Every year we elect new members to the vestry – our church’s governing body or board of directors – to replace members’ whose terms are expiring. Serving on vestry is an important way to give back to our community by providing leadership after engaging in other aspects of St. John’s community life.
Mark Lindberg, Sr. Warden
When my wife Jenny and I returned to Minneapolis in 2000 after living in Washington, D.C., and overseas, we were very interested in finding an Episcopal Church that had a strong sense of being a welcoming, inclusive community, had a track record of commitment to social justice, and was engaged in meaningful social ministries. We feel so lucky to have discovered St. John’s, four short blocks from our house. There are so many things I appreciate about St. John’s, but perhaps above all, it is the sense of warmth and community that my family and I feel there. I was on the vestry for a term in the 2000’s and have otherwise been involved in our Justice & Service work for a long time, which is a natural extension of my work as a program director at a local private foundation. I am honored to serve as Senior Warden during these challenging and exciting times.
Laura Meister, Jr. Warden
I live in Hopkins with my husband, Danny, and our cat, Curi. Danny is a network engineer and spends his free time mountain biking, playing guitar, and listening to his favorite podcasts. I own a nutrition consultation business and help open nutrition clubs all around the United States. In my free time I enjoy traveling, yoga, and currently designing our cabin we are building on the North Shore in Beaver Bay, MN. While my husband doesn’t participate in church with me, he is very supportive of my own spiritual journey. Currently, we are awaiting a phone call from an adoption agency we are working with to be first time parents. I’ve been worshipping at St. John’s for 4 years. I’ve served as a co-chair on the Rector Search Committee and spent some time on the Racial Equity committee. I’m honored to be asked to serve on the Vestry of this amazing church, and intend to serve well.
Leah Guy, Vestry
I am from a farming family in North Central Iowa and moved to Minneapolis after undergrad. I attended UMN for graduate school and received my Master of Public Health & Master of Social Work. I am now working in humanitarian logistics at Alight (formerly American Refugee Committee). My partner Madi and I started attending St. John’s in the fall of 2017, after moving to the area. We now live on the edge of Powderhorn Park with our little dog, Petey. We love our neighborhood and can be frequently spotted at May Day and Modern Times. I also love being a part of a local church and have been grateful for the opportunities to be involved and contribute to the life of the church over the last several years.
Tim Rowe, Vestry
My wife Jenny and I began attending St. John’s in 2018. I am an administrator with Minneapolis Adult Education, a Minneapolis Public Schools Community Education program that provides free English, GED prep, Adult Diploma and career preparation for adults in north and south Minneapolis. Jenny is a public high school social studies teacher. We live in the Central neighborhood of Minneapolis with our dog Buddy. In our spare time we are slowly building a small off-grid cabin near Grand Marais. Since joining St. John’s I’ve been involved with the Justice and Service Committee and I’m looking forward to serving on the vestry.
Ed Schaefer, Vestry
For the past 10+ years the Schaefers have enjoyed participating in the St. John’s community. You can usually find Ed in the kitchen on Sundays, despite not being a coffee drinker. Heidi loves helping the little ones in Godly Play, and our three girls are currently at various stages in the Confirmation process. Ed grew up next door in Edina, graduated from the University of Minnesota and luckily found a Linden Hills home with wonderful backyard neighbors- the Lindbergs and Sally & Kay. For almost 20 years Ed has worked as a Realtor and managed their rental homes. He enjoys cooking, tending the garden, playing cards and their family dog, Murphy.
.
Mark Slade, Vestry
My family and I have been attending St. John’s for close to 20 years now, which seems impossible. We have raised both our children, Marcella, a junior at Washburn, and Harper, a fifth-grader at Barton, in St. John’s. As such, we immensely value the people and values of this church and all that brings to the community. I personally have been involved in teaching Sunday School, working with the youth groups, and volunteering with Urban Homeworks, First Nations Kitchen, and other various events throughout the years. I strongly appreciate the thoughtfulness and intentionality of our church and look forward to learning and being a part of that process. In my personal life, when I’m not chasing my kids and dogs around, I enjoy spending time running, biking, camping, and embracing the outdoors as much as possible. I’m excited for this new opportunity to serve our amazing spiritual community.
Susan Tapp, Vestry
I moved back to Minneapolis in 1991 after living in Boston and Washington DC for about 20 years. In DC I lived a few blocks from St. Marks, Capitol Hill, where Michele Morgan now serves, and I became a member there at the suggestion of a friend—my first exposure to the Episcopal Church after growing up Methodist. When I moved back to Minneapolis, after being away for over 20 years, I was happy to find St. John’s just a few blocks from my newly purchased house. I am a retired technical writer who keeps busy with book clubs, gardening, the Linden Hills History Study Group, and St. John’s Justice and Service Committee. I am an enthusiastic supporter of the Northside Achievement Zone and I’m happy to see St. Johns and ECMN working toward peace and prosperity on the Northside. In the past I have volunteered with St. John’s in various roles, and on trips to Haiti, Guatemala, and Habitat house building projects down south. I am happy to be able to serve on the Vestry again.
Mike Walters, Clerk
Mike Walters was born in Dearborn, Michigan. He came to Minneapolis in 2007 along with his spouse and outgoing Senior Warden, Stacy Walters. He is a medicinal chemist by training and a technologist by avocation. He is currently attempting to discover and develop a drug to treat cognitive disorders. Mike has been a vestry member, and Junior and Senior Warden in the past few years. He and Stacy went along for the last Pilgrim’s trip to Spain and journeyed to Alabama on one of St. John’s Habitat for Humanity trips. He has also facilitated Sunday School, Adult Formation, and pop-up book studies. He is proud to be an acolyte, lector, and general presence around the church. Stacy and Mike have two children, John, and Nicole. Nicole introduced Mike and Stacy to St. John’s when they arrive in MSP and was a vestry member when Mike was Junior Warden. John and Alissa Broz Walters were married at St. John’s ten years ago. Mike looks forward to being clerk.
Hillary Clayburgh, Delegate
Hillary Clayburgh moved to the Morningside neighborhood in 2018 with her family and found St. John’s shortly after. After joining as members with her husband Peter in 2019 she has helped to teach Sunday school and join discussions with the Public Safety Team ministry. Hillary’s children (Henry & Abby) participate in the chime and children’s choir program. Hillary is looking forward to the opportunity to serve St. John’s as a delegate to ECMN.
