The Clergy of Saint Paul's
The Reverend Thomas D. Miles, Rector
Father Tom was ordained in 1976 and has served congregations in Western Kansas and Nebraska before coming to Saint Paul's in the Diocese of Kansas in 2002. He has been active in the Cursillo community as a spiritual director in various venues. He has also been known to help out music teams with his string bass. He is a member of the Little Apple Chorus and a barbershop quartet called the Men of A Chord.
Having served on a number of diocesan committees and task forces, Father Tom is most concerned with the task of Evangelism. That is his number-one priority. He thinks Saint Paul's is the best place to be and to worship. He knows Jesus is the best master to serve.
The Venerable R. Charles Pearce, Archdeacon
- Phone: 785-776-9427 (Church Office)
Charles has been assigned to Saint Paul's parish since 2000, when he was ordained to the diaconate. In addition to being deacon at Saint Paul's, Charles is also one of two archdeacons of the diocese and accompanies Bishop Wolfe when he makes parochial visits to parishes in the western half of the diocese and provides oversight and pastoral care to the deacons of that area as well.
Charles is a professor of journalism and mass communications at Kansas State University, and is currently on a leave of absence from Mercy Regional Health Center where he is an on-call chaplain and has served as a volunteer police chaplain for the Riley County Police Department.
The Reverend Michael Bell, Campus Missioner
As Campus Missioner, Michael is chaplain and priest to each of the university and college campuses in the western half of the diocese. Although a member of the diocesan staff, Saint Paul's has a special relationship with Fr. Michael, who celebrates the Eucharist and preaches here once a month.
The Staff of Saint Paul's
Eleanor Blaker, Parish Administrator
Eleanor Blaker has been parish administrator of Saint Paul's for nearly 30 years. She is the backbone of the parish, maintains the office, and is active in a variety of other ministries including The Encore Shop, Altar Guild, Parish Life Ministry and more.
Carol Connizzo, Treasurer
Carol has been Treasurer of Saint Paul's since 2007, but was treasurer for a number of years previous to that. She maintains the books and financial records of the parish and is invaluable in developing the annual budget. Carol, along with her husband, are recipients of the Bishop's Chair, an award given to one or two dedicated lay people each year by the bishop.
Virginia Houser, Organist
Saint Paul's is extraordinarily fortunate to have as organist a person with such tremendous talent. By day, Virginia is professor in the Department of Music at Kansas State University. In addition to the talent she brings to our organ and piano, Virginia frequently brings students and other faculty to enhance our worship music with their skills and talents.
Nancy Walker, Music and Choir Director
Nancy Walker is a retired high school French teacher, and since being named choir director, has transformed our choir into the best little church choir in town. Nancy assists the rector in choosing worship music for Sunday services and conducts rehearsals. Contact Nancy if you're interested in joining our choir.
The Wardens and Vestry of Saint Paul's
Dale Shipps, Senior Warden
Senior Wardens in the Episcopal Church are lay persons nominated by the rector and confirmed by the parish by vote at the annual meeting. The Senior Warden works with the priest and other clergyin administering the operations of the parish. Dale Shipps was elected in 2011 and serves at the pleasure of the rector until 2014. Dale is a retired professor of Education from Kansas State University. He has previously served as member of the vestry and volunteers at Mercy Regional Health Center.
Larry Nelson, Junior Warden
The Junior Warden in the Episcopal Church is often referred to as "the people's warden" because he or she is nominated by the vestry and elected by the parish at the annual meeting. Junior Wardens are typically in charge of the building and grounds of the parish, and make sure that maintenance and repairs are taken care of. Larry is retired educator and School Superintendent.
Our Vestry
Vestry members are lay people elected for three-year terms by the parish at the annual meeting. The vestry goes beyond oversight of the business of the parish as servant-leaders responsible for identifying and deeloping programs of education for all parishioners and opportunities for individual and corporate spiritual growth. They act as "eyes and ears" of the Body of Christ as manifested in the people of Saint Paul's parish.
- Liz Kolstad (2012)
- Lynn Parsons (2012)
- Iona Learned (2012)
- David Littrell (2013)
- Virginia Houser (2013)
- Jerry Phillips-Zee (2013)
- Connie Cattell (2014)
- Jim Fuller (2014)
- David Thompson (2014)
