Leadership

The clergy and leadership of St. John's.

Rector Search

St. John’s is currently searching for a new rector! For more information, email us at [email protected] or view our parish profile.

The Rev. Pam Renna

Associate Priest

The Rev. Dr. Pamela Renna, though a longtime resident of Saginaw, is orginally from southern Oregon.

Pam assists with worship services on Sundays and Wednesdays, and provides oversight for our team of Lay Eucharistic Visitors (people who take Holy Communion to those in the hospital or at home). She also works to strenghten the Invite/Welcome/Connect ministry at St. John’s.

Pam is a retired Delta College French professor and travels frequently to France.

Email the Rev. Pam

Dr. Kevin Simons

Director of Music & Organist

Kevin has been Director of Music and Organist at St. John’s since 2002, in which time he has developed a thriving choral music program. Under his direction, our choir has grown to include major works such as Luigi Boccherini’s Gloria, and the Missa Brevis in D Major of Mozart. In addition, he works to develop leaders in church music through the Choral Scholar and Voice for Life youth choir programs. Kevin is also the Director of Choirs at Saginaw Valley State University, directs the Sewanee Church Music Conference, and is an active member of the American Guild of Organists.

Email Kevin

Amy Simons

Director of Christian Education

Amy has been with St. John’s since 2007 and has served in various positions, now exclusivly as Director of Christian Education. Her bachelor’s degree in education and her recent completion of the FORMA Children’s Ministry certificate program have launched Amy into new ministry initiatives for Children’s & Youth Formation.

Email Amy

Al Gissendanner

Sexton

Al has served as our church sexton since 2007 picking up where his father, Jim Gissendanner, left off. Al maintains St. John’s facility, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, with meticulous care and dedication, and sees his work as an act of service to God. The people of St. John’s are grateful to have such a dedicated sexton sharing in their ministry.

Elected Leadership

The Vestry

Lucas Curell

Senior Warden

Email Sr. Warden

Mike Cierzniewski

Member

Wendy Biggs

Junior Warden

Email Jr. Warden

Kathy Coman

Delegate-at-Large

Barb Ilkka

Clerk

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Nanette Fein

Vestry Member

Email Vestry

What is the vestry?

The Vestry is the elected leadership of the church. At St. John’s, it consists of nine members, elected in three classes of three at each annual meeting. It’s the responsibility of the Vestry to maintain and ensure the property of the parish, supervise investments, with consultation with the Rector authorize staff terms of employment, and act in support of the Rector in whatever is appropriate for the furtherance of the Gospel.

What do Vestry members do?

The Vestry meets once a month and acts as the executive team to the Rector. The two wardens serve as the legal representatives for all business of the church and serve as the judges of church elections. The treasurer looks after the funds and disbursement of monies of the church. The clerk keeps up the records. The remaining five members comprising the Vestry work with the wardens, treasurer, and clerk to perform the additional duties of the Vestry as listed above.

Who can be on the Vestry?

Any adult member of the congregation (16 years of age or older) who also:

has been baptized
has made a “mature affirmation of faith” such as having been confirmed or received
participates in regular worship
is supportive of the ministries of the parish
is not a relative or immediate family member of anyone currently serving on the Vestry
is not a relative of a current staff member
understands the expectations of a serving member of the Vestry and is willing to commit to parish leadership
is able to be bonded (as necessary)

Committee Leadership

Marcia Hoffman

Altar Guild

Ray Ilkka

Building & Grounds

Burris Smith

Treasurer

Paul Schaub

Verger / Financial Secretary