Meet the Vestry
Meet the Wardens and Members of our 2013 All Saints Vestry
Although born in Sweetwater, Texas, Paul considers himself a Nebraskan. His family moved to Lincoln in 1965 when his father received his final assignment from the Army to teach ROTC at the University of Nebraska. Paul graduated from Lincoln Southeast High and then Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. He then returned to Lincoln to earn a Masters degree from UNL. Work took him to St. Paul, Minnesota, where he decided to attend law school. He holds a law degree from the William Mitchell College of Law. After a judicial clerkship with the Minnesota Court of Appeals, life took him back to Nebraska to start a new job in Omaha. In 1987, he married his wife Kyle, who introduced him to All Saints Church and the Episcopal community. Paul and Kyle are blessed with two children, Rachel and Eva. Since joining All Saints, he has served on the search committee to fill the position of Director of Music Ministry and is currently a member of the Stewardship committee. Thank you Paul for serving as our Sr. Warden.
Bryan and his wife Tracy, along with their children, Hanna, Laura, & Kyle have been members of All Saints for 6 years. During that time, he has been a mentor to the Rite-13 group, participated on the Stewardship, Outreach, & Communication Committees and has occasionally been known to get his hands dirty while working with the All Saints Men’s group, “His Helping Hands”. Prior to becoming Jr. Warden he also served three years as a member of the Vestry. There have even been a couple of instances where he has impersonated Saint Nicholas. Bryan says he feels honored to now be asked to serve as Jr. Warden to the Vestry. “I will have big shoes to fill, following in the footsteps of George Rood”, Bryan says… “I look forward to keeping our beautiful building and grounds maintained and looking as great as they can in order to offer a welcoming, warm, and inviting place to worship for all members and visitors to our church."
I have been a member of the All Saints community for over 15 years. I first became involved in the church through St. Margaret's Guild and teaching Sunday school. That led to Altar Guild and serving the Lord at his table. I still serve as a chalice bearer. I participated in several all member canvass campaigns, too. Recently, I chaired the Worship Team and celebrated the culmination of a 4-year EFM spiritual journey with Christ. Now I am an official "ding-a-ling" as part of the bell choir. This past year, I joined the Stewardship Mission Team, worked with the Outreach Mission Team on the Spaghetti Supper, and filled a one-year vacancy on the Vestry.
All Saints has served me well. My son participated in the first Rite 13 and J2A group. My daughter was married here and my first granddaughter baptized. I have made friends and grown spiritually receiving too many blessings to mention. I am honored at the invitation to serve the All Saints community as a member of the vestry.
Phil and his wife Amy, along with daughters Emma (20), Annie (15), and Sophie (14), have been attending All Saints for approximately five years and have become involved in a variety of activities. He has served in different capacities with the AxS service including creating the power point slides, usher/greeter, Chalice Bearer and assisting with the “set-up” of the service. He has also recently joined the “Helping Hands” group.
John and his wife Andrea along with their daughter Kate and son Alex came to Omaha in 2004 as the result of a Naval Military Assignment to Offutt AFB. He had been serving as a Submarine Officer. John and his family found their way to All Saints in 2005 and became active members. After retiring from the Navy in 2008, he took a job with OPPD as an Operations Engineer at the Fort Calhoun Station. Because of that opportunity it enabled John and his family to take up permanent residence in Omaha. He says, “We have truly enjoyed our time and experiences with the many gifted and talented people of our congregation. I was fortunate to serve as the initial Co-Chair alongside Doug Hokenstad for the exceptional group of individuals who comprise the Welcoming and Evangelism Mission Team, an experience that truly cemented my sense of belonging to All Saints." John also participates in Men’s Group activities, Red Cross Shelter efforts and various carpentry projects. His wife Andrea also has been involved with Altar Guild, Bell Choir, the Miller Park outreach program and other activities, including their Foyer Dinner group which has been meeting for over five consecutive years!. Additionally, Kate and Alex have grown and matured at All Saints by participating in J2A, experiencing various mission trips, and serving as Acolytes with Kate also reading as a Lector. John said he looks forward to learning more about All Saints, it's people and in particular the ministry programs.
I am a relatively new member of this remarkable community, having first visited All Saints in the fall of 2008. Although my husband, Michael and I had both been raised in the Lutheran church, we felt at home at All Saints almost immediately. We found the liturgy familiar, but we stayed because of the warm welcome that we received as visitors. I most often attend the AxS service because my youngest son, David (age 8) has autism and sometimes finds the music of the organ to be overwhelming. My older son is Andrew (age 12), who is looking forward to beginning the confirmation program.
I was raised in Omaha, but left to attend college in St. Louis at Washington University. I currently work part-time as a registered principal with Spectrum Capital, a local broker/dealer.
I truly feel blessed that I have already had the opportunity to be a part of the AxS Team and was also involved in the feasibility study for the Raise the Roof campaign. I am honored to have been given the chance to serve All Saints as a member of the Vestry.
I was blessed to have been raised at All Saints and my husband, Craig, and I were married here 25 years ago. We have two children, Katie, who is a senior at UNL, and Robby, who is a senior at Burke High School. I am an attorney at First National Bank.
I have been involved at All Saints over the years as a chalice bearer, lector, Sunday School teacher and J2A mentor and as chair of the Consecration Weekend celebration last fall with Craig. I served on the Vestry from 2003 to 2006 and am looking forward to the opportunity to serve again.
I was born in Escondido, California; my father was career Navy stationed at Miramar NAS near San Diego. When Dad retired, we moved back to my parents' home town of Falls City, Nebraska. A life-long Episcopalian, I was baptized and confirmed at the small parish of St. Thomas in Falls City. I served as an acolyte and attended church camp at Doane College in Crete. Tagged with my first assignment right here in Omaha at Offutt AFB, I volunteered to go overseas. I enjoyed it so much that I decided to re-enlist; what followed was a 24-year career with assignments to Japan, Kansas, England (twice), South Carolina, and finishing at Offutt where I retired in 2000. I currently work for Tyco Integrated Security as Project Manager at Offutt AFB.
My wife Kim and I are the proud parents of Katherine (Kate). My oldest daughter, Kienda, is a student at East Stroudsburg University in Pennsylvania. Kim and I were searching for a church in the Omaha area where we would both feel comfortable, and on the recommendation of one of my Falls City classmates came to All Saints. Our first visit was in 1996, becoming members in 1998, baptizing Kate in 1999 and regularly attending the 8 o'clock service on Sunday. I've been a chalice bearer for several years; Kate is also a lector at the 8 o'clock service. We've felt welcome from the very beginning, and have been blessed to be part of such a great congregation. Kim, Kate and I have been involved with the Mobile Food Pantry for several years, and it made such a lasting impression on Kate that she helped her grandparents set up a food pantry at their local church in Georgia. I truly feel honored to be nominated to serve on the Vestry at All Saints-it is something that I won't take lightly. Since our first visit here, we have been comfortable and feel at home; I hope that is what I can pass on to all members, old and new.
Lynn says she was honored to be nominated to the Vestry of All Saints. She has been a member of All Saints since 1987. She says that both her and her husband Jeff, come from different religious backgrounds. For that reason when they had their family, they found themselves searching for a church they would both feel comfortable attending. She says, "All Saints was a perfect fit for us, and it has been our spiritual home ever since". Their three children, Ross, Derek, and Erin were baptized by Fr. Charles Pedersen and Fr. Michael Tan Creti in a private service in the Chapel on January 31, 1987. Both her and Jeff were confirmed in April of that year. Their children went through the Sunday School Program, J2A, Rite 13, confirmation and were acolytes all four of their high school years. Erin and her husband, Preston, were married at All Saints on July 24, 2010, with Fr. Tom O'Dell and Fr. Emil Belsky concelebrating. Erin and Preston presently live in New York City. Derek and his wife, Laura, live in Waterford, CT. She says, "They have blessed us with our first grandson, Sebastian, and are expecting their second child in May". Ross lives in Omaha and is marrying the love of his life, Kelli, in a destination wedding in July. Lynn was asked to join the Altar Guild in 1991, and has served on the guild ever since. She was Directress from 2000 to 2003, and is currently Co-Directress, having just completed the first year of a three-year term. She has also served on ECW, the Worship Committee, and the Youth Committee. Additionally she has served in the capacity as a sponsor on the Youth Mission trip to Alaska in July, 2009. "That was an experience I will treasure forever", Lynn says. In the last few years, she has been a mentor for two young women and a young man while they were preparing for confirmation, which she says was also an honor and privilege to do. Lynn is currently on the Welcoming and Evangelism Committee, is a greeter, and works periodically in the Pomegranate Shop. Lynn says, "All Saints for Jeff and me is more than a place of worship we go to week in and week out. It is our extended family we love so very much, and it truly is our spiritual home. God has blessed us in every aspect of our lives, and I thank you for this opportunity to serve on the Vestry".
Lori is a life-long Episcopalian. She grew up in the very small St. Luke’s church in Plattsmouth, took a short hiatus while in college and grad school, was married at Trinity (as were her parents), went to Church of the Holy Spirit in Bellevue for a number of years and joined All Saints in 1988. Although most of her family has now converted to Roman Catholicism, she still feels comfortable with the Episcopal Church; its service, openness, structure and familiarity. "I grew up sitting on the left side as you face the altar", Lori says, " except during my son’s wedding, I have never sat on the other side!" "At All Saints", Lori says, "we were warmly welcomed by Fr. Petersen and All Saints provided a Sunday School/retreat program for our two children." Also, they had double church (as they called it) because they attended Brownell-Talbot and the weekly chapel service (although “non-denominational”) was offered by an Episcopal priest. She said, that her husband (Ron Zaysoff) was confirmed at All Saints and later served on the Vestry. Their son Christopher was in the first J2A class and went to the first trips to San Francisco and the Dominican Republic. He was married at All Saints and was thrilled to have Mother Judi officiate since he had come to know her through their shared trip to the DR. Lori said that their daughter Natalie also attended the J2A program and was nearly sent home from NYC when she and Tori Rafael dyed one of the other student’s hair green – fortunately they had an understanding leader. Lori and Ron currently attend the 9:00 service and like its modern format and 35 minutes maximum length. She said that she sang with the 10:30 service choir for some years, and must confess that she misses the full choir at the 9:00 service. "We have enjoyed all the different priests we’ve come to know over the years. Fr. Tan Creti stood with us at the hospital while my mother was dying and married my father several years later in the chapel. I came to know Fr. Tom O'dell when he invited me to sit on the search committee that recommended Laura Palmer as music director and another where we gave our recommendation for Kimberly Fretz to become a deacon." She looks forward to seeing another side of the church at work. As a banker she feels her “talents” lie with something on the finance side, but she also looks forward to getting to know some other All Saints members and most importantly continuing her spiritual growth.
I will be retiring from Union Pacific in February of this year. I have served as senior vice president, Human Resources and most recently as corporate secretary. Prior to joining Union Pacific in 1981, I was an attorney in private practice in Omaha. I have served as a board member of many non-profit organizations. I just finished my term as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Children's Hospital and Medical Center.
I've been a member of All Saints since the late 70s or early 80s. Though I was raised as a Lutheran, I've been drawn to the Episcopal church, and All Saints in particular, because of its inclusiveness. I was a member of the vestry in the late 80s when Fr. Peterson was Rector. My husband, Ron, and I were married at All Saints in 1992. Ron and I both completed EFM under Fr. Tan Creti's tutelage. Currently I am a reader at the 8 am service.
My family also includes my very active 88 year old mother (who lives in Lincoln) and with whom I plan to spend more time in retirement!
Steve and his wife Katie have been members of All Saints ever since they moved to Omaha, almost 30 years ago. Steve states, "At the time, there wasn’t a choice for us on which church to join since Katie’s grandmother, Marguerite Smith was an active member as well as it being the church where her parents, Bob & Sally Hodges were married. Through the years, it has become very clear to me that coming to All Saints was one of the wisest decisions we ever made." Steve says that over the years All Saints has supported him and his family through good times and bad. He has been a member of the Youth Ministry Committee since its inception and has served as co-chair for the past few years. He also serves as an usher, although he admits he has taken some time off of late while he and his wife Katie serve together as mentors to the current J2A group. He has had the privilege of getting to know many of the youth of All Saints, and their families, by traveling with the last four groups on their pilgrimage trips. In addition to everything else going on in his life, , Steve has changed careers, going back to school and obtaining bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Architectural Engineering. He currently works for Morrissey Engineering. Katie is employed at The Nebraska Medical Center and is an EFM graduate. In addition, she serves as a chalice bearer. Their sons have grown up always knowing All Saints as their spiritual home. Rob is now a student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Steven will graduate from Burke High School this spring. Steve says, “They both have many memories, mostly good, from numerous retreats as well as their J2A pilgrimage and mission trips. One of their favorite All Saints activities we have been participating in as a family has been the Flock Feeder’s mission to cook and serve dinner at Siena Francis House." Steve went on to say, “When I was asked to write my “All Saints Bio”, I thought that it would be something I could do in just a few minutes. But the more I thought about what I wanted to include, I kept coming back to the thought that as much as we have become involved in the life of All Saints over the years, it pales in comparison to the level in which All Saints has become involved and intertwined in the fabric of our lives."
“What an honor to be nominated to serve as a member of All Saints Vestry”, says Gary. “This church community excels in so many areas but especially in spiritual growth and in reaching out to others with love”. Gary and his wife, Eloise, became members of All Saints in 2000. They are both natives of North Platte, NE. Their family consists of (3) children, (6) grandchildren and (2) great-grandchildren. Gary not only continues to serve as a greeter/usher but is also deeply involved in the Ministers of Care program. He has also served as a member of both the Worship and Dominican Republic Mission Teams. Other committees he has previously served on include, Discernment, Hymn Selection, and Music Director Search. He is also the current President of The Men’s Club - His Helping Hands.
Mike and his wife Gretchen, have two children, Analiese (8) and Brady (5). They have lived in Omaha since 2000, after moving from Iowa. They have been coming to All Saints since 2003. Mike grew up in the Episcopal Church, attending St. Paul’s Cathedral in Des Moines, IA. He was baptized, confirmed and married there. Mike says he loves many things about All Saints , most notably the community of wonderful people. He is a 1999 graduate of the University of Northern Iowa and holds a degree in Finance and Economics. He received his MBA from Creighton University in 2003. Mike is currently employed by Wells Fargo as a Vice President/Relationship Manager in the Nebraska Regional Commercial Banking Office.