Saint James Episcopal Church Leadership
Our vestry and staff work to lead the congregation in our primary ministries of worship, faith formation, care of our property and stewardship of our finances.
Vestry
Carol Paulk, Senior Warden
I am honored to serve as the Senior Warden of Saint James Episcopal Church. I have been an Episcopalian since early adulthood, and a member of this parish for over 16 years. In addition to serving as Senior Warden I also acolyte and serve on the Altar Guild. Serving at Saint James has deepened my faith and nurtured my relationships with fellow travelers on the path. I am grateful to be part of a Christian community that welcomes all seekers no matter where they are on their spiritual journey.
I am honored to serve as the Senior Warden of Saint James Episcopal Church. I have been an Episcopalian since early adulthood, and a member of this parish for over 16 years. In addition to serving as Senior Warden I also acolyte and serve on the Altar Guild. Serving at Saint James has deepened my faith and nurtured my relationships with fellow travelers on the path. I am grateful to be part of a Christian community that welcomes all seekers no matter where they are on their spiritual journey.
Eileen Flock, Junior Warden
Saint James has been my faith home for over twenty years and I am privileged to serve on the vestry as your Junior Warden. I love helping to take care of our beautiful property so that it is a welcoming place for all who visit. I've previously served as the Saint James youth minister and am active with The Boy Scouts who help us do many projects on our property. I hope you feel at home here.
Saint James has been my faith home for over twenty years and I am privileged to serve on the vestry as your Junior Warden. I love helping to take care of our beautiful property so that it is a welcoming place for all who visit. I've previously served as the Saint James youth minister and am active with The Boy Scouts who help us do many projects on our property. I hope you feel at home here.
John Hart, Treasurer
After relocating from my native Rhode Island to sunny Arizona, I was grateful to discover the Episcopal Church. Raised Catholic and seeking a more inclusive spiritual home, my husband Dusty and I quickly embraced the Episcopal Way and became members of St. Barnabas. Now semi-retired from a career in national operations leadership, I felt called to contribute wherever my experience might serve the church. That call led me to St. James, where I’ve been honored to serve as Treasurer. I’ve grown deeply attached to this vibrant community and feel privileged to be part of its ongoing mission.
After relocating from my native Rhode Island to sunny Arizona, I was grateful to discover the Episcopal Church. Raised Catholic and seeking a more inclusive spiritual home, my husband Dusty and I quickly embraced the Episcopal Way and became members of St. Barnabas. Now semi-retired from a career in national operations leadership, I felt called to contribute wherever my experience might serve the church. That call led me to St. James, where I’ve been honored to serve as Treasurer. I’ve grown deeply attached to this vibrant community and feel privileged to be part of its ongoing mission.
Gail Hartman, Clerk
My husband and I were seeking a new faith community following the pandemic, and found Saint James during the Holy Triduum in 2022, the hospitality, warmth, and opportunities to grow in both wisdom and grace helped us to choose to make the Episcopal Church and in particular Saint James our faith community. As a woman of faith, I answered the call to serve Saint James on the Vestry in 2024. As a Vestry member my role is to ensure, along with the community, that Saint James has the resources needed to fulfill our mission well into the future. Here, my previous experiences in business and as a catechist, administrator, religious studies educator along with training as a Spiritual Director, Labyrinth facilitator and a lifelong quest to follow Jesus, have prepared me to serve our community “for such a time as this.”
My husband and I were seeking a new faith community following the pandemic, and found Saint James during the Holy Triduum in 2022, the hospitality, warmth, and opportunities to grow in both wisdom and grace helped us to choose to make the Episcopal Church and in particular Saint James our faith community. As a woman of faith, I answered the call to serve Saint James on the Vestry in 2024. As a Vestry member my role is to ensure, along with the community, that Saint James has the resources needed to fulfill our mission well into the future. Here, my previous experiences in business and as a catechist, administrator, religious studies educator along with training as a Spiritual Director, Labyrinth facilitator and a lifelong quest to follow Jesus, have prepared me to serve our community “for such a time as this.”
Carol Justice, Vestry Member
I have loved Saint James from the first time I attended a memorial service in about 2010 and quickly decided to transfer my membership to Saint James. I felt so welcomed by everyone and it is really true that friends at church became my church family. This is my second term as a Vestry member and I hope to share my gifts of discernment and logic to help provide for the future of Saint James.
I have loved Saint James from the first time I attended a memorial service in about 2010 and quickly decided to transfer my membership to Saint James. I felt so welcomed by everyone and it is really true that friends at church became my church family. This is my second term as a Vestry member and I hope to share my gifts of discernment and logic to help provide for the future of Saint James.
Paul Stratman, Vestry Member
When I came to Saint James, I decided that I was going to be a part of the wellness of the church and would offer any talents that I had to help any way I could. First, I agreed to be an acolyte and learn how to serve at the altar. Next, I was elected to the Vestry and now help with church administration. I’ve attended the Episcopal church for almost thirty years, but it wasn't until May 17, 2025 that I was formally received into the Episcopal church by The Rt. Rev. Bishop Jennifer Reddall at Trinity Cathedral in Phoenix. I’m now a card carrying Episcopalian.
When I came to Saint James, I decided that I was going to be a part of the wellness of the church and would offer any talents that I had to help any way I could. First, I agreed to be an acolyte and learn how to serve at the altar. Next, I was elected to the Vestry and now help with church administration. I’ve attended the Episcopal church for almost thirty years, but it wasn't until May 17, 2025 that I was formally received into the Episcopal church by The Rt. Rev. Bishop Jennifer Reddall at Trinity Cathedral in Phoenix. I’m now a card carrying Episcopalian.
Juneva Tunder, Vestry Member
I am a new vestry member. When I first moved here in 2017, I looked for an Episcopalian church near my home and found Saint James. The first Sunday I attended, I was treated with hugs and love by the other parishioners. Saint James represents Love to God and Love to all. That's the most important thing to me.
I am a new vestry member. When I first moved here in 2017, I looked for an Episcopalian church near my home and found Saint James. The first Sunday I attended, I was treated with hugs and love by the other parishioners. Saint James represents Love to God and Love to all. That's the most important thing to me.
Staff
The Rev. Anne K. Ellsworth, Priest-In-Charge
I am delighted to be called to serve Saint James Episcopal Church! I feel particularly called to be with people in times of transition and to those places where spirituality and action meet in our lives—places of worship, communities, and the world. I am a trained Godly Play storyteller, a Sacred Ground facilitator, and a seasoned preacher and priest with twenty years of ministry experience. I hold a Master of Arts in Theology, with a concentration in Social Ethics, from the Jesuit School of Theology and a Certificate in Anglican Studies from Church Divinity School of the Pacific.
I am delighted to be called to serve Saint James Episcopal Church! I feel particularly called to be with people in times of transition and to those places where spirituality and action meet in our lives—places of worship, communities, and the world. I am a trained Godly Play storyteller, a Sacred Ground facilitator, and a seasoned preacher and priest with twenty years of ministry experience. I hold a Master of Arts in Theology, with a concentration in Social Ethics, from the Jesuit School of Theology and a Certificate in Anglican Studies from Church Divinity School of the Pacific.
Lali Breen, Director of Music Lali has been the Organist and Music Director since 2017. She brings a variety of musical experience to Saint James as a keyboardist and string player with a background in religious, classical, and secular music of all types. She enjoys bringing a diverse mix of music to the service which reflects the inclusiveness of Saint James and includes world and Gospel music as well as traditional hymns and chants. If information is desired about participating in the music at Saint James as a singer or instrumentalist, please email Lali.
Carmen Valenzuela , Church Administrator
I’m recently retired from a full-time career that spanned the corporate, government, nonprofit and religious sectors. My most recent position was pastor for community life and administration for a mid-sized Episcopal parish. I am happy to have the opportunity to use my over 25 years of ministry and administrative gifts here at St, James. I love how genuinely open, friendly and welcoming the people are here. And I love the music!
I’m recently retired from a full-time career that spanned the corporate, government, nonprofit and religious sectors. My most recent position was pastor for community life and administration for a mid-sized Episcopal parish. I am happy to have the opportunity to use my over 25 years of ministry and administrative gifts here at St, James. I love how genuinely open, friendly and welcoming the people are here. And I love the music!
Cheryl Hamati, Bookkeeper
I became the part-time bookkeeper for Saint James in 2022 after serving for 13 years as Trinity Cathedral’s Director of Finance and Operations. It is a pleasure working at Saint James! I look forward to continuing my work at Saint James and witnessing the enormous amount of love and commitment that is present in this community. I also look very forward to spending a great deal of time with our 3 handsome grandsons.
I became the part-time bookkeeper for Saint James in 2022 after serving for 13 years as Trinity Cathedral’s Director of Finance and Operations. It is a pleasure working at Saint James! I look forward to continuing my work at Saint James and witnessing the enormous amount of love and commitment that is present in this community. I also look very forward to spending a great deal of time with our 3 handsome grandsons.
