The vestry of St. Thomas' is chaired by the rector and served by twelve members, who are elected by the congregation to oversee the well being of the parish. The vestry is organized to reflect the mission and vision of the church, and each vestry member has an area of responsibility. The vestry is assisted by the treasurer, the register, and the staff of the church. The work of the vestry is governed by the Canons of the Episcopal Church.

Vestry Members

Class of 2010

Jack Austin: Warden 

 Jack Austin - Vestry

My wife Suzanne and I have lived in Ginter Park for 24 years (and in Bellevue for nine years before that).  We became members of St. Thomas in 1984.  We have three adult children and six grandchildren, all in the Richmond area and all involved in their individual churches.  I work for the Division of Legislative Services, providing legal and research support for the Virginia General Assembly.  I also taught political science, full-time or part-time, for many years at VCU.

I have served on the vestry three previous times, each with a different Rector and at different stages in the life of St. Thomas', and have been Senior Warden.  I have been on a number of committees (worship and stewardship have been consistent interests) and helped in various ministries such as CARITAS.  I either am or at some point have been Eucharistic Minister and Visitor, Lay Reader, Prayer Reader, Usher, Greeter, Alter Flower Deliverer, and Driver.

St. Thomas' is challenged to expand current programs and seek new avenues for the exciting ministry and mission that have grown here.  I believe that we - congregation, clergy, and vestry - must work together in mutual love and respect to discern God's will for St. Thomas' and to build a consensus around the vision that is revealed to us if we are going to get things right.  I seek to be a positive and supportive part of a vestry team that works to make this happen.  I also expect a personal blessing from doing so.  Experience alerts me to the challenges and simple hard work involved in being a vestry member.  But experience also tells me of the spiritual growth and refreshed enthusiasm that can come with vestry service.

John W. Knapp, Jr.,Warden

John Knapp - Vestry

As Director - Government Affairs, John is responsible for overseeing Verizon's interface with state and local governments in Virginia and the coordination and handling of public policy issues.  Additionally, he leads Verizon's economic development and broadband public policy efforts in the state.

John is a native of Virginia who grew up in Lexington and graduated from Wake Forest University in 1983 with a degree in mathematics.  In 1987, John earned a Master of Engineering degree in systems engineering from the University of Virginia. 

He began his career with C&P Telephone Company -- now Verizon Communications -- in June of 1983.  His early career was spent in management positions in engineering, but he later moved on to a number of other diverse areas, to include capital management, operations, marketing, external affairs, regulatory, and corporate compliance.  He began his current assignment in December 2003.

John is actively involved in the community, serving on the boards of a variety of organizations and government commissions over the years.  He currently serves on the boards of the Virginia Chamber of Commerce, Virginia Capital, LLC, and the Heart of Virginia Council of the Boy Scouts of America, and is a Governor's appointee and sub-panel chair on the Secure Commonwealth Panel.

John retired with over 24 years of service in the Virginia Army National Guard and Army Reserve.  He rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and retired after 4½ years as Commander of the 229^th Engineer Battalion in Fredericksburg, Virginia.

He and his wife -- Fay Eure -- live in the Ginter Park community of the City of Richmond with their son, Johnny.

Gary Gallagher: Property

Garry Gallagher

I was born to John and Brigid Gallagher in London, England 2 December 1957, and raised in County Wicklow, Ireland as an Irish Roman Catholic. I came to the U.S. in 1982 and Richmond in 1996.I married Katherine Mazur at St. Matthias Episcopal Church in May 2003. We came to Ginter Park in December 2004 and joined St. Thomas' Spring 2005. Our son Joseph was born July 2005 and baptized at St. Thomas' in November 2005. I am founder and president of Development Strategies, Inc., which specializes in commercial real estate development Since joining St. Thomas', I have been very impressed and moved by how the St. Thomas family embraces and embodies the word and works of God.  I served on the Oystoberfest Committee and have enjoyed being a member of a St. Thomas' Supper Club. I feel called to apply my times and talents to the works of the church and the betterment of the community at large.  My special talent is a strong head for business with a particular emphasis on buildings, grounds, and the like.  

Linc Sparks: Finance  and Long Range Plan

Linc Sparks - Vestry

I was born in Ashland, Kentucky on January 27, 1939, and married Grace Scheidt on June 27, 1964. We have been blessed with three children, Elinor Marie Sparks Staropoli, Carolyn Esther Sparks Ditchendorf, James Lincoln Sparks, Jr.; two sons-in-law, Robert Peter Staropoli, Charles Frederick Ditchendorf and five grandchildren, Cyrus James Ditchendorf, Sophia Marie Staropoli, Elijah Henry Ditchendorf, Peter James Staropoli, Liliana Grace Ditchendorf. I retired from AT&T Communications, Inc., New Jersey; in July 1997. I have been active with the following organizations: Chair of Towson YMCA; President of Church Council, Divinity Lutheran Church, Towson, MD; President of Church Council, First English Evangelical Lutheran Church, Richmond, VA; Chair Stuart Circle Parish Council, Richmond, VA. Member of Hexagon Players, Mendham, NJ; Member of the Choir, Grace Lutheran Church, Mendham, NJ; Volunteer with Richmond Habitat for Humanity, providing Construction Labor, from 1997 to present. At St Thomas I have served on the Property Committee and Co-chaired with Grace the Kitchen Sub-committee. I have also joined the Choir for Special occasions and provided Solo singing (on rare occasions).

I believe that the Holy Spirit is calling me to service. I trust that my experience on other Church Boards and Community Organizations will be of benefit to St. Thomas' Congregation.

Class of 2011

Nathan Beck: Faith Formation

Nathan Beck - Vestry

I have been fortunate to have attended a variety of churches; Quaker, Baptist, Lutheran and to have been confirmed here at St. Thomas.  My wife and I were married in the Episcopal Church, in Winchester, which she grew up in.  We both came to Richmond in the mid to late 80's for college.  I started out in the accounting industry, leaving after becoming a CPA, then pursued antique sales and real estate investments.  I now work as a realtor, utilizing my experience to help others locate and transfer property efficiently.  Heather and I have two daughters, Emma and Eva, 11 and 8 years old, respectively.  They love and value taking part in activities at St. Thomas and the area community.  We started attending St. Thomas in 2001-2, after enrolling in the Day School.  My blessings include, but not limited to, wonderful daughters, family, St. Thomas' family and community friends, that bring laughter, joy and challenges.  I have participated in different "pieces" of St. Thomas' including; stewardship, driving, faith and fellowship, ushering, greeting, day school and long range building.  I enjoy, when possible, bicycling, sea kayaking and collecting "the best" sea shells, while walking on any beach.  As a family, we always look forward to and cherish the fellowship at Shrine Mont, supper club and many other St. Thomas events.

Jennie Eckert: Parish Life

Jenny Eckert - Vestry 

I have lived in Richmond most of my life and grew up in the Methodist Church. Phil and I began attending St. Thomas' in 1986 when our daughter, Katie, was one year old. I was confirmed in 1987. At St. Thomas' I have served as a Sunday School teacher, Women of St Thomas Scholarship chairperson, yard sale cashier, and CARITAS site manager. I was a long-time member of the Shrine Mont Committee and organized at least 10 Shrine Mont retreats between 1990 and 2003. In 2007, I audited the church's financial records with John Knapp and made several recommendations to achieve full compliance with diocesan standards. I have previously served and am currently serving on the financial committee.  St. Thomas has played a very important role in our lives and we saw our daughter grow up there with so much support and caring.  I worked as an accountant and financial systems manager for Reynolds Metals Co. and Alcoa, Inc. for 32 years. I have been happily retired since February, 2007. I am an ardent fan of VCU basketball, a Director of the Richmond Wine Society, and a volunteer at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, and Meals on Wheels food kitchen.

Susannah Raine-Haddad: Outreach

Susannah Raine Haddad - Vestry

I grew up in a small Episcopal church in southwest Virginia, was confirmed there and was an acolyte there.  My husband John grew up Catholic and as an adult did not want to attend a "high" church, but the Episcopal Church is all I had ever known, so we were "shopping" for churches-- attending both St Thomas and the Unitarian church sporadically. Five years ago we had a tragedy and Sue and some of the members gathered around us, enveloped us, and from that moment we knew where our home was. After that particular crisis, along with several other personal losses, I began to question, not the fact of my faith, but how God plays a role in my life in day to day practical terms.  I love the welcoming atmosphere St Thomas has, never judging anyone, and of just loving one another.  I have had the good fortune to be a stay at home mother for the last few years, after teaching high school art in a public school for 8 years. Raine (4) and Rye (3) both attend the Day School, of which I am a Board Member. I am involved with several committees with the school and volunteer my time there also.  At church, I was involved in the Mom's Morning Group from 2005 until it disbanded in 2007.  The members of this group organized a Kids' Yard Sale, which we are planning for the 3^rd year, and give a third of our profits to St Thomas.  I was on the Vacation Bible School committee and helped with registration in 2008.  I was in charge of the decorations for the Auction in 2006 and 2007; and took over as a Co-Chair in 2008, as well as for this year's event.  Our family has attended Shrine Mont for the past 3 years. When the new altar was put in in 2007, I led the children in the art project to paint the back side.  John and I have been members of a Supper Club for the last 4 years and we are the lead couple this year.  Our family has also volunteered with Caritas since we began attending St Thomas.  I served on Altar Guild from 2006 - 2007 but needed to devote more of my time to the Auction and ended my involvement with this ministry.  I have been a reader of the Prayers of the People for the last 2 years. I was on the Centennial Committee during part of 2006- 2007 and was charged with organizing the artist displays for a Fair that was being planned. In the fall of 2008, I took over the Meals Ministry and arranged a website for easy communication among members; our volunteer membership is now at around 40 people.  Last year John and I led a group during Sunday School also.  Although my primary responsibility is raising my children and being "House Manager", I am also a painter and paper artist and enjoy my alone time and being "centered" while my children are in preschool, and make a few bucks.  Needless to say, I like being involved and think it is important to use our gifts; and I enjoy the gift of caffeine to be able to do all this stuff.  I am really honored to be a part of this group. 

Philip Hunnicutt: Hospitality 

Phil Hunnicutt - Vestry

I grew up in a Lutheran church where my parents were charter members and my father actually built the original church. In high school, I attended Trinity Episcopal for a couple of years and was exposed to the Episcopal Church.  There was a long break in my church life until 15 years ago when I had a major life change that was only possible because of rediscovering my higher power. When I met my wife Wiley, she was in the process of being confirmed at St. James. Actually, Sue did our premarital counseling before we got married. Later, we started going to St. Mary's Episcopal where our son Zack was baptized and did enjoy it until I was hired at Collegiate to teach: so many of my students were members that it was hard to have any privacy. We attended St. Matthias Episcopal for a time where Lily was baptized. We loved the rector but never felt a connection to the congregation. At the suggestion of the Hudgins, we came to St. Thomas. I had never been involved with service in a church before, but I was quickly called to serve. I have been driving James Robinson to St. Thomas once a month for three years, and we feel like we have another family member. I have spent the night with Caritas for the past three years, helped June with the children's activities, and have served on the annual auction committee for the last two years. Our family was lucky enough to be able to go to Shrine Mont for the first time this year and plan on making the trip every year. St. Thomas has added so much to our family's life. Our children actually like coming to church - most of the time. In my life outside of St. Thomas, I teach second grade at Collegiate School where I am on many committees dedicated to diversity. I am a member of an adult diversity group in the Richmond community that meets every six weeks, I serve on the board of directors for Southampton Recreation Association, Additionally, I have led service trips to Honduras and try to pitch in whenever I see someone in need. I love my family, my church, and the outdoors.

Class of 2012

Ted Smith- Stewardship

Ted Smith

 Maria Candler - Newcomers

Maria Candler

Ron Rechenbach-Property and Hospitality

Fiona Tower- Worship