Getting to Know Leslie Stutz

In the last 61 years, Leslie and Bob Stutz lived in Tennessee, Missouri, Oregon, and California.  In 1995, when visiting friends in Grass Valley, they fell in love with the foothills. 

Leslie spotted Emmanuel during an early visit.  She loved its Carpenter Gothic edifice. She told herself that someday she would worship at this church.  In 1997, they purchased a home in Lake Wildwood and completely remodeled it.  In 1999, they moved in and started attending Emmanuel. 

Leslie was raised Episcopalian, and Bob was a Lutheran.  For the first 35 years of marriage, they worshipped at Lutheran churches. Their three children were baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran tradition. Now it was time for Leslie to return to her Episcopalian faith. Bob agreed. They were both willing to volunteer time to Emmanuel.

Leslie's background running a nursery for newborns to two-year-olds at a high school for pregnant and parenting teenagers did nothing to prepare her to serve on Emmanuel's Vestry four times.  She served from 2007 to 2009, 2012 to 2014, 2017 to 2019, and 2022 to 2024.  

She served three times as junior warden. She had no idea how to effectively serve, but with the Lord's help, things fell into place.  The first time, her major responsibility was worship, the time when Emmanuel ordered and used name tags. Her favorite project was overseeing the remodeling of Emmanuel's building at 240 Mill Street, currently rented to the Helping Hands Nurturing Center. The most demanding responsibilities were the emergencies, such as ceiling leaks, falling ceiling tiles in the sanctuary, and broken water main pipes.

Currently, she is taking a hiatus from St. Catherine's Guild.  In the past, she served as president, vice president, and treasurer.  She now serves at the Victorian Faire, taking lunch orders for two days. Bob contributes both days, cutting pies, running the dishwasher, and microwaving.  

Leslie pointed out that many women play vital roles at Emmanuel, including as Vestry board members, Eucharistic ministers, and members of St. Catherine's Guild and the Altar Guild, to name a few.

In the past, Leslie's hobbies were crewel embroidery and crafts. Today, she is a voracious reader.  Bob enjoys projects around the house and plays golf three days a week, weather permitting. He has contributed to many projects over the years at Emmanuel. He attends the monthly Men's Group breakfast meetings and the men's quarterly Zoom meetings. They both attend Bible study. 

Since their children and eight grandchildren live in northern San Diego County, Redondo Beach, and Vermont, they occasionally share major holidays and frequent fellowship with their Emmanuel family. Leslie describes church members as very kind, caring, friendly, loving, and available.

Moreover, she says that Father Seth is one-of-a-kind, relating to people of all ages.  He is kind, caring, friendly, loving, and available. He loves the Lord, serves the Lord, and helps to show the way to love and serve. 

Leslie's vision for Emmanuel is that once again, after Covid, many younger families join Emmanuel, and lots of children attend Sunday school. There is no doubt that Leslie and Bob's dedication to Emmanuel has helped to sustain and grow it.  The pews are beginning to fill with younger families.

Leslie and Bob are among the dedicated members of Team Emmanuel. 

Contributed by Sandra Spargo

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