September, 2004 Calendar In This Issue: Dogs, Cats, a Giant Tortoise and the Church of England Whatever Happened to … Robert Neuerman? The Rector's Away at Credo Again?!? Time is money - rather, Money is Time Why We Bless Animals The Wednesday That Changed My Life Christian Formation for Children at St. Augustine's

by Donovan Jacobs

If you were at St. Augustine's between 1999 and 2002, you might remember a series of fundraising drives intended to help an amazing young man make the formidable transition from surviving on the streets of Santa Monica to prospering as a student at a major university.

When we first met Robert Neuerman in January 1999, Robert had already overcome years of homelessness and a consequently fractured personal and academic life to become an outstanding student and leader at Samohi. Robert had earned a full scholarship to college through the Navy ROTC program; what he lacked was access to additional funds to cover both emergencies and the incidental expenses of everyday life - what Hartshorn termed "pizza and beer money."

The parishioners of St. Augustine's, raised at least $1200 for Robert each of the next four years. In addition, Robert received gifts such as warm clothes before his freshman year (Robert was attending Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York) and a digital camera, which Robert used to send us photos of his cruise up the Pacific coast on the Navy ship to which he'd been assigned that summer.

Robert graduated in December 2003 from RPI with a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering and received a commission as an officer in the Navy last February. Robert is now stationed aboard the U.S.S. Decatur, based in San Diego.

Robert married Eleanor late last year and are expecting their first child this month.

While we have been out of close contact with Robert over the past two years, Robert has not forgotten us. He writes, "The congregation of St. A's, my wonderful fellow Santa Monicans, stuck with me the whole time [that he was in college]. Each spring for four years they raised funds in my name and each summer they presented me with another check. The money was of course exceedingly helpful, but the money was only the surface of what touched me about St. A's. I was touched by the giving; I was touched every time I walked into that church and the whole congregation greeted me by name; I was touched by their thoughtfulness and acceptance of me. Never once did they question my faith or debate theology with me or ask that I be a regular parishioner. Though they reached out as a congregation, they reached out to me as a fellow community member, and judged me solely on my character."

Robert, Eleanor and their little girl plan to visit St. Augustine's some time this fall.

Copyright © 2004 St. Augustine by-the-Sea