Clergy & Staff
Clergy
The Rev. Dr. Kristine Blaess grew up in Bozeman, Montana where she enjoyed hiking and skiing. She received a BA in Music (Organ) from St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota and a Master of Divinity degree from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota. After seminary, Kristine and her husband Michael spent a year in Australia studying, visiting Aboriginal communities, and working on a sheep station.
Kristine received a Doctor of Ministry degree from Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary in 2012. Her project emerged from her passion for helping congregations flourish as they seek God’s kingdom and learn to make disciples.
Kristine has served congregations in Idaho and Tennessee.
Kristine and Michael are proud parents of Jack and Natalie.
The Reverend Michael Whitnah grew up in Virginia and Connecticut, before attending Gordon College in Wenham, Massachusetts where he studied History. While at Gordon, Michael worked for the La Vida Center for Outdoor Education leading backcountry immersion experiences. Michael and his wife, Joanna, met while both working for La Vida.
Michael served as the Director of College Ministries for four years at the Church of the Good Samaritan in Paoli, Pennsylvania, before discerning a call to the priesthood. Prior to attending seminary, he and Joanna spent a year working and living in New Zealand. Michael graduated with a Master in Divinity from Virginia Theological Seminary and served his first ordained call as the Assistant to the Rector at All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Concord, North Carolina. He has a deep love of preaching, study, experiential and transformative opportunities, music, intentional community, and hospitality.
Michael and Joanna have two children, Charles and Annalie.
Thomas Becker was born and raised in Newark, Delaware. He holds degrees in Economics (B.S. - Centre College in Danville, Kentucky) and Leadership & Organizational Performance (M.Ed. – Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee). He is a Postulant for Holy Orders in the Episcopal Diocese of Lexington and is pursuing his Master of Divinity at the School of Theology at Sewanee: The University of the South.
Thomas lives in Sewanee with Libby, his mini Australian Shepherd, and spends as much time as he can hiking on the Domain, listening to music and audiobooks (and yes, he has plenty of quality recommendations!), and enjoying a good time around the fire pit in his back yard with friends.
Meet the Staff
Staff
Heather first joined the staff at St. Paul's as the Communications Director in May 2019. Later that year she transitioned into the role of Parish Administrator. In this role she oversees parish finances and daily operations working directly with office staff, the communications team, nursery staff, the sexton team, ministry leaders, and vestry.
A native of middle Tennessee and a proud graduate of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. She also holds a Master of Education from the University of Florida in Higher Education Administration and a Doctorate of Philosophy from Nova Southeastern University in Conflict Analysis and Resolution in Fort Lauderdale, FL. For over fifteen years Heather worked as a student affairs professional in higher education focused on student leadership, orientation, transition, and retention. Her experience as Director of Orientation & Family Programs at two majority, minority institutions, University of Miami and Nova Southeastern University, instilled invaluable cross-cultural understandings in both her personal and professional life.
In 2015, Heather and her husband, Daus, moved to Tennessee as she began a new role as the Director of Orientation and Transition at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. Shortly after returning to Tennessee, Heather and Daus started their family which ultimately led them back to middle Tennessee to be closer to family. Upon moving to downtown Murfreesboro, Heather and her family began attending St. Paul’s in the fall of 2018 and knew pretty quickly that they had found their church home. As a parishioner Heather participates in the parents' group and flower guild. Daus serves on the livestream tech team and has attended Men's Retreat and Cursillo. Together they have participated in Pilgrimage and became members of St. Paul’s in the summer of 2019. They are proud parents of two young daughters, Audrey and Cameron, who love attending nursery, Catechesis, and Parent’s Night Out programs.
Stacy brings her creativity and focus on strategic, clean, and functional design to the world of worship – helping to rebrand and redesign many of the print and online communications pieces for St. Paul’s. She compliments her 20 years’ experience in marketing and graphic design with a simple, no-nonsense approach. Stacy founded her firm, Bluebird Creative, in 2011, serving clients of many genres and sizes. Before that, she worked in design for Thomas Nelson Publishers, and then as marketing manager for Saint Thomas Health. Stacy received her Bachelor of Business Administration/Marketing from Middle Tennessee State University in 1999, and returned to MTSU a few years later to pursue her Bachelor of Science in Journalism/Media Design.
Stacy and her family enjoy adventure and the great outdoors. She, husband Nick, and children Ethan and Wren completed a yearlong road trip (30,000 miles) to visit National Parks and Monuments in the lower 48 states in 2018-2019. In 2012-2013 her family spent 1 ½ years on a sailing trip where they traveled over 6,000 nautical miles. Between those two journeys, she and Nick renovated their 1930s home in downtown Murfreesboro.
Stacy is a lover of gardening and a member of the St. Paul’s Flower Guild and Outreach Committee. When not homeschooling her children or working, she can be found outdoors.
A native of Murfreesboro, Angela graduated from MTSU with a Bachelor of Music in organ performance, and she received a Master of Church Music from Scarritt Graduate School in Nashville.
In addition to conducting the adult choir and senior choristers at St. Paul’s, Angela conducts the MTSU Women's and Men's Chorales Chorale, teaches conducting and organ, and coordinates the music appreciation courses at MTSU School of Music.
She is also the founding director of the Nashville Chamber Singers, an auditioned ensemble specializing in unaccompanied choral music. The Chamber Singers have performed with the Nashville Chamber Orchestra at the Ryman Auditorium, which was recorded for National Public Radio’s Performance Today. The group premiered a work by Dr. Rosephanye Powell, The Cry of Jeremiah, which the American Guild of Organists commissioned for their 2012 national convention in Nashville.
Angela has served as state president of the Tennessee chapter of the American Choral Directors Association and has served as past dean of both the Nashville and Savannah, Georgia, chapters of the American Guild of Organists. She has conducted Virginia All-State Choir, Tennessee Governor’s School for the Arts, and served as conductor/clinician for national church music organizations such as Fellowship of United Methodists and Association of Lutheran Church Musicians.
A native of Rutherford County, where she attended school and has worked most of her life, Kathy has worked in several clerical and administrative settings. She has been with St. Paul’s for 14 years and she and Alice Gibson co-share this administrative assistant position. Previously she worked with Samsonite Furniture in Murfreesboro in data processing, accounts payable, and customer service for many years. Before coming to St. Paul’s, she worked for the Rutherford County School System at Buchanan Elementary School as an educational assistant and attendance secretary. Kathy is active and faithful in her own church and feels blessed to be a part of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. Her husband is William and they have one son John, his wife Katie and a grandson, Peyton. You may contact Kathy at frontoffice@stpaulsmurfreesboro.org.
Heather, a native of middle Tennessee, is a proud graduate of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. She also holds a Master of Education from the University of Florida in Higher Education Administration and a Doctorate of Philosophy from Nova Southeastern University in Conflict Analysis and Resolution in Fort Lauderdale, FL. While living in south Florida, Heather worked at the University of Miami and then Nova Southeastern University as the Director of New Student and Family Orientation Program at both universities. For over fifteen years Heather worked as a student affairs professional in higher education focused on student leadership, orientation, transition, and retention. In 2015, Heather moved back to Tennessee to lead orientation and transition programs at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. Shortly after returning to Tennessee, Heather and her husband, Daus, started their family, which ultimately led them back to middle Tennessee to be closer to family. Upon moving downtown, Heather and Daus began attending St. Paul’s in the fall of 2018 and knew pretty quickly that they had found their church home. Daus has attended Men's Retreat, Cursillo, and is a regular in the Men's Club. Together they have participated in Pilgrimage and became members of St. Paul’s in the summer of 2019. Their two young daughters, Audrey and Cameron, love attending nursery, Catechesis, and Parent’s Night Out programs.
She first joined the staff as the communications director in a part-time capacity in May 2019. Later that year she transitioned into the role parish administrator.
Nancy Bieschke teaches music at Castle Heights Elementary School in Lebanon. She has worked with the Royal School of Church Music curriculum in Episcopal churches in Chicago and Nashville. She and her husband and two sons began worshipping at St. Paul’s in 2021.
A Springfield, Tennessee native, Alice first came to Murfreesboro in 1977 to attend Middle Tennessee State University. Before joining the St. Paul’s staff in 2017, she worked over three decades in IT support/programming and purchasing for both business and government. She shares the administrative assistant position with Kathy Warlick.
Raised a Southern Baptist, when Alice joined the Episcopal Church in 1986, she felt she had finally found her spiritual home. Alice has been a member of St. Paul’s since the fall of 1992 when she along with her husband, Bruce, and son, James, moved their membership here. Her son, Jackson, is a lifelong St. Paul’s member.
Some of Alice’s activities at St. Paul’s include Daughters of the King (chapter charter member), Prayer Intercessor for our Children and Youth, Lay Eucharistic Minister, Lector, Cursillo, Altar Guild, Women’s Group (ECW) and Women’s Retreat, co-coordinator of our Annual Craft & Bake Sale, and coordinator of United Thank Offering (UTO) In-Gatherings.
She feels it is an extra blessing to support our parish family by being part of our church staff.
Originally from Ripley, Tennessee and a member of Immanuel Episcopal Church, Morris began attending St. Paul’s in 1990 when he started attending Middle Tennessee State University on a full scholarship. In 1995, Morris earned his Bachelor of Music degree in Music Industry from MTSU and went on to receive his Master of Music degree in 1998 with a specialization in Piano Performance as well as his K-12 certification in Vocal/General Music.
Since then Morris has taught at Rock Springs Elementary for Rutherford County Schools, which honored him with the Teacher of the Year award in 2006. On weekdays after school Morris also gives private piano instruction.
At St. Paul’s on June 9, 2001, The Reverends Gene Wise and Donald Brooks co-officiated the marriage ceremony between Morris and his bride Melissa Marshall. In December 2006, Morris and Melissa became parents of their miraculous son, James Marshall Hamby.
Morris serves as the pianist on Sundays at our 7:30 a.m. worship service. He is also the Music Director for the Episcopal Churchmen Conference held each summer at the DuBose Conference Center in Monteagle, Tennessee.
Allison Blumenthal is an editor with the children’s choir curriculum Growing in Grace and has been an elementary music teacher. She is also an adjunct faculty member at the MTSU School of Music as a collaborative pianist. Allison sings in the St. Paul’s Choir.
Originally from California, Arymn has worked for St. Paul's for over ten years. First beginning as nursery worker caring for our youngest parishioners and then as our Sexton for the last seven years. She takes great pride in caring for our church campus and is also a parishioner at St. Paul's.
Family Ministries
Dierdri lives in Murfreesboro with her husband, Todd, and two children, Nicholas and Taylor. She graduated from Auburn University with a degree in Psychology, where she also worked with children in the Headstart program. She has lived in Murfreesboro since 1997 and has stayed active volunteering in different activities with her children, including the Scout Program and Book Fair Coordinator at her children’s school. She has served as a BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) Children’s Leader for four years. Also, Dierdri is a substitute teacher for Murfreesboro City Schools.
Cindy oversees St. Paul’s programs for children 5th grade and younger. With an undergraduate degree in Early Childhood Education and a master's degree focused on Curriculum and Instruction, she has taught abroad in New Zealand and China and also for several years here in Tennessee. She states, “I feel blessed to mix my love of teaching and children with my commitment to the Church.” Cindy has completed all three levels of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd training and counts that experience as one of her most enriching.
Cameron “Cam” Timmons graduated from Lee University with a degree in Religious Studies. She is devoted to growing ever closer to Jesus and to helping students develop a deep relationship with Jesus too.
Lay Leaders
David came to St. Paul’s when he moved to Murfreesboro in 1981 to teach in the History Department at Middle Tennessee State University. In 1987, following his Cursillo weekend, he began a long ministry at St. Paul’s that has taken many forms but that focuses in three areas: spiritual formation for adults, developing and administering liturgies, and administration in the parish and the diocese. His principal effort is directed to teaching in the Pilgrimage, St. Paul’s program for Christian initiation that takes place each year. One will see him any Sunday singing in the choir, assisting at the altar, preaching, or sharing a cup of coffee with any of his many friends here.
Anna grew up in Nashville, attended Davidson College in North Carolina, and taught middle schoolers in Texas and Kentucky before settling in Murfreesboro in 2014. She holds graduate degrees in Liberal Studies and Library Science. St. Paul’s is the first church she visited in Murfreesboro, and she has never left! Her family loves the sense of community they have found here. Anna has enjoyed being involved in St. Paul’s through the children’s and youth ministries, outreach and volunteer opportunities, and as the former food ministry chair on the pastoral care council. She is excited to serve her community on the vestry during this time of transition.
(Vestry term expires 12/31/2021)
Jeanne and her husband Wayne began attending St. Paul’s during Eastertide 2004. They live in Christiana with four pets. She grew up in the Baltimore area and attended the John Carrol School in Bel Air, Maryland. Jeanne graduated from Towson University and received a Master of Science degree from Virginia Tech.
Jeanne has practiced accounting for over three decades. Presently she is a consulting business analyst for HCA Healthcare in Nashville. Her professional designations include Certified Internal Auditor, Certified Management Accountant, and Certified Public Accountant.
Jeanne states, “it is humbling to serve as Treasurer for St. Paul’s.”
(Non-Member Vestry Officer)
Vestry
Elected in 2019
- Anna Stewart, Senior Warden
- Preston Akers, Junior Warden
- Joyce Adkins, Worship Liaison
- Kim Baumann, Outreach Liaison
Elected in 2020
- Dan Felciano, Pastoral Care Liaison
- DeAnna Bartsch, Communications Liaison
- David Loucky, Adult Christian Formation Liaison
- Kristi Hay, Fellowship & Vestry Chaplain
Elected in 2021
- David Owen, Junior Warden
- Martha Tolbert, Finance & Administration Liaison
- Don Clayton, Youth Christian Education Liaison
- Steve Sachs, Stewardship Liaison
- Sharon Dieringer, Children’s Christian Education Liaison