Meet Another EpiscoPAL Pair

Submitted by Suzanne Smythe

Bonnie Gunzenhauser (left) Cleveland baseball fans might recognize the name of newcomer Bonnie Gunzenhauser’s hometown. She grew up in Van Meter, Iowa, which happens to be the hometown of famed Cleveland Indians pitcher Bob Feller. Bonnie left Iowa and went to Chicago for graduate school, where she stayed for most of her adult life.

In June 2020, Bonnie moved to Cleveland when she accepted the position of Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at John Carroll University. With the pandemic keeping us all isolated, moving to a new city was not an easy time. After getting settled, she was interested in finding a church. Bonnie was raised in the United Methodist Church and attended Lutheran (ELCA) congregations for most of her life. Bonnie decided to try the virtual services St. Paul’s was offering.

She appreciated the preaching, the music, and the variety of virtual outreach at St. Paul’s and knew it would be her first church to visit once worship resumed in person.

Bonnie is an English professor by training, having received her Ph.D. in English from the University of Chicago. Her undergraduate degree is in English and philosophy from Luther College. She is a lifelong singer and calls herself an early music geek. Bonnie enjoys hiking, reading, and traveling. She’s also a fan of state fairs and offbeat museums. She shares her home with her “exceptional” cats, Sammy and Olaf. St. Paul’s has benefitted from Bonnie’s singing talents. She is an alto in the senior choir, making her a regular at the 11:15 service. Bonnie enjoys the adult formation offerings, and loved participating in the Bellwether Together weekend last summer. She describes her St. Paul’s experience as being “very welcoming — the people, the worship services, and all of the opportunities to get involved have made it feel like a real spiritual home for me.” Bonnie has been matched with parishioner Michele Smolin as her EpiscoPAL. We are delighted she has decided to call Cleveland and St. Paul’s her home.

Michele Smolin (center) has lived in Cleveland for over thirty years. She moved to the area from her hometown of Pittsburgh to attend law school at CWRU. Before that, she graduated from Carlow University with an undergraduate degree in organ performance and a minor in liturgical music. Her first residence in Cleveland was the big convent on the grounds of Beaumont School for Girls. She entered the Pittsburgh Sisters of Mercy convent in 1982 and lived in the beautiful convent at Beaumont School while in law school. She remembers first coming to St. Paul’s for Evensong and other musical events and worship. In 2015 Michele and her son became members at St. Paul’s and attended worship weekly — Michele joined the choir, and Xavier joined the acolytes.

Michele has been practicing law for 30+ years. Initially a trial lawyer for 17 years, she moved into in-house and general counsel positions. She is currently the General Counsel for a biotech company in Solon.

She is an empty nester and shares her home with her Bernese Mountain dog, Artie. Michele enjoys reading, movies, and keeping up with politics. She loves to travel, ski, and vacation in lake houses. She’s also a Pittsburgh Steelers fan (but don’t hold that against her).

Being a member of the Senior Choir brings Michele “immeasurable joy.” She’s very proud that her son, Xavier, was a regular acolyte. She enjoys all St. Paul’s has to offer and is exploring new ways to get involved. The music first attracted Michele to St. Paul’s, but the progressive theological philosophy and community are why she calls the church her home. In her words, “The clergy and the community here are like none other in the best way.” Michele enjoys her role as an EpiscoPAL to Bonnie. With their shared love of music, bonding as altos, and similar humor, they’re a great match. Michele is grateful for how she was welcomed to the church from the minute she stepped foot in the building. And in turn, St. Paul’s is grateful to have Michele as an engaged and faithful parishioner.