During the 20th century, St. David’s Episcopal Church weathered the difficult times of the 1960s and 1970s. Despite the declining membership, many of the established churches had during those decades, St. David’s not only held its own, it forged ahead in a number of areas. Under the leadership of Rev. Robert J. Reuss, a great many improvements were made on the church property. Along with this, the outreach programs and the increased role in church leadership in the community reached new heights. In 1876 Rev, Patricia Smith, the first Rhode Island deacon, was ordained and assigned to St. David’s to assist Father Reuss. This was a major step forward in the ordination of women in the Episcopal Church.

In 1987 another significant event took place when the rector’s wife, Patricia Reuss, was ordained and assisted her husband. In 2002 Rev. Nancy A. Willis became the first woman rector at St. David’s. This was another milestone in the role women were playing in the Cranston church. When Rev. Willis retired in 2008, Rev. Beth Sherman came to the lovely church on the hill on Meshanticut Valley Parkway as the priest-in-charge.

Outreach ministries during the late 20th and early 21st centuries included contributions to various charities as the church had always done. In addition, the congregation reached out to help the Cambodian refugees in a number of ways, including helping them to get acclimated to the United States.

As the church neared the end of the century, new music became even more important as a Jazz Mass made its appearance along with the familiar hymns and chants. A number of St. David’s parishioners participated in walks for “hunger awareness.” Parishioners Dan Whipple and Jack Kirkconnell walked from Seattle, Wash. to Providence. The walk began May 17, 1988 and they reached Providence on Sept. 5, 1988.

Many of the 20th century programs are continued under the leadership of Rev. Sherman. Pastor Beth, as her parishioners often refer to her, has enriched the Cranston parish with her enthusiasm and experience. Originally from Texas, Rev. Sherman has traveled extensively since she was ordained in 1983. Her experience includes a stay in Guatemala, 10½ years as vicar of the Christ Episcopal Church near Johnson’s Pond in Coventry and as half-time Episcopal chaplain at Brown University and the Rhode Island School of Design.

Her career in the ministry began when she became very much interested in ecclesiastical studies while at the University of Texas. With the idea of making a career of teaching church history, she attended General Seminary in New York City. Included in the requirements for an advanced degree was to serve a full-time internship as a chaplain for three months. She found that she loved the work and continued on to get her Master of Divinity degree. She was ordained a deacon and then a priest in 1983. Pastor Beth worked in Episcopal churches in New Jersey before coming to Rhode Island.

Those who know her are fully aware of her love for nature and her concern for animals and the Earth. Whenever she can, she scuba dives and actually swims with dolphins at sea in their natural environment. This contact with nature and animals she finds feeds her spiritually. Once a month she conducts a “paws and pray” half hour service where people can come to receive Communion and get their pets blessed.

Part of her ministry is to take care of the Earth. One of the projects devoted to that is to collect electronic waste (e-waste) twice a year. Electronic devices do not break down as other waste does and so the idea is to help the environment by recycling electronic parts.

During these difficult economic times, St. David’s is involved in a number of projects to help feed the hungry. They take part in a number of movements that collect and distribute food.

As it has in the past, St. David’s is a church that is very community-conscious and plays a significant role in working to bring spirituality to its parishioners and to make the world a better place.

The Greek Orthodox Annunciation Church will be the subject of this column in the coming weeks.