CAC Welcomes New Wings
by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer
The Community Action Committee of St. Mark and St. Paul Parish has long epitomized the Sewanee angel tradition of safekeeping. The CAC recently welcomed new wings tapping Sarah Edmonds to serve as director. “We sought someone with a passion for and commitment to serving those in need,” said the Rev. Rob Lamborn, rector of St. Mark & St. Paul. “We want each client to feel not just served but cared for.” Said Edmonds about stepping up to the challenges of that role, “It’s what I came here to do.”
Edmonds arrived on the Plateau in January of 2021 as an AmeriCorp VISTA tasked with overseeing the hunger relief effort, working mainly with the South Cumberland Summer Meals program, as well as area food banks and food ministries such as the CAC. But her year of service ended too soon to suit her. “I fell in love with the area. I was not ready to leave,” Edmonds said. She took a position with the Monteagle Inn and Retreat Center and became a member of the CAC board, expanding her VISTA-tenure connection with the program. When she learned CAC was seeking a new director, she gathered her courage and decided to apply for the position. “I knew I’d regret it if I didn’t take the chance,” Edmonds said.
David Goodpaster, CAC Director for much of the pandemic, stepped down to embrace parish ministry full time. During his tenure, Goodpaster served as minister at Christ Church in Tracy City and will now serve at St. James Church in Midway, as well. Goodpaster became the CAC director immediately after completing seminary. “There’s an element of service in being ordained,” Goodpaster said. “The CAC job threw me right into the mix of the community, church, and University. I really thrived in cultivating those connections.” Leaving the CAC “was not an easy decision,” Goodpaster said, but he added, “I went to seminary to be a parish priest. I love parish ministry.”
As with Goodpaster, Edmonds came to know the CAC during the pandemic. “I learned the CAC at the level of safety and caution,” Edmonds said. “The hardest part was no contact. Getting to talk to people really makes a difference, the human connection.” Edmonds cherishes the CAC’s multi-pronged approach to helping people — food ministry, utility bill assistance, short term lodging. But what she loves most about the CAC is the organization’s capacity “for bringing people together. The CAC is open every day and there to help whoever walks in the door.”
Edmonds hopes to bring back some “pre-pandemic era” CAC programs, host more fundraisers, and bring people together for more community events such as the once monthly community meal.
Before moving to Monteagle, Edmonds called Portsmouth, Va., home. She came to AmeriCorp directly on the heels of graduating from Christopher Newport University with a degree in Environmental Biology. The search committee consisting of Lamborn and four parishioners faced the tough task of selecting a director from among three highly qualified candidates. “Sarah is great,” said Goodpaster applauding the committee’s choice. “The CAC is in good hands.”
“I’m excited to get started,” Edmonds said. “Good things keep happening for me here. I feel at home and connected.”