Statements of Vestry Members
These statements were written in the years these members were elected to the Vestry.
Statements of Vestry Members elected in 2009
Nancy Miller
My husband, Bunny, and I began attending SsAM over five years ago and eventually became members. We were looking for a diverse church family and attended several other churches before we visited SsAM. As soon as I walked through the church’s doors, I knew it was "right" for us and have never once looked back. I attended Disciple classes two years ago and found it to be more rewarding than I could ever have hoped for. Bunny and I usher on a monthly basis and I, occasionally, am a lay reader. Although I am fairly new to the SsAM church family, I know how important it is to feel “accepted” by any family, whether it be a biological or church family; I know how important it is to have someone to talk to and be a good listener; and most of all I know how important it is to recognize that we are all God's children and each and every one of us brings value to others. If chosen to serve on the Vestry, my concerns would include developing our youth program as they are the future of any church and becoming even more present in our community. I am eternally grateful for the church's mission, the path it has taken and the profound effect it has had on my life.
Monica Oates
I have been a formal member of SsAM for the past three years, after being Received by the Bishop in 2006. I have been married for 17 years and have two children, Alexander and Veronica, who are also faithful members of SsAM. At the urging of Canon Casson, I attended a volunteer recruitment effort at Trinity Church. Since then I have been driven to volunteer and serve the church in many ways. I work closely with the Youth Group, have been a Lector, and have served as recording secretary for the Vestry for the past two years. I look forward to working with the Vestry and the new leadership of this parish to make SsAM a new and innovative staple of this community.
Beatrice Stubbs Polk
Beatrice Stubbs Polk has been an active member of SsAM for approximately eight years. She has participated fully as a Sunday school teacher and assisted with hospitality. In October she assumed the position of Treasurer. She transferred from St. Anne’s of Middletown, where her son Eric was baptized. While there, she also served on the vestry and prior to that was an active member of St. James Millcreek Hundred, where she also taught Sunday school, and was their treasurer for a brief time. Beatrice and her husband of 15 years, Erwin, were married there. Professionally, Beatrice is the Business Manager for a nonprofit, Maternal & Child Health Consortium of Chester County. In this position she is responsible for finances and human resources. During her career, Beatrice has been a bank auditor for over 15 years, been the manager of community relations for First USA Bank, the Executive Director for Neighborhood House, Inc. in Southbridge, a Math Teacher in the Christina School District for four years and most recently a Development Officer at Delaware State University. Beatrice is a product of the Greece, NY (outside of Rochester) public school system, obtained her bachelor’s degree in Economics from the State University of New York College at Buffalo, has a Master’s in Accounting from Widener University and a Master’s in Elementary Education from Wilmington University.
Pat Saunders
Two and a half years ago, I began attending SsAM and was struck by the warm welcome I received by all I met. It has been a pleasure to be part of this wonderful church community. At SsAM, I am a member of the ECW, including working at Lenten Lunches, the Altar Guild, and regularly attend Adult Ed and the healing service. In Wilmington, I have found several ways to volunteer, including the Women's Center of Friendship House. Prior to coming to SsAM, I was a lifelong member of St. Stephen's Church, Mullica Hill, New Jersey, where I was a vestry member and Senior Warden. In my secular life, I am a retired teacher. I look forward to continuing being an active member of SsAM.
Statements of Vestry Members elected in 2008
Charles Annan
I have been a member of SsAM for 21 years and served on the Vestries of both St. Matthew’s Church and Sts. Andrew and Matthew Church. In 1997, I relocated to the Chicago area, where I joined St. Mary’s Episcopal Church and became a Eucharistic Lay Minister, Lector, Communion Assistant and also served on the Vestry for four years. I relocated back to Delaware in 2004 and transferred my membership back to SsAM which I consider my church home and where I receive many blessings and spiritual fulfillment. I am married, have two children (who were both baptized in St. Matthew’s Church), and have been active in the Youth Ministry. I am looking forward to rejoining the Vestry, making a contribution doing God’s work.
Tracy Lea-Dorsey
I was a lifetime member of Saint Matthew’s and have been a member of SsAM since the consolidation in 1996. I am married to Shawn and we have three fabulous children. As a member of Saint Matthew’s and of SsAM, I have participated in or am involved in the following: Front door ministry (usher and greeter), X-group, a women’s spiritual support group, Sunday Breakfast Mission, Supper Club, Sunday School teacher and participated in organizing the Sunday School program, Lighting the Way Campaign (organized and managed financial contributions), highly involved organizer of Wilmington Garden Day (Episcopal sponsored annual charity event), lay reader, Search Committee member for recommendation of Canon Casson, and a participant in helping the two churches consolidate during its inception. I am a strong believer in the power of prayer and as I prayed for guidance on accepting the Vestry nomination, I will ask in prayer, if elected to the Vestry, to be an instrument for God to work through me to help with the betterment of SsAM’s future. It is a very exciting and challenging time at SsAM right now and I am honored to be considered to play a vital role in helping to transition SsAM into this new and upcoming spiritual journey. Thank you for the nomination.
Geoff Sawyer
My wife Alice and I joined St. Andrew’s Church just prior to the consolidation and I was on the first two terms of the joint SsAM Vestry, one year as Senior Warden. Currently, I coordinate the Sunday Breakfast Teams and am involved in the Chapel Sunday service, the 4th Sunday service at Regal Heights Healthcare & Rehab Center, a reader and Chalice bearer, and teach Sunday School once a month. I am also on the board of the Shipley Village Community Development Corp. If elected, I look forward to serving SsAM at this important time when we will be transitioning to new clerical leadership as well as affirming our mission and vision both in the community and in God’s love and growing in numbers, financial stability and outreach activities.
Carol Scott
I have 25 years professional experience administering and facilitating youth and parenting programming in a variety of community, school, and faith-based settings. As a non-profit administrator, my primary focus is developing innovative programs to serve children and families in at-risk, urban communities. My work includes facilitating parenting workshops in a statewide family service agency, YWCA racial justice programming, and inter-generational mentoring at Debnam House Community Center. Currently I am working at the University of Delaware, leading after-school learning center programs in elementary and middle schools throughout the county. A member of SsAM for four years, I have served on the Membership and Advocacy committees, as a counselor for summer Peace Camp, and is a choir member.
Statements of Vestry Members elected in 2007
Walt Cheatham
Currently serving on the Adult Education, Finance, and Property Committees. I am a Former Jr. and Sr. Warden of SsAM and a former member and Vice President of the Diocesan Council. I retired from DuPont as an Engineering Manager after more than 27 years. I am interested in providing leadership during this time of transition time to a new Rector and in developing the next steps for the parish.
Dot Dorsey
I have been married fifty years, and have two daughters, two grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. I'm a retired banker and now am quite active in Parish activities. I was an active member of St. Matthew's from the age of 14 and now a very active, ten year member of SsAM. My activities include Altar Guild, Lector, Usher, chair of Lenten Luncheons, active member and past treasurer of ECW. I have for several years chaired their Christmas Luncheons and some other activities (one year Prayer Breakfast). I am currently involved in banquet and program preparations for Canon Casson's retirement. I have served on Vestries at St. Matthews and on SsAM's first Vestry. I love our Lord, and His Church, and feel in some small way I might have a positive input in its growth and transition, as a Vestry person.
Chip MacKelcan
I started attending St. Andrew's in 1950 and was confirmed here in the 1960s. Upon returning to Wilmington as Head of Sanford School in 1998, I rejoined SsAM and found a touchstone for my reentry into this community. I love the church and the people and know that my life has been enriched immeasurably by the strengthening of my faith through this congregation. I donated a kidney last fall to the husband of my wife's cousin, and I feel certain that my recuperation was accelerated by the many people here who kept me in their prayers. Currently I am serving as a Lector and previously served a term on the Vestry and on several church committees and was asked to deliver two Lenten Luncheon speeches. With the upcoming retirement of Lloyd Casson, SsAM will be experiencing a profound transition. I stand ready to help in any way to sustain the momentum SsAM has generated over the last decade.
Martha Wallin
I have only been a member of SsAM for two years but have found it to be a very welcoming congregation. It has been a great pleasure to meet with such an interesting mixture of people and clergy, which has led me to promptly take part in several church ministries. I currently am a member of the Liturgy, Pastoral Care, and Membership Committees and serve as the Vestry's Recording Secretary. My driving passion at SsAM is to find, and help develop, ways to encourage others, who are now outside our family, to visit, to become excited about this congregation and to become members. My family consists of two children and four grandchildren.
Statements of Vestry Members who served 2006-2009
CAROLYN HAON - I have been a member of SsAM for seven years, and am currently serving as the Chairperson of Pastoral Care. I also coordinate the kitchen for PeaceKids camp, and for the Evensong Pot-Luck dinners. I attend the 8:00 service, and serve as a lector, communion assistant, and Eucharistic visitor. I hope I can be your next American Idol.
HERBERT HARVEY, JR., better known as “Harvey”, has been a member of St. Andrews and subsequently Saint Andrews and Matthews for approximately eighteen years. He has been married for twenty years and has two children. He is owner and CEO of Harvey’s Heating and A/C. He has been in business since 1980. He has been an adult education instructor, and has taught plumbing in a state apprenticeship program at night school for the past 10 years. He has developed strong leadership skills and has the ability to work in groups. He was an alternate delegate for the state convention this year. He has worked on numerous events at the church over the years.
MICHELLE HASTIE - Upon returning to Delaware from Atlanta, my family and I joined SsAM in early 2005. We felt very drawn to SsAM because Gerald and I were married here (formerly St. Andrews) in 1989 and because of the spirit and warmth we felt when we visited. I serve as a member of the Finance and Pastoral Care committees and I am a Lay Eucharistic Visitor. I also volunteer weekly in the office, have worked on the parish census, coordinated the committees for the Diocesan Convention and worked on our new parish banner. My children, Jordan and Tyler, were confirmed here last year and are active members of the Youth Group.
B
OB RICHMOND is a founding member of SsAM. He sings in the Choir, is a Lector, Eucharistic Visitor, Lenten Lunch and Sweat Equity volunteer. For our 10th anniversary celebration, he is on the steering committee and photography team. As a member of the 2006 Diocesan Convention subcommittee, he got SsAM started in recycling materials, to fulfill a resolution which our Vestry presented to the Convention. For a number of years, Bob has been a member of the Pilot Congregation, an inter parish group which meets and worships monthly to combat racism in the Diocese of Delaware. During his spare time Bob leads hikes, sings in two choruses and guides school groups at Winterthur Museum.
Vestry Members are elected at our Annual Meeting, held in June: In addition to voting on Vestry nominees, the annual meeting includes reports from the Vestry and and others, plus a general discussion by all around the issues presented and critical concerns. The meeting usually begins with the Celebration of the Eucharist. The meeting is open to all members and friends of the parish. However, those eligible to vote in the elections and on action before the meeting are those who meet the requirements set forth in Article 6 of the Parish By-Laws: qualified voters are persons who are baptized, at least 16 years of age, and have been an active and contributing member for at least the six months prior to the meeting.