We are pleased to announce that the Nominating Committee is promoting the following five (5) nominees for congregation approval at our May 19th, 2024 congregation meeting (in alphabetical order by last name):
1.) Chris Armfield – 1st 2 Year Term (returning council member who filled a vacated seat from 2023 to present)
Church Activities:
Council Secretary, Executive Committee
Council Liaison to Outreach Team
Leader for Adopt-A-Street, Kiwanis
Community Outreach:
Easter Parade & Spring Fling,
Chamber of Commerce 4th of July Bicycle Parade
Sack Lunches for Grace Lutheran’s summer respite program.
Volunteer for communion and greeters.
Participate in Prayer Chain community.
Career: Retired Underwriter, Commercial Insurance Excess Liability
Family: Husband Rocky, Daughters Andrea & Elaine, Granddaughter Madeleine
2.) Cindy Jackson – 1st 2 Year Term
I have been attending Esperanza regularly for three years and have worshipped off and on for over twenty years. I hope to expand my participation in Esperanza in the near future.
CAREER:
I am a graduate of the University of Washington majoring in Journalism. Most of my work history has been in Advertising and Magazine publishing and my last position was in Group Sales at The Buttes Resort. I have been retired for ten years.
FAMILY:
I have been married for 43 years to my husband, Ted, who is a retired Commercial Pilot. We have one daughter, Kelly, a nurse who is finishing her Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner degree, who is also a member of Esperanza. We also have one Granddaughter, Paige, 9, who is a third grader at Sierra Elementary. Last of all, we have a 2 year old dog named Sofie.
PERSONAL STATEMENT:
I hope to become an important asset to the Church Council and look forward to taking part in the coming year.
3.) KC Quah – 1st 2 Year Term
Member Since: Aug 2006
Church Activities: Usher, Communion Assistant, Call Committee
Career: 29 years at Intel, 5+ years Gartner, recently retired Jun 2023
Family: Married to Christine Kids: Eliza and Isaac
4.) Paige Somero – 2nd 2 Year Term (returning council member)
My name is Paige Somero. Our family has been members of Esperanza since 2000, when we moved to Ahwatukee from Austin, Texas. My husband, Brad, and I have two children, Madison (24) and Caleb (21). Madison is pursuing her PharmD at UofA and Caleb is graduating this May with Mechanical Engineering from ASU. When I have time, I like to read, hike, spend time with friends and watch sports. I have worked for Motorola/Freescale/NXP as an engineer for over 30 years.
I was raised in a family where service and church involvement (from VBS leader to nursery attendant) was a key component of our family life and have carried that belief into my own family. I have been involved in teaching Sunday School, coordinating Ladies Night Out events, current church council member, playing in the Bell Choir and currently singing in the Choir. As our parents were examples to us, it is important that we are examples to our children. We believe where your Passions and Priorities are, so too should be your Time. Esperanza is a very important part of our family. Brad and I have raised our children here. I would consider it an honor to continue to serve Esperanza Lutheran Church in the council.
5.) Donna Sparber – 1st 2 Year Term
Member since 2004
Church activities:
Representative to Grand Canyon Synod meeting, 2006
Served as council member 2007 to 2010, part of the time as council secretary
Served on call committee, 2007
Served on nominating committee, 2022
Since 2012, coordinated Family Promise volunteering with host congregation St. Benedict Catholic Church. Esperanza volunteers provided the evening meal for guests in transitional housing (this should be restarting this summer!)
Retired in 2001 from a career in telecommunications as an engineer and manager
Two grown daughters (Florida and Wisconsin), both married, and two granddaughters
Interests: travel, figure skating, family tree, geology, walking, biking