The fact is: she's qualified to do it all.
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Psychiatry - that's her speciality.
Butterflies and hummingbirds - she's with the Nature Conservancy.
Poetry - she writes delightedly.
And theology? Homiletics? Pastoral care? Patagonia's Joyce Steiner is a marvel at of these.
Patagonia is not in the far off Argentine tableland, but right next door in Santa Cruz County, a lovely landscape of rolling hills, grasslands and small forested areas, with occasional rugged mountains, a pleasant lake ... and a village of 939 souls (meaning 446 households with an average household income of $36,626).
The newly-appointed pastor of the Patagonia Community Church, the Rev. Joyce Steiner is the spiritual guide for that verdant area's Methodist flock ... and any other Christian who wants to get involved with her small but eager band of believers. Located at 387 McKeown, the church conducts Sunday worship at 10 a.m. with Sunday School (including an adult class) at 6 p.m.
And despite the fact the worshipers number not many more than 60, that little church has a choir of ten led by Anne Quirin, and even sports an organ. Bernice Pomeroy masters that instrument. Organists are scarce, as you may know, but that's part of the impressive worship package at PCC.
Born in the tiny Nebraska town of Elmwood, Steiner studied first at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, before receiving her bachelor of science degree in psychology from ASU, Tempe. A graduate of the University of Arizona School of Medicine, Steiner did her psychiatry residency at Akron Children's Center in Ohio.
Practicing psychiatry in both Phoenix and Tucson, she also worked with SEABS and performed evaluations at the Tucson V.A. Hospital. After 10 years as a top analyst for both children and adults, Steiner felt an additional urge.
It's not that she didn't already have a ministry, but she wanted to expand it ... into preaching. She discovered she "had other gifts needing to be used."
Out of all the possibilities, Steiner chose to enter the Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, Calif., which offered her the opportunity to study at the eight seminaries that are part of the Graduate Theological Union located there. PSR already offered a smorgasbord of theologies, since the school is a multi-denominational Christian seminary.
The United Church of Christ, United Methodist Church, and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) are all formally related to PSR. In addition, students come from a myriad of other denominations, including Roman Catholic, Unitarian Universalism, the Association of Metropolitan Community Churches and the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Adding to exposure to those denominations, the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley permitted Steiner to experience academic subjects from three Roman Catholic seminaries as well as a Presbyterian, a Baptist, a Lutheran, and an Episcopal seminary. She took advantage of the best from each, having broadened her theological base as she was awarded the master of divinity degree in 2002.
Her first pastoral role was as a solo minister in Williams, Ariz., which was followed by a two-year associate's role in Green Valley, a role now being filled by the Rev. Jeanne Festa, formerly at Sierra Vista's United Methodist Church. Now the psychiatrist-turned-cleric belongs to Patagonia.
Pastor Steiner speaks of the world microcosm she has discovered there. "People work together helping one another," she says, citing the example of the community garden. "For a small town, there's lots going on." Noting the large number of artists and artisans in Patagonia, the cleric rejoices in their friendliness.
One of the activities that appeals to her is the local creative writing group. Steiner loves to struggle with composition, with making poetry out of words, and expressing herself meaningfully.
Another community interest deals with nature. A butterfly-hummingbird enthusiast, Patagonia provides a wealth of natural inhabitants to enjoy.
A goodly share of what's going on in Patagonia is going on in her church.
The Patagonia Community Church is the meeting place for 4-H, AA, Community Coalition and other area groups. It's the meeting place for youth after home football games.
Of course, it is the center for all the parish activities as well.
"We welcome people to a deepening relationship with God," invites the new clergy person. "Come and worship with us," is her cordial overture. "We are eager to serve the community. We want to know how we can best do that," she pleads.
Even though the congregation went through the regular parish analysis programs most undergo while looking for a new pastor, all the decisions have not been made.
Whereas the congregation has opted to focus on small groups that concentrate on spiritual discipline and faith nurturing as well as contemplative exercises, the larger goals are still being formulated. Others may want to participate in that frontier-moving endeavor.
A current project involves providing mosquito nets for third world residents to reduce malaria, but Steiner's enthusiasm is apt to move on to other appealing ministries as well.
If the new Patagonia pastor can't do it all, she is well trained and equipped to minister effectively to many in ways that her calm tranquility is apt to energize into action.
For information, contact Steiner at 394-2274.
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