Church Leadership

The leadership of St. David’s Episcopal Church is an important part of who we are and what we are about. St. David’s Church consists of clergy, program staff and support staff. We also have a strong and active Vestry, which is the governing body of the church.

Clergy

The Rev. Devon Anderson

Interim Rector

The Rev. Anderson joins us from Minneapolis, MN. She brings a wealth of experience with her, and we are confident she will guide us through this transition period as the search for our permanent rector continues.

The Rev. Anderson comes to us from a year of study at the Center for Action and Contemplation, completing the Center’s Introductory and Intermediate Wisdom School. She recently served an 11-year term as the Rector at Trinity Episcopal Church in Excelsior, MN and has previous interim experience at Epiphany Episcopal Church. The Rev. Anderson has focused on faith formation, strategic planning, and planned giving as well as a variety of outreach experiences. We feel the Rev. Anderson’s unique experiences and talents will be an essential part of her work with us at St. David’s as we continue our mission to know God in Jesus Christ and make Christ known to others.

danderson@stdavidschurch.org
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The Rev. Sarah A. Dunn

Associate Rector

Sarah came to St. David’s in July 2023 from St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church in Incline Village, Nevada (Lake Tahoe), where she served for six years as the rector. Sarah is a gifted preacher and teacher, who reinvigorated the worship of St. Patrick’s, expanded the children’s ministries, and stabilized the financial position of the church in notable fashion. She led the congregation through the pandemic and created new opportunities to connect St. Patrick’s with the community. Sarah also served on the Diocese of Nevada’s Standing Committee with a term as president in a time when Nevada did not have a sitting Bishop. Sarah graduated from Mount Holyoke College in 2011, has a Master of Divinity from Yale Divinity School, and holds a Certificate in Anglican Studies from Berkeley Divinity School. She was ordained in the Diocese of Western Massachusetts and served as Associate Priest at Grace Episcopal Church in Amherst before becoming Rector of St. Patrick’s. Sarah is married to Brad who is an opera singer. They have three children, all still in school.

sdunn@stdavidschurch.org
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The Rev. Thomas J. Szczerba, Jr.

Associate Rector

The Reverend Thomas J. Szczerba, Jr. has served St. David’s since August 2022. He was called to St. David’s especially to serve and lead the fellowship, outreach, and newcomer ministries. In addition, Thomas leads our Tuesday morning bible study, and helps with the leadership of our Family Service. Taking part in the councils of the larger Church, Thomas serves as the co-leader of a group formed in the Diocese of Pennsylvania called The Center for Courageous Women of Faith. It’s a group that is called to preserving the history of the Philadelphia Eleven and Bishop Barbara Harris in this diocese. Thomas also serves on the Board of Trustees at Episcopal Community Services. A cradle Episcopalian, Thomas comes from the Diocese of New Jersey. He has significant youth ministry experiences; he was a youth minister at St. Uriel’s in Sea Girt, NJ before attending seminary. He also served as an Alternate Deputy in the Diocese of NJ for General Convention in 2015 & 2018. Thomas graduated from the General Theological Seminary in New York City in May 2020. While in seminary he had internships at The General Convention Office, Trinity Wall Street, and Grace Church Manhattan. Upon graduation and ordination, he served as a deacon and priest at Grace Church Manhattan before coming to St. David’s. Most importantly, Thomas is married to Marissa, who is a fourth-grade schoolteacher. They are expecting their first child in April 2024. Thomas and Marissa enjoy spending time with their two dogs, Luke, and Leia. They love watching baseball (Go Yankees!), going to the beach, and being with their friends and family.

tszczerba@stdavidschurch.org
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The Rev. Nancy Webb Stroud

Priest Associate

The Rev. Nancy Webb Stroud and her husband, Bill Stroud, raised their children, Julia, William, and Edward at St. David’s, as Bill was the Property Manager here from 1985 to 1998. St. David’s sponsored Nancy for ordination. Nancy served St. Mary’s, Chester while in seminary, and then was Assistant Minister at St. Paul’s, Chestnut Hill in 2005. From 2006-2009, she was Associate Rector at St. Peter’s in the Great Valley. Called as Rector of the Church of the Atonement in Westfield, Massachusetts in 2009, she ministered in the Diocese of Western Massachusetts for 12 and a half years until her retirement in June of this year. In addition to her parish leadership, she was an Assistant Chaplain at Westfield State University, President of the Standing Committee, Vice-President of Diocesan Council, member of the Commission on Ministry, Dean of the Hampden Deanery, and three-time Deputy to General Convention. Nancy and Bill are very happy to be retired and living so close to their sons here in southeastern Pennsylvania and only a couple of hours away from Julia, her wife, Caitlin, and grandsons, Harry and Gus in Brooklyn.

nwstroud@stdavidschurch.org
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The Rev. Dr. Peter B. Stube

Priest Associate

The Rev. Dr. Peter B. Stube is the grandson, son, and brother of Christian missionaries to southeast Asia and has been a priest himself for 42 years. Peter has served parishes in the Dioceses of Pennsylvania, Eastern North Carolina, Atlanta, Arkansas, and Montana, where he grew up. Peter and his wife Rachael, who sings in our adult choir, have raised three sons who are now all serving in care-related professions. Peter is a magnificent preacher and teacher, a spiritual director, and has developed small group ministries in every parish in which he has served. He also has a magnificent singing voice that you will enjoy hearing during worship.

pstube@stdavidschurch.org
610-688-7947

The Rev. Emily Given

Director of Christian Formation, Transitional Deacon

The Rev. Emily Given oversees Christian Formation for all ages and serves as the Chaplain to St. David’s Episcopal Day School. She is the parent of two wonderful humans and a strong-willed corgi mix. On her day off, she can be found creating mixed media art or spending time digging in her flower gardens.

egiven@stdavidschurch.org
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Staff

Buff Barnes

Spiritual Direction

Buff is the Director of the St. David’s Center for Spiritual Direction. Buff has been on staff at St. David’s in varying capacities since 1999 and has been offering spiritual direction since 2004. She meets for spiritual direction with individuals as well as groups. She has a certificate in Spiritual Direction from Oasis Ministries for Spiritual Development and a Master’s Degree in Holistic Spirituality and Spiritual Direction from Chestnut Hill College. Companioning others in their lives of faith is a privilege and gentle joy in her life. She is married to James. They have four grown children and six wonderful grandchildren.

bbarnes@stdavidschurch.org
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Margaret Biester, M.S.Ed

Head of School, St. David’s Episcopal Day School

Margaret received her B.A. in History from the College of Wooster in Ohio and went on to pursue a Master of Science in Elementary Education at the University of Pennsylvania, Graduate School of Education. She has 8 years of experience teaching children from kindergarten through 5th grade, and holds a Pennsylvania certification in Elementary Education, Middle School Social Studies and Middle School Language Arts. Previously, Margaret worked at Germantown Academy and more recently has taught Kindergarten at Mosby Woods Elementary School in Fairfax, Virginia where she also served as the Project Based Learning Team Leader. In addition, she is trained in Responsive Classroom and Project Based Learning and earned a Working Professionals Business Essentials Certificate from the Wharton School of Business. Margaret is passionate about bringing education into the 21st century and how technology can be an asset to a school. In her spare time, she loves to bake, dance, and spend time with her two wonderful children, Lucy and Wes.

mbiester@sdeds.org
484-588-5643

Jamie Boult

Childcare Coordinator

Jamie leads our Sunday morning nursery care team and assists in providing childcare for other events, as needed.

jboult@stdavidschurch.org
484-588-5650

Geoff Chamberlain

Broadcast Manager

Geoff is responsible for overseeing and coordinating all aspects of video, audio, lighting, and scenic production for church wide events. He provides video and livestream support for the Wednesday and Sunday services, as well as for weddings, funerals, and other special events. Geoff has been a longtime member of St. David’s Church, is a Choir member and a past Rector’s Warden.

gchamberlain@stdavidschurch.org
610-688-7947

Amy Van Sciver Darst

Assistant Head of School, St. David’s Episcopal Day School

Amy received a dual certificate in both Early Childhood and Elementary Education at Cabrini University. She began teaching as a Gifted Math teacher in the T/E School District, and soon moved into a teaching position at New Gulph Children’s Center, in Villanova, where she taught preschoolers for many years. Shortly after, Amy became involved with Practical Strategies, Inc., an Educational Consulting company, where she primarily correlated state standards to educational textbooks. This position grew to support various areas of the United States and soon school districts were contacting her to create the curriculum for their after-school and summer school programs. Later she spent time as a teacher at St. Peter’s Preschool, in Malvern, and Holy Child school at Rosemont before joining the SDEDS staff. Amy has a passion for helping rescue animals and has fostered many over the years. She shares her home not only with her husband and two teenage daughters, but also with her furry rescues, 3 dogs, and 2 cats.

adarst@sdeds.org
484-588-5643

Roe DeRitis

Parish Receptionist (T,TH)

Roe greets visitors and answers incoming calls. She is the staff liaison for background checks and clearances, memorial flowers, and donations. Roe prints the Sunday bulletins.

receptionist@stdavidschurch.org
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Diane Dowlin

Office Manager/Calendar Coordinator

Diane manages the Church calendar by scheduling all meetings and events and coordinates event set up requests with the Property Department. She also supports Christmas and Lent Holiday Outreach and the Outreach Grant Program. Diane assists the Communication department with branding of Program Brochures and event posters.

ddowlin@stdavidschurch.org
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Jo-Ann Funkhouser

Finance Manager

Jo-Ann is responsible for the accounting and bookkeeping functions of the church. She manages payroll and bank reconciliation. Jo-Ann supports the annual Stewardship campaign in cooperation with the Finance and Stewardship Commission. She also organizes financial records for the annual audit, prepares parishioner Giving statements and issues monthly budget reports to the Finance Commission and budget reports to the Department Chairs.

jfunkhouser@stdavidschurch.org
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Nereida Gordon

The Gift Shop

Nereida is a long-time parishioner who founded the Gift Shop at St. David’s in 1998 to support outreach ministry to Uganda. It remains a volunteer-led ministry of the church. Since its founding, the shop has grown, adding the Art Gallergy in 2018, such that it now raises thousands of dollars each year for ministries in Cuba, Guatemala, and Uganda. A native of New Zealand, Nereida is also a mother and grandmother.

giftshop@stdavidschurch.org
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Matt Grove

Grounds Supervisor

Matt supervises all of the grounds of St. David’s 40 acre campus. He directs the lawn care, tree work, grass cutting, tree trimming, weeding, gutter cleaning and snow removal on all roads, walk ways and pathways. Matt also maintains the exteriors of the church, chapel and offices, Parish House, Rectory, Day School and sheds as well as the crypts, mausoleums and graves in the graveyard. Matt sells the plots in the Graveyard and manages the card catalog database for the graveyard as well as overseeing all body burials and ash internments. Matt also coordinates all of the tents, tables and chair set ups for the Fair.

mgrove@stdavidschurch.org
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Dina Harvey

Worship Administrative Assistant

Dina Harvey has over 26 years of experience within the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania and serves as president of the Diocesan Altar Guild. Dina supports the worship team and maintains the Parish Registry for baptism, confirmation, wedding, and funeral records. Dina produces all worship bulletins, schedules Lay Assistants for participation in services, maintains the Intercessor Prayer List, and interacts with families planning baptisms and memorial services. In her spare time, she loves reading history and religion. She is an avid Phillies and 49ers fan, and her happiest moments are when she is spending time on the beach.

dharvey@stdavidschurch.org
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Natalee Hill

Director of Communications

Natalee is responsible for the development, coordination, and brand consistency of all published electronic and print communications for the Church. This includes oversight of bulletin graphic design and announcements, emails, seasonal publications including Lenten devotional and quarterly Dove publication, the Annual Report, and internal and external posters and banners. She maintains the St. David’s website, parish and community publicity, and the implementation of new technology, as it relates to parish communication.

nhill@stdavidschurch.org
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Chris King

Parish Custodian

Chris sets up and breaks down the many events at St. David’s. His responsibilities include the preparation and general cleaning of all worship spaces and common areas. He works with the Altar Guild and the Flower Guild to ensure preparation for worship, weddings and funerals. Chris serves up coffee and a smile every Wednesday through Sunday.

property@stdavidschurch.org
610-688-7947

Logan Klawitter

Groundskeeper

Logan maintains the grounds of St. David’s campus as well as the Rectory. He mows the lawns, removes leaves, weeds beds, trims trees, and plows snow throughout the year. During the months of November through March, Logan works in the main building setting up and breaking down tables and chairs. In his free time, Logan enjoys fishing and watching NASCAR.

property@stdavidschurch.org
610-688-7947

Grace Oh Kraybill

Music Administrator/Librarian

Grace supports the music department of St. David’s Church with administrative tasks and maintains the Music Library. She helps with the music portion of bulletins and the hymn slides for our Sunday livestream worship.

musicadmin@stdavidschurch.org
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Maria Leal

Director of Children’s Formation

Maria oversees the Sunday Formation Program for children in Pre K- grade 5, The Edge 4th and 5th grade fellowship, as well as the Children’s Sermon and Wednesday evening children’s formation offerings held alongside the children’s choirs. Maria is involved in Vacation Bible School, the Shrove Tuesday Supper, the Easter Egg Hunt and a variety of developmentally-appropriate ways for our children, youth, and their families to grow in their faith.

mleal@stdavidschurch.org
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Carrie Methven

Parish Receptionist (M,W,F)

Carrie greets visitors and answers incoming calls. She is the staff liaison for the Newcomers Commission, Monday Morning Flowers, and the Sermon and Birthday Card ministries. Carrie proofreads all publications and prepares the announcements and readings section for the Sunday bulletin.

receptionist@stdavidschurch.org
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Eileen Myers

Wedding Coordinator

Eileen is the staff contact for weddings. She assists couples in planning the ceremony and answers questions about the preparation process.

emyers@stdavidschurch.org
610-688-7947

Julieann Perez

Finance Assistant

Julieann came to St. David’s in January 2024, from the Spring City Public Library. She will be supporting Finance Manager, Jo-Ann Funkhouser with various tasks. Julieann graduated from Owen J. Roberts High School in 2017 and has worked at numerous jobs gaining experience in several different areas. Outside of work she loves going to the gym, taking nature walks when the weather permits, and spending time with her friends and family.

jperez@stdavidschurch.org
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Sam Perry

Parish Custodian

Sam is the newest member of our property team taking on some custodial and outdoor tasks. He also helps throughout the week with set-ups and audio-visual components for church events.

property@stdavidschurch.org
610-688-7947

Dr. Clair Rozier

Director of Music

Clair is responsible for directing the St. David’s Adult Choir to help lead worship at our weekly Sunday services from September through June. The choir also leads two Taizé prayer services, one in the fall and one in the spring. Clair also directs the Adult Chamber Choir who sings a cappella motets monthly. Clair also directs the St. David’s Children’s Choir, which presents an annual musical in June.

crozier@stdavidschurch.org
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Sharon Shuttleworth

Communications Associate

Sharon supports the Communications Director with various tasks such as the Sunday bulletin announcements; weekly eNews, Sunday look-ahead, and other emails; Clergy/Rector’s letter posts, sermon posts, website events, and other web content updates; and publication content support. She also designs and posts social media content, creates video content, and assists where needed. Sharon also supports the general ministry of the church.

sshuttleworth@stdavidschurch.org
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Bill Watson

Parish Custodian

Bill sets up and breaks down the many events at St. David’s. His responsibilities include the preparation and general cleaning of all worship spaces and common areas. He works with the Altar Guild and the Flower Guild to ensure preparation for worship, weddings and funerals. Bill serves up coffee and a smile every Monday through Friday.

property@stdavidschurch.org
610-688-7947

Dr. Elaine Sonnenberg Whitelock

Associate Director of Music

Elaine is responsible for directing the Primary choir (K through grade 1). These young choristers focus on music that communicates a direct message of God’s presence and learn anthems to be sung in worship approximately six times a year. Elaine also directs the Handbell choirs to grow in skill and proficiency and to prepare music for presentation in worship monthly. Elaine presents and Annual Talent Show and directs a Pageant Band.

esonnenberg@stdavidschurch.org
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Julie N. Wiant

Chief Operating Officer

Julie oversees the financial, property, and personnel resources of the church and graveyard. She is a member of the Finance, Property, and Stewardship Commissions and provides for the custody and safekeeping of church records. She is always looking for ways to implement new processes and procedures to make the church operations run more efficiently!

jwiant@stdavidschurch.org
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Elliot VanHoy

Director of Youth Ministry

Elliot is responsible for planning and overseeing all the programs and activities dedicated to the middle and high school students at St. David’s. His mission is to create young disciples in a fun and safe environment. Elliot works closely with the youth choir and family ministries to assist in planning development.

evanhoy@stdavidschurch.org
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Kurt Zampitella

Groundskeeper

Kurt works outside May-October assisting the Property Department with groundskeeping. November-April, he works inside completing handyman tasks for the campus buildings, as well as helping with set-ups, custodial tasks, and other projects.