On Sunday after the 10.30 Eucharist, there will be the annual Cathedral meeting (lunch provided, in the Great Hall). This is where we we elect the new candidates for the Chapter, which functions as the Cathedral’s Vestry, or Board. The responsibilities of the Chapter of St. Paul’s Cathedral include management of the financial affairs of the Cathedral and overseeing matters relating to buildings and grounds. There are twelve chapter members elected from the Cathedral congregation, each serving a three-year term, with rotating annual elections of four new members. Here are the statements from the four candidates this year.
Candidates were asked the following three questions.
- What do you love about St. Paul’s?
- Why do you choose to be of service?
- What is your professional background?
Vicki Hoppenrath
My husband and I moved to San Diego nearly three years ago. It was near Christmas and we found ourselves looking for a church to attend on Christmas Eve with visiting family members. Our youngest daughter had been in San Diego for two years and suggested we attend her church, St. Paul’s. Arriving at St. Paul’s, we found ourselves sitting at the back of a beautiful Cathedral. The service was magical and I found myself very moved by it. As we were all Catholics, we noticed that the service was nearly the same. However, in the weeks to come, I would find myself noticing the very pronounced differences of this community.
In the following weeks, I tried attending the Catholic churches nearby, but continued to be pulled back to St. Paul’s. My husband and I found ourselves much more relaxed and very attentive to the meaningful sermons. People were talking to us and welcoming us. (No wonder my daughter had found a place here.) My husband is not a baptized Catholic but always attended church with my daughters and me. He enjoyed the fact that he could “fully participate” in the service at St. Paul’s. For these reasons, I decided to become a member of St. Paul’s.
In 2010 I attended the “What is an Episcopalian?” series. Allisyn and Scott and the other speakers encouraged me to deepen myself spiritually. After attending, I knew I had made the right decision in joining St. Paul’s. Today, I am a Cathedral Docent and member of the planning committee for the Women Together at St. Paul’s ministry. My husband and I also volunteer for Uptown Faith Community Services which we heard about at St. Paul’s. When we moved to San Diego we had hoped to somehow be involved with the plight of the children of Mexico. Again, God answered with St. Paul’s and Dorcas House, which we have had the wonderful opportunity to visit.
I love the beautiful building that I enjoy in community on Sundays and in near solitude as a docent. The caring and welcoming parishioners, clergy, the various ministries, and the diversity gives St. Paul’s its wonderful uniqueness.
I am continuing to grow spiritually as I connect with the St. Paul’s community. Never have I found myself this involved in a church community since I was a girl attending Catholic schools. I feel very honored to be a Chapter Nominee after such a short time at St. Paul’s. I am very excited about the Cathedral Master Plan and I hope to be a party to making it happen. My goal is to give back to the Cathedral in some way for all it has given me in just a few years. I am praying that I will be an asset to this ministry.
I have had a varied professional life. Some of this has been by choice and some has been due to various moves my family has made throughout the years. I am currently in a retired status. I have a Bachelor’s in Social Work and have worked mainly with children in this role in northern CA. I worked for many years in Human Resources at Hughes Aircraft Company and as a professional recruiter. I have an MA in HR. My most current employment has been as an elementary school teacher in northern CA and I have done some subbing in San Diego. I was an active member of the American Association of University Women and held office as Treasurer and Membership Chair. I believe my varied background has been a wonderful growth tool as it has been necessary for me to communicate with a variety of people in many different situations. I hope that I can utilize these skills as a Chapter member.
Judy Moore
I came to St. Paul’s Cathedral seven years ago, was baptized and confirmed by the Cathedral. Serenity, peace, happiness and joy came into my life as I’d never known before. The music, the clergy, the liturgy, the congregation of friends from all walks of life, the feeling of quiet contemplation every time I’m in our cathedral – all these are the reasons I love St. Paul’s.
In January 2010, I completed a weekly, seven-year bible study course with Dr. Bill Creasy—from Genesis to Revelation; a fascinating experience that deepened my faith and spirituality.
I was born in New York City, raised in Westchester County, moved to Chicago, Madison (University of Wisconsin music major – piano, organ and flute), Albuquerque, Santa Fe and finally reside in La Jolla. While in Santa Fe I worked for a law firm as a legal secretary, graduated to a paralegal, and suddenly found myself as the head of a six-person accounting department. I had no experience in the latter position but I was a quick study, learned the complexities of the department from our tax accountant, transferred the entire system from manual to computer, and taught myself a myriad of things about money, lawyers, and management. In San Diego, I volunteered in the Emergency Department at UCSD Medical Center, moved on to the Trauma Unit where, in full scrubs, I assisted doctors and nurses in a variety of duties that would probably make the hair curl of The Joint Commission (the accrediting body for hospitals). Subsequently, I became an Executive Assistant to the Associate Director for Professional Services where I learned the value of caring for patients and their families, the importance of cooperating with doctors and the necessity of being a real team player. Today I spend my time volunteering with Orchestra Nova San Diego in their administrative offices. Finally, I serve on the Board of my Home Owners Association as Treasurer as well chairing as the Landscape Committee. I am also a greeter, usher, docent, and a member of the Organ Restoration Committee.
With this background, I have the energy and dedication to be of good service to the Chapter.
Roger Haenke
After moving to San Diego 3½ years ago, Jeff Bates and I were looking for our spiritual home and community of faith. While attending St. Paul’s Cathedral, I was impressed by the sense of welcome and inclusiveness—“no matter where one finds themselves on their journey of faith.” I also appreciate the care and respect for the way the liturgies are celebrated.
We are called through Baptism to a life of service. That life is nourished as we receive Eucharist from the altar each Sunday. In response to this call, I am led to serve. Because the Eucharist is central to my faith, I have chosen to serve as an acolyte. Jeff and I also have a desire to serve those who are less fortunate and in need, so we began “Dining for Dorcas,” a recurring dinner event, which raises money to support Dorcas House. I believe we all have been given gifts and talents which we are to share with one another.
I hold a Masters of Divinity degree and was ordained a Roman Catholic priest in 1991. I served as a parish priest in the Diocese of Fargo, ND. I also have a Bachelors of Science degree in Business Administration and Nursing. I am currently working as the Director of Neonatal Services at Sharp Mary Birch Hospital for Women and Newborns.
Susan Hulbert
I love St. Paul’s for its outstanding music, its emphasis on spiritual development, its youth programs that speak to young people in a language they understand, its acceptance of different and varied viewpoints, and for the warm and loving community it provides for all who enter its doors. Only a few months after we joined the Cathedral my husband Doug suffered a nearly catastrophic heart attack, and our Cathedral community, including people we had never met, opened their arms, offered their prayers, comforted our children, and brought gifts of food, enfolding our family in a cocoon of care and love. These acts of grace and love offered a profound and compelling example of Christian community unusual in our experience.
I want to contribute to the Cathedral as a member of Chapter because I want to give back in gratitude for the gifts bestowed on our family by this wonderful place. I hope to use my experience and journey as well as the examples afforded by others at St. Paul’s to build on the terrific programs available already. I have been energized by the plans for Cathedral expansion and would like to be part of the process of discerning the path forward to advance our ministries. Watching our teenage sons flourish as members of the growing and dynamic youth program inspires me to contribute to its development.
I am an environmental, real estate and land use attorney for the federal government. My senior thesis at Yale on the art and architectural history of Balboa Park combined with my professional experience renders me particularly interested in our development project on the park’s border. I’ve volunteered extensively in youth programs supporting our children’s interests, including soccer, Boy Scouts, San Diego Youth Symphony and the Devil Pups youth citizenship program. I would be honored and privileged to serve on our Chapter.
Please be sure to come to the meeting on Sunday for the elections and other discussion of Cathedral business over the coming year.
