Our Saint Michael Parish (SMP) wouldn’t be what it is without so many dedicated people serving in both big and small ways. John and Kim Hipp have been SMP members since they moved to Olympia in 2019.
Although there are so many things they love about the parish, what stands out the most is the people. John and Kim love the priests, church staff, and their fellow parishioners.
“I appreciate the deep love and support that we receive from our priests and the abundant opportunities and support we have received to grow in our faith and participate in the good works of our church,” John says.
John and Kim are both members of several men’s and women’s groups and are also Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. John brings the Eucharist to the homebound and serves with Pastoral Care and Community Outreach. In addition, he serves as a sacristan and does landscaping. Kim serves with Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, the Parish Health Ministry, Grief Support, the Salvation Army Kitchen, the Seven Sisters Apostolate, and Vacation Bible School. Their list of ministries is long, but they each have a favorite. Kim especially loves helping with Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for 3-year-olds.
“I love the Montessori-based faith formation that provides an experience and allows children to take what they want with the guidance of the Holy Spirit,” she says.
John feels blessed to bring the Eucharist to those who are homebound.
“That ministry is a gift from God to participate in the outpouring of His mercy through bringing the Body of Jesus to people who are in great need of His healing power,” he says.
The couple feels very blessed to have the opportunity to serve. Their service has truly impacted their own faith.
“I am retired,” Kim says. “I vowed to say ‘yes’ to the parish — like Mary’s ‘yes.’”
“Serving in ministries allows me to live out all the beautiful teachings and truths of Jesus that we receive from Scripture and tradition,” John says.
There is always an opportunity to serve in some way at SMP, and it doesn’t have to take a considerable chunk of your time. John and Kim say they would encourage parishioners to step forward and get involved. Their own involvement has become a huge part of both of their lives.
“Serving others is the ultimate source of true joy — the joy that can only be received by uniting ourselves with the will of God and the outpouring of His mercy,” John says.
John and Kim have two children and three grandchildren. Their daughter is a physician with the United States Air Force and will be serving at Pearl Harbor for three years. Their son and his wife are mental health professionals in Seattle.
Kim worked for decades as a neonatal nurse practitioner, and John continues to work as a chief scientist for a medical-imaging core laboratory. In her free time, Kim enjoys walking, cooking, knitting, and spending time with family. John enjoys hiking and yard work. John and Kim also enjoy spending time with their 1-year-old puppy, Auri.
