Church Leadership - St. David's Episcopal Church

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.

The Rev. W. Frank Allen

Rector

The Rev. Frank Allen has served as Rector since 1997. He grew up in Dallas, TX and attended Duke University on academic and music scholarships. After graduating with a degree in History, Frank worked for a large Construction Company in Philadelphia before answering the call to the priesthood. He attended Virginia Theological Seminary and served two years at St. John's in Roanoke, VA before coming to St. David's. Frank has served on the Standing Committee for the Diocese of Pennsylvania and other committees and commissions. He has twice served as a Deputy to The General Convention of the Episcopal Church. Frank is a Canon for Mission in the Episcopal Diocese of Guatemala and serves on the Board of the Gathering of Leaders. He has developed curriculum for adult baptism and confirmation, as well as a study on the Gifts of the Spirit. Frank and his wife Amy have three grown sons.

fallen@stdavidschurch.org
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The Rev. Elizabeth W. Colton

Associate Rector

The Rev. Elizabeth W. Colton (Liz), grew up in Albany, New York, and had a first career teaching every level from small children to teacher training, except high school! Ordained at first to the Vocational Diaconate, she served St. Mary’s, Hamilton Village, the Cathedral Church of the Saviour and Church of the Holy Spirit as deacon. Later she served on the Bishop’s staff as Coordinator for the Training and Formation of Deacons. After a call to the priesthood, she then served as Rector of Grace Church and the Incarnation, Trinity Gulph Mills, and as Interim Rector of All Saints’ Torresdale. Liz has served the Diocese of Pennsylvania in many capacities over the years. At St. David’s she is Chaplain to the St. David’s Episcopal Day School and works with the Pastoral Care Commission.

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

Associate Rector

The Rev. Thomas J. Szczerba, Jr. has been serving at Grace Episcopal Church in New York City the past three years and is a graduate of the General Theological Seminary. Thomas is a lifelong Episcopalian with significant Youth and Children’s ministry experience. He has also been deeply involved in Outreach and Young Adult ministries at Grace Church. Thomas will be supporting our Family Ministries and Outreach Commissions as our Associate. Thomas is married to Marissa, who is a fourth-grade teacher.

tszczerba@stdavidschurch.org
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The Rev. Emily Zimbrick-Rogers

Associate Rector

Emily is glad to call the Philadelphia area home after many moves around the country and the Netherlands. She has degrees in creative writing from Wheaton College in Illinois and Old Dominion University in Virginia, which led her to journalism, fiction writing, and teaching at the undergraduate and high school level. While teaching high school seniors and first-year college students, she sensed a call to spiritual mentorship and pastoral presence with young people. Emily earned a M.Div. from Princeton Theological Seminary and is currently completing a STM in Anglican Studies from the School of Theology at the University of the South (Sewanee) with a thesis on liturgical diversity. She has published articles in The Christian Century and other academic and popular publications. Emily is the clergy support for Discipleship and Fellowship at St. David’s. She is married to Charles and they are the parents of an energetic elementary school-age daughter.

ezimbrick-rogers@stdavidschurch.org
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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

Steve Boyes

Groundskeeper

Steve maintains the grounds of St. David’s campus as well as the Rectory. He takes care of mowing the lawns, removing leaves, weeding beds, trimming trees and plowing snow throughout the year.

property@stdavidschurch.org
610-688-7947

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

Amy Dolan

Spiritual Direction

For 20 years Amy has loved helping people find ways to draw spirituality into their daily lives. In addition to being a spiritual director for individuals and groups, Amy offers the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises. She teaches Yoga and Philosophy at a local university, is a regular blogger about living a contemplative life, and is a published author. She lives with her husband, two dogs, two cats, and an ever-changing mix of three mostly-grown kids. You can find her online at https://yogawithspirit.com/.

amy@yogawithspirit.com
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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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Roe DeRitis

Parish Receptionist

Roe answers and directs all incoming phone calls and visitors. She maintains the Parish Registry for Baptism, Confirmation, Wedding and Funeral records. She is the staff liaison for the Newcomers Commission, Monday Morning Flowers, the Sermon and Birthday Card Ministry. Roe proofreads all publications and prepares the Calendar and Readings section for the Sunday bulletin. Roe produces all worship bulletins, schedules Lay Assistants for participation in services, maintains the Intercessor Prayer List and interacts with families planning memorial services

receptionist@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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Emily Given

Director of Christian Formation

Emily Given oversees the ongoing development and implementation of the Christian Formation program for children and youth, as well as our Sunday, mid-week, and special learning opportunities. She also works with the staff to develop activities for children within each ministry. Emily is a nationally known Christian educator and author of the Building Faith Brick by Brick (Lego-based) curriculum series.

egiven@stdavidschurch.org
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Nereida Gordon

The Gift Shop

Nereida has been involved with the Gift Shop and Art Gallery at St. David's, and its connected International Outreach Partners, for many years.

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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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 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

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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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

Josiah Pizzo

Groundskeeper

Josiah 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, Josiah works in the main building setting up and breaking down tables and chairs and sets up AV equipment for the high volume of events during the holiday season.

property@stdavidschurch.org
610-688-7947

Leslie Robertshaw

Parish Administrator

Leslie manages the financial, property, and personnel resources of the church and graveyard. Along with the Rector, she is responsible for preparation of the annual budget and monitors expenditures to assure compliance with the approved budget. Leslie is a member of the Finance and Property and Stewardship Commissions and provides for the custody and safekeeping of church records.

lrobertshaw@stdavidschurch.org
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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 wh 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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Heather Sill

Parish Receptionist

Heather answers and directs all incoming phone calls and visitors. She maintains the Parish Registry for Baptism, Confirmation, Wedding and Funeral records. She is the staff liaison for the Newcomers Commission, Monday Morning Flowers, the Sermon and Birthday Card Ministry. Heather proofreads all publications and prepares the Calendar and Readings section for the Sunday bulletin. Heather produces all worship bulletins, schedules Lay Assistants for participation in services, maintains the Intercessor Prayer List and interacts with families planning memorial services.

receptionist@stdavidschurch.org
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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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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.