Rector Search
Welcome to Western New York!
If you are not from this area there are a few things you should know. People are drawn to Western New York for its affordable living costs, a diverse cultural scene, and vibrant arts. The region is known for its stunning landscapes, including the shores of Lake Erie and Ontario, rolling hills, lush forests, and iconic Niagara Falls. Residents enjoy year-round sports and outdoor activities such as hiking, boating, skiing, snowboarding, fishing, and attending the Buffalo Bills, Sabres, and Bandits games. The Buffalo/Niagara Falls area offers easy access to Toronto, New York City, and Cleveland – offering a mix of urban amenities and access to nature.
Western New York boasts a thriving arts scene, with renowned museums like the Albright Knox AKG Art Gallery, theatres, live music venues, and annual festivals. The region’s rich history and diverse cultural influences are reflected in its architecture, cuisine, and community events. The area hosts three SUNY and five private university campuses
https://www.visitbuffaloniagara.com.
St. Mark’s is located in Orchard Park
Orchard Park is a picturesque suburb located 13 miles south of Buffalo and is home to the Buffalo Bills. We have many green spaces including Chestnut Ridge Park which offers hiking trails, picnic areas, sledding hills, and scenic views year-round. The Orchard Park School District is highly regarded for its commitment to academic excellence and a wide range of extra-curricular activities.
Living in Orchard Park means enjoying a blend of a safe, family-friendly suburban tranquility and easy access to urban amenities. Our Rectory is located within the Village of Orchard Park and is within walking distance of restaurants and shops.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGVPxhFYW8Q
About Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church
St. Mark’s is a vibrant Christian faith community – radiating spirituality. We are spiritually fulfilled by a beautiful liturgy and transformative sermons. We demonstrate our love of the Lord by welcoming and caring for people who come through our doors and by going outside our doors to engage in thriving, powerful ministries that provide meaningful help to our community. St. Mark’s is known as a place to learn, worship, and grow in relationship to our Lord – a center for healing and giving to the community.
Worship at St. Mark’s started in 1892, with a move of the church to its current location in 1924. Over the years, the physical church has grown and there have been many changes in the world and our region. The focus to Love Christ, to Love our Neighbor, and to Serve the world has remained constant.
Please feel free to visit the other tabs within our website to see more about who we are.
Our Rectory
Our hope for a new Rector
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church is looking for a full-time rector and spiritual leader who will:
- Deliver engaging and inspiring messages relatable to real life with opportunities for action
- Empower, support and collaborate with all ministries in our church
- Build on the foundation of Episcopal tradition, Scripture and reason, fostering inclusivity and spiritual understanding
- Actively recruit youth and young families, engaging and educating them to assist them in navigating today’s challenges
- Relate to and minister across generations, providing education, spiritual guidance and growth to all ages
Our new rector will be:
- An organized, dependable administrator who is willing to collaborate and engage with those who serve in our church; and in our local community
- An honestly compassionate and empathetic listener and advisor
- A committed leader with a shared vision, respecting and affirming the future of St. Mark’s
Members of St. Mark’s Search and Transition Team
The Vestry of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church appointed a team of 8 in May of 2024 to help find a new Rector and assist in the transition. The aim was to establish a team that represents the makeup of the congregation and to have some members who were experienced in the discernment, search, and transition process. This team is conducting the search, and will be available to the new Rector to help make a smooth transition.
The 8 members you may meet during our interviews includes:
Jan Bos – Jan has been a member of the St. Marks congregation for over 36 years. She is retired from a local aerospace company after a 25-year career in managing military/domestic contracts in U.S. and international markets. She and her husband, John, have 6 children, 20 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. She currently co-chairs the Parish Life Ministry and is a Vestry member. She has served on Vestry previously, several other church ministries and a previous search and transition team.
Jessica Lowicki – Jessica has been attending St. Mark’s since her thirteen-year-old son was born. She is involved in multiple volunteer organizations. On Sundays you will find her teaching Sunday school lessons to the elementary children as well as the youth of St. Mark’s. She enjoys organizing and directing the annual children’s Christmas Pageant. She lives in Orchard Park with her husband of 15 years, her son and her dog, Pickles.
Scott Isaksen – Scott is a lifelong Episcopalian and has been a member of St. Mark’s for nearly 20 years. He is a retired professor of organizational behavior and leadership and founded a global consultancy. He is married and has two children, as well as two grandchildren. He has served on previous vestries, facilitated St. Mark’s capital campaign and previous search and transition team.
Susan McGarry – Sue has been a member of St. Mark’s for 15 years. She is a retired teacher and mentor after a 32-year career in a local school district. She is currently the Director of Religious Education and coordinates all Sunday School classes. She is also involved in other church ministries and previously served on Vestry and the Capital Campaign Committee. Sue has two children and 5 grandchildren.
Stacey Miner – Stacey joined the Episcopal Church in 2000 or so and joined the St. Mark’s family in 2016. She’s active in the Choir and with our Parish Life team. She’s married and, with her husband Clayton they are ‘pawrents’ to six cats. When not at her job as a Medical Coder, she enjoys crocheting and board gaming.
Peter Ross – Peter joined the Anglican church of Canada when he married in 1988 and was later confirmed into the Episcopal church after moving to Cincinnati in 1992. We moved to Orchard Park in 2003 and have been attending St. Mark’s ever since then. Peter is retired from working a long career at Praxair. He has served as Warden at St. Mark’s and currently runs the Outreach committee, is an Acolyte, and is a member of the Endowment committee.
Jim Stillman – Jim has been a member of the Episcopal church for most of his life and has been a member of St. Marks along with his wife Donna for over 15 years. He is retired from managing trade marketing teams for several companies and currently serves as the Senior Warden and is one of the Eucharist Ministers at St. Marks, among other roles. Jim served on the previous search and transition team.
Michael Welker – Mike and his family are lifelong (Since 1963) members of St. Mark’s and currently have 4 generations in attendance. Mike is currently an usher and a member of the transition committee. Has held past roles as a warden and vestry member several times. Also was a member of the Endowment committee and the finance and audit committee. Years back with his wife Sarah managed the acolytes and led two chorister trips. Has been part of past Rector searches and transitions. Mike is married to Sarah with 2 grown children and 4 grandchildren. Mike is SVP of Supply Chain at a locally owned, Worldwide Frozen Food manufacturing company. Focus areas Mergers and Acquisitions as well as Enterprise transformations.
If you feel called to be part of what God is doing at St. Mark’s, please indicate your interest to Rev. Cathy Dempsey-Sims – Canon for Operations, Pastoral Care, and Congregational Support for the Episcopal Diocese of Western New York – at 716-881-0660 extension 114 or cdsims@episcopalwny.org