I Am Wilshire – Janet Stegner.
Hometown: Jacksonville, Florida
Education: BS in Economics, Tulane University; Master of Public Policy, George Washington University
Profession: Presently SAHM (stay-at-home mom); Formerly economic analyst and SaaS solutions consultant
Present city: Dallas
Tell us about your family.
I grew up in Florida as the youngest of three daughters. My husband, Phillip, and I have been married 13 years. We met in graduate school and have lived together in Washington, D.C., San Francisco and, for the last nine years, Dallas — his original home. We have three children: Phillip “Drew” (8), Margaret “Maggie” (7) and Viola (4).
How about your work or volunteer life?
I participate in Wilshire MOPS and serve on their leadership team. I was recently appointed to Wilshire’s Weekday Education Committee. Outside of Wilshire, I volunteer as a court-appointed special advocate (CASA) with children in foster care and I serve on my neighborhood board as treasurer and Welcome Committee chair. I try to volunteer at my children’s school when I can.
What are your favorite hobbies?
I enjoy reading and critical discussion of books, DIY projects, learning new skills, being creative, joining interest groups and high-intensity sport. It’s generally not enough for me to be “active” — I’ve ascertained that to stay healthy — physically, emotionally, socially — I need a competitive outlet.
Where is your favorite place to travel?
Every summer since 1989 my family has vacationed at a lake in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Now I take my kids (and husband occasionally) and enjoy lazy days in the sun pretending I haven’t quite grown up yet.
Tell us about your faith journey.
I grew up Episcopalian in a 1920s inner-city gothic-style church that sported an Olympic-size indoor swimming pool, wooden basketball court, auditorium and many nooks and crannies I enjoyed exploring during sermons. From high school until about five years ago, I was an Easter-and-Christmas Christian. We explored a couple of Episcopal churches (long enough to have all three of our children baptized!) but did not connect to any beyond the thinnest theological sense. About this time, I had joined Wilshire MOPS and was attending Wilshire on Friday and Wednesday. I knew Wilshire was progressive and liturgical, which appealed to me, and figured, let’s go ahead and add Sunday as well! Today I am a full-fledged member of the Labyrinth Sunday School Class!
What’s something interesting most people wouldn’t know about you?
I’ll let you in on a little secret: the fastest way to get me to agree with you is to disagree with me!
If you are interested in being featured in an upcoming I Am Wilshire article, contact Carolyn Murray