Meet Us - Some of Our Parishioners
Susan Barle
I was born in San Diego while my father served in the Korean War. My family returned to Bakersfield when I was a month old. I attended St. Francis Elementary School, Garces Memorial High, and Cal State Bakersfield. I have been married to Eric for 37 years and we have two children, C.J. and Michael. I currently teach 3 to 5 year old children with special needs at Richardson Center for the Kern County Superintendent of Schools.
Eric and I have attended Grace for a little over a year now. I am choosing to be received into the church because it is a statement of commitment to the community and the church. Grace, as defined by the Oxford Dictionary, is “the unmerited favor of God, a divine saving and strengthening influence.” This community and the Episcopal Church is all that and more. Mike Dunham
I was born in Western Pennsylvania and spent most of my childhood in Pennsylvania. At age 15 my family moved to Chicago. The “windy city” was a big break for me because at the age of 16, while working at Burger King, I met Kathy. She was much higher up on the Burger King food chain than I. She was allowed to make burgers and run the cash register. I never progressed much past filling soda orders.
At 23 we married and moved to Bakersfield. We ended up in Bakersfield because my parents already lived here. In 1986 I became a Deputy Sheriff and I have been with the department since that time and have worked numerous assignments. In 2008 I was promoted to Lieutenant and was assigned to the Training Section. Kathy and I have two boys: Benjamin, age 20, and Ethan, who most of you know. We also have three (yes three) dogs. Our extended family is spread out across the country so we usually spend our vacation visiting relatives in Florida, Pennsylvania or Chicago. Our kids are the product of a mixed marriage, Catholic and Protestant. Grace and the Episcopal Church is a great middle path. The biggest thing Grace means is the ability to worship in a place that gets to the heart of what Jesus means to us. I have never felt this comfortable in a church. Thanks to each one of you for making us feel welcome. Barb Fleming
My name is Barbara Harmon Fleming. I was baptized and confirmed at Grace Lutheran Church in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. My nursing career began 50 years ago at Luther Hospital School of Nursing. I love working in mental health nursing and have practiced in large hospitals and small from Sacred Heart Hospital to the US Air Force where I served two years active duty and ten years in the Active Reserve, reaching the rank of Major. I picked up a B.S N., B.A., and M.S.N along the way. I love nursing.
When I married and moved to Bakersfield over 30 years ago, I taught briefly at Bakersfield College and then 26 years at CSUB. I was granted Emeritus status in 2005. For 15 of those years I also worked at Kern Medical Center in Acute Psychiatry and at Elder Life Adult Day Treatment Center as their Psychiatric Consultant. I have one son, Chris, and lost my husband, Jim, in 2006. While taking courses at CSUB through the OLLI programs, I met Tim and was invited to attend Grace Episcopal Church, which I love greatly. I am currently involved in the Church Choir, Welcoming Committee, Aging with Grace, and baking banana bread for new members and guests. I feel blessed to be part of our community at Grace. Becky Rule
My husband, Paul, and I first lived in Bakersfield in the early 90’s. Even though we were raised in the Methodist tradition, All Saints’ Episcopal Church “fit” us well and we made progressive friends within the congregation. I wanted to join the Episcopal Church then; however, the then Bishop would not allow women to be ordained as Priests. I refused to join as a small token of solidarity to women in the Episcopal Church. We moved to Tehachapi where we raised our daughter, Denise. Upon my return to Bakersfield in 2006, I participated in the Grace community as well as the Unitarian church. Since April of this year, my husband and I have enjoyed the vibrant Life of Grace. We enjoy singing in the choir and volunteering when we can. I find Grace a welcoming, warm, and open-minded community. I work at modeling myself after Grace’s open and accepting nature, which leaves me spiritually and emotionally renewed.
Hank Webb
Although I was born in Los Angeles, I’m basically a valley boy, having spent a good chunk of my childhood bouncing back and forth between Bakersfield, Fresno, and occasionally Los Angeles. When I graduated from Garces Memorial, I escaped to the US Navy where I served as a medic. Upon being discharged (honorably, it must be noted I enrolled at Bakersfield College. I thought I wanted to be a doctor until I couldn’t pass bonehead algebra. The world is a safer place because I didn’t become an MD. So I took the obvious next option, theatre!
Before returning to Bakersfield, I had undistinguished careers working as a building materials warehouse foreman, and giving patients thrilling rides in code three ambulances in downtown Oakland and Portland, Oregon. I grew bored, missed the hallowed halls of Academe, so I started as a theatre major at Cal State University, Fresno, where I earned BA and MA degrees. Incredibly, I was immediately hired at Bakersfield College where I got to play and be paid for it from 1975 until 2000 when I retired. I am now Professor Emeritus. But you can still call me Hank. |  |
