The Clergy & Staff

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Father Todd Young

Fr. Todd Young, 28th Rector of St. John's Episcopal Church.

Fr. Todd’s journey to the priesthood and to St. John’s Episcopal Church in Hagerstown began in 1996 when he experienced a call from God to the ordained ministry. He enrolled as a non-traditional student at Whitworth College in Spokane, WA, as well as officially entering the discernment process. After earning a B.A. in Organizational Management, he and his family (wife, Joelene, and daughter, Cecellia) moved to Evanston, IL, in 2001. There he attended Seabury-Western Theological Seminary and graduated in June 2004. He was ordained to the transitional diaconate on June 12 at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Spokane, WA.

In July 2004, the family moved to Montana where he served the 2-point cure of Christ Church, Sheridan, and St. Paul’s Church, Virginia City. He was ordained to the priesthood on December 18, 2004, at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Helena, MT. While in Montana, he oversaw several building improvements at both parishes, made regular visits to neighborhood bars as a way to reach out to the people, was elected to the city council of Sheridan, and served as chaplain to the Sheridan Volunteer Fire Department, eventually being promoted to captain.

In November 2010, Fr. Todd accepted a call to St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Grants Pass, OR. While there, he organized spiritual quiet days for the parish, led a monthly movie night discussion, taught the adult forum between services, served on Diocesan Council, and participated in an ecumenical clergy group.

Fr. Todd began his tenure at St. John’s on November 1, 2016. Although the East Coast is different from his Northwest roots, he is finding this area to be a loving, giving, supportive place to live. He sees himself as the Chief Spiritual Officer of the church and continues to be concerned about the well-being of all people. He has offererd spiritual quiet days, a number of adult studies, currently serves on Diocesan Council, and also serves on the board of the Hagerstown Area Religious Council..  Mondays are his visitation days when he makes personal home visits to parishioners.  He is committed to excellent liturgy, quality preaching, education for adults and youth, and the inclusion of all people equally as members in the household of God.  His favorite hobby is officiating high school football, and he can be seen on autumn Friday nights working as a side judge for the Washington County Football Officials Association.

If you would like to know more about Fr. Todd or have questions about the Episcopal Church or St. John’s Parish, please call the church office (301-733-2560) and make an appointment to meet with him. If you have a pastoral emergency, please contact him at 541-659-8151.

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Deacon Susan Wert

Sue was born and primarily raised in Annapolis, Maryland.

She was baptized in the Lutheran Church of America, now known as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in American, and was confirmed there as well.  She was received into the Episcopal Church in 2011.

She felt compelled by the Spirit to be a beacon of light for all who cross her path.  Guided by the Spirit, she was active in youth leadership throughout her adolescence and young adult life.  While being a volunteer in the Church, she earned an Associate’s degree, Bachelors of Science and a Master’s in Divinity. 

Sue felt a call to be a pastor in the Lutheran Church.  She completed her degree with faculty approval to move forward with her call.  The Synod committee, however, did not see these same gifts.  Sue then worked toward a better understanding of her vocation and participated in two yearly resident chaplaincies in pastoral care. 

Deciding against furthering this pastoral call, Sue went to work at Barnes and Noble, T Rowe Price, and today she works for Walmart. 

The Spirit continued to compel Sue into ordained ministry where that call was developed and confirmed in the role of a vocational deacon.  Ordained to the Diaconate in June of 2019, she brings the gifts of the chaplain listener, the beacon of compassion and mercy, having a hand in hospitality, servanthood, and a desire for justice.  She looks forward to the challenges ahead with God leading the way.

During her ordination service at the Cathedral of the Incarnation in Baltimore, Bp. Eugene Sutton announced her placement at Saint John's, Hagerstown.  The people and staff of Saint John's are pleased to have her with us, and we look forward to developing our relationship together.

She lives in Hagerstown with her wife, Vicki, and one fur baby, Mattie.  Her favorite hobbies are gardening and reading (Jack Reacher novels).

Mr. John Sabine, Minister of Music

Mr. Sabine comes to us from Atlanta, GA, where he served as Organist and Choirmaster for Christ Our Hope Lutheran Church, and Pre-school Music Instructor for Lutheran Church of the Redeemer.  He hass served extensively in churches and schools, and has a wealth of other musical knowledge.

He has a Bachelor of Music from Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ, and a Master of Sacred Music from Emory Universty, Atlanta, GA.

When not playing or teaching music, he enjoys time in the gym and watching Star Trek.

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Melonie Orr - Church Administrator

Current Vestry Members

Name (Serving Until) - Commission
David Davis ('24) -- Stewardship & Finance
Betty Markle ('24) -- Parish Life
David McKinley ('24) -- Welcoming
Evvie Williams ('24) -- Spiritual Life
Kathy Argueso ('25) -- Christian Formation
Will Godwin ('25) -- Welcoming
Jennifer Sealing ('25) -- Spiritual Life
Sue Ellen Spotts ('25) -- Christian Formation
Peg Brown ('26) -- Service & Outreach
Mark Halsey ('26) -- Stewardship & Finance
Bob Rauth ('26) -- Fabric & Grounds
Christine (Chris) Tischer ('26) -- Spiritual Life
 
Officers
Senior Warden: Bob Speelman
Junior Warden: Deanna Soulis
Treasurer: Katherine Foreman
Registrar: Anne Morin
Chancellor: Bill Young