Bruce Hargus
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Lois Lechleider
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Joe Marino
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Joseph Ross
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Jen Thomas
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Please thank the five nominees for vestry to be elected at the Annual Meeting on Sunday, January 28. Profiles for each candidate will be sent out by Realm this afternoon. I would also like to thank Kathy Lang, Chris Prender, Alden Gross and Susan Roberts as well as Anne Sessions and Fran Becker for their help in procuring such a strong slate.
A reminder, we will have a chance to meet the candidates on Sunday, January 14 at coffee hour, or anytime you see them around campus! Please introduce yourself and thank them for serving. We will elect four of the five, but in years past, anyone not elected has been appointed to the vestry should a vacancy occur.
A reminder, we will have a chance to meet the candidates on Sunday, January 14 at coffee hour, or anytime you see them around campus! Please introduce yourself and thank them for serving. We will elect four of the five, but in years past, anyone not elected has been appointed to the vestry should a vacancy occur.
BRUCE HARGUS
2023 VESTRY CANDIDATE
My wife Pat and I started attending St Margaret’s in late 2019 right after we married. We met as widowers, and now have 4 children and 6 grandchildren in our combined family. We are drawn by the church’s friendly atmosphere, abundance of young families with lots of kids, and the welcoming embrace we received from everyone at St. Margaret’s. The feel of the sanctuary during services is warm and reverent and nurturing, and we loved it from the start. Even during COVID we could feel acceptance and open invitation to all. We found a place where we could express our faith in community.
I have been active in churches all my life, as a chorister, lay leader, outreach volunteer, and Elder in the Presbyterian church. I am a 1973 graduate of the Naval Academy, former nuclear submarine officer, and retired executive of a Fortune 500 chemical company. I’ve lived and worked in over 30 countries, and believe I have good organizational skills, decent leadership capabilities, and a global view about the responsibilities our Faith encourages us to practice.
I am currently on the Board of Live Arts Maryland and have been very involved in other churches, especially working with Habitat for Humanity. I have also worked hands-on with various nonprofit groups. We have loved the outreach practiced by St Margaret’s. Service to our community, our nation, and our world is important. We’ve become involved in a Foyers Group, the Light House meal program, and are looking for ways to do more. I would like to help St. Margaret’s develop even greater awareness, inside and outside of the church, of its mission work and get more parishioners involved in our outreach. I’m excited about the chance to serve on the Vestry if chosen.
LOIS LECHLEIDER
2023 VESTRY CANDIDATE
I am honored to be nominated for a role on St. Margaret’s Vestry. I moved here from North Carolina, and while visiting family I attended a service at Saint Margaret’s Church, May of 2022. I had lost my husband and was considering a move to Annapolis to be closer to family. My first thought that Sunday was, if I moved, I wouldn’t have to look for a new church- I had found St. Margaret’s.
In North Carolina, I was an accountant for a furniture company and served for many years on the finance committee of my church. I was one of only a few folks who could read a profit and loss finance statement. I very much enjoyed the work and service to the church.
I moved to Maryland on December 1, 2022 and have been attending Saint Margaret’s since. I have been able to see more and more young families attend the 9 a.m. service, a healthy sign of growth. I love the sermons of both Peter and Patti; they are always on point. I also see the many missions that St. Margaret’s extends to the community showing love and caring for all people. The scope and variety of service opportunities is wonderful. I look forward to being further involved in these missions. Currently I’m in the Bell Choir, Women's Guild, and am a Coffee Hour volunteer.
I have always loved gardening and joined the Cape St. Claire Garden Club when I moved here. I appreciate the beautiful landscaping around the church and the way the gardeners incorporate native plants. It’s a great way to show others how to use our beautiful natives.
I’m flattered to be asked to fill a seat on the Vestry and look forward to serving in any way that I can.
JOE MARINO
2023 VESTRY CANDIDATE
Saint Margaret's holds a unique place in my family’s heart. I was raised Roman Catholic. I attended church my whole life, but I was never really there.
Through the day school, where my wife Nicole and I sent our three boys, I was introduced to Saint Margaret's and Pastor Peter. Nicole and I decided to take our (at the time) two boys to a Sunday service. I knew instantly this is where I’m supposed to be. I left with the feeling of being talked to and not scolded, having an honest conversation and not being preached to. Saint Margaret’s is the accelerant that stoked the flame of my spiritual fire. My family and I view Sunday mornings as the center of our world. We love that the tone of the parish is one that greets and accepts, but above all it reminds us that Jesus is cool!
The parish is a breath of fresh air, but we owe our community. We need to make more friends. We need to seek out those who are wandering and introduce them to the open arms and warm heart of Saint Margaret's. Bring in the families and let the children watch and learn. The Word they hear on Sunday, yes, but the love they feel daily is what we owe our community. Planting these seeds on the Broadneck Peninsula will yield welcoming hearts for generations to come and a blessing for all communities here.
I am a son of God and a follower of Christ. I am a man, a husband, a father, and a son. I believe that our universe is connected, and it is our obligation to act for the good of the whole.
I am humbled by the opportunity to serve and hopeful that you now know me better.
JOE ROSS
2023 VESTRY CANDIDATE
I am delighted to be considered to serve on the Vestry of St Margaret’s Church. My wife, Mary Beth, and I have been members since 2019. We relocated to Annapolis to be closer to our children and grandchildren.
I am a retired Health Care Executive with 45+ years of experience in organizational operations, strategic planning, governance, human capital management, finance, marketing, and business development. This included Health Systems, Community Foundations, and Insurance Companies. Currently, I serve on the Board of Directors of BikeMD, promoting bicycling and pedestrian safety in Maryland, and on the board of a Home Owners Association.
I value St. Margaret’s culture of acceptance and engagement. This is present in both worship and in the community. St. Margaret’s work through the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations effort, with the racial history of our area is both sincere and inspirational. I deeply value the many opportunities to serve the community through St. Margaret’s church. For me the opportunity to participate in that work has been satisfying. We have felt comfortable and at home from first joining. I especially appreciate St. Margaret’s music program. It is a true source of joy.
As we continue to recover from the impact of the pandemic, I think it will be important for the church to leverage our culture of inclusion and acceptance to grow the church in ways that enrich our congregation. My personal interest is in community ministry to deepen our commitment to the disadvantaged, provide for preferential treatment of the poor, and engage with other cultures within our community. We must be responsible in our stewardship of our existing resources and work to develop new sources of support. We have great opportunity to continue to build community through the existing programs and develop new initiatives to meet community need.
JEN THOMAS
2023 VESTRY CANDIDATE
My name is Jen Thomas and I was a Naval helicopter test pilot. I retired from the Navy after 20 years of service. My husband, Brien Croteau, is still active duty. I’m now working for Northrop Grumman at their Annapolis campus as a System’s Engineering Lead on one of their undersea programs.
We started coming to St. Margaret’s three years ago (during COVID) when we moved to the Annapolis area. We intended to “church shop,” started here, and never went anywhere else. Even masked and with COVID protocols, it was warm and inviting and immediately felt like home. We saw so many families with kids, a sure sign of a growing, vibrant church. We saw that children are welcomed, not shushed, and can feel this is their church too. I immediately became involved in VBS, Children’s Chapel, and Sunday School because they’re such important ministries.
Most important and impressive is how St. Margaret’s is an uncommonly welcoming, open church that lives out God’s word through actions. Our leadership in the Pride Parade and even just our rainbow flag is so powerful. A friend joined us at the Pride Parade and was surprised a church would march in Pride and not ostracize her for who she is.
Our church has a genuine commitment to not only our faith community, but the community at large. There are so many ways to meaningfully get involved. I love how we're able to open our church up for Winter Relief and how involved everyone is. I joined the Afghan Tiger team which led to my involvement with Tarjoman.org and helping our Afghan neighbors resettle in the U.S. I love how God is present in our church and want to see the ministries of St. Margaret's continue to grow and thrive.
2023 VESTRY CANDIDATE
My wife Pat and I started attending St Margaret’s in late 2019 right after we married. We met as widowers, and now have 4 children and 6 grandchildren in our combined family. We are drawn by the church’s friendly atmosphere, abundance of young families with lots of kids, and the welcoming embrace we received from everyone at St. Margaret’s. The feel of the sanctuary during services is warm and reverent and nurturing, and we loved it from the start. Even during COVID we could feel acceptance and open invitation to all. We found a place where we could express our faith in community.
I have been active in churches all my life, as a chorister, lay leader, outreach volunteer, and Elder in the Presbyterian church. I am a 1973 graduate of the Naval Academy, former nuclear submarine officer, and retired executive of a Fortune 500 chemical company. I’ve lived and worked in over 30 countries, and believe I have good organizational skills, decent leadership capabilities, and a global view about the responsibilities our Faith encourages us to practice.
I am currently on the Board of Live Arts Maryland and have been very involved in other churches, especially working with Habitat for Humanity. I have also worked hands-on with various nonprofit groups. We have loved the outreach practiced by St Margaret’s. Service to our community, our nation, and our world is important. We’ve become involved in a Foyers Group, the Light House meal program, and are looking for ways to do more. I would like to help St. Margaret’s develop even greater awareness, inside and outside of the church, of its mission work and get more parishioners involved in our outreach. I’m excited about the chance to serve on the Vestry if chosen.
LOIS LECHLEIDER
2023 VESTRY CANDIDATE
I am honored to be nominated for a role on St. Margaret’s Vestry. I moved here from North Carolina, and while visiting family I attended a service at Saint Margaret’s Church, May of 2022. I had lost my husband and was considering a move to Annapolis to be closer to family. My first thought that Sunday was, if I moved, I wouldn’t have to look for a new church- I had found St. Margaret’s.
In North Carolina, I was an accountant for a furniture company and served for many years on the finance committee of my church. I was one of only a few folks who could read a profit and loss finance statement. I very much enjoyed the work and service to the church.
I moved to Maryland on December 1, 2022 and have been attending Saint Margaret’s since. I have been able to see more and more young families attend the 9 a.m. service, a healthy sign of growth. I love the sermons of both Peter and Patti; they are always on point. I also see the many missions that St. Margaret’s extends to the community showing love and caring for all people. The scope and variety of service opportunities is wonderful. I look forward to being further involved in these missions. Currently I’m in the Bell Choir, Women's Guild, and am a Coffee Hour volunteer.
I have always loved gardening and joined the Cape St. Claire Garden Club when I moved here. I appreciate the beautiful landscaping around the church and the way the gardeners incorporate native plants. It’s a great way to show others how to use our beautiful natives.
I’m flattered to be asked to fill a seat on the Vestry and look forward to serving in any way that I can.
JOE MARINO
2023 VESTRY CANDIDATE
Saint Margaret's holds a unique place in my family’s heart. I was raised Roman Catholic. I attended church my whole life, but I was never really there.
Through the day school, where my wife Nicole and I sent our three boys, I was introduced to Saint Margaret's and Pastor Peter. Nicole and I decided to take our (at the time) two boys to a Sunday service. I knew instantly this is where I’m supposed to be. I left with the feeling of being talked to and not scolded, having an honest conversation and not being preached to. Saint Margaret’s is the accelerant that stoked the flame of my spiritual fire. My family and I view Sunday mornings as the center of our world. We love that the tone of the parish is one that greets and accepts, but above all it reminds us that Jesus is cool!
The parish is a breath of fresh air, but we owe our community. We need to make more friends. We need to seek out those who are wandering and introduce them to the open arms and warm heart of Saint Margaret's. Bring in the families and let the children watch and learn. The Word they hear on Sunday, yes, but the love they feel daily is what we owe our community. Planting these seeds on the Broadneck Peninsula will yield welcoming hearts for generations to come and a blessing for all communities here.
I am a son of God and a follower of Christ. I am a man, a husband, a father, and a son. I believe that our universe is connected, and it is our obligation to act for the good of the whole.
I am humbled by the opportunity to serve and hopeful that you now know me better.
JOE ROSS
2023 VESTRY CANDIDATE
I am delighted to be considered to serve on the Vestry of St Margaret’s Church. My wife, Mary Beth, and I have been members since 2019. We relocated to Annapolis to be closer to our children and grandchildren.
I am a retired Health Care Executive with 45+ years of experience in organizational operations, strategic planning, governance, human capital management, finance, marketing, and business development. This included Health Systems, Community Foundations, and Insurance Companies. Currently, I serve on the Board of Directors of BikeMD, promoting bicycling and pedestrian safety in Maryland, and on the board of a Home Owners Association.
I value St. Margaret’s culture of acceptance and engagement. This is present in both worship and in the community. St. Margaret’s work through the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations effort, with the racial history of our area is both sincere and inspirational. I deeply value the many opportunities to serve the community through St. Margaret’s church. For me the opportunity to participate in that work has been satisfying. We have felt comfortable and at home from first joining. I especially appreciate St. Margaret’s music program. It is a true source of joy.
As we continue to recover from the impact of the pandemic, I think it will be important for the church to leverage our culture of inclusion and acceptance to grow the church in ways that enrich our congregation. My personal interest is in community ministry to deepen our commitment to the disadvantaged, provide for preferential treatment of the poor, and engage with other cultures within our community. We must be responsible in our stewardship of our existing resources and work to develop new sources of support. We have great opportunity to continue to build community through the existing programs and develop new initiatives to meet community need.
JEN THOMAS
2023 VESTRY CANDIDATE
My name is Jen Thomas and I was a Naval helicopter test pilot. I retired from the Navy after 20 years of service. My husband, Brien Croteau, is still active duty. I’m now working for Northrop Grumman at their Annapolis campus as a System’s Engineering Lead on one of their undersea programs.
We started coming to St. Margaret’s three years ago (during COVID) when we moved to the Annapolis area. We intended to “church shop,” started here, and never went anywhere else. Even masked and with COVID protocols, it was warm and inviting and immediately felt like home. We saw so many families with kids, a sure sign of a growing, vibrant church. We saw that children are welcomed, not shushed, and can feel this is their church too. I immediately became involved in VBS, Children’s Chapel, and Sunday School because they’re such important ministries.
Most important and impressive is how St. Margaret’s is an uncommonly welcoming, open church that lives out God’s word through actions. Our leadership in the Pride Parade and even just our rainbow flag is so powerful. A friend joined us at the Pride Parade and was surprised a church would march in Pride and not ostracize her for who she is.
Our church has a genuine commitment to not only our faith community, but the community at large. There are so many ways to meaningfully get involved. I love how we're able to open our church up for Winter Relief and how involved everyone is. I joined the Afghan Tiger team which led to my involvement with Tarjoman.org and helping our Afghan neighbors resettle in the U.S. I love how God is present in our church and want to see the ministries of St. Margaret's continue to grow and thrive.
| vestry_bios_2023.docx |