2022 Vestry candidates

Editor’s Note: The Vestry is a group of elected volunteers that serves as the parish’s functional Board of Directors. Vestry members, who serve in three groups for three-year terms, provide leadership and oversight of the mission and ministry of the congregation, and manage the church buildings and property, finances, and personnel.

New Vestry members are elected at the annual meeting. Photos of current Vestry members can be found on Saint Philip’s website by clicking here.

Erika Johnson

Erika Johnson
My husband, Landon, and I visited one church in Tucson when we moved here in 2016 and never tried another! Saint Philip’s In The Hills immediately felt like home. I have particularly loved being involved in women’s Bible study and serving on the board of Beloved in the Desert.

I was drawn to the Episcopal church in my early adulthood for its deep historical roots, liturgy, theology, and engagement with service. I want to be part of a church that is welcoming and giving to its surrounding community. I’m grateful to have found that at Saint Philip’s.

I studied Theology for my Bachelor’s degree from Whitworth University and you will still find my bookshelves full of nerdy books on religions. I have traveled (and lived) in dozens of countries on six continents. I like to bike and garden. My vocation now is teaching kindergarten. Helping young kids be successful in their early schooling is both a great joy and a constantly evolving challenge.

I am honored to have been nominated for service on the Vestry.

Meredith Mullins

Meredith Mullins
I was first received into the Episcopal church at Saint Philip’s Church in Charleston, SC after I was led to move from the Roman Catholic faith while in college. When my husband and I relocated to Tucson in 2015 from Charlotte, it seemed more than a coincidence that the first and only Episcopal church I attended was Saint Phillip’s.

Once Frs Robert and Peter arrived shortly thereafter, I knew it was my church home not only because of the leadership and passion of the clergy but also because of Saint Philip’s many offerings and the welcoming parishioners I began to meet.

I’ve been an avid participant in Saint Philip’s many opportunities to learn more about the faith and deepen my own. Mosaic Community nights, Tuesday morning Bible studies, retreats, and small group gatherings have been enriching fellowship experiences. I started ushering the year before COVID-19 hit and have come to appreciate the gift that ministry gives me more than ever.

By way of professional background, I’m a biomedical research consultant with degrees in biology, business, and law. I specialize in procuring government funding to reduce health care disparities and advising non-profit cancer research institutes, wherein I previously worked more than 25 years in senior leadership roles. I am humbled and honored to be nominated for the Vestry and hope I can use my skills to their benefit, Fr Robert’s, and the congregation as a whole.

Roger Rainbolt

Roger Rainbolt
Our daughter, Dana, and her family live in Tucson; our son, Steve, not married, lives in Georgia. Retiring in 2000 from our careers in education, we started to plan long-range polling each child as to the best place to live. We were thinking, “Who will watch over us as we age?”

Our daughter’s family sent a 10 bullet Power Point presentation about the benefits of Tucson. Our son offered his workshop at the back of his property. The choice was easy! We love Tucson and enjoy the benefits of our active adult community.

My faith journey amazes me. I was raised mostly unchurched but was exposed to fundamentalist churches. In high school, a friend introduced me to the Methodist church where I was baptized. My wife Jeannine, a cradle Episcopalian, introduced me to a denomination I never heard of let alone knew how to spell.

Once married, we attended our small parish in Illinois. After some time, the Rector pulled me aside one Sunday and said, “Son, you need to make a decision.” I’m so happy I did. At different times, I served as Junior Warden, Senior Warden, Vestry member, and chairman of Outreach and Parish Life.

Jeannine and I knew right away that Saint Philips should be our church home. The friendly people, the preaching, the many programs and the music impressed us.

During my time at Saint Philips, I have volunteered with the After School Music Program (which now operates as In-School Mentoring at Rio Vista Elementary School); Newcomer Conversations; social activities such as July 4 ice-cream socials, Thanksgiving meals, and greening of the church; Friends of Music; and the Breakfast Club (which, pre-COVID-19 offered breakfast and fellowship from 8:00am-9:30am on Sundays). I also served on the most recent search committee for the Director of Music.