Looking at the register at St Alban’s Episcopal Church in Yucaipa, a few miles east of Riverside, you see that half again as many people are coming to church during the week as on Sunday. In recent years attendance hadn’t been overwhelming at this hearty out-east mission. But people said they would be interested in morning prayer on Tuesday and a healing service on Thursday. Congregational leaders found a way to make it happen — and so total weekly attendance is up 50%.
I was along on Sunday to preside and preach. We had a baptism and six confirmations, receptions, and affirmations, not to mention Ron and Vita reaffirming their wedding vows (their 57th anniversary is in September). It was a privilege to be assisted by the Very Rev. Bill Dunn, dean of deans and mensch of mensches, who helps oversee missions and parishes in Riverside and San Bernardino counties.
Three years ago, we asked Bill to explore shared ministry at St. Alban’s, Trinity Episcopal Church in Redlands (where he now serves as rector), and St. Stephen’s in Beaumont (where he was the successful and beloved vicar). When he started, St. Alban’s’ future was murky. It couldn’t afford a full-time priest. With Bill’s encouragement, Redlands physician assistant and Loma Linda University professor Mark Milliron pursued lay ministry licensing, preparing him to preach and lead non-eucharistic worship twice a month. He also presides at the weekday services.
Bishop’s warden Barry Watkins, a retired architect who specialized in affordable housing, is a collaborative, upbeat leader for the mission, which is about to start a book club and host a BBQ in August for the congregation’s neighbors in the community. At a Bishop’s Committee meeting after our delicious potluck lunch, we shared ideas for developing St. Alban’s’ substantial real estate in a mission appropriate way while preserving the church for worship and program. We’ve also put plans in motion for a health clinic, like Mark’s in Redlands.
St. Alban’s is home to a typical Inland Empire melange of gifted locals and expats. The chalice bearer taught school for half a century and ran a photography business. The music minister, Leif Lind, is a retired Seventh Day Adventist pastor. One BC member traveled the world as a professional dancer. The treasurer is in charge of all on-campus housing and food service at UC Riverside. Ron, whose marriage to Vita we celebrated, was a sailor aboard the U.S.S. Hornet for the Apollo 11 and 12 splashdowns. He even met President Nixon, aboard in 1969 for Apollo 11. Several retired or soon to be retired executives lend their minds and muscle to sustaining and building up their church.
Though its members have a variety of views, leaders acknowledge that St. Alban’s leans blueish in a city that tends reddish. Call that out of place or a marketable niche. Especially these days, every neighborhood needs an outpost of Anglicanism. This one is now going strong.
