Vital Statistics

Born:  April 25, 1958; Berkeley, California
Marital Status:  Single

Ordination

Deacon:  June 22, 1991; Bishop Maurice M. Benitez (Texas)
Priest:  February 19, 1992; Bishop William E. Sterling, Sr. (Texas)

Parish Experience

2004 - present:  Rector, St. John the Evangelist, Flossmoor, Illinois

1999 - 2004:  Rector, St. Patrick's Episcopal Church, Brewer, Maine

St. Patrick's is a 200-member small town congregation.  Two Sunday services (one in the summer).  Staff includes part time musicians and a part time sexton.

• Weekly liturgical leadership and preaching.  Sermon texts are available on-line.  See link at left.
• Enriched the sense of parish community and improved newcomer assimilation.  Initiated annual vestry retreats.  Began or revived parish fellowship opportunities and traditions.  Created a parish family picture board.  Formed newcomer welcoming program.
• Increased parish visibility within the community.  Improved outside signage, resumed newspaper advertising and solicited other publicity.  Designed and created a parish web page.
• Facilitated transition in parish food cupboard outreach ministry to a more broadly based and independently incorporated ecumenical organization with increased community involvement and support.
• Developed a new, more diverse music program that includes both traditional hymnody and more contemporary musical styles and celebrates parishioner's musical interests and talents.
• Taught adult confirmation classes and Lenten adult education programs.  Wrote a popular three-year cycle of Instructed Eucharists.
• Instituted significant improvements in openness and accountability in financial practices.  Established a parish endowment fund.
• Pledge income has increased 16% and parish membership has increased 18% since 1999.

1994-1999, 1991-1993:  Assistant Rector, St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Houston, Texas

St. Mark's is a 1000-member urban/suburban program-style parish with an affiliated 400-student day school (pre-kindergarten through grade eight).  Two to four Sunday services.  Staff of five full time positions (clergy and lay) and four part time positions (including youth minister and organists).

• Shared liturgical leadership and preaching responsibilities with other clergy.
• Coordinated children's Sunday School program.  Developed a series of age-appropriate Communion instruction programs for children.  Coordinated youth group.  Working with the youth, initiated an annual summer youth service trip.
• Taught numerous adult education classes, primarily on topics of theology and liturgy.
• Participant and staff liaison for AIDS Care Team.
• Education for Ministry (EFM) mentor.
• Developed and taught a three year Religious Studies curriculum for middle school students in the day school.  Helped design and lead day school chapel services.  Including children's sermons.
• Redesigned parish newsletter and newcomer publications.

1993-1994:  Locum Tenens, St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Houston, Texas

• Served as acting rector at St. Mark's Church and School, fulfilling all administrative roles, staff supervision, and program oversight.

1989-1991:  Seminary Assistant:  Immanuel Church-on-the-Hill, Alexandria, Virginia

Other Previous Employment

1985-1988:  Research Geologist, Exxon Production Research Company, Houston, Texas

Education

1991:  M.Div., cum laude, Virginia Theological Seminary, Alexandria, Virginia

• Harris Prize, 1991, "given to a candidate for Holy Orders who has demonstrated academic excellence, leadership ability, and other qualities evidencing fitness for the ordained ministry."

1990:  Continuing Education, "The Bible and its Setting", St. George's College, Jerusalem

1985:  Ph.D., Geological Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington

• National Science Foundation Graduate Fellow

1982:  M.S., Geological Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington

1980:  B.S., magna cum laude, Geology and Geophysics (with honors), Yale University, New Haven Connecticut.

National Diocesan and Regional Church Activities

2006 - present:  Co-chair, Christian Formation Commission, Diocese of Chicago

2005-present:  Diocesan Council, Diocese of Chicago

2002-2004:  Diocese of Maine Stewardship Committee.  Co-chair, 2003-2004.

2003-2004:  Diocese of Maine Committee on the Environment.  Co-chair, 2003-2004.

2001-2004:  Maine Council of Churches, Green Clergy Network.  Steering Committee, 2002-2004.

1993-2001:  Reader, General Ordination Examinations.

2001:  Diocese of Maine Youth Ministries.  Helped develop and then served on staff for first TEC weekend (Teens Encounter Christ) in Maine.

1999-2004:  Member and secretary, Brewer Ministerial Association.

1996-1998:  Board of Regents, The Church Foundation at Rice University, Diocese of Texas.

Community Activities

2000-2004:  Volunteer, Maine Audubon Society, Fields Pond Nature Center

• Volunteer naturalist, lecturer, summer program development

2000-2004: City of Brewer Cemetery Board

2001, 2002:  Panelist, Girl's Career Days, Bangor/Brewer YWCA and University of Maine at Orono

Other Interests and Activities

Running (Houston Marathon, 1999) and swimming; Hiking, cross-country skiing and outdoor activities; Music (classical, folk, opera); Gardening; Knitting; Baking

Contact Information

Preferred Mailing Address:
2638 Park Drive
Flossmoor, Illinois
708/798-4797