Breaking new ground at St. Claire's Episcopal Breaking new ground at St. Claire's Episcopal (February 11, 2005)

by Jeb Bing

E piscopalians who have differed globally over the 2003 ordination of a gay priest are finding change much more to their liking in Pleasanton. Last August, the congregation at St. Claire's Episcopal Church on Hopyard Road welcomed the church's first black rector, the Rev. Ronald Culmer. Chosen from among three top candidates the church considered, Culmer succeeded the widely known Rev. Maurice Turner, who retired after 18 years at St. Claire's. Not only does Culmer become the first African-American to take the pulpit at St. Claire's, he's the only black minister in Pleasanton, where, according to the latest census, African-Americans account for only 1.4 percent of the city's population. And although a few quit St. Claire's after he was hired, the rest of the congregation has embraced the 40-year-old, praising his new ideas, dedication to expanding outreach services and programs for youth, and even his singing talents, which have given a much-needed boost to recruiting choir members.

For the search committee, Culmer's race wasn't an issue, although some felt it was a bold move for a mainline orthodox Pleasanton church. Like Culmer, they see the appointment based solely on qualifications, enthusiasm and theological skills as good for the congregation and good for Pleasanton, where fewer than 10 percent of the population belongs to a church or temple. Church members said they've accomplished two objectives: bringing a younger, distinguished, charismatic and proven rector to St. Claire's while also breaking down any stereotypes that might still be out there for other congregations that a new pastor has to meet certain racial or gender characteristics.

Culmer has wasted no time since coming to St. Claire's to spearhead a membership drive that now has more than 300 families belonging to the church. He's also added new impetus to a $1.4-million expansion program with plans to break ground this fall for a new multipurpose room and an addition to the church sanctuary. Known as a strategic thinker and planner, Culmer will lead a church-wide, on-site retreat this weekend to discuss long-range plans, with much of his data based on one-on-one interviews he has conducted with each parishioner.

Included in his planning will be his conviction that for a church to be effective, it needs to reach out into the community it serves with parish and ecumenical programs. Especially important will be efforts to encourage high school and college-age residents and the "20-somethings" just starting their careers to include some spiritual thinking in their own long-range plans. A key speaker at the recent YMCA-sponsored tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Culmer was disappointed that there were so few younger faces in the audience, despite a large turnout. In group discussions in youth organizations and at schools, he's also distressed that while most young people recognize Dr. King's "I have a dream" speech, few have read it and fewer know King's other accomplishments.

Besides moving and shaking the sometimes dormant congregation at St. Claire's, Culmer also is becoming better known on Main Street and at Farmers Market, which he frequents. He's also joined the city's Community of Character strategic planning committee and will be part of St. Claire's first-ever information booth at the First Wednesday street parties starting in May.

Culmer recalls that he used to drive through Pleasanton 10 years ago while doing student ministry work at the county jail in Dublin. He told himself then that this is where he wanted to serve if God would just give him the opportunity. He said his prayers were answered when the call from St. Claire's came while he was rector of St. Martin-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church in Winnetka in Southern California. With his wife Diana and their two sons, Jonathan, 17, and Joshua, 7, Culmer has purchased a home here where the family will be involved in school, sports, community and, of course, church activities.

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