As we have been reflecting on WWCCR’s thirty years of ministry, we recognize that the blessings and growth of Charismatic Renewal has happened because many individuals have shared their time, talent and treasure. This month we want to recall the important role that certain individuals have played in the ministry of WWCCR.

First, we’d like to acknowledge the tremendous contribution that Pat & Rudy Corwin have made over the years. Pat was on the search committee for the first office in 1977 and has served in many different positions, including as interim “office manager” in 1983. But Pat is best known as the “book lady.” Pat’s love for books and her tremendous energy and organizational skills allowed her to begin and sustain a very effective book ministry at WWCCR for about twenty years. Though she is retired now, her ministry continues through WWCCR book tables at many events. Rudy likewise has had a significant influence on the stability and fruitfulness of WWCCR, having served on the Board of Directors for 12 years. Pat and Rudy continue to serve as leaders of the prayer group at St. Brendan Parish in Bothell. The Lord has used their faithful service to provide countless blessings to thousands of people over the years.

Margi Mays was a very important person in the WWCCR office for a number of years. As the secretary/ receptionist, Margi got to know the people and activities of Charismatic Renewal better than almost anyone else. Margi always made everyone feel loved and appreciated. She was a hard worker who provided continuity in the office during the time when there were several successive office managers in a short amount of time. When Virginia King was hired in 1984, it was Margi who helped show her the ropes. In 1988, Margi retired and passed the torch (or the typewriter) to Sharon Fox.

Another major participant in this ministry was Ron Ryan. Pat Corwin and Virginia King met Ron Ryan at a Renewal Center Symposium in Chicago in 1986. At that time he was on the staff of Southern California Renewal Communities (SCRC). Ron was invited to teach at a Leader’s Weekend at St. Thomas Center in Kenmore November 1986. After an extensive discernment process, the Board of Directors invited Ron to join the staff of WWCCR in 1987, primarily to provide training and encouragement to prayer group leaders.

Ron established the Area Pastoral Teams (APT) as a way for WWCCR to have a strong presence in five regions of western Washington. Area Pastoral Teams were made up of area charismatic leaders who worked together with their local prayer groups. Sometimes, area wide events like charismatic Masses and prayer gatherings were planned.

WWCCR got into the publishing business when Ron wrote both the Born of the Spirit (1988) and Alive in the Spirit seminars (1989). We then received reprint permission for Ron’s Prayer Group Leadership Development Program (1990) from SCRC. Ron conducted pilot programs using area prayer groups and these materials were then made available to other charismatic groups. Groups from across the country and from many places in the world including Australia, Canada, England, and the Virgin Islands have ordered these books. In 2000, the Prayer Group Leadership Development Program was finally translated into Spanish and is now used by Hispanic leaders in western Washington.

Ron is a gifted teacher and he offered bible studies and teachings on baptism in the Holy Spirit and prayer group leadership in local parishes and prayer groups. These have been recorded and sold as audiotape sets to the participants and continue to be available through WWCCR.

In 1992, Ron introduced the Fanning the Flame document to the five APT areas each month, as a way to update our understanding of Catholic Charismatic Renewal and baptism in the Holy Spirit. Many around western Washington benefited from the fellowship, teaching and experiential ministry. These evenings also brought the Renewal out to areas that allowed more people to be introduced to the Holy Spirit and opportunities to practice using the charismatic gifts.

Ron left WWCCR in 1995, to become the Parish Administrator at St. Brendan’s Parish in Bothell where he continued to use his gifts for the glory of God. He also served Charismatic Renewal at the national level as Editor of the Pentecost Today newsletter.

Jean Beers is another former WWCCR staff person who worked with Ron on the production of Pentecost Today. But for years, Jean worked at our office as the Healing Mass coordinator. It was under her gentle and diligent care that we were able to begin offering monthly Healing Masses throughout the diocese. Jean also was instrumental in the establishment of our Intercessory Prayer Network (IPN) and designed several of our conference brochures and logos. Though Jean “retired” in 1998, both of these initiatives which she developed continue to this day.

The celebration of our Anniversary Year would not be complete without special mention of Theresa Syjuco, who worked as receptionist at WWCCR during the 1990’s. Those who called the office or dropped into the bookstore during those years could be assured of a warm reception and a listening ear. Theresa was gifted with great wisdom and compassion, as well as a wonderfully cheerful spirit. Theresa was also the founder of the Saturday Morning Prayer Group, one of the stronger prayer groups in our diocese. Theresa currently lives in the Philippines, where she continues to faithfully serve the Lord.

2007 Update (by Virginia King):

I want to take this opportunity to honor my friend and co-worker, Sharon Fox.  Sharon has been a staff member at WWCCR for more than 19 years. If you read November 2007 GLEANINGS, you will know that Sharon answered a call from God to serve as a staff member at the International Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services (ICCRS) office in Rome. Sharon wrote two articles for the November GLEANINGS and they are both a testament to the wisdom and commitment that are such a part of who she is.

One very significant role that Sharon had was as editor of our newsletter. Month after month for many years, Sharon has been responsible for the layout and content of GLEANINGS. As I look at the archives, I see the dramatic improvement over the years as our technology advanced and as Sharon grew in her expertise.

I have been privileged to witness her growth in this and other aspects of ministry and I am confident that we send her as a mature and well-prepared ambassador from here to Rome.

When you drop a stone in a pool, you can watch the ripples spread out to affect the whole body of water. When the Holy Spirit "drops" into our lives, we can also watch the ripple effect that impacts the whole Body of Christ. As we send Sharon to Rome with our love and prayers, and "drop" her into this international ministry, we can be sure that the ripple effect will return to bless us even as it blesses the rest of the world.

These and so many more special people have been spiritual building blocks that God has used over the years to form this ministry. And the ministry is just one part of the mighty work the Holy Spirit is doing to build up the Church at this time in history. You and I are responsible to do our part as well.