Meet the Vestry!
Meet the members of the St. Mary's Vestry, our church's governing board.
Sara Stoops, Outreach Ministries
in her first term, 2023-2025
Outreach Ministries focuses on leading St. Mary’s in serving the needs of the community, state, and world through activities and events in which we share of ourselves in Christ’s name. This ministry group helps support outreach ministries such as providing food and/or meals various local organizations, outreach to homeless persons, support for Millennium Development Goals, and distribution of outreach grant money from St. Mary’s.
Tell us about yourself:
I am a long-time Alaskan and retired teacher with most of my years spent at Chinook Elementary. I have been blessed with 2 boys and one grandchild from each of them - Amelia and Graham. It has been my joy to do daycare, either full or part time for both of them at various times, and to watch and encourage them into becoming best friends. I love to garden, read, play music with a marimba group, Knock on Wood, and to participate in the rich and wonderful life at St. Mary’s.
What do you value and love at St. Mary’s?
I was first enticed to come to St. Mary’s because of the great music. Also, the church seemed to be on the forefront of the social justice movement in Anchorage. I was new to the abundance of liturgy and the sincerity of the pastoral staff drew me in. The spirit-filled worship was just what I was craving. What I grew to love more and more was the people. The ethos of the congregation as a whole pours out love, service, and care for one another and the wider community.
Where do you believe God is calling us as a community of faith in the years ahead?
I believe God’s call on St. Mary’s is to continue being the hands and feet of Jesus, serving those in need in large and small ways and nourishing the faith and community life of our congregation. I believe we should always keep hearts and minds open to nudges from the Spirit for ways to expand our ministry in service to the common good.
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