St. John’s will hold our Parish Meeting on Sunday, February 2, following our 10 AM Holy Eucharist. Children’s activities will be provided for PreK-5th graders. If you are joining us online, simply stay on the worship feed. Those attending in person are invited to enjoy fellowship at our Annual Chili Cook-Off after the meeting! Click here to purchase your spoon.
We invite you to get to know the candidates who have been nominated this year for our St. John’s Vestry. We appreciate their ongoing commitment to our parish and are grateful for the time and talent they regularly share through ministry. See below our 2025 slate of nominees.
When voting opens, you will vote for five candidates. Remember, only “members in good standing” (see definition below) are invited to vote on the 2025 slate.
2025 SLATE OF CANDIDATES:
ALEX BOLER
As a life-long Episcopalian, I have been active in the church from a young age at my family’s parish in the Clearwater area, then as a college student at Ruge Hall (The Episcopal University Center at Florida State), and at St. John’s since 2014. Shortly after joining St. John’s, I became an usher and then was tasked with coordinating the Usher ministry, and later came to lead the Greeter ministry, as well (both ministries contributed to our Invite-Welcome-Connect program). At St. John’s, I’ve also been involved in our fellowship groups, and occasionally volunteer doing audio/video and technical work. I appreciate the traditions of the Episcopal church, especially its liturgy, but my favorite part of St. John’s is the community that is formed amongst the congregation.
CATHERINE CONNOR
I was confirmed at St. John’s in 1990 while attending graduate school. After graduation, I moved away but attended and been active at Episcopal churches. When my husband passed away, I retired from 30+ years of teaching and moved back to be near my son and his family. I felt like I was “back home” when I came back to St. John’s. I’ve always had a servant’s heart and am the Sec./Treasurer for Daughters of the King, Bible school teacher, BEAT week, Lively Café, Hostess committee, Vacation Bible School, St. John’s Market, St. John’s Bible docent, and have helped serve at the SALT luncheon. I love St. John’s and its parishioners!
JEFF COUCH
I have been a devoted member of St. John’s Episcopal Church since 2012. My wife, Janine, is a current Vestry member who is now stepping down after her term of service. Together, we have two children, Charlie, who is in the 11th grade, and Georgie, who is in the 7th grade. I have actively contributed to the church community, serving as a Youth Advisor, participating in the Property Commission, and acting as a Eucharistic Minister. I am eager to continue my family’s tradition of service by joining the Vestry.
DINA FOSTER
I have been attending St. John’s since 2015 when my family moved to Tallahassee. Prior to that time, I attended Episcopal Church of the Redeemer in Shelby, North Carolina where I served on Vestry and was very active in my church.
My Husband, Skip and I have three children. Our two sons were both confirmed at St. Johns. I participated in Camp BEAT when my boys were younger. Skip was previously on Vestry and served on the Covid Task Force. Since 2021, I have been involved with Altar Guild. I also worked in the Lively Café for about one year (I loved it and miss it!). I currently assist with Weddings at the church. In the past, I have volunteered at Market and St. Mary’s. I truly love St. John’s and would be honored to serve on Vestry.
DAVID GRIMES
I have been a member of St. John’s for ten years. Growing up as a Mennonite, I came to the Episcopal Church later in life after becoming interested in the Anglican tradition while studying in England during law school. I have two siblings. I am an attorney for the Florida Legislature. I’ve been involved in the following at St. John’s: Youth Confirmation Instructor, Verger, Eucharistic Minister, Rector Search Committee member, Greeter, and Strategic Plan Implementation member.
As I discussed in my “Faith at 5:30” talk, I spent several years as a young adult alienated from the Church believing that my faith journey would be an individual one. After finding a spiritual home at St. John’s, I’ve been happy to be proven wrong. My appreciation for the beautiful and unique community we share has only grown through the years, especially after my service on the Rector Search Committee exposed me to so many new ways our parishioners love and serve God and each other. After prayerful discernment, I am standing for vestry to lend my time and talent to support the continued work of St. John’s as a needed witness of Christ’s unifying love in a divided world.
CHRISTINE HANSEN
I can tell you a lot about St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, my childhood faith community in Sunbury, PA, but I can most clearly describe the back of the sanctuary, with its stairs to the choir loft, dark wood paneling, and pews with red velveteen cushions. That’s because, I so vividly remember standing on the pew, facing backwards, and whispering with Mrs. Breeon. She would pass me a little bag of cheerios or a box of raisins and chat with me throughout the service. I’m not sure how Paster Kieffer felt about our hushed discussions during his sermons, but I am sure of how I felt, loved. That’s why my home at St. John’s Episcopal Church is so important to me. This church is also, first and foremost, a place of love, and I would like to take an active role in the work necessary to increase that love within our walls and carry it out into our community and world.
I have been a member of St. John’s since moving back to Tallahassee from Philadelphia, where I was a member of the Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral, and before that, St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Columbus, GA. I have one wonderful child, Davis, who also lives in Tallahassee and a sweet pup named CJ, short for Calamity Jane. I am the director of programs for the Askew Student Life Center at FSU and participate in lots of theatre in the area. Prior to my position here at FSU, I taught theatre for many years in Idaho, Georgia, and here in Florida.
MEAGAN OWENS
I have been a member of St John’s since early 2020, and am so grateful to have found the Episcopal church. Loving the things of God and God’s people, I solidly identify as a church nerd. Over my time at St John’s I’ve been involved with the Capital Area Justice Ministry, Becoming Beloved Community, the Education for Ministry program, coordinated Lenten Prayer Partners, and served as a mentor to the Growing in Grace Adult Confirmation classes.
I currently serve as a Eucharistic Minister and participate in the Community of Hope International program for lay pastoral care.
MARTHA RAY-BROOKS
I have been a member of St. John’s for many years and serve as a Eucharistic Minister, founding member of the St. John’s Historical Society, volunteer for the St. John’s Choir School, and as a researcher and grant writer for the St. John’s Cemetery research project. Past activities include high school youth Sunday School teacher and confirmation coordinator, EfM graduate and volunteer at Grace Mission. I am a retired Leon County Schools High School Guidance Counselor. St. John’s and it’s community are an important aspect of my spiritual life.
MICHAEL STEWART-MEZA
Since joining Saint John’s in 2018 and being confirmed in 2019, I have been blessed to be part of this wonderful faith community. I am an alumnus of FSU where I studied Philosophy and Religion. In my professional life, I lead FSU’s Medical Response Unit and am an adjunct instructor for TSC’s Emergency Medical Services Department, having previously worked as a paramedic in Gadsden and Leon Counties. These roles have given me opportunities to mentor students and serve the community.
My husband, Enmanuel, and I find deep spiritual nourishment at Saint John’s through attending the 10am Sunday service and Compline. I continue to learn and grow in faith through Education for Ministry (EFM) and Community of Hope classes. This church has blessed me with opportunities to serve in various ways, including as a greeter, usher, and Eucharistic Minister. Enmanuel and I have served as small group leaders, helped with New Members’ classes, and as discussion facilitators for Growing in Grace. Currently, I serve on the Adult Formation Committee and teach adult Sunday School classes.
I am willing to stand for Vestry because I have witnessed firsthand how God works through Saint John’s, particularly in the church’s dedication to welcoming all of God’s children, including those who may have felt excluded elsewhere. The grace and love I have experienced here has deeply touched my life and family, and I am inspired by the faithful leadership of the clergy and lay leaders. If nominated, I would prayerfully serve with God’s help, trusting in the Holy Spirit’s guidance through this process and wherever God leads.
QUINN TOWNSEND
As a mom of three children, ages 9, 11, and 13, I am drawn to the idea of serving on St. John’s Vestry because I see it as an opportunity to give back to the community that has been a cornerstone of support for my family. Since joining St John’s in 2016, our church has become a second home, a place where my kids have found friends, mentors, and a sense of belonging. By joining the vestry, I hope to help shape and sustain this space for other families and contribute to programs that nurture faith and connection.
I believe this role would be a meaningful way to serve, grow, and set an example of community involvement for my children. Serving on the vestry would allow me to help our church flourish and ensure it remains a vibrant part of our lives.
