Clergy and Staff

Marek has served as Rector of St. Thomas Church since 1995. During that time the church has expanded from 30 to 65 ministries and our membership has grown to 1,600. He oversees our staff and works closely with our Vestry to lead our church. He loves welcoming individuals and families into our church, being a pastor, preacher and teacher and helping people to make progress on their spiritual journey. He was instrumental in helping St. Thomas become involved in international mission and develop one of the strongest spiritual formation ministries for children, youth and adults in the region. Marek studied philosophy at Emory University and trained for the priesthood at Yale Divinity School. He is a member of the Compass Rose Society, which assists the Archbishop of Canterbury and has been invited to preach throughout the United States and overseas. His Palm Sunday and Easter sermons were broadcast on national radio. In 2011, he started The Bible Challenge to help people read the entire Bible in a year. He created the Center for Biblical Studies to promote The Bible Challenge nationally and globally. More than 500,000 people in over 2,500 churches and 50 countries are now participating in The Bible Challenge. Marek has published and edited several books, including The Bible Challenge, which includes meditations, questions and prayers written by over 100 archbishops, bishops, cathedral and seminary deans, biblical scholars, theologians and priests from around the world to accompany his Bible reading plan. Copies are on sale in the church office. In 2013 Marek spent a sabbatical walking over 500 miles on the ancient Christian pilgrim’s path known as the Camino de Santiago de Campostela in Spain and studying Spanish intensively in seven different Spanish cities. Marek and his wife, Mims, have three daughters, Emily, Marguerite and Isabelle and an adorable Welsh Pembroke Corgi named Winston, who resembles a fox. Marek enjoys tennis, swimming, fly-fishing, reading, gardening, travel and studying languages.

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. 

Erika has an Associate of Arts degree from Collin College in Plano, Texas and was a preschool teacher, nanny and private school teacher before joining the staff at St. Michael and All Angels Church. She is married to Phil, a contractor, and they have two bright, joyful children, Philip, age 11, and Liliana, age 5.

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.

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 the Director of Parish Participation. 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.

Anita is the Rector’s Administrative Assistant, supports the vestry, 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 and a cocker spaniel, Seamus.

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.

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 STNS. 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 STNS”.

Judy and her husband Ted have been parishioners at St. Thomas’ since their 9 year old daughter Emmy was born. Judy currently serves as Director of Communications. She has also served on the Children’s Commission, and the board of St. Thomas’ Nursery School. Judy graduated with a BA in English from Wells College, the second oldest women’s college. One of her favorite events at St. Thomas’ is the Be An Angel Christmas Party.

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, Nursery School, 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.