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…

John McKay, Senior Warden (2025)

John was born and raised in Tampa and has been a member of St. John’s Church for over 30 years.  He is a lifelong Episcopalian, having grown up as a member of St. Andrew’s and St. Mary’s churches and is a multi-generation member of St. John’s.  His parents were married at St. John’s in 1959,…

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.…

Andy Brown, Junior Warden (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…

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…

Norman F.J. Allen III, Colonel, US Army, Retired

Norm is a lifelong Episcopalian, and as an Army Brat, was raised in churches across the country and overseas. He was routinely involved in the church as an acolyte or Sacristan while a student at the University of the South, Sewanee, TN. After law school at the University of Georgia, he practiced law in Athens,…

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…

Robert Alter (2026)

Robert O. “Bob” Alter, born and raised Episcopalian, found a home at St. John’s Episcopal Church when returned to Tampa in 2013. He was born and raised in Dallas, Texas, where his family were active members of Episcopal Church of The Transfiguration. He was baptized, confirmed, and served as an Acolyte at the Church, and…

Cary Brown (2026)

I am honored to have been elected to the Vestry of St John’s. I was baptized, confirmed, and raised in a rural Virginia Episcopal parish. I’ve recently retired from a 37-year career in military and government service. This included active-duty Air Force assignments and deployments around the country and throughout the world, and lengthy duty…

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…