“You think the project looks ominous now, you
should have seen it in its infancy,” he remarked, waving at the boxes and
stacks all around the room.
The
Rev. Charles “Chuck” Stacy, scheduled to retire Feb. 1 from St. Mark’s in the
Valley Episcopal Church in Los Olivos, leaned over a
pile of books in front of his radio, adjusted the music to a more relaxing
melody, and then returned to his seat behind his desk. “I need a break,” he
said, smiling.
Known
for his political activism, he immediately referred to his most passionate
causes – housing for the elderly and affordable housing. “There is a huge need
for senior housing,” he said. “Seniors need housing at all levels. There are
many who have moved out of the area who would have
stayed if there had been housing for them.”
He
discussed the Solvang Lutheran Home’s remodeling project and how he thinks
“seniors are on the back burner.” He also talked about people becoming active
in housing projects, such as People’s Self-Help Housing, a program which
strives to build affordable homes nationwide.
Talking
about what he’s going to do after being at the parish for the past 32 years, he
said he was going to “fix up” his bicycle shed, “which suffers from years of
neglect” and then prepare for his six-week trip to South America, the coast of
Africa, Spain and Sicily. “We’ve always traveled, but this time we’re going to
do something a little different,” he explained.
When
he returns in April, he plans to present weekly radio shows on UCSB’s KCSB. The
discussions, called “Connections,” will revolve around “people of all types
with ideas.” He said he wanted to talk about their passions and their vocations
and help people get to know them and what they are doing and “why they enjoy
what they do.” He also wants to make “connections” with students at UCSB and
work with them on housing projects and other needs in that area.
Working
and living in a college town isn’t foreign to Stacy. He grew up in West
Berkeley and learned from his classmates that there was no room for
discrimination in his life. He said he was one of four white children in the school,
and that this experience taught him to regard everyone as his equal. “We’re all
made in the image of God,” he explained. “If there are differences, it’s God’s
problem, not mine.”
He
studied economics at UC Berkeley and UC Davis, where he was influenced by a
professor who encouraged him to investigate “modern religious expression.”
While taking classes in Germany, he became intrigued with the idea and later
graduated from Divinity School of the Pacific to follow in his father’s
footsteps as an Episcopal priest. He also holds a master’s degree in psychology
from San Francisco State.
Recalling
his introduction to the Santa Ynez Valley, Stacy talked about his numerous
“debates” with Brooks Firestone, now 3rd District Supervisor for Santa Barbara
County. Firestone had visited Carmel, where Stacy was initially working, and
invited him to apply for the parish position open in Solvang.
Stacy
and his wife, Shirley, came to visit the area and decided to move to Solvang in
1976.
Their
two children, Peter and Sarah, were raised in the valley. They also have two
grandchildren, Ryan and Ella.
The
church moved to its new home in Los Olivos in 1977,
just after the congregation received a land gift from Ambassador Leonard
Firestone. When Stacy Hall was built at 2901 Nojoqui
Ave., Los Olivos, parishioners financed the
construction and there was never a mortgage taken out on the building or its
grounds.
Staying
in the Santa Ynez Valley for the past 32 years “just seemed like the natural
thing to do,” he said. “Besides, we still have work here to do.”
Currently
he serves on the board for the Santa Barbara County Human Services Commission,
an appointment he received from Firestone. “This group does incredible things
with small amounts of money,” he said.
Active
in sports as well as politics, Stacy said he loves to ride his bicycle and is
looking forward to being able to spend more time riding the scenic routes in
the valley. His hip was replaced a few years ago, but that hasn’t slowed him
down. “I’ll never be in the shape I was before,” he admitted, “but I intend to
be as active as I can.”
Another
of his favorite things to do is playing his clarinet. He is a member of the
Valley Wind Ensemble. He’s looking forward to being able to play his instrument
whenever he has the urge.
He
also wants to “fix up” his home and maybe do some guest appearances at other
parishes. Meanwhile, before his excursion in March, he will conduct three
weddings; one in Los Alamos, one in Chicago, and another in San Juan
Capistrano.
He
said his love for theology is his driving force. “I believe in unconditional
theology,” he explained.
“When
I first came here I was told I would be judged by who I was and not by what I
have. I liked that idea. If you do what you’re supposed to do, I believe there
will be goody-goody points. God made church for our amusement. And sometimes
God’s love seems to be a well-kept secret. I want people to know they’re
important; that God cares.
“Life is our adventure with God.”