Search Committee Members
We found Epiphany one church “shopping” Sunday. Here I found young mothers who became my closest friends and guides who helped me forge a spiritual path. Coming from a Brethren faith tradition, worshiping as an Episcopalian was never going to be an easy fit for me. But the Brethren commitment of service resonates in the Episcopal post communion prayer. At Epiphany, I have served on two search committees, vestry and Altar Guild, and as a co-facilitator for Sacred Ground. And as a high school teacher, I felt a call to serve and love my students.
When we sing “Come Thou Font of Every Blessing” these words speak to me: Prone to wander, Lord I feel it
Prone to leave the God I love
Here's my heart, oh take and seal it
Seal it for Thy courts above
Linda Garvey
Committee Co-Chair
HD Stevens
Committee Co-Chair
I am a cradle Episcopalian, raised and active in the church through high school. Like many, I was less active in the church during college and graduate school. When we moved up the peninsula in 1998 after graduate school, CoE was recommended by my sister-in-law, Hailey McKeefry-Delmas. We visited, loved it and have been here for 25 years. We raised our two children in the CoE community, and they are now living their best lives in Boston and Denver.
I taught middle-school and high-school Sunday School, serve as a LEM and reader, have served on the outreach commission, and recently joined the choir. Summer Clubs are one of my favorite activities. This is my second time serving on a search committee, as I was a member of the committee that recruited our last rector. Professionally, I am an Engineering Director and Program Manager at Lockheed Martin. I am the often not-required Rocket Scientist.
This poem / hymn was chanted when I was an acolyte. This reminds me of the unconditional love that we both give and receive.
O saving victim opening wide the gate of heaven to man below.
Our foes press on from every side, thine aid supply, thy strength bestow.
All praise and thanks to thee ascend. Forevermore, blest one in three;
O grant us life that shall not end in our true native land with thee.
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I have been a part of Epiphany for the past four years, initially attracted by Wednesday Morning Services. Epiphany welcomed me with open arms, and I love working with Epiphany’s Ministers, Lay Leaders, and Community Members as they graciously share their talents and “like-minded” positive attitudes on all aspects of faith. I served as co-facilitator for Sacred Ground on two occasions and continue to advocate for racial equality. As a Nurse, I combine my passion of caring for others with my faith and look forward to the opportunity to help others.
“Open up our hearts and minds that we may know the hope to which you have called us.”
Cindy Belnick
My partner and I came to Epiphany about 20 years ago. At the time our son was young, and we were looking for a church that was open and welcoming and also offered a robust youth ministry…and we have been active members ever since!
During my time at Epiphany, I have been involved in a number of groups and activities. I was a part of two prior search processes, once as a member of the Vestry when we called our previous Rector, and more recently on the search committee for our current Associate Rector. I have also been involved in youth ministry and taught middle and high-school Sunday School curriculum. As a member and co-chair of our Outreach Commission, I am passionate about connecting youth to Outreach and community service.
Tassie Jenkins
I have been a member of Epiphany since 2012. My professional work is in the for-profit sector, in the field of strategy & corporate development for mid-sized and large companies.
Nick LeCuyer
Nina Brooks
My daughter and I found Epiphany through her godfather, who is an Episcopal priest. In 1998, we were attending the Lutheran church in San Jose where my father was rector, but, as Katie edged closer to kindergarten age, I felt it was time for us to become more firmly rooted in the community that we moved to when she was 3. I consulted Katie’s godfather (my agnostic husband’s close college friend) and he introduced me to Epiphany's then-rector. After theological and practical discussions and several Sunday visits, Katie and I started attending this vibrant multi-generational parish.
My long-term ministry areas have been as an Sunday School/Godly Play teacher and a co-leader of our Outreach Commission. I have also served as a Vestry member, Finance Committee Secretary, a deanery delegate, a member of the diocesan taskforce that established a relationship with the diocese of Curitiba, Brazil and, for a time, a regular contributor to DioBytes (our diocesan newsletter) on the topic of the UN Millennium Development Goals.
My professional background is as a litigator, but I have discovered that my joy is guiding educational hikes that share the wonder of our natural world.
Currently, my favorite hymn is All Are Welcome, and this verse particularly touches me:
Let us build a house
Where hands will reach
Beyond the wood and stone
To heal and strengthen, serve and teach
And live the Word they’ve known.
My name is Philip Sankar, I am a husband, father, physician and faithful member of the Church of Epiphany. I came to Epiphany through an invitation to attend church on a Sunday, while I was in my physician residency training at Stanford, in 1996. The music program attracted me and has kept me involved over the years. I have been a member of the vestry, served as LEM and choir member. The Epiphany community has been a big support over the years, through the birth of my children and illness.
I hope to see the Epiphany community reinvigorated in this post-pandemic era, with return to some of our outreach programs and growth within the local and greater church community.
Philip Sankar
I grew up on the East Coast, and when I moved to the Bay Area to start a new job out here in late 2021, I didn’t know anybody. As a cradle Episcopalian, I went searching for an Episcopal church once I was here—and I was lucky enough to find Epiphany, where I received a warm welcome. Epiphany has helped me feel at home out here in California, and through Sunday services, retreats, and the search committee, I’ve been able to build connections and find community.
My favorite hymn is Be Thou My Vision.
Maggie Hilderbran
Ginny Grant
I’ve been at Epiphany for 25 years now, since my girls were tiny. This parish has been my extended family by choice on this coast - through amazing life changes, they were there for me through thick and thin. The community, our programs and music continue to enrich my life and I love practicing our mission through the many opportunities we create and contribute to. I’m currently most active on our Outreach Commission and in our Chancel Choir.
Other facets of my life include singing in and leading the board of a regional community choral organization (nonprofit), and contributing to informatics solutions at a local pharmaceutical company (profit) that is exploring amazing possibilities for addressing life-altering diseases. Basically, I'm a mission-driven person and am honored to be a member of this search committee. I am also an avid traveler and life-long learner, and love to meet people from different cultures.
In these 25 years, we’ve had relatively few rectors, and I look forward to collectively reinvigorating our parish, inviting new individuals and families into our fold, and supporting our community through their own transitions, just as they did for me!
My favorite hymn? So many to choose from, but as an alto, I can only hope for an interesting harmony!
I have been a part of Epiphany for the past 14 years. My parents were invited to the church by another family with young children, and were delighted to find a welcoming community. I have since been part of almost all the church programs, bouncing around the youth programs, outreach and music program. I stay at Epiphany because of the people, and the loving community.
Paolo Marasco
A cradle Episcopalian who left the Church after my parents died young, I returned (28 years ago) when I felt a void in my heart and soul, and my tween children were faith-curious. We all thrived in the ministries of youth, music, Altar Guild, and outreach. After a career as a speech/language/academic special educator, I continue to thrive in this vibrant Epiphany community with its clergy and lay pastoral embrace.
My proud "claim to fame" is that I am the longest continually serving member of the Chancel Choir, creeping up on 25 years! I have been a part of so much wonderful music with dedicated directors. One of my favorite choral hymns is "The Lord Bless You and Keep You".