Staff

CLERGY AND STAFF INFORMATION

The Rev. Robert Gieselmann, Rector:

Rob’s passion is two-fold. He likes to preach with heart and gusto, and he values the quality time he spends with the people of St. Stephen's. From time to time, Rob plans to teach Bible and other short classes throughout the year, engage in contemplative prayer, and frustrate over administration. Rob is upbeat and energetic, and generally has fun in his ministry work. Rob is a single dad, a “Mr. Mom”, if you will, raising two children, cycling, and writing. He also serves on the board the Marin Interfaith Council.

Email: rob@ststephenschurch.org

Tele: 415-435-4501 Ext. 11

Cell: 415-786-3557

Recent Sermons

John Karl Hirten, Director of Parish Music:

John Karl Hirten has over twenty-five years of experience as a church musician, having served at Trinity Church on Wall Street in New York City, St. James Cathedral in Brooklyn, and Old St. Mary's in San Francisco. He is currently Director of Parish Music at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Belvedere. He also has been organist at the Fordham University Chapel (NY), Temple Beth Israel Judea (SF), and an adjunct faculty member at the Golden Gate Baptist Seminary (Mill Valley). His varied background in church music has led to him being described as an "ecumenical wonder" (GIA Quarterly).

A highly regarded composer, John has published over twenty compositions. For more information on John’s compositions and his other professional work, visit his website at www.hirten.com.

Email: johnkhirten@ststephenschurch.org

Tele: 415-435-4501 Ext. 17

Go to John's website*

Go to Music @ St. Stephens*

Shari Young, Associate Rector for Youth and Family Ministries:

Shari Young was raised in Southern California, did her undergraduate training at UCLA, and received an BA in Human Development (Education) from Pacific Oaks College in Pasadena. For 3 years, she trained in the Rinzai Zen tradition with Sasaki Roshi . Her M.Div. is from CDSP in Berkeley. She has served as Chaplain at Cathedral School for Boys, Vicar of St. Aidan’s Bolinas, and Associate Rector at St. James, San Francisco. Her ministry emphasizes creativity, spirituality, children and youth, inclusiveness, community, compassion, and social responsibility. She brings a wealth of experience as pastor, preacher, teacher, and priest. Her husband Bob Hartnett is a rock & roll video director, and their son Matty a student at Del Mar Middle School, entering 8th grade next fall.

Email: revshari@earthlink.net

Tele: 415-435-4501 Ext. 12

Cell: 415-305-3603

Sam Gerner, Youth Minister

Sam attended the University of California Santa Barbara where he engaged in pastoral work and leadership, and graduated with his BA in Business (Economics).

Email: sam@ststephenschurch.org

Tele: 435-4501 Ext. 23

Cell: 206-335-3928

Betsy Menzel, Bookkeeping and Accounts:

Betsy was baptized, confirmed, and married at St. John's Episcopal Church in Elkhart, Indiana. After graduating from Mount Holyoke College, Betsy moved to Chicago where she earned her MBA at Northwestern while working in a management training program at The First National Bank of Chicago. She and her husband Walter moved to the Bay Area in 1983 and settled in Tiburon a year later. Betsy worked in the municipal bond business both in trading and sales until 1990 when she took time off to raise her children. Betsy is currently the Business and Accounting Manager at St. Stephen’s Church.

Email: betsy@ststephenschurch.org

Tele: 415-435-4501. Ext. 15

Office Hours: Mon & Tues 900 - 100 pm

Dee Bell-Becker, Communications Associate:

Dee joined St. Stephens following her July 2011 retirement as Parish Administrator for Christ Church Sausalito for the past 4 ½ years. Her experience in media communications was gained from working with the San Francisco Foote, Cone and Belding Vice-President in charge of publicity for the agency with a main focus on the Levi 501 Blues campaign. Additionally, she was Executive Assistant for the top three at Pixar, Foote, Cone and Belding’s Los Angeles television, publicist for Yoshi’s Jazz club and also for her own recording/performing career with Concord Records and Laser Records. Her latest jazz CD (under the name Dee Bell) was released in August of this year (currently in the top 100 in national jazz airplay.) She completed her college degree in Art Education at Indiana University with a specialty in inner city education and has also taught music, art and K-2 classes in Marin County. She lives with her husband, college-age son, and two demanding parrots in Mill Valley.

Email: dee@ststephenschurch.org

Tele: 415-435-4501 Ext. 10

Satoko Akuhara Boris, Special Events Coordinator:

Satoko was born in Japan but raised in San Francisco where she attended public schools. She received her Bachelor of Science Degree from SF State. She worked in the Art Gallery Industry as assistant director and senior consultant for 15+ years where she was in charge of her first fundraiser, HeART for Aids. Some of her fundraising projects include Sonoma Jazz Festival, All Star Helping Kids, Night for Light (Episcopal Charities), Marin Headlands, Tiburon Schools, Boy Scouts, Redwood HS among others. Additionally, she is a business development consultant for small companies through which she has helped artists, photographers, event planners, caterers and auto brokers. She has served as a board member for Tiburon Little League, Foundation for Reed Schools and is currently a board member for Redwood HS Foundation. Satoko was raised Episcopalian and was married at Grace Cathedral. She lives in Tiburon with her husband, (originally from Chicago) and her son, who currently attends Redwood High School.

Email: satoko@ststephenschurch.org
Tele: 415-435-4501 Ext. 14

Cell: 415-845-5065

Barbara Berling, Altar Guild Coordinator:

Email: berling1@pacbell.net

Tele: 415-435-4501 Ext. 46

Darryl DeVinney, Webmaster

Email: darryl.devinney@comcast.net

Tele: 415-509-3893

Katie, Church Dog.

(Well, she is one of the church dogs, along with an ark-ful of others that find their way to St. Stephen’s on any given day.) Katie is quite spirit-filled, smiles at friends, and cries with mourners. She is an empathetic parishioner, and a close look at her dog collar will tell you that she is an avowed Episcopalian. She swears by the 1979 Book of Common Prayer and barks in key with the most difficult Anglican hymns. Now Katie has a new sidekick named Olive, that she mentors regarding duties of a Parish Dog.

TO CONTACT CURRENT MEMBERS OF ST. STEPHEN'S VESTRY, CLICK HERE*