Farewell to Joyce Lewis
Joyce Lewis retired recently after working in the Diocesan offices for 22 years with three different bishops. The following is a conversation with Joyce.
How many years did you serve in your role as assistant to the bishop? I joined Bishop Scruton in November of 1998, after having worked in the Diocesan offices since April of 1986. I was hired by Bishop Andrew Wissemann but worked in the financial area with John Farquharson and his staff. I worked for Lil Hagan, who was the Christian education director at the time. I also worked for Mary Lou Lavallee, George Councell and Pat Coller during that time.
How many bishops did you work with, and which ones? I have worked with Bishops Andrew Wissemann, Robert Denig and Gordon Scruton.
What church in the Diocese do you attend? Where do you live? I have been a member of Church of the Epiphany, Wilbraham, for 30 years and have lived in Wilbraham with my husband, Steve, since November of 1978.
Can you please tell three or four stories about your work? There are so many things I remember and give thanks for during my 22 years in the Diocese of Western Massachusetts. It was a wonderful place to do ministry with the staff. They became part of my family as most of our relatives still live in Michigan. There is not enough room in the Pastoral Staff to list all of my favorite memories. Some of the highlights:
-- Just being able to pray with people on the floor at any time, doing Morning Prayer in the Chapel, not only with the staff but also the Cathedral staff.
-- Our annual baseball lunch was always a lot of fun.
-- Our birthday lunches were always fun, as we were all together and were able to share.
The most difficult time was the period with Bishop Denig. He was so young and had some wonderful ideas for the Diocese. Watching his health decline and then his death was very hard for me. However, after a very difficult search period, I was delighted that Gordon Scruton became our next bishop and was delighted to be chosen as his administrative assistant when Pat Dunn retired.
-- One event in particular that will always stand out in my mind when I look at the very blue sky is Sept. 11, 2001. Bishop Scruton was returning from his sabbatical, and we had big plans for a surprise welcoming breakfast for him. We laughed and joked as we blew up what seemed like hundreds of purple balloons so that we could line the hall as we all returned up the back stairs from Morning Prayer. Just as we finished prayers, Janice from the Cathedral came in to tell us that a plane had hit a building in New York. We rushed upstairs, ignoring all the balloons and turned the TV on in the resource center just as the second plane hit.
What plans do you have for retirement? What are some of your hobbies? My plans for retirement are: to rest, read and travel and not to commit to anything for a while. I just need some time to “be” right now. I will enjoy working in the yard, relearning to play golf, following the Red Sox, knitting and spending more time with my two children, my two granddaughters and my husband.
What was most life-giving about your work with the Diocese? Bishop Scruton (I loved to hear him laugh), the staff and the daily contact with those that phoned or came into the office.
What will you miss the most? The bishop’s office is a very busy, hectic, Holy place to work, and I will always feel privileged to have been a part of so many lives, whether it was a phone conversation, a letter, a remarriage, a meeting or someone just dropping by to say hello. I will miss all those on the floor that have been so much a part of my life for the past 22 years – grandchildren being born, parents dying, weddings, funerals, health issues, etc. I will miss praying each morning with the staff in the Chapel. I will continue to pray for the people in the Diocese and especially the staff and Bishop Scruton. Thank you all for being a part of my life.
Welcome Sandi Hills
Sandi Hills has taken on the helm of the bishop’s office, replacing Joyce Lewis as executive assistant to Bishop Gordon P. Scruton. Sandi has an interesting connection with the bishop in that she was received into the fellowship of Holy Communion on Dec. 15, 2002, at Grace, Chicopee, by Bishop Scruton. Now, she works with him daily. The following is a conversation with Sandi.
What date did you begin at the Diocese, and where did you work previously? My first day was Tuesday, May 20. I was formerly the spiritual care coordinator at Mercy Medical Center, a subsidiary of the Sisters of Providence Health System. I was in this position for four years. Prior to that, I worked as the treatment center coordinator at Brightside for Families and Children for seven years. Brightside is also a subsidiary of the Sisters of Providence Health System. I loved my job, but a recruiter called me about working for the bishop. It was a “calling” that I trusted in. I am glad that I have made the move.
How many days did you have to work alongside Joyce and learn from her? I had an actual six days to work with Joyce out of the two weeks that were anticipated/hoped for. I was trying to download all her information into my brain. It was an out-of-body experience. I had so much information swarming around me that the funnel was only able to take in so much at a time. I just kept trying to focus on taking notes, even though I wasn’t sure what they all meant at the time. Those notes are my bible today. I have referred to them many times … on my solo journey. It is so difficult to train someone on 22 years of knowledge and work style. I still have yet to get the full download. More to follow, as Joyce will be coming back periodically.
What church in the Diocese do you attend? How long have you attended? I am currently a member of St. Paul’s, Springfield, a Catholic parish, and have been attending for eight months now. I am new to the neighborhood and found that as St. Paul’s was across the street, I would worship there. I was baptized, made my First Communion and was confirmed a Catholic in Westfield, where I was born and lived for over 30 years. I was received at Grace, Chicopee, by Bishop Scruton in 2002. My heart and interest lies within the Episcopal Church, and I have plans to worship either at St. Andrew’s, Longmeadow, or another local parish in my area.
What are some of your hobbies? My hobbies are family, reading, gardening, cooking, photography, golf and music (for those that I do regularly). I love anything outdoors when I have time to partake.
What most excites you about the work you will do with Bishop Scruton? I am excited about the opportunity to expand my skills and possibly meet my dreams. I dreamt about this job and the possibilities that it could bring into my life. My skills and passions will be better utilized working with Bishop Scruton. I hope that my work with Bishop Scruton will bring me closer to reaching my dreams of doing outreach work and making a bigger difference in the world.
What particular gifts do you feel you bring to the job? My strongest gifts are listening, organizing and serving as a resource. My networking skills are equally beneficial in my new position. I am a spiritual person and enjoy building relationships. My passion for humanity is also a great gift that I bring to the job and hope to expand and develop it further.
What are some of your hopes and goals? My first hope is for world peace and being an integral player in that challenge. I hope also for longevity in the Diocese and that my journey with Bishop Scruton and staff will increase my opportunity in making a difference in the world.