Who We Are

Announcing the 2010 Vestry Nominees

Vote on January 24

St. Paul's will hold its annual meeting to elect five new Vestry members at a Combined Service at 10 a.m. on January 24. The Vestry Nominating Committee has nominated a slate of 10 outstanding candidates:

All ten people who have answered the call to serve during the next three years are well qualified to be a servant leader at St. Paul's. We know that half of them will be asked to respond to this call beginning in February, and the other half will be asked to work in other corners of St. Paul's vineyard. We will celebrate the response of all ten nominees to the call to serve and join with them at a reception following the worship service. So, come to ‘St. Paul's Sunday' with prayerful preparation and participate in God's continual raising up of servant leaders and enjoy a time of fellowship following the service.

Questions? Contact Philip Brooks, Senior Warden, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Click here for a printable version of the 2010 Vestry Nominees bulletin insert.

Nominees listed in alphabetical order.Mary Hunter Ayer

Mary Hunter Ayer

Parish involvement: Member of St. Paul's for over 20 years, one of three youth confirmation leaders, Member Youth Advisory Committee, Court End Christmas Parish Coordinator, Micah summer van and camp volunteer, Acolyte wardrobe mistress, participant in foyer dinners since its beginning, greeter to new and potential members with children and youth interests. Former Rite-13 Group Advocate, Earth Day team leader, Sunday School teacher for 13 years, Children's Committee (Chairman for 3 years), helped instigate Third Friday Fun, work with flower guild for Easter and Christmas.

Interests and activities beyond the Parish: 5th Grade teacher at J.B. Watkins and in education for 32 years, former tennis coordinator and current member of Brighton Green Community Center, presenter at various educational conferences and workshops such as Virginia Children's Engineering Conference and Math Science Innovation Center Technology Conference, Member Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Virginia Historical Society, and Daughters of the American Revolution.

Vision stemming from "Such Great Heights" process: I envision St. Paul's as a welcoming community for people looking for a new church home with a strong Christian formation. My passion is making the youth and children feel welcome in our church home. I will continue my work with the youth groups in all capacities. That includes supporting all youth and children leaders with their ministries and continuing to work with special occasions, such as Court End Christmas, that make St. Paul's part of the Downtown Community.

Susan Bland

Parish involvement: Co-chairman: Rector's transition committee; Global Missions member, sub-committee St. Paul's-Kumasi relationship-building, microlending and Triangle of Hope; Children's Committee chairman; active parent in Sunday School/CLW, Children's Choir and Third Fridays; participant in moms' dinner fellowship and retreats for women, teachers and Shrine Mont.

Interests and activities beyond the Parish: Diocesan Lay Delegate. In raising Jake, our 10-year old son, Bill and I are involved in school and swim programs. Managing Director: Ascential/Westerre Park investment management. Through my interest in public policy issues I have developed awareness and support for many organizations, including the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities as a Board member and 17 years with Norfolk Southern Corporation in government, media, stakeholder and community relations.

Vision stemming from "Such Great Heights" process: I see Saint Paul's as a haven for our diverse families that offers rich experiences and instruction to deepen our faith and communion. I'll use my abilities to communicate, listen and educate to move SGH ideas into actions, including:

• Find new ways to share our own stories and understand our history.
• Forge ties that strengthen our greater community of Richmond and the world, and amplify church/Diocese resources.
• Nurture the powerful spirit that flows through our mission work and encourage the youth and children of St. Paul's, Woodville, Mwitikira and Kumasi to be in relationship with each other and with us.

Harry Burt

Parish involvement: Member for four years. Co-leader, Sunday morning bible study; member, “Group D” on downtown outreach (now part of Faith in Action); docent, historic church tours. Particular interest in St. Paul’s role as a downtown parish in the changing core of Richmond.

Interests and activities beyond the Parish: Retired in 1999 from Development Economics area of the World Bank. Participated at length in the Richmond Downtown Master Plan process. Supported Church Hill North historic district. Member of Richmond Hill finance committee; member, Commission on Division of the Diocese; founding member of Diocesan Stewardship of Creation Committee;  board member, Shrine Mont Corporation; president,Virginia Diocesan Homes Corporation. Still doing committee work with VDH and Shrine Mont. Also, past Vestryman and Delegate to Council, the Falls Church; Vestryman and Warden of St. Georges–Arlington. 

Vision stemming from “Such Great Heights” process: Nurturing small groups centered in each of our ministry areas, encouraging gatherings that follow the principles of “the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and in the prayers.” Continuing to increase and strengthen our educational offerings to both our own congregation and the larger community. Trying to integrate the perspective of Such Great Heights into our regular governance to identify emerging internal and external ministry opportunities, discerning our effective and prudent use of congregational resources and energy.

Josh Hildreth

Parish Involvement:  I have been attending St. Paul’s since graduation from college in 1994. To my surprise, I was put to work on the first Sunday I visited when a classmate and I were asked to bring up the Elements as visitors. Over the intervening years I have participated and facilitated in the DOCC program, organized activities for the 20’s and 30’s group, and recently completed the EFM program.  I have volunteered for Micah enrichment activities.

Interests and activities beyond the parish:  My immediate family consists of Rick Robinson my partner of 7 and a half years, a goofy yellow labrador named Catalina and an adopted six toed alley cat named Gomez. I am also the principal of a design and interior construction firm that is dedicated to creating healing healthcare environments.

Vision stemming from the “Such Great Heights” process:  I look forward to continued involvement at St. Paul’s as we continue our tradition of being a church that proclaims Christ by sharpening the mind, stirring the spirit, and serving our neighbors from both within and outside of our sanctuary. St. Paul’s is a place where Christ’s love for me has been confirmed even when I struggled to love myself. By extension, it is also the place that continues to teach me how to share this love with other people.

Leigh Hulcher

Parish involvement: As a member for over 30 years, I’ve participated in many areas that include - Chair of Lenten Lunches & Altar Guild; member of Vestry, Property, Outreach & Finance Committees; 9am & 11am choirs, Dir. of Christian Educ. (responsible for children, youth, adult & Library) leader of DOCC; member of Such Great Heights committee & ad hoc committees on St. Paul’s response to the foreclosure crises & input on our re-decorating of the Parish.

Interests and activities beyond the Parish: Realtor for 16 years (3 included opening & managing a new office). Supporter of, and active participant in fund raising for Massey Cancer Center & Planned Parenthood.

Vision stemming from “Such Great Heights” process:  I think we are at a very exciting time for both us and our growing neighborhood. I would like to see an innovative approach to programming & worship that takes us outside the building, but also draws our neighbors to us. An important piece is tapping into their interests. We need to ask questions to find out ... What interests them about St. Paul’s? What topics would draw them to visit & participate & worship with us?  Where is their spiritual hunger & how can we journey with them? Based on their answers, we could develop programs & services that are enticing – perhaps with a focus on the Liturgical Seasons as a starting point. These might include a Christmas carol hymn sing (in the church, at night, with lots of candles) or an Easter sunrise service at the river - followed with coffee & hot cross buns (jointly baked the day before).

Christie Montgomery

Parish Involvement: Currently a Shepherd for the 4th/5th grade class, a member of the Children’s Ministry Team, the Youth Ministry Team, Caring In Action (Cook Angels), 9:00 service team, a Lay Eucharistic Minister and the Parish Coordinator for the United Thank Offering. I look forward to serving as a member of the wait staff during the Lenten Lunch Program as I have done for the past 14 years.

Interests and activities beyond the Parish: I have been employed as a research consultant for LexisNexis for 19 years working with the legal community throughout the state of Virginia. I have been an active member of the Roslyn Hills Civic Association for 6 years.

Vision stemming from “Such Great Heights” process: My first St. Paul’s experience occurred when a friend asked me to join her to hear a speaker and have lunch at St. Paul’s during the Lenten Lunch program. In the 15 months that I had lived in Richmond, I visited over a dozen Episcopal churches and none of them felt quite right. After my initial Lenten Lunch experience, I attended numerous Lenten programs. I thought that a church that could pull off something of that magnitude with such success and could connect with the people of downtown had a lot going for it. I decided to try a Sunday worship service and my search for a church home ended with St. Paul’s. We have a great opportunity to serve those who work, volunteer and go to school within a 10 mile radius of St. Paul’s. Reaching out to these people during the regular course of their day and offering a respite from their hectic schedule provides us with a unique opportunity that is not available to churches in the “suburbs.” This can be accomplished through more programs that bring together people from all walks of life and areas of Richmond such as a weekly Bible study, weekday book group, opportunities for outreach etc.

Dick Ritsch

Parish involvement:  My wife, Nan Ellen, and I have been members of St. Paul’s for 35 years. We were attracted to the church for its urban focus, its challenging sermons and adult education, and its commitment to community outreach. I have served previously as a Vestry member, with an emphasis on outreach and membership growth.  I am currently a member of the Finance Committee; and for the past three years, I have been Chair of the Faith in Action/Outreach Ministry Board.

Interests and activities beyond the parish:  I am a business lawyer and partner with Williams Mullen law firm. My concentration is in the health care sector and my community service has been as a board member of health care-related non-profits.

Vision stemming from “Such Great Heights” process:  In the ministries of Wallace and Kate, I see the energy and enthusiasm for what St. Paul’s contributes to the Downtown community and beyond that I saw 35 years ago when I joined. Through our commitment to “Such Great Heights,” I believe we should celebrate our urban location – the diversity that it brings, the opportunities for ministry to the Downtown business community and the growing residential neighborhoods, and God’s call to help the voiceless. Through our demonstrated commitment to one another, we will strengthen our Christian community and attract newcomers to help us “proclaim Christ in the heart of the City.”

Anne Rusbuldt

Parish Involvement:  I feel that life is about connecting with people. Our relationships are what sustain us. Thankfully, St. Paul’s ministries afford us many opportunities to connect both inside and outside our parish. My experiences with mentoring at Woodville, teaching our youth, Lenten Lunches, Canvass committee, and SGH Generosity team have helped deepen my commitment to St. Paul’s and my community.

Interests and activities beyond the Parish:  I spend a good part of my week traveling to the east end of Richmond to volunteer in schools. My love of working with children keeps me grounded and reminds me of life’s simple pleasures. I have been an active participant in the Big Brother Big Sister Organization for the past 7 years. I am currently Collegiate School’s Alumni Association president and also involved in many Parent Association activities.

Vision stemming from “Such Great Heights” process:  My hope for St. Paul’s is to strengthen our connections with one another and our greater community.  The enthusiasm of our present leadership will help us achieve this goal.

Don Switz

Parish involvement: Member of St. Paul’s for 39 years.  My current St. Paul’s involvements are as a Chalicer, Prayer Reader and Lenten Luncheon volunteer. In the 1970s,  served as a Canvasser, on the Isaiah Committee, as Co-Chair of the Urban Institute and as alternate Delegate to Diocesan Council. Served on the Finance Committee and guided the Parish’s business & data computerization. Lay Reader and recently completed Education for Ministry.

Interests and activities beyond the parish:  I am an Emeritus Professor of Medicine, having taught & practiced at MCV for thirty-five years. As Associate Dean for Practice (1985-98) I was deeply involved in the medical center’s budgeting, finances and building construction.  I have served medical societies at the national and local levels, where I was President of the Richmond Academy of Medicine.  I held a gubernatorial appointment to the State Medicaid Board (1988-98(Chair ’95-6)) and was a member, and President, of the Sheltering Arms Hospital Board.  Currently, I am a Virginia Museum Docent, sing with One Voice Chorus, am member of the West Richmond Rotary Club and serve as a judge for the REB Teacher awards at the Community Foundation.  Lee and I have been married forty-four years and enjoy the company of our three adult children and a grandchild who, with her parents, is a member of St. Paul’s.

Vision stemming from “Such Great Heights” process:  It is a distinct honor to be chosen to stand for election to St. Paul’s Vestry. I celebrate and support the aims of the Such Great Heights process. Our parish family is experiencing rapid change in local and national religious practices as well as in society (family, gender, ethnic), communications and business. We need to nurture and support our parish family members, during these challenging times, at least as effectively as our Outreach partners. I believe I could help St. Paul’s move forward, eagerly embracing our exciting vision.

Jean White

Parish involvement: Sunday School teacher, DOCC – participant and facilitator, Hull Street ministry, St. Paul’s Home Board, Chair, Education Commission, Search Committee for Youth Minister (Steve Matthews), Vestry, Foyer Group, Micah Mentor, Lenten Lunch worker, Emmaus Ministry, Education for Ministry – completed 4 year program, Rector Search Committee, Co-Chair, New Rector Transition Committee, Such Great Heights Worship Committee

Interests and activities beyond the Parish: William Byrd Community House Board, READ Center, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Consortium of Endowed Episcopal Parishes, Board

Vision stemming from “Such Great Heights” process: I envision St. Paul’s being as well known for its inspiring worship and challenging Christian formation as we are currently known for our history and service to others.  We will deepen and enliven our current Sunday services and add another worship opportunity that will attract some of our downtown neighbors.  More small groups discussing everything from Biblical narratives to divorce to parenting to living singly to social justice issues will help form community.  And, we will expand our efforts to promote and model civil discourse around the important issues of our day.

 

St. Paul's Sunday

January 24, 2010

There will be one combined service at 10:00 am on Sunday, January 24, 2010. That’s when you can vote for the five nominees that you would like to see join the Vestry this year. A reception will follow the Vestry Elections in Parish Hall. Hope to see you there!

February 2010 Epistle »

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