I was warmly greeted by Claire Whalen (one of three staff receptionists) and was promptly offered coffee, tea water and hot cocoa. I chose coffee, and poured myself a cup while she retreated to the buzzing phone lines at the main desk … which she referred to as Command Central. (She also likened her desk to something out of the old cartoon, The Jetson’s)

From a room behind Command Central I could hear a constant tapping – or was it frantic pounding? Turns out, that on Thursday mornings, Nancy Becker the Communications Coordinator(right), is busy putting the finishing touches on the upcoming Sunday bulletin. It’s completed by Thursday afternoon when volunteers Mary and Hank Mallander run off and assemble about 1800 bulletins. A job they’ve happily and professionally handled for “many, many years.”

“We have these hard-core, keep-this-place-running volunteers who take on a job then do it for decades. It’s true for all our ministries. It’s why we have the smallest staff of any parish our size,” explained Claire.

She then offered to be my tour guide for the morning. We started on the main level and glanced in a couple meeting rooms and stopped in the staff kitchen. Claire apologizes for the short delay and says she just needs to empty the dishwasher. She’s a bit compulsive that way, she admits.

While she puts the plates and glasses in their spots, she explains that the staff meets for lunch in this room. Claire also tells me that during lunch, work is not discussed. It provides time to share the many outside interests they all have, she explains.

As far as keeping the place tidy, they all sign up to cover a day here and there – which leads to my next observation:

Now with glasses and plates in place, we head up to the second level. This is where the offices are located. We peek into a larger meeting room where the tables form an open square. Staff meetings are held here every Tuesday.

A typical staff meeting would include updates on the status of events, projects, and so on. It could also include a dog, sleeping child or nursing baby, I’m told.

We move on. Remember, it’s a typical day, so not everyone is snug in his or her office this morning. But at the end of the hall I do find Anna Vagle tucked behind her desk working away. I learn that she is the only “full-time” musical staffer. (Several others vary as “part-timers” and share office space.)

From booking performers for Sunday mass and special events like Cabaret – to planning Sunday liturgies and conducting chorus practice in the evening – it’s certainly not a Monday-Friday, 9-5 kind of job. But Anna cheerfully explains that she grew up in a large, musical family that always participated in weekend church services … so it’s been a way of life for a long time. And she wouldn’t have it any other way.

So why is St. Joan’s such a great place to work? Anna really enjoys being on the “inner circle of decision making.” She’s honored to be responsible and accountable for helping shape the liturgies – and our St. Joan community. There’s also the fact that she gets to do what she loves. She smiled and added, “George allows for so much creative freedom. I never, ever, feel stifled.”

Another observation:

Down the hall I find Roseann Rogers, Director of Ministries. She invites me to sit down as she tries to recall a typical day. Considering she’s been with St. Joan’s since 1985, one might think the job is probably pretty routine for her by now.

Hardly. Roseann assures me that every day has an element of surprise for her. She oversees all the parish ministries, organizes volunteers, makes arrangements for funerals, and coordinates special events, including Seder, New Parishioners Picnic, Cabaret and Soup Suppers.

“We’re switching gears continually here. You have to be flexible that way. You have to be ready to go with the flow,” Roseann said.

She laughed and told the story of being the one to climb into the attic to retrieve seasonal altar decorations. (Seems a co-worker feared she might encounter mice.) So up Roseann went, and down she came. Sure enough, the lovely wheat arrangements had served as a mouse buffet. Now such arrangements keep a safe home in her office.

Director of Religious Education, Kathy Itzin

One more observation:

Roseann also reflected on why she thinks it’s such a fulfilling place to work. “St. Joan’s looks at what your gifts are and models the job around what you can do. Not many places do that,” she said.

I move along and make a quick stop in Nancy Logan’s office. She’s been the bookkeeper for St. Joan’s for 15 years – and she’s not able to compare it to any thing in the “corporate world.” Nancy takes care of all those detailed financial and bookkeeping duties what would send most of us over the edge.

Fortunately, it all comes easy for Nancy. She thinks St. Joan’s is a great place and says, “It’s fun to be here.”

Then it’s back down the hall, I go … appreciating the mix of messy desks and cozy pet and baby accommodations. I’m told that many staffers have a stash of special goodies on hand – always ready to share with kids who visit with their parents.

I spend my next few minutes chatting with Doug Lohman(right). He manages all the physical needs of the church, school and Parish Center.

Building too hot? Call Doug. Plumbing problems? Call Doug. Parking lot need plowed? Call Doug. Sound system acting up? Call Doug. That’s right -- Doug has his hand in SJA’s musical productions, as well. You can often find him running the sound system at mass on Sunday. (Doug also happens to be a very accomplished Blue Grass musician, I hear from an office fan.)

Not one to boast about all that he handles on any given day, my tour guide does this for him. “Doug is so responsive. No matter what the situation, he’s right there ready to help.”

Observation:

“Here you have a group of people who respond to the unexpected with equanimity and openness,” Claire explained. And although the place can be chaotic with activity, it’s what you might call good energy. “There’s never a sense that things could fall apart,” she said. “There’s definitely a mysterious God blessing on this place,” then she added, “And you can quote me on that!”

I’ve made my way through the Parish Center and now find myself back at Command Central, where I’m warmly greeted by Fr. George. After he is reminded that I’m there to observe a typical day, he shuffles through his stack of messages and grins, “Oh, it’s zooey!” he assures.

and

Karen Hall and her husband, Curt, have two young kids, Ross and Anna, who keep them more than busy. Karen works from home as a freelance copywriter and has been attending the Bible Study for the last three years (She says it’s her chance to talk to grown-ups about meaningful things.) She loves to cook and is the “Soup Lady” to some senior neighbors. Karen says her “15 Minutes of Fame” came in February when she won a trip to Orlando to compete in the granddaddy of all cooking contests - the Pillsbury Bake-Off.

Final observation: