Rev. Steve Ellis, Rector

I realized in my early twenties that I needed to understand my faith, and this Christ who was changing my life (very much for the better). Since then I’ve been trying to mine the ancient stuff, the Scriptures, history, and the world we live in, to find the keys to joy, courage, hope and integrity. It felt like it was my vocation to give voice to that, and that led me to this work.

One of the keys turned out to be a loving community of faith in which we can find our way. A community in which we challenge and encourage one another and are nurtured, in which we can share our variety of amazing gifts, in which we learn of God from one another. St. John’s has been a great blessing to me, being open to this kind of exploration. We don’t have to have all the answers. The world is changing and we need to discover ways to be faithful in this present world God is giving us, for the sake of right living, justice, joy and the common good.

Rob Neville, Curate

My life’s story has been one of a deepening trust in the knowledge and truth of God. Whenever I’ve experienced the pains and turmoil of life, been disconnected from my God, felt forsaken, I never was. Christ has always been there with me. My sin, my mistake, was not to feel or see Christ. Called by Christ as a teen I did not answer. God did not stop calling. Years later I’ve now answered the call, refined by the fires of life hopefully into a finer instrument to proclaim God’s love and presence in the world, to work with all God’s children so that they can know their redeemer liveth too.

I’m called to be where God wants me to be. I seek to work with people on life’s margins, sharing my experience, strength and hope. Using life’s range of experiences to draw upon I seek a community who wants to give back in gratitude for God’s blessings. I hope to be a partner in ministry with those who are willing to wanting to grow throughout their lives.

 

Michael Glick, Music Director

I was born and raised in Sacramento, CA as part of a musical family and was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran church. My father is a gifted keyboardist and luthier*, but through my mother I inherited a love for hymn singing and playing.

After graduating in 2009 from UCSC with a B.A. in Mathematics and studying music with Ray Brown and Fred Sqatrito at Cabrillo College, I fell into work as a professional musician in the Santa Cruz area. I enjoy playing and listening music of all shapes and sizes- jazz, blues, gospel, classical and I especially enjoy arranging and composing for all types of vocal and instrumental ensembles. I have an extensive background in both classical keyboard styles and am versed in many types of traditional and contemporary keyboard improvisation. Some of my most recent musical interests involve combining some of the contrapuntal nuances of the baroque era with some of the rhythmic, harmonic and melodic traditions of early American and even Celtic traditions which can be found in the repertoire of Episcopalian hymns and service music. I have recently become acquainted with the music and life of J.S. Bach, who himself was an organist and composer in the church for most of his life.

For the last two years I played piano and organ at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Salinas.

 * One who makes stringed musical instruments (as violins or guitars).

  

 

Esther Meester, Office Manager

 

 

 

 

 

      Leslie Baker, Choir Directress

Leslie Baker

 

  Pam Rhodes, Helpful Shop Manager

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Valerie Lyttle, Children and Youth Coordinator