Rev. Lynn Bartlow was appointed to St. Mark’s in July 2021. She has served congregations here in Arizona – including Trinity Heights UMC in Flagstaff – in Illinois, and in Florida before becoming a pastor. She graduated from Florida Southern College (Lakeland, Fla.) and from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary (Evanston, Ill.).
Rev. Kevin Lester is the campus pastor at our Sanctuary site and has been appointed by the UMC as pastor of that community since 2021. In 2023, he was appointed Associate Pastor for St. Mark’s when Sanctuary and St. Mark’s UMCs merged to become one church. His lifelong dream is to create ways for people to encounter God, so they can enjoy shalom, gratitude and wonder. He works with our outreach and justice ministries since he is always thinking about people in our community who haven’t had this kind of experience with God at church. He loves long board games, loud music, deep conversations, noisy babies, and how bookstores smell. His wife and his son make his heart grow three sizes.
Pastor Kim and her family came to St. Mark’s in 1988, and she worked with our youth from 1999 to June 2021. She holds a Master’s degree in Educational Management and Development and a license for Pastoral Ministry. Kim is appointed to St. Mark’s as Associate Pastor in charge of congregational care. She is part of the Christian Formation Team and is liaison to several committees.
Music is a lifelong passion for Jane, who started playing pipe organ in church at the age of 12. By 16, she was directing children’s choirs and singing in her high school choir and was active in musical theater. While her career was in pediatric dental administration, her love of the music of the church remained and she has served as organist, choir director, bell choir director and/or Director of Music Ministry her entire adult life. She invites anyone who wishes to join the Celebration Singers and be part of the St. Mark’s musical family.
Lois handles payroll and HR, maintains the general ledger, and prepares reports for staff and committees. She is in the office Tuesday through Thursday. Lois worked for St. Mark’s several years ago in a similar position. She writes a Polish food blog and shares her home with Ellie and Rigby, two former pound puppies.
Tricia attended the St. Mark’s youth group off and on many moons ago (at the same time as our youth coordinator, Rachel)! She went off adventuring and returned to St. Mark’s in 2012. In 2018, Tricia earned her yoga instructor certification and began leading Just Breathe (a Holy Yoga™ inspired class). The following year, she joined the office staff and never left. As Church Care Coordinator, Tricia supports the associate pastor with congregational care, is the staff liaison to the Church Growth and Hospitality Committee, Worship Space Committee, and the Fine Arts and Crafts Guild. She provides administrative support to the office manager and assists the senior pastor with coordination of worship.
Julie began in this newly created part-time position in July 2021. She was the PreTeens youth leader, a child-care worker and the Soul Station Children’s Ministries Coordinator. She feels the children of St. Mark’s are an important part of the congregation, and she enjoys being part of their faith journey and supporting their Christian learning. She is a member of the Christian Formation Team and works with the Children’s Education Committee and the Children’s and Family Ministries Committee.
Emmanuel grew up in Tucson, graduating from Vail High School in 2019. He is a December 2022 graduate of Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, earning a Bachelor of Science in media and film, with a minor in journalism. Along with longtime volunteer Paul Simpson, Emmanuel oversees the media used in our in-person and online services, including Wednesday’s Soul Station, as well as operates audio and video equipment when needed during events or meetings for groups on campus.
JoAnn began attending St. Mark’s in 1994, and it was here she picked up her first handbell. She says she was immediately hooked! In 1999, she also became a founding member of Sonoran Bells, a community handbell ensemble. (She continues to ring with them.) In 2008, JoAnn became the director of the Bells of St. Mark’s.
Rachel grew up participating in Sunday School and Youth Ministries at St. Mark’s and served as the interim Youth Coordinator in early 2007. She holds a degree in Religious Studies from the University of Arizona. As Youth Coordinator, Rachel provides leadership for youth ministries (middle and high school) and leads the Confirmation class. She also leads the Common Grounds ministry (a group for young adults in their 20s-40s), offering fellowship activities and spiritual growth classes.
Susan earned her doctorate in clinical psychology from Emory University in 1997 and has practiced in a variety of settings. She uses a research-supported approach called Internal Family Systems Therapy and works with individuals 16 years and older to offer short- and long-term counseling for anxiety and worry, obsessive-compulsive behaviors, shame, depression, trauma, relationship issues, life transitions and changes, grief and loss and body image issues. She will oversee the long-running grief support group going forward.
Liesl is a licensed clinical psychologist treating teens, adults, couple and families for depression, anxiety, childhood trauma, marital and relationship conflict, grief and loss, major mental illness such as psychosis and bipolar disorder, and life transition issues. Her general therapeutic stance involves one of curiosity, gentleness, warmth, and inquisitiveness. She strives to make people feel well understood and comfortable. Most importantly, she loves what she does.
Some of Shelley’s many responsibilities include editing and designing the Messenger newsletter; creating, updating and monitoring the St. Mark’s social media presence; updating the St. Mark’s website; producing publications and marketing materials and producing press releases.
Shelley earned a Bachelor of Arts (Magna Cum Laude) in Journalism from the University of Arizona. Her professional experience is extensive and includes working several years for local news media organizations.
She has been a member of St. Mark’s since 2006.
Jordan is excited to be at St. Mark’s and is enrolled in the Doctor of Musical Arts program in choral conducting at the University of Arizona. He has been on faculty at Albright College and Ursinus College and taught music for five years in public school.
He received his bachelor’s in music education from Millersville University and master’s in choral conducting at West Chester University.
Jordan enjoys cooking, participating in triathlons, and spending time with his wife Joie and golden retriever Maisie.
Johnny began at St. Mark’s in April 2021. He works full time Monday through Friday. Johnny maintains the entire church campus and also oversees all table setup and repair requests. He brings a wealth of experience maintaining church and church school facilities. He worked in Dallas and Oklahoma before moving to Tucson. In his spare time he enjoys woodworking, he says, because he just loves the smell of saw dust.
Sherry came to St. Mark’s with her family as a young teen, remaining a member who raised her own children here. Sherry joined the staff in June 2013 and handles membership transfers and other church records (baptisms, marriages, etc.). She is also responsible for accounts receivable. Additionally, Sherry is the person to talk to if interested in purchasing a niche in the Memorial Garden.
Laurie began teaching Kindergarten at St. Mark’s ECC in 2007 and joined the church in 2009. Laurie was hired as the ECC Director in June, 2016. She has a Bachelor’s degreen in Elementary/Special Education, and a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership. Laurie has taught preschool through 6th grade in public and private schools in Arizona and southern California.
