#2017 Vestry Nominees
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2017 VESTRY NOMINEE: JEN TAYLOR
01/10/2017
BY SJECWARRENTON
2017 VESTRY NOMINEE: JEN TAYLOR
To read about other 2017 vestry nominees, click here
My husband, Mike & I have lived in Northern Virginia for 13 years. After growing up in a small upstate New York town, Warrenton quickly felt like home. We currently live in town with our 3 children, Amelia (7), Zachary (5) and Eleanor (2). We are in the process of building a new home just a couple miles away and hope to be moving in the spring! I keep busy being a stay a home mom, volunteering at each of our kids’ 3 schools, traveling to see family & friends (mainly over the summer) to my family’s cottage on Keuka Lake and one of my favorite things to do right now is to run!
I first visited Saint James’ when we were looking for preschools for our daughter, Amelia about 5 years ago. We found exactly what we had hoped for and naturally wanted to become part of the entire Saint James’ Church & School community. One of my greatest experiences at St. James’ is how I felt instantly part of something great – from the very beginning. The Church is so rich with history and traditions is was easy to feel right at home.
I’m proud to be at Saint James’ for many reasons but something that really stands out is the involvement and support of our community. I can’t even name all the outreach that goes on. It’s incredible.
I would like to see Saint James’ continue to encourage and find ways to engage younger families to become involved with both the church and school. Not just to come on Sundays or send their children to school during the week, but to truly get involved!
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2017 VESTRY NOMINEE: SCOTT CHRISTIAN
01/10/2017
BY SJECWARRENTON
2017 VESTRY NOMINEE: SCOTT CHRISTIAN
5 Reasons For Wanting To Serve On The Vestry
After six years as a member, I can say that I love Saint James’—you, the individual members; our common mission & ministry; our campus; our history. You are my second family and home.
Ben Maas, our rector. In many ways Ben represents what is so positive about The Episcopal Church– its brilliant blending of faith and reason, and its inclusive theology based on Christ’s love, all of which make our denomination so vital and necessary in this fast-changing world. Ben is grounded in our Episcopal traditions, particularly our liturgy and music, while simultaneously open to the Holy Spirit as we “see your [God’s] plan unfolding, your purpose emerging as the world is made” (A New Zealand Prayer Book). Ben’s love of Christ, his mental acuity, his emotional health, and his compassion for all of God’s children are an inspiration and a blessing. And we love Anna, Elliott, and Lauralee too.
The school– where faith and reason are interwoven into such an intentionally beautiful mission that all who come into contact with the students, the faculty and the staff are changed for the good. I cannot imagine Saint James’ Church without “and School.” Having spent 35 years working for a number of principals and heads of schools, I can say without any qualification that Stacey Irvin is a jewel- she could cause a fence post to grow roots and a canopy.
Our lay leadership- those who are the servant-leaders of our dozens of ministries and those who serve on vestry. With joy and sweat, dozens of you give so much of yourselves to Saint James’. And a visitor feels that when she walks through any one of our many doors and sees the altar set for worship, or the overflowing bulletin board with ministry announcements, or a Sunday School teacher bent down on a knee talking to a preschooler. As chair of the annual pledge campaign, I have had the opportunity to attend a number of vestry meetings. Bill and Karla have led this dedicated group with a love for God and for each of the members, as well as with dedication, efficiency and humor. We will miss their leadership.
Our faith and our hope for the future is palpable. Our campus is bustling seven days a week, and the time for us to extend our footprint is clearly now, as we begin our third century of ministry in this community. More important than the necessary bricks and mortar is our expanding outreach- the Greeting Ministry, the live broadcast of our worship, our social media communications, Learning Starts Early, the Green Team, the food pantry, along with our Builds, Stephen Ministry, the Free Clinic, the weekly youth group meetings open to any young person, the mission trips, St. Hilda’s embrace of foster children, and our monthly joint church and school service projects. For me, this is why the Church, and Saint James’ in particular, plays such a unique and vital role in our world—we are not just providing food or healthcare or education, we are offering the very love of Christ to our neighbors.
Biographical Information
I was baptized in and worshipped at an Episcopal church for my first 16 years; attended an Episcopal school for 13 years; subsequently worshipped with Unitarians, Quakers and Buddhists for 25 years; then returned to The Episcopal Church on Easter Sunday, 1996.
I have been actively engaged with two other churches: St. Mary’s, Arlington and Emmanuel, Delaplane, where I was on the vestry twice, and where my wife, Helen, is currently Treasurer and Chair of the Altar Guild. When I told her in 2010 that I felt called to leave Emmanuel to join a larger church, she gave me her blessing but said she was staying!
I have recently retired from teaching in our school, and I feel blessed to be able to volunteer at our church and school as well as with an interfaith social justice group and the Faquier Free Clinic. At Saint James’ I have worked with the following ministries: Men’s Group, Stewardship, Lector/Intercessor, Spiritual Formation Groups, Video Streaming, Learning Starts Early, Soroti, and the Choir.
I would be honored to serve on vestry.
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2017 VESTRY NOMINEE: COLIN BORGSTROM
01/10/2017
BY SJECWARRENTON
2017 VESTRY NOMINEE: COLIN BORGSTROM
My name is Colin Borgstrom and I have been a member of the Saint James’ family since 1994. My wife Debbi and I have four children: Samantha (18), Sabrina (16), Zachary (12), and Nathaniel (10). Our family lives in Warrenton and I work for Oak View National Bank in Marshall.
My wife and I move to Virginia from New Jersey in 1994 and were married in Saint James’ parish that year. Over the years, I have been a part of numerous ministries: stewardship, food outreach, café, and audit committee, culminating in a term on the Vestry in the 2010-2012. I have also been the church Treasurer in 2013 and 2014. My family has been very active is establishing the Food for Friends ministry at SJ and using that platform to interact with several local food outreach organizations in Fauquier County. I am also co-captain of the SJ summer co-ed softball team and current coordinator of the wood ministry for the church.
I am proud to be a part of Saint James’ community and the work that is being done here. There is a strong movement of the Holy Spirit throughout our parish and church school that is changing lives. I have seen this in the outreach done outside of our church walls and on the faces of those community members in need that we have helped by providing basic needs (food, warmth, education).
I would love to see the Saint James’ family continue to push forward into more community-based outreach that would allow each parish member the opportunity to experience the Holy Spirit through the act of giving back of the time, talent, and treasure granted to each of us. I am ready to serve on the Vestry to help guide and shape Saint James’ for this and other missions yet to come.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve!
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2017 VESTRY NOMINEE: MARGY EASTHAM
01/10/2017
BY SJECWARRENTON
2017 VESTRY NOMINEE: MARGY EASTHAM
To read about other 2017 vestry nominees, click here
I recently graduated from the University of Virginia with my Master of Public Health degree. I enjoy being active in the community and giving back locally, having previously been involved with the Fauquier Free Clinic, the Town of Warrenton, and the PATH Foundation.
I have been a part of Saint James’ since 2000. Since that time, I have been actively involved in youth programming and the coordination of mission trips to South Carolina and West Virginia – my most cherished experiences with the Saint James’ family.
I am proud to be a part of Saint James’ because of our active involvement in the community. Parishioners give back intentionally both to the church and beyond, making Saint James’ a vital part of our community. Moreover, we are a part of the community that opens its arms to others in their time of need.
I would love to see Saint James’ continue adult education groups throughout the year. I was part of several during my time at Christ Episcopal in Charlottesville, and hope that I can bring some of that experience to Saint James’ as we delve into this important ministry.
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2020 VESTRY NOMINEES
2020 VESTRY NOMINEES
This year’s nominees for Vestry will be voted on at the annual parish meeting on February 9, 2020.
Penny Dart
As the saying goes, “I am not from Virginia but I got here as fast as I could.” Bob and I moved here from Memphis in the summer 1983 and quickly made Saint James our spiritual home.
At the time, our daughters were three and one. They quickly adjusted to the nursery and then to Sunday school. We soon found that Saint James had the best preschool in town, and so Liese began that fall. As the girls grew, they joined the children’s choir, became acolytes and ultimately crucifers. I joined Altar Guild and Bob became active in men’s groups. We were quickly becoming involved in many aspects of the church, and were meeting wonderful people.
Originally from Illinois, I was brought up in the Methodist church. During college, the closest place of worship to campus was an old and beautiful Episcopal church. I found myself drawn not only to the context of the liturgy, but to the meditative rhythm of the service. I was hooked.
I am a graduate of Washington University (St. Louis) with a degree in Physical Therapy, a profession I practiced until retirement in 2013. From 1986-1990, I led a daily exercise class in the parish hall. We were a group of twenty Jane Fonda devotees!
I am now in my 36th year of Altar Guild, having served as its treasurer and most recently as chairman. In the past, I was a member on what was formerly known as the hospitality committee, and was on the vestry sometime in the 90’s. I am currently involved in the Flower Guild, the handbell choir, the cafe, and am a greeter. I would proudly serve on the Vestry of the church I call home.
Bené Giglio
I have been a parishioner at Saint James’ for seven years. I was born in Norfolk, Virginia, and baptized in the Episcopal church. When I was six, my parents converted to Roman Catholicism shortly before moving our family to Richmond.
I attended Shenandoah Conservatory for one year prior to transferring to James Madison University, obtaining a BMME (Bachelor of Music in Music Education). I have been a music educator in Fairfax County Public Schools for 26 years and also hold a MA in Music Education from George Mason University.
My religious journey began in the Roman Catholic Church as my parents were enthusiastically involved in the church. I found their devotion inspiring. I was comforted by the tradition and the familiarity of the Mass. Those connections were and remain meaningful to me.
After college, I felt a bit lost in my faith. I tried out different denominations and loved the community, love and faith. However, I missed the structure, the rites and the music. When I was reintroduced to The Episcopal Church, I immediately felt connected with the music and, as a music teacher/voice major, excited.
The structure of the liturgy was reminiscent of the Sundays of my youth; I felt at home. I also felt something new: a spiritual connection to Christ that I was missing in the Catholic Church.
Since arriving at Saint James’ I have been married and baptized my son in this place. It is truly home.
Jim Kiffney
My name is Jim Kiffney and I have been a member of the Saint James’ family since 2016. My wife, Amber, and I have three children: Eli (11), Owen (9), and Charlotte (8). Our family lives in Warrenton and I work for ASSETT, Inc. in Manassas.
Amber and I move to Warrenton in 2003. When we decided to look for a new church for our family in 2016, we visited Saint James and immediately felt at home. We participated in the adult formation classes when they began in 2017 and I joined the Adult Formation Ministry Team the following year.
One thing I love about Saint James’ is the importance placed on meeting people where they are. There are many opportunities to improve our community, grow in faith through learning, and grow in faith through fellowship, all while helping the next generation grow in their faith. I see Saint James’ as a place where one can ask honest questions and explore the mysteries of our faith without judgment and still remain grounded in a tradition of service.
I am excited to help the Saint James’ family continue to move forward as active members of the Jesus Movement in our community. I hope to help strengthen our services within the community and grow our church as we openly embrace others different from ourselves.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve!
Steve Pearson
Steve was born and grew up in Southern California where he attended St. Columba’s Episcopal Church in Camarillo, CA. For a change from California, he decided to attend college at the University of Michigan where he earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in nuclear engineering. Trading cold and the occasional snow for rain, Steve moved to Portland, OR, where he earned his law degree from the Northwestern School of Law at Lewis and Clark College.
After practicing law for about 5 years in Portland, Steve relocated to Warrenton in 2002 and joined Spiegel & McDiarmid LLP, a Washington, DC law firm specializing in federally regulated energy matters. Steve is now a partner at Spiegel and represents municipally owned utilities, consumer rate advocates, and state utility commissions on electric and natural gas pipeline issues that are decided by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The overarching goal of Steve’s practice is to minimize the rates paid by the consumers served or represented by his clients.
At Saint James’, Steve has been called to serve in several ministries. He regularly can be seen ushering at the 10:15 service. In addition, Steve volunteers with Saint James’ build teams and the firewood ministry. There is a strong link between Steve’s professional work and work with the build teams and the firewood ministry. As an energy lawyer, Steve has become especially conscious of the price of energy and the critical importance of access to energy at affordable rates. For significant numbers of people, including many in Fauquier County, basic electricity service that so many of us take for granted is increasingly unaffordable. Worse, highly efficient appliances and well insulated homes are an unaffordable luxury. As a result, many of the people who can least afford energy use more energy for basics like heating and cooling their homes, refrigerating their food, and washing clothes.
By working with build teams, Steve tries to help those in need improve their homes to be more comfortable and use less energy. But for many local residents that is not enough. They require an alternative source of energy to heat their homes through the winter. With the firewood ministry, Steve helps people who rely on wood stoves and free wood deliveries to heat their homes.
Steve is the proud dad of Abby, a first year high school student at Liberty High School. In his spare time, Steve also enjoys home improvement projects. Having finished his basement, Steve is currently destroying his kitchen and hopes to complete the remodel before the end of the new decade having failed to complete the project by the end of the last decade.
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