Meet the Vestry!
Meet the members of the St. Mary's Vestry, our church's governing board.
Charlene Davis, Worship
in her first term, 2023-2025
The major objective of the Worship ministry area is to inspire, encourage and support parishioners as they offer their gifts of praise and glory to God, while creating new liturgical additions, education, improvements, and special and seasonal services.
Tell us about yourself:
I grew up in a small town North of Boston. My mother was Catholic, my father was Episcopalian, and I was raised a Methodist! Moving to Anchorage in 1967 was a bit like moving to the Wild West. My two children were born in Alaska, and each have reached the 50+ year age mark. A little over 5 years ago and due to health reasons, I reluctantly retired from a long career of primarily medical, physician, lawyer, executive recruitment and management. Over many years my husband Ron and I worked and traveled the US and Canada racking up 8 moves. We returned to Alaska in 2005 and after 5 in-state moves, we resettled in Anchorage where I began the search for a spiritual home, which I found at St. Mary’s.
What do you value and love at St. Mary’s?
Where do you believe God is calling us as a community of faith in the years ahead?
There is an undeniable need to continue our Outreach to those in our St. Mary’s family, as well as the community. However, the lifeblood of our parish – the youth and the young children, need the focus of every adult St. Mary’s member. Seeking and welcoming young couples and their families into St. Mary’s, engaging in meaningful dialogue to understand current generational needs and expectations, and making every attempt possible to meet those needs will fill our hearts – and more importantly Christ’s heart, with joy and thanksgiving – and potentially needed change. Change does not mean losing “our traditions and our heritage”, but possibly expanding them, which in turn will keep St. Mary’s known as the church where “All Belong…”.
St. Mary's Vestry members
Senior Warden - Sandra DeHart-Mayor
Junior Warden - Brad Sewell
Adult Christian Formation - Eric Backman
Caring Ministries - Maggie Wilkinson
Children’s Christian Formation - Amy Gruber
Community-Building - Maggie McKay
Early Childhood Ministries - Tom Nighswander
Growth and Communications - Cole Barker
Outreach Ministries - Sara Stoops
Stewardship Development - Al Alvarez
Worship - Charlene Davis
Youth Ministries - Tracey Burke