Issue date: February 23, 2000
By JANE KNOERLE
The Rev. Rob Ross, new rector of Trinity Parish, Menlo Park, heeded the advice of the Episcopal priest who said, "Try everything else you're interested in before becoming a priest, because you're a priest for life."
That rang true for Father Rob. He graduated from Harvard College, worked in the high-tech industry (Analog Devices), and in television production, before entering Virginia Theological Seminary in his mid-30s to study for the Episcopal priesthood.
Now, at 49, he says "I've got the best job in the world. One day I'm talking to street people, the next I'm having breakfast with the Bible study group."
Tomorrow it could be a meeting with ministers from other churches, or a field trip with a youth group. He appreciates the challenge and diversity of his new parish.
Father Rob, who was installed as rector of Trinity Parish on January 20 by Bishop William Swing, was called to Trinity from St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Osterville, Massachusetts. Trinity is twice as large as his former parish, and the second largest church in the diocese with approximately 2,000 members. An interesting aside, Father Rob is the fourth successive rector of Trinity Parish to be a graduate of Virginia Theological Seminary.
Born and reared in New England, Father Rob admits California is a whole new world where "I still can't get over flowers blooming in February." He and his wife, Sarah, are renting a house in Menlo Park's Willows neighborhood until the house adjoining the church property, now being used as the Cancer Support Center, can be renovated for them this summer.
Their sons, Benjamin, 9, and Matthew, 5, are enrolled at Trinity Episcopal School, next to St. Bede's Church in Sharon Heights. Mrs. Ross, who was in college administration at Harvard, is working at Stanford University.
Discussing the role of the Episcopal Church today, Father Rob says, "Our biggest barrier, is the old-time perception of this being a blue-blooded church. In reality, the Episcopal church is in the forefront of seeking to diversify." Trinity is involved in the Palo Alto Urban Ministry, the Ecumenical Hunger Project, El Buen Pastor ministry in East Palo Alto, and an after-school tutoring program, now looking for a new home.
Every Sunday 60 or 70 street people are served lunch, prepared by the Urban Ministry, in the parish hall. Many parishioners help serve; others are volunteering in the building of the new Habitat for Humanity apartments in Redwood City.
The church's youth group holds special meaning for Father Rob since, as a 15-year-old Roman Catholic, his first association with the Episcopal Church was with a youth group. His parents approved. Since it was the 1960s, they were happy to see him involved in such wholesome activities. He was further drawn to the church when he married the daughter of an Episcopal priest. She commented once, "Why do your eyes always light up when you talk about the church?"
When he was hospitalized in his mid-30s "with some weird ailment," an Episcopal priest and friend paid a call. "He (the priest) was so accessible. I told him I'd always dreamed of becoming a priest. He said he would be honored to sponsor me." In 1993 Father Rob's dream became a reality.
Trinity Parish members, still getting to know their personable priest, might not be aware of his musical talents, but the kids are. He plays guitar once a week for the 4-year-olds in the church nursery school; every two weeks he plays for chapel at Trinity, the "big school." He hasn't yet played for Sunday services, but says, "I'll probably make a fool of myself at our Shrove Tuesday talent show."