Mary Carptenter

St. Paul's 2005 Honored Woman

Many times the women who are leading lives most devoted to Jesus Christ are easily overlooked or forgotten, as they are the ones who quietly work behind the scenes, doing our Lord's work out of the spotlight—women who embody the spirit of both Mary and Martha in their Christian lives. That is the kind of woman that we have chosen to honor this year as St. Paul's Honored Woman—Mary Carpenter.

Mary's Christian life began on a farm in Ohio as a child in the home of parents who were devout members of the Swedish Lutheran Church. When she and her husband came to Bakersfield and began to raise their family, there was no Swedish Lutheran Church to attend here, but she did finally find her way to St. Paul's Episcopal Church (which she thought most resembled the church of her childhood), and she has been a member ever since. Mary raised a family of four boys and two girls, being careful to see that they were brought up with her Christian values.

During her life at St. Paul's she has been president of the ECW, a member of the Altar Guild, a long-time member of the choir, a Lay Reader, chalice bearer, a Cursillista, a founding member of Prisca Chapter, Order of Daughters of the King, often a delegate from St. Paul's to diocesan conventions, a member of the Diocesan ECCO Committee, and a member of The Order of the Holy Nativity. But the work she deems most important now is that of her life as a prayer warrior, an intercessor who spends long hours in solitary prayer for those most in need. She is a member of the Order of St. Luke's, a healing order in the church, and has attended many seminars that are especially directed toward enhancing her prayer life.

Two years ago, her eldest child Michael, was involved in a tragic accident that left him in a coma, paralyzed on his right side, and near death. Mary sat by his bedside for days on end praying for his recovery, and today, while he is still unable to care for himself completely, he is making steady improvement. Who can tell what might have been if his mother had not been interceding all those long hours in his behalf with the Great Healer. The fact that Mary's prayers are effective is widely attested to by her family, friends and acquaintances.

We are proud and happy to call her our "Honored Woman" for 2005.