2025 Annual Meeting Resources

Junior Warden

My wife, Lynn and I have been married 52.5 years. We moved to Tempe in late 2012 from Southern Minnesota when I retired from employment at a food company where I worked in the operations area for a little over 39 years.

We have a son, a firefighter for the Mesa FD and two granddaughters (ages 12 & 7) who live in Tempe. He has done several tours as a Recruit Training Officer at the academy in addition to his regular service on ladder trucks and engines. We also have a daughter living in Seattle. She works at a downtown Seattle hospital and received her Dr. of Nursing Practice degree from UW in '25. (I don't pass up any opportunity to brag about them). We enjoy spending time with our son and his family during the Fall, Winter and early Spring and being with our daughter during the late Spring and Summer.

My experience with the Episcopal church began in 1990 when Lynn and I began attending the local parish in Minnesota at the urging of our choir director at a church which had closed. I loved the liturgy and the formalness of the service. They were quite a departure from the more relaxed mainstream protestant services I was accustomed to. A job transfer took us to Dubuque, IA where we also became involved in an Episcopal parish. Lynn and I were confirmed there in '93. Another transfer took us back to Minnesota where we resumed membership. We became increasingly involved in parish life: singing in the choir, serving on the vestry and helping with various parish initiatives. It was during this time that Lynn began discerning her call to ordained ministry and ultimately became a Deacon - an experience that helped to deepen my faith and make me more keenly aware of the role of service in the church.

Lynn and I came to Epiphany in December of 2012. I have been a member of the choir for most of the years since and have served on a number of ad hoc committees. Property management at Epiphany has been a particular interest and I have served as Jr. Warden and Property Manager for several years during my time at the parish. I stepped away from those roles for a variety of reasons a few years ago but am ready to get involved again.

I have served as Jr. Warden and Property Manager at two parishes I have a fairly good working knowledge of Epiphany's buildings, facilities and mechanical systems. I have some hands-on skills, and I believe the experience to work effectively with vendors. Lastly, according to Lynn I have way too many tools and actually know how to use most of them.

I love this parish and the folks who worship here. The campus is beautiful and the facilities provide a wonderful place for worship and Christian fellowship. Serving as Jr. Warden is a way for me to help maintain and enhance these facilities to look and perform their best.

Vestry, 3yr term

Hi all! I grew up in Arizona after moving from Boston with my family when I was a kid. I went to school in the East Valley area (Christ the King, Seton, ASU). I’ve been married to Fidel for 10 years and we have three cats and too many books. I’ve worked as a busboy at Monti’s, a waiter in southwest Ireland, and I taught English in Madrid, Spain. As a social worker, I’ve worked with inmates in Maricopa County jails, with Iraqi refugees resettled to Arizona, and with an NGO in central Mexico serving migrant families. I now live in Tempe. Since 2023, I’ve worked in the disability services office at ASU and I’m also a member of United Campus Workers of Arizona, Local 7065.

My experience as an Episcopalian started when I came to Epiphany one Sunday in October 2024. I still have a mix of wonder and gratitude that God guided me to this vibrant and welcoming faith community. The Episcopal Church is still new to me and so I appreciate parish members’ patience and willingness to share their own experiences and meet folks where they’re at. I don’t feel, as I have elsewhere, that I’m on the outside looking in, but instead that I’m part of the Church, right in the middle of things. I’m also grateful for a church that tries to ‘walk the walk’, encouraging me to deepen my faith, to say Yes to Christ when things are going good and also during darker times.

After attending my first service here, I stayed for coffee and talked to people – and people talked with me! I met with Fr. Hunter about different ministry opportunities. I joined the Choir, which has increased the joy, laughter, and puns in my life exponentially. I also love Bible study and conversation with friends at Men of Epiphany (MOE). I got to serve on the Stewardship Committee last fall and I participated in two parish retreats: Christian vocations during Lent with Rev. Dr. Patterson and the MOE getaway last fall in Munds Park. At Epiphany, I feel at home, supported and accompanied on my spiritual journey, which is (thankfully) very much ongoing.

I have experience working on teams, oftentimes with people from many different backgrounds. I value listening to people and I try to focus on the things that make community stronger. I appreciate differing points of view and consensus-based decision making.

I have received many gifts from this church and my friends here. Although many things would be new to me if elected to Vestry, I want to give back what has been given so freely and kindly to me. Also, I’ve noticed that doing service keeps me connected to others and is a big boost for my own spiritual growth.

Vestry, 3yr term

My family and I have been attending the Church of the Epiphany for almost 30 years. Having had my children baptized and having been married at Epiphany, it holds a very special place in my heart. Besides my love of Epiphany, I have held numerous leadership roles that would help me serve as a valuable member of the vestry. I am a public school teacher with close to 30 years experience. During which time, I have served on numerous school leadership committees. Here at Epiphany, I am a member of and have held a leadership position in the SERVE ministry. In addition, I am a representative for the church in the Episcopal Habitat coalition which is an organization that helps build houses in partnership with Habitat for Humanity. I am also an active and longtime member of the Men of Epiphany ministry. I would like to continue to serve on the vestry to help continue to make Epiphany a community and place that provides as much fulfillment to as many people as possible.

Vestry, 3yr term

I am 82-years-old. I moved to Friendship Village in Tempe to be close to one of my daughters and her family after my husband died. For many years, I did healthcare administration.

I served as treasurer at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Oxford, OH. I served as co-chair of the annual Garden Tour at All Saints Episcopal Church in Hilton Head Island, SC. All net proceeds from the Garden Tour went to local charity. Our best year, we gave $40,000.00

I’m new to Church of the Epiphany, having moved nearby in June, 2025. I serve in the choir.

I have an MBA with an emphasis in Quality Improvement.

This would be an opportunity to know more of the membership, and to learn about Epiphany.

Vestry, 2 yr term

As an Army brat, I grew up with a love of travel and new experiences, which naturally fed my passion for reading and learning. I’m a proud mother and step-mother to five wonderful young men, a Lumberjack alumna, and a dedicated school psychologist. Happily married to a very loving husband, I’ve been both a Tempean and an Epiphany parishioner for over 25 years, grateful for the community and history that have shaped my family’s life.

Over the years, serving at Epiphany has deepened my faith. Through small acts of service and shared moments of worship, I have learned what it means to live my faith—showing up for others, listening with compassion, and offering my time and gifts with gratitude. In serving, I’ve discovered that faith grows most when it is put into motion.

My connection to Epiphany spans many meaningful seasons of my life—having been both baptized and married there, I’ve always considered it my spiritual home. Over the years, I have served as both a former and current Vestry member and a former and current SERVE member, supported the Call Connect ministry, and served as a 2025 Diocesan delegate.

Awarded 'Best Skills Best Churches Nonprofit Management Certificate' from ASU Lodestar Center (2018).
I am a Nationally Certified School Psychologist and Court Appointed Special Advocate and
Tempe Community Council Board Member.

I feel called to serve on Epiphany’s vestry because service and stewardship are essential expressions of my faith. By offering my time, gifts, and perspective, I hope to support the spiritual and practical well-being of our parish.

Convention Delegate

I am originally from Des Moines, Ia (4th generation Black Iowan--not very many of us!). I have lived in Tempe since 2006 when I was recruited to come to work at ASU. I am a retired ASU professor and upper level administrator. I am the mother of one adult daughter.

I was raised in the Episcopal Church (St Pauls which is now a cathedral) in Des Moines, Ia. I sang in the choir as a youngster for 8 years before going off to college. I attended the Episcopal camp several times in Iowa as I was growing up. I have been active in the Episcopal church at my home church level and at the Diocesan Level. I served on the vestry and as Junior Warden at St Dunstan's Church in Wisconsin during a particularly difficult time when our priest was defrocked. In Wi. I served as chair of the search committee for a new priest at St Dunstan's; I was in charge of adult education also at St. Dunstan's for (at least) a year; I was a delegate to the Convention of the Diocese of Milwaukee several times; I also served on the Commission on Ministry for the diocese in Wisconsin.

I have been a member of Epiphany since 2006. I served on the vestry for 5 years. I was co facilitator for the year long Beloved Community program at Epiphany. I am a lector and also serve communion on a regular basis at the 8:00 service. I am in my second three year term as a member of the Diocesan Standing Committee.

I have been elected to be a delegate at our next National Episcopal Convention which is coming to Phoenix next year! I am an active member of the Arizona Union of Black Episcopalians.

I have attended a number of our Diocesan Conventions since I have lived in Az. I think it is very important to learn about and then participate in the decision making process for the welfare of our Diocese. Usually different people from the National Church are invited to come and speak at our Convention. Over the years we have been provided with information about a variety of issues that impact our country and which we are called to address in our churches and our diocese. I feel that attending this Convention provides important opportunities to meet others from around the diocese and to learn how they are thinking and what they are doing and how we might consider doing some of these things at Epiphany. It would be my honor and privilege to attend this upcoming Convention especially as we begin to prepare for the upcoming National Convention.

Convention Delegate

I have been a member of Church of the Epiphany for over 25 years. I have served on the vestry in the past and was the Clerk for a couple of years as well. I am actively involved with the Courageous Ground Task Force, Diocesan Anit-Racism Program, Community of Hope and Valley Interfaith Project. Epiphany is my home and the people here are like a second family to me. I feel called to serve God through this community and the success of Epiphany’s mission is deeply important to me.