The vestry is an elected group of parish members who oversee the church and its operations.
This group of parish members ensure that the church obeys the denomination’s church doctrine.

The Rev. Christian Wood

Father Chris was born and raised in Queens, NY. A lifelong Episcopalian, he grew up going to his local parish Grace Church Whitestone. At Grace Church, Father Chris began his journey with Our Lord. Growing up, he enjoyed playing baseball and rooting for his beloved N.Y. Mets and N.Y. Giants. Father Chris attended John Jay…

Sarah Bricklemyer, Senior Warden (2023)

Sarah Bricklemyer has been an active member of St. John’s Episcopal Church since 2004 when she moved to her husband Clayton’s hometown of Tampa. She was born and raised in Greensboro, NC, where her family was an active member of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. She attended their parish preschool, served as an acolyte, and she…

The Rev. Dale VanWormer

Fr. Dale is a native of the scenic Finger Lakes region of New York State, a graduate of Keuka College (History & Political Science, 2014), and an alumnus of Nashotah House Theological Seminary in Wisconsin. He is passionate about liturgy and sacred music and plans to share his love of teaching with us at St.…

Alvie Casey, Junior Warden (2023)

Alvie is a life-long Episcopalian and a Tampa native. She was baptized at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, and she and her husband, Lee, married there in 1985. They joined St. John’s shortly thereafter. Their four children and two grandchildren were baptized at St. John’s. Their oldest daughter, Virginia Casey Galavis, graduated from St. John’s School,…

Laura Hobby, Clerk

Laura Hobby has been a member of St. John’s since 1985 when her parents, Bob and Lynda Vawter, joined the church. St. John’s has been the center of her life since then. She married her husband, Clarke Hobby, at St. John’s and her children, Charles and Virginia, were baptized at the church. Laura’s involvement in…

Deacon Mary Alice Lopez

A Tampa native born to The Rev. and Mrs. Leonard E. and Martha L. Nelson, Mary Alice and older brother Martin were raised in Louisiana. Mary Alice is married to Victor, who is from Mexico. They have three children, Philip (Atlanta), Ana (Missoula, Montana), Victor (Tampa), and a grandson, Miller (Atlanta). Mary Alice received her…

Roddy Belfatti (2025)

Roddy is a 4th generation Episcopalian and a West Palm Beach native. She was baptized at Holy Trinity Church in West Palm and when her family moved to Knoxville, TN in middle school, she became very involved at the Church of the Ascension. She spent six years in the choir and led many Happening retreats…

Andy Brown (2025)

Andy has attended St. John’s for over 30 years, including being married in the church. His three adult daughters went to school at St. John’s. He is currently a reader and chalice bearer, and he has been involved in many other areas over the years, including as a Sunday School teacher, Every Member stewardship campaign…

The Rev. Charles E. Connelly

Father Connelly did his undergraduate work at the University of North Carolina and then earned an MBA at the Columbia Business School. After an eighteen-year career with Owens-Illinois, he spent fifteen years engaged in various entrepreneurial endeavors. As a layman he was involved in a wide variety of ministries in several Episcopal churches including serving…

Laura Cruse (2023)

I am honored to be nominated for the vestry of St. John’s Church, a special part of the Body of Christ that has nurtured, supported, and grown with my family since 2004. My family has been a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church since 2004. I grew up attending the Methodist church in Temple Terrace…