Natalie Glover
Nominated by: Erin Chantry
Have you served on the Vestry before? No
Worship Service Regularly Attended: Sunday, 10:45 a.m.
How often: Several times a month
Names of household members: Kevin Glover (husband), Sylvia Glover (child), Sebastian Glover (child) and Genevieve Glover (child)
Ministry and volunteerism involvement within and beyond St. Peter’s
I am active in St. Peter’s Parents Connect and have recently engaged with our Social Justice Ministry. This past fall, I had the honor to participate in the Grants allocation initiative. My children and I are also active in the Room in the Inn ministry.
Describe any Participation in the Christian Formation (Education) Program
My children routinely attend Atrium when we are able to meet in person. Most Sundays, you can find me at Parents Connect or at the Adult Formation. In full candor however, our family struggles with virtual learning and it has been several months since we have been to Atrium remotely.
What does St. Peter’s mean to you and why are you willing to serve on the vestry?
St. Peter’s to me is a place where I have been called to examine my conscience, consider the experiences of others and seek comfort in the fellowship of those who bring alternate points of view. I absolutely adore worshipping with folks of all ages, from varying backgrounds and cultures. I have also benefitted from our clergy’s keen intellect, historical biblical context and relevant homilies. One of my longstanding complaints with our current culture is the overall portrayal of churches and Christians as rigid, judgmental and science denying. I’m proud to raise my children in an institution that’s helping to rewrite the prevalent narrative and this is why I’m keen to serve on the vestry. I believe that we’re uniquely positioned within our community to continue the wonderful work that’s already under way while expanding our efforts to minister to the marginalized.
If elected, what gifts and talents would you bring to this leadership ministry?
I believe the leadership at St. Peter’s would benefit from my perspective as the mother of three children. I know it’s cliche, but children really are the next generation Church and they need to be equipped accordingly. Having been active in Parents Connect since its’ inception, I understand firsthand the many things we are doing great and where we can enhance our programs. Additionally, my career path requires an analytical, organized and logical approach to problem solving. I believe I can parlay these skills to different challenges the church may face.
Current or recent work or profession, priorities, hobbies
I have worked in banking for nearly all of my career – the majority of my time has been spent in consumer credit strategies and execution and I adore this area of my field. My husband and I share three children, ages 9, 6, and 2. That does not leave a lot of time for hobbies but I enjoy being active and trying different types of exercise. I also love to cook and read.
How does St. Peter’s feed your spiritual journey and growth?
Quite frankly, St. Peter’s always makes me uncomfortable and I think that’s healthy. We tackle hard topics collectively and the different perspectives of our clergy and parishioners makes one re-examine longstanding views on both current issues as well as topics related to our faith history.
Mary Gotschall
Nominated by: Mary Lynn Sepkowitz
Have you served on the Vestry before? No
Worship Service Regularly Attended: Sunday, 10:45 a.m.
How often: Several times a month
Ministry and volunteerism involvement within and beyond St. Peter’s
I am a Rite 13 leader this year, and I am involved with the Young Adults Ministry. I have previously served on St. Peter’s Finance Committee, and have attended various youth fundraising and volunteer events. I also have previously served on the board of Center City Concerts.
Describe any Participation in the Christian Formation (Education) Program
I am a Rite 13 leader this year. I currently attend the Exodus Bible study on Wednesday nights, and I have attended various audit formation programs over the years.
What does St. Peter’s mean to you and why are you willing to serve on the vestry?
I recently moved back to Charlotte, after living in London for the past two years. I was very involved in St. Peter’s before I moved, and it has been so wonderful to return to St. Peter’s, even in a virtual capacity. I love the worship and our choir, and I love how welcoming St. Peter’s is. I have gotten so much from my involvement at St. Peter’s, including formation and friends made through the Young Adult ministry, the Parish retreat, and even from sitting near each other on Sundays. Because St. Peter’s has given me so much, I am willing to serve on the vestry to be able to get more involved with my church home and to give back a little bit of what I’ve received.
If elected, what gifts and talents would you bring to this leadership ministry?
I am an accountant, so I do have a finance background. I am organized and driven. I have a positive attitude to help out where I am most needed and a willingness to serve. I am a bit quieter and introspective, so I could help the Vestry in evaluating decisions in a more thoughtful way.
Current or recent work or profession, priorities, hobbies
I am an accountant, and work sometimes does have to take priority. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with friends, playing tennis, going on walks, and traveling (once that is allowed again!)
How does St. Peter’s feed your spiritual journey and growth?
I have grown so much during my years at St. Peter’s. Sunday services of course offer so many opportunities to learn through the sermons, and I have participated in a variety of formation classes over the years. Right now I am attending the Exodus Bible study led by Mother Amanda, which has been so helpful to learn more about the Old Testament. I also have already learned a lot from our Youth through the start of our Rite 13 classes, and I’m looking forward to learning more from them and my co-leader. The friends that I’ve made over the years have helped me in my faith and encouraged me through the different seasons of life.
Katie Nelson
Nominated by: Erin Chantry
Have you served on the Vestry before? No
Worship Service Regularly Attended: Sunday, 8:00 a.m.
How often: Weekly
Names of household members: Dan (spouse) and Gracie (child)
Ministry and volunteerism involvement within and beyond St. Peter’s
Having been a member of St.Peters for many years, I have worked and served the church in many different programs and capacities. Currently, I serve as a catechist in the Atrium of the Parousia (Level III) and previously served in Level I. I participate in the Parent’s connect group and Room in the Inn. I also serve as a lector and acolyte at the 8am service and hope to be able to serve as subdeacon when we return to normal services. In the past, I have been part of the 20’s and 30’s group. As a child, I also was part of children’s choir, the first girls choir, and participated in the Crop walk for many years. I was also a very active acolyte as an adolescent. Outside out church, I am an active blood and plasma donor and am active in my daughter’s school community at Keystone Montessori.
Describe any Participation in the Christian Formation (Education) Program
In the past I participated in the Kerygma program and am currently in my second year of the Education for Ministry program. I am also trained in all three levels of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.
What does St. Peter’s mean to you and why are you willing to serve on the vestry?
St. Peter’s is my church home. I was baptized, confirmed, and married at St. Peter’s. My daughter was baptized in the same font where I was baptized. There have been many ups and downs during my years at St. Peter’s but I am always drawn back no matter what I do. The vision of St. Peter’s is to be a place of unconditional welcome and a beacon of God’s love. St. Peter’s has been that for me and so much more for so many years. I hope that by serving on the Vestry, I can work to ensure that St. Peter’s can be a place of love, light, and joy for other people for many generations to come.
If elected, what gifts and talents would you bring to this leadership ministry?
If elected, I would bring my knowledge of education, both of children, adolescents, and adults, to help support our Christian formation programs. In addition, having been a member of St. Peter’s as a child and as an adult, I can bring different perspectives of the church as seen from different places in life. My training in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, the Kerygma program, and the Education for Ministry program has provided me a good background in theology and liturgy to help me understand the workings of our faith and the church.
Current or recent work or profession, priorities, hobbies
I currently teach High School Science and Spanish at Williams Secondary Montessori. Prior to teaching with the Secondary Montessori program, I taught at North Mecklenburg High school and, prior to that, I worked in medical research. I love to knit, crochet, quilt, read, and spend time with my daughter Gracie, my husband Dan, our two dogs, Gatsby and Isla, and our cat, Sybbie.
How does St. Peter’s feed your spiritual journey and growth?
St. Peter’s feeds my spiritual journey by holding space for that which is greater than me. St. Peter’s is the place where I can question, listen, participate, or simply be. St. Peter’s invigorates me to do more and be more without exhausting me and it is a place where I am constantly surprised. Whether it is the music that helps me lift my worries to God or the children that tell me the most amazing things about their conversations with God, I know I will always leave St. Peter’s with exactly what I need to shine my light.
Matt Sharp
Nominated by: Mary Lynn Sepkowitz
Have you served on the Vestry before? No
Worship Service Regularly Attended: Sunday, 10:45 a.m.
How often: Weekly
Names of household members: Susan Alexander (spouse) and Penelope Sharp Alexander (child)
Ministry and volunteerism involvement within and beyond St. Peter’s
St. Peter’s Atrium II (better than Sunday School) catechist
St. Peter’s Livestream Production team
St. Peter’s Congregational Engagement team
Center City Concert’s at St. Peter’s board
Describe any Participation in the Christian Formation (Education) Program
US Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Formation Level I
US Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Formation Level II
US Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Formation Level III (in progress)
What does St. Peter’s mean to you and why are you willing to serve on the vestry?
St. Peter’s is our beloved community based on justice for all of God’s people, equality for each part of the the Body, and love for every expression of God’s Creation. I have benefitted from the hard work and dedication of our vestry over the past nine years. I now feel the call to step up and serve the whole parish.
If elected, what gifts and talents would you bring to this leadership ministry?
United Methodist upbringing & Episcopalian journey since college
Information Technology & Audio Visual
Social Media & Digital Strategy
Project Management & Organizational Development
Current or recent work or profession, priorities, hobbies
Almost thirty years of experience in philanthropy, currently IT Director at a large grantmaking foundation.
My life partner of 36 years and and I are parents of a Myers Park High School 10th grader. Much of our time and energy is focused on her education, activities, and growth.
I can make tofu from a bag of dried soy bean seeds. I can make kombucha from sweet tea. I can start a fire with two sticks of wood—really!
How does St. Peter’s feed your spiritual journey and growth?
The clergy guide me and inspire me with sermons, teaching, and the breaking of the bread.
The parishioners amaze me and comfort me with their life experiences and their dedication.
The children teach me about and delight me with their vision of God.