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Dear All Saints Parishioners,
It has been my honor to be your Children, Youth, and Family Minister over the past two years. In June, my family is moving to Arkansas, where my parents live. We are moving for several reasons. Foremost is that my lungs and vocal cords were damaged during the Thomas Fire, and my doctors are hopeful that I will recover in a more humid environment. Second is that Deron’s parents are at the point in their lives when they need assistance from us, and we will be better equipped to help them if we have extended family nearby to help us with our children. Deron will retain his position and lab at UCSB and will commute back and forth between Santa Barbara and Arkansas. So if you know of anyone in need of a sporadic and an infrequent renter for their studio, please let us know. 😉
I have had such a wonderful time getting to know the people of All Saints. First as a parishioner and then as a staff member. I enjoyed watching your children grow as they played with my boys Reid and Kellar and form friendships with each other. I delighted in seeing our youth transition from the Epiphany pageant into the young adulthood of high school and college. I struggled beside many of you as we sought answers for our children’s questions about fires, mudslides, and why God lets bad things happen. I persevered with you through the changes, transitions, and fears that have hit our faith community over the last few years, and, like you, I did the best that I could for our children and families. Like you, I taught my kids that church is a verb not a location, when we began worshipping in the parish hall. We recorded readings as a family for video services during COVID. We did Mass Box activities at home. I laughed with youth and cried with parents when Sunday School moved to Zoom digital communities this year. All while we longed for a return to the “old normal”, yet knowing when we did return there would be a “new normal.”
Unfortunately, I am moving before our “new normal” Sunday services begin this summer. This means that I won’t get to say goodbye to each of you in person. With COVID restrictions, I can’t even give hugs and kiss cheeks or see your smiles. So instead I leave you with a gift. That gift is Beth Mohon. Beth is our new Director of Children, Youth, and Family Ministries, and she has taken to the position like a duck to water! I have such faith in her leadership and in the community of All Saints-by-the-Sea that I have no concerns about the future of the Children, Youth, and Family Ministries programs. I know that each of you will do your part to support Beth, All Saints, and the CYFM programs, so that our children and youth realize that they are the fully the church of today, not tomorrow.
Thank you for your faith and trust in me as your Director of Children, Youth, and Family Ministries. It has been my honor and my pleasure to worship beside you at All Saints. Deron, Reid, Kellar, and I will miss our All Saints-by-the-Sea family very much. Thank you for welcoming us so deeply.
Peace,
Allison Grisham
Dear Parishioners,
I am honored to serve as the next Director of Children, Youth, and Family Ministries at All Saints-by-the-Sea. Five years ago my family relocated to Santa Barbara from Louisville, Kentucky when my husband Ken accepted a writing faculty position at University of California, Santa Barbara. I worked in restaurant management and as a college writing instructor before caring full-time for our two boys, Kenny and Elliott. It has been a fun couple of years packed with many playgrounds, walks on the beach, lots of Legos, piles of laundry, and, most recently, Zoom school.
In searching for a church home, I wanted a place where I could grow spiritually along with my children. Ken and I chose to join the community when we saw All Saints make good on their promises to love and accept all people (especially children) wherever they are on their spiritual journey. Elliott was baptised by Rev. Aimee in 2017 and has made lots of friends in the nursery, and Kenny has attended Godly Play and worship for three years. I have also participated as a leader in Godly Play and worked with the children preparing for the Epiphany Pageant.
As a new ministry director, I hope to extend the love and support I’ve received as a believer and as a parent to all children, youth, and families both inside and outside of All Saints. The graciousness of this church has meant so much to my family, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to give back to the community.. As Covid restrictions begin to lift and we are getting ready to gather again in person, I am excited to discern together where Christ is calling our ministry.
With peace,
Beth Mohon
