Statements of Current Vestry Members of SsAM
These statements were written in the years these members were nominated to the Vestry.
Mary Anne Edwards (2011-2014)
I am honored to be asked to run for the vestry. When I moved back to Wilmington and started attending SsAM in 2006, this church was in transition. Having lived in Chicago for 18 years, I was looking for a culturally diverse church with a progressive approach to urban and spiritual issues. Inspiring and powerful music was also high on the list. Where else could I find this package? I was impressed that even through the agonizing process of picking a new pastor, the parish community pulled together doing what it does best — keeping each other encouraged, hopeful and busy. I have worked on Lenten Lunches, made Christmas wreaths, teamed up with Cindi at the R U New Table to welcome new members and visitors, and joined the AIM committee. To top it off, SsAM started the Drumming Circle, which I love! My corporate background is in sales, marketing and general field management in the healthcare industry. I also worked for community-based organizations for 13 years focusing on job skills education design, and coaching to meet the needs of low-income populations. Should I be elected to the vestry, I would like to help grow SsAM for the future by investigating avenues to attract new church families to this "Spiritually Refreshing" and wonderful church. No matter the results of the election, with such strong candidates SsAM will be in capable hands.
Cecil Gordon (2010-2013)
I am honored to be asked to run for the Vestry at SsAM. Having spent my early childhood years in North Carolina, I was an active member of the Methodist Church as a young adult. A graduate of the University of North Carolina with a degree in Psychology and the UNC School of Medicine in 1980, I relocated toWilmington later that summer. After completion of residency training at Christiana Care I established a private practice in obstetrics and gynecology in 1984. Prior to the formation of SsAM, I was a member of St Matthew’s Episcopal Church. My wife, Yvonne, and I were married at St Ambrose Episcopal Church in Raleigh, NC in September, 1988. We now have two children, Clifton and Cecily, ages 17 and 15 respectively. Our entire family is committed to the ministry at SsAM. In addition to serving as a lay reader, I have been a part of several medical presentations to youth and adult groups in the church. I welcome the opportunity to serve on the Vestry as I strive to continue to grow in the ministry at SsAM.
Jim Linderman (2010-2013)
Being on the Vestry is an excellent opportunity for one to provide useful service to the SsAM faith community. My previous Vestry service was from 2005 to 2008. I found that time to be rewarding. Subsequently, my concentration has been on maintenance issues that have arisen at the church and the Rectory. Also I have served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the SsAM owned company that manages the lease of our parking property to Colonial Parking, Inc. who runs the lot. There have been many changes and improvements to the area around SsAM. The completion of the 701 Shipley Street property is a recent example of the positive role that SsAM can play as part of this overall resurgence. Other new construction and rehabilitation on Market Street, above and below the Christina River, is bringing new shops, apartments and people to our neighborhood. Looking ahead, I see opportunities for SsAM to continue contributing to and benefiting from the ongoing resurgence of the Wilmington downtown community.
Joshua W. Martin III (2011-2014)
I have been a member of SsAM and, before that, St. Matthews since 1974. During that time I was a member of the Chancel Choir and currently serve as a lector. I was co-chair of the successful capital campaign at SsAM and was recently elected to the Disciplinary Board of the Episcopal Diocese of Delaware. I offer my talents as a strong supporter of the diverse ministries at SsAM and its outreach to neighboring communities. Currently, I am a partner in the law firm of Potter Anderson & Corroon LLP, specializing in mediation, arbitration and business counseling, particularly in the areas of telecommunications, public utilities and governmental relations. I am also Chair of the firm's Diversity and Inclusion Committee. Formerly, I was President and CEO of Verizon Delaware Inc., and Resident Judge in the Delaware Superior Court. I chair the Delaware Economic & Financial Advisory Council (DEFAC) and recently served as Independent Monitor for the U. S. Justice Department, overseeing medical and mental health care at Delaware prisons. I serve on a number of corporate and nonprofit boards, including Christiana Care Health System and Winterthur Museum. I endorse the SsAM vision and offer myself as a parishioner, interested in governance, who wants to work collaboratively with the Vestry to aggressively promote this congregation and its mission in serving Christ.
Ida McCall (2010-2013)
My husband, Ben, and I have been active members of SsAM for a little over two years. When we first attended church here, we felt immediately and joyfully welcomed and surrounded by people who were actively living their faith. We knew it was the church home for us. My activities at SsAM include teaching Sunday School, editing the bi-monthly VISION, and ushering. I am also currently participating in the Disciple Bible discussion group, which has helped me to grow in my faith and to feel even more connected to this church family. I’m a cradle Episcopalian from Richmond, Virginia. I’ve also lived in New York and St. Louis, where I went to grad school for poetry and where I met Ben.We moved toWilmington about three years ago, and I now work in the marketing department of Winterthur Museum as a writer and editor. I enjoy reading, biking, taking dance classes, and visiting friends from the different places we’ve lived. I was honored to be asked to serve on the SsAM vestry, and I hope to serve our parish with an open mind and heart while bringing my own unique perspective as a relative newcomer to the table. I look forward to participating even more fully in the life of this community and to seeing the ways our church family will grow and change in the upcoming years.
Nancy Miller (2009-2012)
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 (2009-2012)
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 (2009-2012)
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 (2009-2012)
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.
Matthew M. Shipp (2010-2013)
Matt was confirmed as an Episcopalian on March 22, 1959, at St. Matthews. He served as an usher, member of the Vestry, as junior and senior Warden, assistant Treasurer, Lector, Eucharistic Visitor, Chalice Carrier, and President of St Matthews’ Housing Corporation. He transferred to The Cathedral Church of St John, where he served on the vestry as junior and senior Warden, and President of The Cathedral Community Services. He was elected to Diocesan Conventions from both parishes. On a Diocesan level, he has been elected to Diocesan Council, the Standing Committee, and the General Convention. He Co- Chaired a Diocesan Committee on “Racism in the Diocese of Delaware”, and was a member of the Pilot Congregation. He was a founding member of the board of directors of Sojourners’ Place, and President of the Board during its development stage. At SsAM, he has been coordinator of the Adult Education Forum, and Chaplin to the Bishop.
Cheryl Thomas (2011-2014)
I first visited SsAM in 1997 just after the consolidation of Sts. Andrew and Matthew. After that very first visit, I knew I had found my new spiritual home. I was immediately attracted to the open, inclusive and accepting community. I continue to be blessed by the atmosphere of warmth and friendship fostered by the clergy and shared throughout by the members of this church. Currently, I am a member of the Finance Committee, I enjoy drumming with the Drumming Circle, I am a "counter" of the church's donations and I sing with the ECW "Trouble Choir." Some of my other activities at SsAM have been Chair of the Personnel Committee, Code Purple volunteer, member of the Community and Advocacy Committee, Lighting The Way Campaign, the Discipleship Bible Study, and Reading the Bible in 90 Days. I am currently contributing to the community through the SPEC (Stakeholder, Partnerships, Education and Communication), VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance), and TCE (Tax Counseling for the Elderly) programs. I have also served as a mentor to female prisoners and a tutor with the Literary Volunteers of America. Professionally, I have over 20 years of experience in financial accounting, reporting and analysis with the Dupont Company, and about 4 years as a Financial Advisor. I am humbled and honored to be nominated to join the Vestry at SsAM. Thank You.
Robert B. Young (2011-2014)
I have been a member of the Episcopal Church of Sts. Andrew and Matthew for approximately the past twelve years. At SsAM, I have served as Eucharistic Visitor, Vestry member, Chairman of the Pastoral Care Ministry, Chairman of the Stewardship Committee and a member of the recent Pastoral Search Committee. I have also served in the National Baptist Church, and am an ordained Baptist Deacon. Professionally, I am a trained chemist and have enjoyed a 35-year career at the DuPont Company, serving in numerous technical, managerial and sales/marketing assignments before retiring in 2004. Since then, I have spent over six years serving as Director of Safety and Environmental Affairs at the Delaware River & Bay Authority. I have a strong passion for biblical studies and have pursued that interest at Palmer Theological Seminary in Wynnewood, Pa. I have been richly blessed by God, and seek to utilize my gifts to serve God and to edify the Episcopal Church during these pivotal times for mainline churches.
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About Vestry Elections
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.