Barbara Slegel
St. James’ has been my spiritual home since September of 1992 when I moved to Staatsburg from New Jersey because of my marriage to my husband, Tim, in August of that year. I have been a Choir member since then with a six-year hiatus when my two sons, Craig and Dalton, were small. I have been attending Bible Study since its inception in 1999 and also serve as a Lector. Outside of church, I enjoy playing the clarinet, traveling, and spending time with my family, friends, and neighbors.
Irene S. Kipp
I am a retired administrative assistant with a particular affinity for library service employment which I have enjoyed over the years. I learned about St. James’ through a writers’ group and have attended since 2014. I serve as a lay reader, am a member of the Outreach Committee, and have worked on the Graveyard Tours. I also contribute to the annual Lenten Meditation Booklet. Outside of St. James’, my interests include crocheting hairpin lace, baking, and writing essays and haiku. I enjoy walks in our local National Parks where I find inspiration for the haiku. It has been a privilege to work with this Search Committee as we look forward to welcoming a new rector.
Justin Bohlmann (vestry liaison)
I’ve been a member of the St. James’ parish since I was a toddler when my parents were looking for a more family friendly organization. My whole life has been spent serving the community: as an EMT, a firefighter, and through various roles over the years at St James’; currently serving my third term on the vestry. I’m proud to say my children are being raised at St James’. Outside of my service to the community, I enjoy camping, watching hockey and baseball, and exploring the Hudson Valley and beyond with my family.
Karen Gasparini
I am a retired nurse (45 years) now enjoying crafting, cooking, gardening, yoga, and walks through our lovely historic area. My husband and I were warmly welcomed as parishioners of St. James’ two years ago. I am a member of the Altar Guild, Outreach Committee, The Women’s Group, and act as a leader/reader for Evening Prayer. I am pleased and honored to serve on the Search Committee.
Lynne Koch
I am a retired Adjunct English Professor from Marist College. I’ve been a member of St. James since 1984 and many of my distant Livingston relatives are buried in the churchyard. I co-chair the Altar Guild and love taking care of God’s house. I’m a supporter of the “Outreach” community. Been married to my husband of 60 years, who I met and fell in love with when I was 14 at an Episcopal summer camp on Long Island. We have 3 children and 8 grandchildren. Our energetic family reconnects each summer at our camp in the Adirondacks. I’m a voracious reader, skilled needleworker, quilter and I love gardening and hiking. It’s been my pleasure and honor to be on the Search Committee.
Patty Glancey
My husband, 2 young daughters, and I have been a part of our supportive and loving St. James’ family since 2014. My husband serves on the Vestry, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather. I teach Sunday School, organize meetings of the Women’s Group, and have served on the Stewardship committee. I have been passionately teaching biology in a local high school for the past 21 years. My family loves to be outdoors and we enjoy hiking, camping, and exploring all bodies of water!
Charlessa Thatcher
I’ve been a parishioner at St. James’ Church since I was one, having moved from Albany, New York to Hyde Park with my family. I grew up at St. James’ attending Nursery School, Sunday School, Confirmation Class and Youth Group. Both of my children have been baptized and confirmed at St. James’ and served as Acolytes. They have participated in the life of St. James by engaging in Sunday School, Epiphany pageants, VBS, and more. I have a diverse professional career that includes being a licensed social worker, a director and choreographer for middle school student musicals and enjoy teaching Yoga as well as Tai Chi/Qigong to children, teens and adults. I’ve served on the Vestry and am honored to now be a member of the Search Committee.
Bobbie Wells
I am the octogenarian embodiment of Peter Pan. If I’d could, I’d have leapt from my pram and made straight for Never Land. Instead, I told God I didn’t want to grow up, and he listened. So, I became an artist, an author, and an elementary school art teacher. I raised two sons, two cats, seven dogs, one pair of goldfish, and wrote Church Tails, an irreverent recounting of St. James’ history as seen through the eyes of our church mice. I’ve coordinated vacation church schools, Graveyard tours, church service greeters, and managed to sit still long enough to serve multiple terms on vestry.
Wendy Urban-Mead (chair)
I have been at St. James’ since 2002, together with my husband Russell. Our two children grew up at St. James’, attending Sunday School, VBS, service camps; all four of us have contributed to the music program. I served on the vestry, taught Christian Education from ages 3 to adult, and acted in and directed the Graveyard Tours. In the community you can find me on- or back-stage at the Center for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck, at the Staatsburg Library, or walking along the Hudson River. I train high school teachers and teach history at Bard College and in nearby prisons. Stories, songs, and people are my favorite things.
James W. Oppenheimer-Crawford
I’m retired (30 years with New York State as a rehab counselor, 21 years with US Army as an interrogator). I have been in my church choir since I was about eight, and a number of other choirs over the decades. At a previous parish, I coordinated adult education, the prayer chain, and lay Eucharistic ministers (I have an M.Div.) and served on vestry. Today my main interests are music composition and playing in a couple of music groups, including an early-music ensemble where I play recorder. I’m enjoying being part of the search committee process.
