2023 Vestry
The Vestry is the lay leadership body of the church. There are nine members, each serving three-year terms. Each January, three members roll off, and three members are elected for a new three-year term.
Under the photos below, each Vestry member is identified as Year 1, Year 2, or Year 3 of his or her term.
Sarah Stanley is grateful to be in her seventh year at All Souls, having moved to the area the year before to serve as a librarian at Wheaton College. She joined an Episcopal church in 2000 (where former Interim Bishop Minns was the rector), was confirmed in 2003, and has been an enthusiastic Anglican ever since. A PK (pastor’s kid) with a master’s degree in spiritual theology from Regent College, she firmly believes that laity play a vital role in the flourishing of a church. When asked to consider serving on vestry, she felt like it was a matter of being faithful to the call to laity to help the church and to her past training and experience. She very much covets your prayers, is grateful to be able to work with the incredible folks on vestry, and is looking forward to seeing what God does this coming year at All Souls.
Brad Cathey was confirmed into the Anglican Communion in 1992 and has been at All Souls since 2008. Most of you know him as greeter, chalicer, reader, webmaster, and verger. He now feels called to serve you as a vestry member during this pivotal time at All Souls. On the personal side, Brad has been married to Kathy for 44 years, has 3 children and 8 grandchildren. Career: 44 years as self-employed graphic designer. Interests: music, technology, literature, film, and aviation.
Lee Hoffner and his wife, Theresa, have been attending All Souls since 2014. Theresa preceded Lee in Vestry service — for which Lee is grateful. Lee and Theresa serve in music at All Souls, coordinating the ministry of the All Souls Choir. (Between the two of them, they have a combined choral music history totaling ~60 years.) Lee’s interests include brewing, poetry and improvisational comedy. Lee’s favorite saint is Benedict.
Bruce Knowlton has worshipped in the Anglican Communion his entire adult life. Along with his wife Gretchen, and children Miles, Margot, and Michael, he is grateful to call the All Souls community home since 2004. Bruce works in the fields of educational technology and media production. Otherwise, he loves to read, make music, and hike with his family. A transplant from São Paulo, Bruce loves all things Brazilian. Stop by his house for a cafézinho and conversation.
Jason Long has been attending All Souls since moving to Wheaton from Maine in 2011. He teaches Economics at Wheaton College. At All Souls, he has served as a reader and usher and has taught the 1st-3rd grade Sunday School class. Once we’re all back together on Sunday mornings, you’ll see Jason in the pews with his wife, Heidi, and two daughters, Maya and Lucy. After the service, you may see him talking with a philosopher/fly fisherman, trying to figure out where they’ve been catching trout lately.
Megan Lynch and her husband Greg have been part of All Souls since moving to the area from New York City in 2014. They serve as House Group leaders and are grateful for the support and friendship of the All Souls community. Megan and Greg have two young boys — Timothy and Caleb — and live in West Chicago. With a background in the nonprofit sector, Megan now works in philanthropy and corporate social responsibility as the manager of Duly Health and Care’s Charitable Fund. She enjoys running on the Prairie Path, being in nature, reading, and spending time with family and friends.
After attending for some time, Melinda Mahoney and her husband Ryan joined All Souls in 2014. Since then, you may have noticed Melinda in children’s ministry, as a reader, crucifer, or in some other service opportunity. She is grateful for the All Souls community where their son, Ian, was baptized and continues to grow and connect on his journey towards adulthood. Melinda has worked in the insurance industry for around 20 years, but outside of work, can be found experimenting with new recipes, growing fruits and vegetables, and dreaming about the next travel adventure.
Matthew J. Milliner visited All Souls with his wife Denise in 2011 when they moved to Wheaton and they both knew it was home. He and Denise saw both of their children, Peter and Polly, baptized under the beautiful mural of the Middle Eastern Christ under a Midwestern Tree of Life. Matt has a Seminary degree and, following Alan Jacobs, he served as Catechist at All Souls from 2013-2020. He teaches art history at Wheaton College, where, among other responsibilities, he leads morning and evening prayer services from the new ACNA prayer book in Advent and Lent.
Melody Schwarting and her husband Marcus have attended All Souls since August 2020. They co-lead a house group, and Melody serves in children’s Sunday school and Hands for Souls. A church historian by training, Melody loves learning about women writers in the Christian tradition, observing saints’ days, and translating liturgy to lifestyle. She and Marcus were confirmed together into the Anglican Communion on the feast day of Julian of Norwich in 2022. Spiritual direction and contemplative practices draw her into a deeper life of prayer. She enjoys all kinds of handicrafts, especially anything with wool, and reading avidly.