Each month, we introduce you to some of the lovely women of Calvary as they answer questions about themselves and share photos. When you see them around church, be sure to connect with them and introduce yourself if you’ve never met them. One thing I know about all women at Calvary, from introverts to extroverts and everyone in between…they want to feel known, appreciated, and connected.
Meet Amy Heitz
Describe yourself in 5 adjectives.
Consistent, loyal, quirky, hopeful, rooted
What brought you to Rochester?
Mayo brought me to town about 10 years ago. I’m a nurse at St. Mary’s, currently working in thoracic surgery with patients who have lung or esophagus issues.
Share a core childhood memory and a bit about your younger years and places you’ve lived.
I had a quite idyllic childhood growing up in the Iowa countryside. I was the fourth generation to have lived on the farm I grew up on. I loved playing outside and making up games with my siblings, but I was also a bit of a child entrepreneur. I spent a lot of time during the summers picking wild black raspberries, which my grandparents would sell at their farmers market stand. I also remember inviting friends over to help me, and then combining our harvest, but not sharing the profit (If I was friends with you in elementary school, I probably owe you lunch!)
If you had no limitations, what would you do with your life?
This was a tough one! You’ll notice one of my adjectives was not “imaginative!” I might start with having a professional interior designer overhaul my house. Then I’d lower my FTE at work and spend my days split between hosting new and old friends in my newly designed home, exploring new parks with my dog, and visiting friends and family in far away places.
What is something you feel strongly about?
If we intentionally place ourselves with people who grew up differently than us–different country, different first language, different religion, etc. –God often uses this experience to grow us to be kinder, more compassionate people. What a sweet opportunity!
What is your favorite thing to spend money on?
I’m pretty frugal, but I love buying a bouquet of fresh flowers from Trader Joe’s to add some color and life to my kitchen.
What is your favorite outdoor activity?
Wow, it’s hard to choose just one! The warmer months bring biking, hiking, tennis, and reading in my hammock. In the winter, I try to get outside as much as possible cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, or ice skating.
What is/are your favorite holiday tradition(s)?
I look forward to eating hotpot with my family every year at some point around Christmas. There’s always a big spread of meat and veggies to cook and a few different soup options on the table, with varying spice levels. I’m not sure if it’s true, but I like to think my family must be one of the only very German families to celebrate Jesus’ birth with hotpot.
Share one thing that you love to do that you get to do nearly every day.
I love walking through my neighborhood with my pup. I’ve been able to form many relationships with neighbors simply by being outside and walking past their house every day. There are a few kids who run out to see us (mostly my dog) when they see us approaching. It always brightens my day to know their days are brightened, too.
If you could live in any sitcom, which one would it be?
It would be hard to pass up a life with the cast from Parks and Rec. I’m not aware of a show with the same humor set in a hospital, but I sure wish it existed.
What do you appreciate about Calvary, and where do you serve?
I appreciate that Calvary is a multigenerational church with a solid history and trustworthy leadership. You can find me helping out with the youngsters in the early childhood program. I’ve also been a part of the refugee resettlement team and involved with Renovaré. I’m currently studying 1 Kings alongside many Calvary women at BSF.
Meet Tara Brannon
Describe yourself in 5 adjectives.
Loving, kind, teachable, short tempered, and generous
Share a core childhood memory and a bit about your younger years and places you’ve lived.
One of my favorite core memories happened when I was 9 years old; I accepted Jesus as my personal Savior. I was baptized with my cousin, Erina, by our Grandpa Riley and then the next week had my 1st communion at my other grandfather’s church.
As a kid, my family (mom, dad, and my sister Hannah) moved every 3-4 years because my dad was a district manager at UPS. Every time we were transferred, our parents would locate our next church and then around that pick our school and next home. Since we lived so far away from our family, our church was so important to us. I was born in Coon Rapids, Minnesota. We first moved to Jacksonville, FL, when I was 6 years old. This was probably my favorite place we moved because of the beach. After Jacksonville, we moved to Allentown, PA, for 3 years and then moved to Harrisburg, PA. Here, I had fun experiences going to youth camps and also fun marching band opportunities like competing in a marching band competition at Giant Stadium, and marching in the Fiesta bowl parade. At the end of my 10th grade year, we moved to Kennesaw, GA.
Tell us about your family and how long you’ve been at Calvary.
My family consists of myself, my husband, Andrew, and our 3 kiddos (Emma 9 years old, Noah 7 years old, and Oren 5 years old). We also have a girl, Abigail Hartley, who was stillborn in April 2012. We have been at Calvary since July 2012 when we moved here from Peoria, IL.
What are you most passionate about?
I am most passionate about my family and growing together in our faith. We do this together by reading devotions almost daily and praying together. Andrew and I try to do our quiet time before the kiddos get up.
What is your favorite thing to spend money on?
My favorite thing to spend money on is our kids.
What is your favorite outdoor activity?
My favorite outdoor activity would have to be riding on the Douglas trail. My second favorite thing to do outside is watch our kids play with the neighbors.
What is/are your favorite holiday tradition(s)?
My favorite Christmas tradition would be finding the tiny pickle ornament on the Christmas tree. The “pickle fairy” (my grandma) would hide it and then give the winners and losers a prize at the end.
Share one thing that you love to do that you get to do nearly every day.
My favorite thing I get to do everyday is sing to/with and pray with my kiddos before bed. We sing “Twinkle twinkle little star” and “Jesus loves me”.
What do you appreciate about Calvary, and where do you serve?
The thing I most appreciate about Calvary is how welcoming my husband and I felt when we first moved here. We were in a rough, hard season, and needed community. Our first Sunday, we went to the Devoted mini congregation and were real about our struggles. Right after the class, Sarah Satterbloom introduced us to Tishri Nelson, who also had the same loss as us. She helped provide the comforting friend I needed. There were several other couples who also got to know us. My husband and I serve at Calvary in the infant room and also serve in Awana.