Lucy Gowan Honored by the Episcopal Church Women

The Diocese of El Camino Real’s ECW held their Annual General Meeting at St. Luke’s Church, Salinas on April 28th 2006.  St. Philip’s were well represented by Jody Evenson, Lucy Gowan, Wendy Harrison, Vicky Granger-Jones, Karen Krestensen and Rev. Bill Kelly.

Priests throughout the Diocese had been asked to nominate ladies from their congregation to be presented with an award.  Lucy Gowan was delighted with her award but felt that there were many at St. Philip’s who deserved the award as much as she.  “I feel very honored, but every week at St. Philip’s, I see the many women who work tirelessly to keep the fabric of our Church together and who devote themselves to God’s service.” 

Remarks for ECW Honoring Luncheon

April 29, 2006, Church of the Good Shepherd, Salinas

At St. Philip the Apostle mission church in Scotts Valley one hears the accents of the British Isles. In two weeks we sponsor our fourth annual Spring Garden Tour and English Tea Luncheon. The English Tea is absolutely genuine, including the Devonshire cream. And one of those giving the Tea its “Englishness” is Lucy Gowan.

Lucy Gowan moved to California from England just twenty-five years ago this week. She is he proud parent of three children. She works as a paralegal divorce mediator in Santa Cruz, and in that work her aim is to help people draw the most benefit, emotional as well as legal, from a difficult life crisis.  As a working householder Lucy has been exemplary in taking on the work of active church leader. Lucy has been part of the life of St. Philip's for over nine years. She has brought to the church her charms as a hostess and her commitment to building up the fellowship of Christ.

When, after 17 years in Scotts Valley, founding priest Father Martin Yabroff moved to be Dean of the Cathedral Church in South Bend, Indiana, Lucy continued her service as Bishop's Warden during our strenuous transition time. We've had to recover from Martin's departure, learn new ways under the instruction of an interim vicar, and carry on our search for a new settled priest. Through these changes Lucy has played the central role in lay leadership and responsibility taking.

We of St. Philips are proud to endorse and applaud her as an Episcopal Woman extraordinaire.

             The Reverend Bill Kelly

The day began with Eucharist celebrated by Acting Bishop Silvestre Romero.  To a packed church, he preached on the theme of ‘being called to do our best and to leave the rest to God.’  A delightful luncheon followed, after which, the awards were presented.  Rev. Bill Kelly helped present the award to Lucy, acknowledging her service for God and the work she does for St. Philip’s on top of her commitments as a full time employee, mother and grandmother. 

Lucy plans to put her award up in the Foyer and hopes that each year it will be joined by one of the many other deserving church women of St. Philip’s.