Clergy and Staff - St. Thomas' Church, Whitemarsh

The Rev. Paul Briggs

Interim Rector

pbriggs@stthomaswhitemarsh.org or call: 215-233-3970 x120

The Reverend Paul Briggs joins us as Interim Rector just in time for Christmas. We are in great hands with Paul’s leadership. Paul’s gifts and experience make him the ideal priest to lead our congregation to listen for where we are called next to serve the Lord. Paul will help us to create intentional space for purposeful, active listening about hopes and dreams. Paul is married to The Rev. Barbara Briggs, who is also an Episcopal priest. Paul and Barbara have four children: Meghan, Joshua, Matthew, Caleb, and three grandchildren: Henry, Wilder, and Clive. Please visit with Paul during Coffee and Conversation on Dec. 23rd, 30th and the Epiphany All-Parish Breakfast on January 6th.

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The Rev. Elizabeth Costello

Associate Rector

ecostello@stthomaswhitemarsh.org or call: 215-233-3970 x122

The Reverend Elizabeth Costello (“Liz”) joined St. Thomas’ Church as Associate Rector and Chaplain to St. Thomas’ Preschool in 2017. Liz serves as the clergy liaison to Outreach, Pastoral Care, and Worship, Music, and Arts. What keeps her going in ministry is the opportunity to hear people’s stories of faith and to spiritually companion them as they grow deeper in their relationship with God in Christ.

Liz has worked for the church since 2010. She has served as Associate Rector at Christ Church (Ridgewood, NJ), Curate at Saint John’s Cathedral (Denver, CO), and Camp Director for the Diocese of Colorado. She has also served as a Director of Christian Formation at Holy Comforter Episcopal Church (Burlington, NC), Children & Youth Worker at St Peter & St Paul Parish (Great Missenden, England), and Missioner for the Community of the Franciscan Way (Durham, NC).

Liz holds a Master of Sacred Theology (STM) from Yale Divinity School and a Master of Divinity (MDiv) from Duke Divinity School.

In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, outdoor activities (hiking, skiing), going to art museums, reading, traveling, and cooking vegetarian meals. Liz and her family, The Reverend Joseph G. Wolyniak (also an Episcopal priest!) and their toddler Evelyn Thérèse Costello-Wolyniak are thrilled to be part of the St. Thomas community.

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The Rev. Tim Steeves

Priest Associate

timsteeves123@gmail.com or call: 267-626-7528

My name is Tim Steeves, and I would like to take this opportunity to introduce (and reintroduce) myself as your new “Priest Associate” for St Thomas’. As our parish enters into an interim period (“Interim” is a Latin word that essentially means “for the time being”) it will be my pleasure to be with you on a part-time basis to help out with Sunday services and pastoral visits. Marek Zabriskie, my friend and former boss has served as your Rector over twenty years, has been called to bring his considerable gifts to an exciting rectorship in the Diocese of Connecticut. In the meantime, I will be on hand to help out in any way that I can until a discernment committee of the parish completes its important task of finding a new tenured Rector for St. Thomas’.

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Erika Bower

Children and Youth Minister

ebower@stthomaswhitemarsh.org or call: 215-233-3970 x128

Erika, a Texas native, joined the staff of St. Thomas’ Church in 2017 as the Children & Youth Minister. Previously the Assistant Director of Children Ministries at Saint Michael and All Angels in Dallas, Texas, she comes to us with 12 years experience in early childhood education. She is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s Degree in Religious Studies at Arizona State University. In addition to her ministry at St. Thomas’, she also serves as co-chair of the Executive Council of the Diocese of Pennsylvania Youth Leaders. She resides in Flourtown with her husband – Phil, their two children – Philip and Liliana, two dogs – Delilah and Samson, and two cats – Sugar and Spice.

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Michael Smith

Minister of Music

msmith@stthomaswhitemarsh.org or call: 215-233-3970 x113

Michael was the Chair of Performing Arts PreK-12 at the Shipley School, where he oversaw a comprehensive performing arts curriculum and conducted the middle and upper school choirs. He also served part-time as the Organist and Choirmaster at the Church of the Good Shepherd. He had the widest breadth of musical background of those we interviewed in our national search.

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Emily Given

Director of Engagement & Communications

egiven@stthomaswhitemarsh.org or call 215-233-3970 x126

Emily’s background in social work, Christian formation, professional organizing, and non-profit administration provides a unique and diverse depth of experience to offer in her work as Director of Engagement & Communications. Before joining our staff, she was a Director of Children and Family Ministry in Dallas, TX. Emily, a mixed media artist, is the mother of two daughters, McKenzie and Scout, and a corgi-shepherd mix named Sherman.

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Lizanne Kelly Vernacchio

Parish Administrator

lizanne@stthomaswhitemarsh.org or call: 215-233-3970 x111

As a prior Business Manager for two churches and schools, Lizanne brings over sixteen years of business and operations experience to our parish including the areas of accounting/finance (budgeting, forecasting, and daily accounting functions), human resources (retirement plans, medical coverages, and personnel issues), building and grounds maintenance, fundraising, and social event planning.
Lizanne resides in Fort Washington with her husband and son.

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Anita C. Burke

Administrative Assistant

aburke@stthomaswhitemarsh.org or call: 215-233-3970 x121

Anita is the Administrative Assistant, coordinates baptisms and weddings and performs a myriad of other administrative duties that support our church. Anita has been on staff since 2000 and is a member of the church. She is graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, enjoys reading, gardening, speed walking and playing tennis. Anita lives in Oreland with her husband Tom. They have a daughter, Kelly.

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Paul Deck

Weekday Sexton and Facilities and Grounds Coordinator

Paul has worked at St. Thomas’ since 1989, he is the longest serving employee at the church, and was first hired as Grounds Crew Laborer. He was then promoted to weekday Sexton by Interim Rector Phyliss Taylor. Paul is also a drummer and has performed at many St. Thomas’ events, as well as around the Philadelphia area. Six years ago he found a family of kittens in the window well of the Schoolhouse. Paul found a mother at the nursery school who is a veterinarian and they all got homes, however Ruthie stayed with Paul and resides at the barn.

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Lisa J. Lonie

Carillonneur

llonie@hotmail.com or call: 215-233-3970 x143
Lisa has been Carillonneur of St. Thomas and Director for the Summer Concert series since 1999. She performs on the 20 ton, 48 cast bell carillon before and after worship services, special events, funerals and weddings.

Shari Petrakis

Preschool Director

sharip@stthomaswhitemarsh.org or call: 215-233-2923

Shari has a B.S. in Psychology from Gannon University and a Masters in Social Work from Bryn Mawr College. She has worked with children in the school setting and home setting for 17 years, before coming to St Thomas Preschool. Her last five years were working for the Intermediate Unit with children with Autism, as a Behavior Specialist. Shari worked in many school districts throughout Delaware and Montgomery County. Shari is originally from Pittsburgh, PA (Go Steelers!) and moved to the Philadelphia area in1998. She live in Lafayette Hill with her husband, Chris, her daughter, Alexis (9) and her son, CJ (7). She also has a dog Chase Mutley. Shari’s interests outside of work are running and family time. She spends most of my weekends moving from activity to activity with her children and her husband. Shari says that she “chose this school for my son because of the nurturing and loving environment. The teachers are what makes this school so special. I am blessed to have been a parent here and now to be the Director of an extraordinary place like St Thomas’ Preschool”.

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Don Schweiger

Facilities Staff

Don is a member of the facilities staff, and among the usual duties of landscape and building maintenance, also is responsible for all the machinery maintenance and repair.

Sue Kovalcik

Parish Accounting & Finance

suek@stthomaswhitemarsh.org or call: 215-233-3970 x112

Sue is the bookkeeper for St. Thomas’. These duties include processing the donations received, accounts payable, payroll and all other aspects of the job in order to assure financial accuracy for the Church, Preschool, Cemetery and Second Saturday Sales. She aides in the preparation of monthly finance reports as well as provide specialized reports for specific committees and events.

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Phil Bower

Facilities Staff

philbower@stthomaswhitemarsh.org or call: 215-233-3970

Phil comes to us with many years of experience as a General Contractor. He is a lifelong Episcopalian and Texan and is excited to continue his career at St. Thomas’ Church. Phil lives in Groton House with his wife Erika and two children.

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