, enjoyed the singing of a barbershop quartet and engaged in fellowship as both a congregation and a wider community. On the same day we also began our four-week stewardship program—“A TIME TO GROW”.
I have been a member of Mt. Calvary for my entire life. It remains a special place in my heart. The people of this parish have always been kind, supportive, loving, accepting, generous and following the teachings of Jesus on how to treat others.
I believe this will be a transformational year in the history of our parish as we seek to grow our membership and expand our mission in the community. As we grow, we must also treasure our history and be thankful for our current members who, by their contributions, have made this parish the beautiful, welcoming church that it is today. This challenge to grow and renew our commitment to share the good news of God in Christ will be an exciting journey that we will be embarking on with our new rector elect, The Reverend Aaron Smith.
Vibrant, growing churches are spiritually healthy churches that are mission focused and doing the will of God. Growth is natural when people are welcomed and supported no matter where they are on their journey. A growing church has a larger capacity to positively impact society.
Our goal, during this four-week campaign, is a $35,000 overall increase in pledges or 14% for a total of $297,000. Current pledges for 2026 are $67,570, reflecting an increase of $18,090 in new pledge dollars! Cindy Spigelmyer volunteered to create the chart that will be posted in the Narthex. It will allow you to track our progress. In addition, we will also be giving updates in the newsletter and the service bulletins.
Thank you in advance for your contributions and your willingness to participate in our campaign, “A Time to Grow.” A letter and pledge cards were sent out earlier this week.
Blessings,
Tim Spigelmyer