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.).
Pastor Stuart was appointed to St. Mark’s in July 2018 as our full-time associate pastor. He administers our congregational care ministries and the Wednesday evening service, “Soul Station.” Pastor Stuart assists in Sunday worship and with special services, preaching and worship leading as needed. Stuart also works with several committees.
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 the Christian Formation Team Leader and liaison to several committees and task forces. She is also site director for our second worship site, Dove Mountain, which opened Oct. 20, 2019.
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.
Some of you may already know Rob. He did the sound and tech set up for the Dove Mountain campus before COVID started. Rob has a degree in sound design and is very familiar with all the technology we now use in worship. He is a very friendly guy, so if you see a new face in the sound booth, it is probably Rob. Please feel free to introduce yourself and welcome him into the St. Mark’s community
Tricia has the extremely important job of manning the front desk of the church office which includes answering phones, assisting office visitors, distributing mail, making copies, and assists the rest of the staff! Additionally, she focuses on visitors and new members to our congregation, coordinates the Membership 101 class and is the staff liaison to the Church Growth and Hospitality Committee. Tricia also teaches Holy Yoga at church on Sundays and Mondays.
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.
Julie began in this newly created part-time position in July 2021, but she is no stranger to the St. Mark’s staff. She was the PreTeen youth leader, a child-care worker and the Soul Station Children’s Ministries Coordinator. She feels that 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 and Family Ministries Committee.
Sondra has blessed the church with her musical talents since moving to Tucson and becoming the St. Mark’s organist in 1999. Additionally, she directs our Celebration Singers and the Summer Choir.
Cathy has led the Praise Team at our contemporary service since 2005. In addition, Cathy was a high school chorus director for 15 years and is currently a high school special education teacher in ELA.
Ruth became a member of St. Mark’s in 1999 and joined the staff in 2011. She serves as the Administrative Team Leader overseeing the front office, communications and outreach, membership and the memorial garden, and maintenance. She also handles accounts payable, payroll, and various other accounting duties, as well provides support and record-keeping for the Finance, Endowment, and Nash Neighbors committees.
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.
Mike has more than 20 years of singing, conducting and music education experience. He completed undergraduate and graduate studies at The University of Arizona in music and choral conducting, with an additional emphasis in African American Spirituals and leadership development in choirs. Following college, his music education career took him first to Detroit, Michigan and then internationally to Mexico City and Moscow before returning to hometown Tucson. Outside of church, Mike enjoys cooking, gardening, Wildcat sports, and spending time with his two young children, Leo and Olivia.
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.