Meet St. David's staff and vestry
Staff
The Rev. Jana Whitworth
Rector (she/her)
The Rev. Jana Whitworth (she/her) is originally from Canada, where she learned some French and earned a BA in Russian and a Masters in Library and Information Science at McGill University. When she moved to the United States she made her way to the Episcopal Church through an inquirers’ class. The liturgy and openness to questions together with a conviction that God is love offered an inspired faith. She earned her MDIV from Portland Seminary (George Fox University) and worked as a hospice chaplain before transitioning to full time parish ministry. Jana lives with her wife, Dusti, and two dogs, Phoebe and Idgie. She has three grown children. In her spare time she enjoys coffee, books, kayaking, and live entertainment. She is delighted to be called as rector of St. David’s and is excited to partner together to offer warmth and welcome, to seek justice, and to love one another. Jana can be reached at [email protected].
Rector (she/her)
The Rev. Jana Whitworth (she/her) is originally from Canada, where she learned some French and earned a BA in Russian and a Masters in Library and Information Science at McGill University. When she moved to the United States she made her way to the Episcopal Church through an inquirers’ class. The liturgy and openness to questions together with a conviction that God is love offered an inspired faith. She earned her MDIV from Portland Seminary (George Fox University) and worked as a hospice chaplain before transitioning to full time parish ministry. Jana lives with her wife, Dusti, and two dogs, Phoebe and Idgie. She has three grown children. In her spare time she enjoys coffee, books, kayaking, and live entertainment. She is delighted to be called as rector of St. David’s and is excited to partner together to offer warmth and welcome, to seek justice, and to love one another. Jana can be reached at [email protected].
The Rev. Dcn. Tracy LeBlanc
Deacon (she/her)
Tracy has been a deacon in the diocese of Oregon since 2006 and before coming to Saint David’s served at St. Matthew’s and Sts. Peter and Paul in Portland. By weekday she is a licensed clinical social worker/registered play therapist and spends her days delighting in the stories and journeys of children with hands covered in paint, through the voices of puppets or figures buried in sand. In the same way she delights in and feels privileged to be a witness to the stories of life and faith that are shared by those in parish community. She loves meaning making conversations about scripture, our experiences and how we find and proclaim Jesus in the world today. She loves exploring liturgy, symbol, music, scripture, service and all the ways we experience the Holy. She cares deeply about social justice and finding ways to understand and give voice to those experiencing marginalization. Her favorite playful hobbies include singing, tap dancing, strategy board games and reading mystery novels. Tracy can be reached at [email protected].
Deacon (she/her)
Tracy has been a deacon in the diocese of Oregon since 2006 and before coming to Saint David’s served at St. Matthew’s and Sts. Peter and Paul in Portland. By weekday she is a licensed clinical social worker/registered play therapist and spends her days delighting in the stories and journeys of children with hands covered in paint, through the voices of puppets or figures buried in sand. In the same way she delights in and feels privileged to be a witness to the stories of life and faith that are shared by those in parish community. She loves meaning making conversations about scripture, our experiences and how we find and proclaim Jesus in the world today. She loves exploring liturgy, symbol, music, scripture, service and all the ways we experience the Holy. She cares deeply about social justice and finding ways to understand and give voice to those experiencing marginalization. Her favorite playful hobbies include singing, tap dancing, strategy board games and reading mystery novels. Tracy can be reached at [email protected].
Brian Fairbanks
Parish Administrator (he/him/they/them)
Brian is also the Choir Director at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church here in Portland, Oregon. He directs three choirs there, from children through adult ages. Brian is also principal flutist in the Sunnyside Symphony Orchestra, a community orchestra based in southeast Portland. He is a founding member of the Cathedral Trio, based in Seattle. Formed in 2009 by members of the Cathedral Choir at St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral in Seattle, they play music for flute, viola and harp. They have premiered several pieces, including works by Jiro Censhu, Dell Wade and Peter Hallock. Brian was the Associate Musician at St. Mark’s Cathedral for 14 years. Brian has also worked for several years at Kitchen Kaboodle (“Only in Portland since 1975”), and enjoys reading, walking, baking, and practicing French (by reading children’s books—he’s not very good!)
Brian can be reached at [email protected].
Parish Administrator (he/him/they/them)
Brian is also the Choir Director at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church here in Portland, Oregon. He directs three choirs there, from children through adult ages. Brian is also principal flutist in the Sunnyside Symphony Orchestra, a community orchestra based in southeast Portland. He is a founding member of the Cathedral Trio, based in Seattle. Formed in 2009 by members of the Cathedral Choir at St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral in Seattle, they play music for flute, viola and harp. They have premiered several pieces, including works by Jiro Censhu, Dell Wade and Peter Hallock. Brian was the Associate Musician at St. Mark’s Cathedral for 14 years. Brian has also worked for several years at Kitchen Kaboodle (“Only in Portland since 1975”), and enjoys reading, walking, baking, and practicing French (by reading children’s books—he’s not very good!)
Brian can be reached at [email protected].
Josh Hegg
Director of Music (he/him)
Joshua is a Portland-based pianist, composer, and educator with a deep appreciation for the art of music-making and the connections it forges within the church community. He's a sought-after pianist and music director, performing in a wide range of styles. Besides Sunday mornings where you can see him play organ and piano in church, you can catch him on stage performing with several bands, underneath stages performing in various theaters around town, and sometimes on top of a stage with a microphone fronting his original trio Crosstalk.
In addition to music, Joshua loves movies, gardening, good coffee with conversation, and spending time with his wife, Megan, and their two dogs, Peanut Butter and Gidget. He is a proud member of the American Federation of Musicians and the Music Teacher National Association. For all things music, Josh can be reached at [email protected] .
Director of Music (he/him)
Joshua is a Portland-based pianist, composer, and educator with a deep appreciation for the art of music-making and the connections it forges within the church community. He's a sought-after pianist and music director, performing in a wide range of styles. Besides Sunday mornings where you can see him play organ and piano in church, you can catch him on stage performing with several bands, underneath stages performing in various theaters around town, and sometimes on top of a stage with a microphone fronting his original trio Crosstalk.
In addition to music, Joshua loves movies, gardening, good coffee with conversation, and spending time with his wife, Megan, and their two dogs, Peanut Butter and Gidget. He is a proud member of the American Federation of Musicians and the Music Teacher National Association. For all things music, Josh can be reached at [email protected] .
Cleo Mozena
Children and Youth Ministry Coordinator (she/her)
Cleo and her family joined the Saint David’s community in December 2016. She has always felt the most at home spiritually in the Episcopal church. Her background is in nursing, and she received her BS in nursing from the University of Portland. She brings her skills in coordination, organization, communication, and implementation from her nursing background to the children’s ministries at St. David’s. Cleo started in children’s ministry in 2015, and received Godly Play training in August 2016. She fell in love with how Godly Play shows God’s love to children through its stories and story-telling methods. She also loves the insights children have in the Bible lessons, bringing newness to the familiar stories and readings. Cleo, her husband, daughter, and chocolate lab live in Gresham. She loves reading, playing board games, skiing, and travelling. Reach Cleo at [email protected].
Children and Youth Ministry Coordinator (she/her)
Cleo and her family joined the Saint David’s community in December 2016. She has always felt the most at home spiritually in the Episcopal church. Her background is in nursing, and she received her BS in nursing from the University of Portland. She brings her skills in coordination, organization, communication, and implementation from her nursing background to the children’s ministries at St. David’s. Cleo started in children’s ministry in 2015, and received Godly Play training in August 2016. She fell in love with how Godly Play shows God’s love to children through its stories and story-telling methods. She also loves the insights children have in the Bible lessons, bringing newness to the familiar stories and readings. Cleo, her husband, daughter, and chocolate lab live in Gresham. She loves reading, playing board games, skiing, and travelling. Reach Cleo at [email protected].
Vestry
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Kieran Cannistra
Senior warden Steve Denniston
Cheaquetta Johnson
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Mary Hultquist
Junior warden Brian Felder
Emily Maass
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Wendy Beth Oliver
Clerk Chris Norloff
Fran Gardner
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