Clergy & Staff
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Saint Michael and All Angels is an embracing and engaging community of faith living our Baptismal Covenant. As staff, we join together in a family culture with our core values being: Collaborative, Loyal, Effective, Kind, and Growth-Oriented. Want to join our staff? Take a look at our current job openings.
The Rev. Dr. Christopher D. Girata was called to be the eighth Rector of Saint Michael and All Angels in 2016. Previously, Chris served as Rector of Calvary Episcopal Church in downtown Memphis, Tennessee, as Associate Rector at St. Luke’s in Birmingham, as a seminarian at The National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., and St. John’s in Chevy Chase, MD.
Bi-monthly, Chris writes a column for Katy Trail Weekly. These articles cover timely topics from gratitude and love to success and the future. In these columns, he uses a real-life personal example and turns it into something to ponder. On Wednesdays, Chris leads a Bible study titled Rector’s Bible Study that is also developed into a podcast. He has been leading these weekly classes since its inception in 2017.
Chris holds degrees from Stetson University, Emory University, the Virginia Theological Seminary, and his doctorate from Duke University. He is recognized as a leader in the Episcopal Church, presenting regularly at church-wide conferences, seminars and retreats, and the Episcopal Parish Network.
Chris is a native of Florida, a classically trained musician, and an amateur cook. He and his wife, Nicole, have three children: Brayden, Layna, and Annemarie.
The Rev. Ken Brannon became Saint Michael's Vice Rector in July 2019. Ken was born in Fort Collins, Colorado, but moved to Mandeville, Louisiana at the age of one. His life changed radically at the age of twelve when his father took a job at a teaching hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He found himself attending Kodaikanal International School, an international boarding school in South India, where he graduated in 1986. Following in the footsteps of his older brother, he attended Wheaton College in Illinois. Although his major was psychology, he spent many hours active in the theater. Ken discovered the Episcopal Church while at Wheaton and was grateful for the elegant liturgy, the appreciation for mystery, and the emphasis on ancient spiritual practices. Following college, Ken spent two years living in intentional Christian community and working with the homeless in Washington, DC. He coordinated administrative activities at Christ House, a mission of Church of the Saviour, and was active in medical and social outreach to those living in the shadows of our nation’s monuments. In 1993, Ken began drama therapy studies at New York University and graduated cum laude in 1997. His passion for psychology and theater came together in group work with children and adults at sites throughout the city, ranging from therapeutic schools, psychiatric hospitals, homeless shelters, and prisons. Ken met Rachel at Wheaton, but they did not begin dating until six years later when they reconnected in New York City. They were married in 1995 and welcomed Lucy in 1997 and Isaac in 2001. After they were married, Rachel and Ken worked together at Church of the Holy Trinity in New York City, co-coordinating children’s programming, and it was at Holy Trinity that Ken answered the call to ordained ministry. He attended Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, graduating in 2003. Ken first served as Associate Rector at The Church of St. Barnabas in Irvington, New York, just outside legendary Sleepy Hollow. From 2007-2019, Ken served as Rector of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Sun Valley, Idaho. He provided strong leadership for over a decade and became a leader in the larger community. In the Diocese of Idaho, Ken was active in all aspects of church life, serving as Chair of the Commission on Ministry, President of the Standing Committee, and Chair of the Idaho Deputation to General Convention. As Vice Rector at Saint Michael, Ken oversees the staff and operations of the church, while also taking a full share of the usual priestly functions. Rachel is a psychotherapist in private practice, Lucy works for Ernst and Young (EY) in Denver, and Isaac attends Western Washington University in Bellingham. The Reverend Dr. Andrew Grosso joined the Saint Michael and All Angels clergy team in March of 2021. Before coming to Dallas, Andrew was the Canon to the Dean at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral (Columbia, SC), where he also served as the Acting Dean during the time the cathedral sought a new Dean. Andrew has also served as the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at Nashotah House Theological Seminary (Nashotah, WI), Rector of Trinity Episcopal Church (Atchison, KS), Dean of the Bishop Kemper School for Ministry (Topeka, KS), and Canon Residentiary at Grace Episcopal Cathedral (Topeka, KS). Andrew was raised in Michigan, and completed his undergraduate studies in Psychology at Calvin College (Grand Rapids, MI). He began his graduate studies at Wheaton College (Wheaton, IL), where he completed an MA in Interdisciplinary Studies. His doctoral studies were in the areas of systematic and philosophical theology, and he received his PhD from Marquette University (Milwaukee, WI). In preparation for ordination, Andrew completed an MDiv at the School of Theology of the University of the South (Sewanee, TN). He maintains an active interest in theological and philosophical scholarship, and especially appreciates the work of Michael Polanyi, Thomas F. Torrance, John Neville Figgis, and Martin Thornton. The Reverend Greg Pickens grew up in Oklahoma and came to Texas for college. Following his undergraduate degree at the University of Texas, Greg worked in the professional/executive search industry and in the computer services industry. In 1999, he began working toward the ordained ministry through the Diocese of Dallas. During his theological studies at Nashotah House in Wisconsin, Greg chose to work in at a downtown Milwaukee parish because of its diverse, urban setting. It was there he met his wife, Noralyn, and her daughter, Annie. After graduation and ordination to the Deaconate, he returned to Dallas. Following a short season as a Deacon, Greg was ordained to the priesthood in 2006 and served as Rector of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Irving, before being called to Saint Michael and All Angels in 2011.
The Rev. Robin H. Hinkle is Saint Michael's Associate for Mission and Outreach. Formerly, Hinkle was the rector at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Jasper, Alabama where she was called in August 2017. In this position, she has been deeply involved in community efforts to address two major issues: poverty and addiction. As to poverty, St. Mary’s hosted what became the largest food bank in Walker County, and it was one of the top ten community food banks in Central Alabama during the initial emergency response to the coronavirus pandemic with over $1.5M in food and goods distributions. Robin also began an informal case management program for the families they serve. The opioid epidemic is the other major issue Robin helped to address in Walker County. Shortly before her arrival, the county was declared to be the number one community in the nation for opioid drug overdoses per capita and the epicenter for opioid abuse in Alabama. Hinkle worked with the heads of the Walker Area Community Foundation and the local rural health provider to reflect upon a response to the epidemic in Walker County, ultimately starting a formal coalition that prepared a strategic plan to increase prevention, treatment, and recovery resources in the area. That coalition includes members from the University of Alabama, UAB, local healthcare and treatment providers, the Alabama Department of Public Health (state and local level), DHR (state and local level), United Way, the drug courts, the sheriff’s office, and the county and city boards of education. Prior to her call to ministry, Robin practiced law for fifteen years as a commercial litigator. She left the practice of law to create a company that advocated for long-term treatment for the disease of addiction, opening a clinic in Boise, Idaho. She has an accounting degree from Auburn University and earned her law degree at Tulane University. She attended seminary at the University of the South at Sewanee and graduated in 2015. She served her first two years of ordained ministry as Associate Rector at the Church of the Holy Apostles in Hoover, Alabama. Robin is married to Scott Hinkle, an avid Alabama fan and a commercial real estate broker and developer. Her daughter, Sadie, is a mechanical engineer who lives in Dallas and works for L3Harris. Robin loves throwing pottery, traveling, her two King Charles Cavaliers - Abi and Moses - and her very large extended family, not necessarily in that order! Christian Basel joined the Saint Michael clergy as Curate in June 2021. Christian comes from a military family, and having been born in Aberdeen, Scotland, he spent most of his formative years at the US Naval Station at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. This upbringing gave him an appreciation for experiencing and learning about other cultures that he has carried with him to this day. He attended Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia, and then continued with studies at the Citadel Graduate College in Charleston where he received an MA in Latin American & Caribbean History. A sense of service led him to join the South Carolina Highway Patrol in 2011 where he served for four years. Being a Trooper was a rewarding experience, with many experiences, big and small, of helping others in a time of need and crisis. This same sense of service led him back to studies at the Graduate School at the College of Charleston, receiving an MA in Middle Grades Teaching. It was during this time that he also served as Assistant for Youth and Communications at Grace Church Cathedral in Charleston for three and a half years and where he discerned his call to ordained ministry. He was ordained to the transitional diaconate in late May, 2021. Much of Bob’s ministry has concentrated on evangelism. He studied church planting in seminary, was ordained in 2003 in London, and served in Brompton. Most recently he helped start and lead the contemporary worship ministry, “Uptown,” at Church of the Incarnation, as well as the small group ministry, “Growth Groups,” and an outreach in local pubs known as “Theology Live.”
Bob has graduate degrees in theology, law, and business from Southern Methodist University, and maintains an intellectual property law practice. He is at Saint Michael two days a week; on Sundays, serving primarily in the 11:00 contemporary worship service, and one other day during the week. Bob has twin sons, Hugh and Ian.
The Rev. Mary T. Lessmann serves as Associate for Spiritual Growth at Saint Michael and All Angels. Prior to joining Saint Michael, Mary served as Vicar of Good Samaritan Episcopal Church in Dallas. Previously she served for four years as Associate Rector for St. Andrew’s McKinney and, during her seminary formation, as Director of Educational Programs at Church of the Incarnation in Dallas. Mary, a CPA in her former life, was ordained in 2009. A native Texan, she holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Texas A&M University and a Masters of Divinity from Perkins School of Theology at SMU. Mary and her husband, Russ, have two young adult sons.
The Rev. Nate Bostian re-joined the Saint Michael clergy in August 2021 as a Sunday Assistant. Fr. Nate lives in Dallas Texas with his wife Kim, and three children: Elise, Taggart, and Vera. Since 2021, Fr. Nate has been the senior chaplain at The Episcopal School of Dallas. From 2010-2021, he served as head chaplain at TMI - The Episcopal School of Texas. Prior to that, he was Episcopal Chaplain at Southern Methodist University and director of young adult ministry here at Saint Michael and All Angels.The Rev. Dr. Christopher D. Girata
Rector
The Rev. Kenneth H. Brannon
Vice Rector
The Rev. Dr. Andrew Grosso
Associate for Worship & Liturgy
The Rev. Greg Pickens
Associate for Pastoral Care
214-692-3041 | The Rev. Robin H. Hinkle
Associate for Mission & Outreach
The Rev. Christian Basel
Curate
The Rev. Robert "Bob" Johnston III
Associate for Contemporary Worship
The Rev. Mary Lessmann
Associate for Spiritual Growth
The Rev. Nate Bostian
Sunday Assistant
Fr. Nate is a veteran of a decade of parish ministry with families, youth, and young adults, as well as nearly seven years as a Social Worker, ministering primarily to runaway and abused children. He received his Master's of Divinity from Perkins School of Theology in 2008, and his Bachelor's degree in history from Texas A&M in 1996. Nate's research passions include the intersection of spirituality and science, as well as the relationship between Christianity and world religions, along with examining the philosophical and ethical underpinnings of our culture and worldview. When not reading theology or philosophy, Nate enjoys hiking, lifting weights, good coffee, science fiction, and absurdist humor. You can contact Fr. Nate or view his blog at natebostian.blogspot.com.
Director of Finance
Accountant
Accountant
Accountant
Assistant to Finance and Foundation
Advancement
Caroline Moore
Director of Advancement
With a strong background in finance and nonprofit fundraising, Caroline joins us from Trinity Park Conservancy, where she has served as their Chief Advancement Officer. Prior to her experience there, she served as a Development Officer specializing in major and principal gifts for Parkland Health and Hospital System, contributing to the successful completion of the $150M I Stand for Parkland campaign to build the new hospital.
Caroline holds a BA from Davidson College and attended high school at The Hockaday School in Dallas. She has served on the Davidson College Board of Visitors and The Hockaday School Alumnae Board. She is an active member of our Saint Michael parish, having served on our regional Good Shepherd Committee and as a Confirmation teacher in years past. Caroline has two grown children, Elizabeth and George.
Caroline Wilks
Assistant to Advancement
Caroline Virginia Wilks is the Assistant for Advancement and helps coordinate and support the efforts of the Advancement Department. Offering excellent reporting and analytical skills, she will assist with the parish database and administrative support. Prior to joining Saint Michael, Caroline worked as Communications Coordinator at St. Philip in Flower Mound. She holds an Associates in Liberal Arts Degree in Theology from Brookhaven College, and recently received her Certificate as Parish Catechetical Leader from Franciscan University. Caroline is bilingual, service oriented and looks forward to joining our church community!
Advancement Manager
Bookshop Manager
Beth Igoe joined the Saint Michael staff in August of 2021. A native Dallasite, Beth spent 20 years working with children in an occupational/physical therapy clinic and as a preschool teacher prior to joining our Formation ministries. Beth has a son and a daughter and enjoys staying as active as possible.Beth Igoe
Administrative Assistant to CFM & Youth
Director of Youth Ministries
Assistant Director of Children and Family Ministry
With 15+ years in communications, marketing and management, I've been blessed to be a part of many different types of work, from communication and art direction to photography and web/app development. I enjoy bringing a high level of energy, initiative, and creativity to the task at hand. Part of this is problem-solving in fast-paced environments where collaboration is key. As a leader, I'm all about teamwork. Efficiency. Working "smart, not hard". And above all, great communication and delivery.
I've been fortunate to travel and live abroad, first as a missionary kid, and later on my own. Having to assimilate into so many different cultures has shown me the value of teamwork and collaboration. A few additional facts about me: I've climbed part of Mt. Everest, summited Kilimanjaro and a number of the Cascades Volcanos, have sung nearly 70 operas with The Dallas Opera, and almost died during the Yugoslavian Revolution. Good times.
You can also find me on Facebook and Instagram. Sarah Fairweather joins us as our new Digital Marketing Manager, covering social media, email marketing, website content, digital storytelling, and all things digital/online related. Sarah brings a strong knowledge of industry knowledge and a passion for digital storytelling. Fairweather holds a B.S. in Digital Media Innovation, a minor in Business Administration, and a focus in International Communication. She originally enrolled at Texas State as a photography major and switched back and forth between the marketing program for about two years. Realizing there was a lack of education for what is now known as Digital Media Innovation (DMI), Sarah conferred with multiple professors who had the same concerns to help shape the current program, ultimately becoming one of the first six students to enroll and graduate as a DMI major, and followed up with a Master’s of Science in Digital Marketing from Full Sail University. Sarah has since been successfully meeting the needs of private clients and consulting. Jenna joined the Saint Michael Communications team as Graphic Designer in October 2020. A graduate of Baylor University, her hobbies include hiking with her dog, binging Netflix documentaries, or working on a jigsaw puzzle. She is passionate about serving her community, coffee, and meaningful conversations. Cedric Buard has officially transitioned from interim contractor to our new AVL Manager, taking care of supervising our Sunday AVL team, spearheading our streaming efforts, producing podcasts and recordings, and collaborating on all things video-related. He is already making his presence felt and we are so thankful to have him here! Cedric has been a steady presence at Saint Michael and in the AV department for years. He began at SMAA in July of 2014 under Rector Bob Dannals, who was recently here this last Sunday as our 75th Anniversary special preacher. Buard's love for music was cultivated by his parents, who at age 8 gave him a drum set. He later said, “my love of music grew, searching for ways to create and enhance it!” That pursuit took him to Tempe, AZ where he graduated from the Conservatory of Recording Arts and Science, and he now holds multiple professional certifications, with expertise extending from audio engineering to video and post-production.Steven Haal
Director of Communications
Sarah E. Fairweather
Digital Marketing Manager
Jenna Pitman
Graphic Designer
Cedric Buard
Manager of AVL & Technology
Dr. Timothy M. Smith joined the Saint Michael staff as Director of Formation in July of 2021. Tim grew up in Kansas City, Missouri, the son of a United Methodist Pastor. A graduate of Tulane University and Perkins School of Theology at SMU, he also received his doctorate in Church Growth and Renewal from Fuller Seminary in Pasadena, CA.Dr. Tim Smith
Director of Formation
Tim served in a variety of United Methodist churches throughout the New Orleans area for 28 years. He returned to Dallas in 2018 due to his wife’s work. Tim served for three years on staff at a large church in Arlington with responsibilities including Evangelism, Hospitality, Assimilation, Finance and Generosity, Adult Discipleship as well as Safety and Security. With three decades of experience in ministry, he is also a certified Church Growth consultant and a Navigator for Church Unique, which facilitates revisioning for the local church. Tim’s spiritual gifts include leadership and teaching, and his strengths include visioning, strategic planning and discernment. His passion is adult discipleship and spiritual transformation and empowering the church to reach new people for Jesus Christ.
Tim is a dynamic, inspirational leader and speaker who loves teaching the Bible and equipping people to apply it in their lives. As a lifelong learner, Tim is an avid student of leadership, church growth, and Integrated Contextual Exegesis, which seeks to understand the original context of Scripture and how it shapes our understanding of a passage and its application in our lives.
Tim is married to Giovanna (or Gio), who is the Director of Sales for WFAA-TV, Channel 8. They have two children, Luke and Mattie. Luke is continuing his schooling here in Dallas and Mattie is a Senior at OU. Tim and Giovanna have a cat and a Maltipoo dog as well as two granddogs. When Gio lets Tim out of the house, he is also an avid golfer. Both Gio and Tim love discovering new restaurants and exploring the many cultural events Dallas and the metroplex has to offer. They are both avid Saints and LSU football fans. Who Dat!
The Rev. Robin H. Hinkle is Saint Michael's Associate for Mission and Outreach. Formerly, Hinkle was the rector at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Jasper, Alabama where she was called in August 2017. In this position, she has been deeply involved in community efforts to address two major issues: poverty and addiction. As to poverty, St. Mary’s hosted what became the largest food bank in Walker County, and it was one of the top ten community food banks in Central Alabama during the initial emergency response to the coronavirus pandemic with over $1.5M in food and goods distributions. Robin also began an informal case management program for the families they serve. The opioid epidemic is the other major issue Robin helped to address in Walker County. Shortly before her arrival, the county was declared to be the number one community in the nation for opioid drug overdoses per capita and the epicenter for opioid abuse in Alabama. Hinkle worked with the heads of the Walker Area Community Foundation and the local rural health provider to reflect upon a response to the epidemic in Walker County, ultimately starting a formal coalition that prepared a strategic plan to increase prevention, treatment, and recovery resources in the area. That coalition includes members from the University of Alabama, UAB, local healthcare and treatment providers, the Alabama Department of Public Health (state and local level), DHR (state and local level), United Way, the drug courts, the sheriff’s office, and the county and city boards of education. Prior to her call to ministry, Robin practiced law for fifteen years as a commercial litigator. She left the practice of law to create a company that advocated for long-term treatment for the disease of addiction, opening a clinic in Boise, Idaho. She has an accounting degree from Auburn University and earned her law degree at Tulane University. She attended seminary at the University of the South at Sewanee and graduated in 2015. She served her first two years of ordained ministry as Associate Rector at the Church of the Holy Apostles in Hoover, Alabama. Robin is married to Scott Hinkle, an avid Alabama fan and a commercial real estate broker and developer. Her daughter, Sadie, is a mechanical engineer who lives in Dallas and works for L3Harris. Robin loves throwing pottery, traveling, her two King Charles Cavaliers - Abi and Moses - and her very large extended family, not necessarily in that order!The Rev. Robin H. Hinkle
Associate for Mission & Outreach
Mission and Outreach Coordinator
Jonathan Ryan began serving at Saint Michael and All Angels in September, 2017. At Saint Michael, he directs the Saint Michael Choir, oversees the founding and growth of a new boys and girls chorister program based on the Royal School of Church Music, established the professional Compline Choir, heads the Saint Michael Presents concert series, and oversees music for all traditional worship services. Jonathan came to Saint Michael from one of the largest music programs in the national Episcopal Church at Christ Church in Greenwich CT. Among Christ Church’s nine choirs, he directed the adult choir in Choral Masses, Evensongs, Requiems, and concerts, regularly worked with the Choir of Men & Boys and Girls Choir, directed the Royal School of Church Music-based ribbon training program for choristers, oversaw the Choir Assistant program for youth to serve in assisting roles in the program, and assisted in choir tours and summer choir camps. He has previously held positions at the Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit in Lake Forest IL, St. John Cantius Church in Chicago IL, St. Anne Church in Rochester NY, and served as Visiting Artist at St. James Cathedral in Chicago. Additionally, Jonathan has commissioned and conducted new choral works by composers such as multi-award winning American composer Zachary Wadsworth and renowned British composers Philip Moore and Colin Mawby. Jonathan enjoys an international reputation as one of the premiere young American organists. Acclaimed by audiences and critics alike for his strong communicative skills in numerous styles, he holds exceptional distinction of six First Prize awards in major international and national organ competitions, most notably the 2009 Jordan II International Organ Competition. His solo concertizing has taken him to celebrated festivals, venues, and conventions throughout the United States and Europe, including St. Paul’s Cathedral in London (UK), the Nicolaikirche in Leipzig (Germany), the Cathédrale St-André in Bordeaux (France), international organ festivals in Zürich (Switzerland) and Hamburg (Germany), and national conventions of the American Guild of Organists and Organ Historical Society. His recent performance projects include recitals of J.S. Bach’s monumental Clavier-Übung III in a tour on historically-based organs throughout the United States. His released recordings include two solo organ recordings, the most recent of which, entitled Influences on the independent boutique label Acis, received the rare honor of nomination consideration for the 2017 GRAMMY awards. Jonathan’s solo recordings include commissions and recording premieres. He is also featured on multiple choral recordings from St. John Cantius Church in Chicago, IL. Born into a musical family in Charlotte, NC, Jonathan first began playing the organ at age eight, and grew up singing as a treble boy chorister. He discovered a love for Anglican liturgy and music in high school, and previously lived in Texas while an undergraduate student at Baylor University. Jonathan then went on to earn degrees from the Cleveland Institute of Music and the Eastman School of Music. His primary teachers include Joyce Jones, Todd Wilson, David Higgs, William Porter, and William Weinert. He also holds the Fellow (FAGO) and Choirmaster (ChM) professional certifications from the American Guild of Organists, for which he earned the 2006 Choirmaster Prize for the highest score nationally in the Choirmaster exam. He currently serves on the National Committee for Professional Certification for the American Guild of Organists. For the past decade, Saint Michael Director of Contemporary Music, Justin Brooks, and his wife Tiffany have followed a calling to lead music and write liturgical songs for the Church that reflect the seasons of life, worship, and needs of their local congregations. This often manifests itself as the composition of sacred songs, settings of scripture, and reinterpreting traditional hymns and service music with faithful, yet new arrangements. Excerpted from the September / October 2018 issue of Archangel. Read the full article here!
Organist Margaret "Meg" Harper has performed across the U.S., Europe, and Asia. Croatian newspaper Glas Slavonije writes, “The freezing cold of a January evening dominated the cathedral in Djakovo, but it could not diminish the richness and warmth of sound brought out of the cathedral organ by Margaret Harper.” Margaret has performed solo recitals at such prestigious venues as Harvard University, the Cathedral of St. John the Divine (NYC), and St. Paul Cathedral (Pittsburgh). Before coming to Saint Michael and All Angels, Margaret served as the Director of Music and Liturgy at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Portsmouth, NH, the largest Episcopal church in that state. In her time at St. John’s, Margaret oversaw a dramatic expansion of all aspects of the church’s music program. Under her direction, the church developed The Choir School at St. John’s, an after-school RSCM-based music program aimed at low-income youth. In its first three years, the Choir School has received several significant accolades, including the opportunity to premiere a newly commissioned work at the prestigious Newburyport Chamber Music Festival and an invitation to serve in residency at Bristol Cathedral in England. In addition, Margaret has also served as Artist Faculty in Organ at the University of Southern Maine, on the faculty and board of the Young Organist Collaborative, and as a secondary instructor of organ at the Eastman School of Music. She has presented papers at national and regional conferences of organizations including the American Bach Society and the American Guild of Organists. Margaret holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree and a Performer’s Certificate from the Eastman School of Music. Her primary teachers include William Porter, David Higgs, Michel Bouvard, Edoardo Bellotti, and Edward Zimmerman. She is active in the Association of Anglican Musicians and served on the planning committee for that organization's 2019 conference in Boston. She has served in many leadership roles for the American Guild of Organists, most recently as District Convener for NH, ME, and VT. Educated in the Netherlands and the United States, Robert August has an extensive background in keyboard performance, conducting, and teaching. He has served as Carillonneur at Brigham Young University, and as organist and conductor at several churches. He has performed in Europe and the United States as a solo artist and accompanist, has toured and recorded with the Harvard University Choir, the Harvard Baroque Chamber Orchestra, the Texas Boys Choir, the Texas Camerata, and has made guest appearances with the Fort Worth and Irving Symphonies. While pursuing his doctoral degree at the New England Conservatory of Music, he served as Assistant University Organist and Choirmaster at The Memorial Church at Harvard University, and simultaneously served as Music Tutor at Harvard’s Dunster House. He served as Director of Music and Organist at First Presbyterian Church in Ft. Worth and most recently as Director of Music at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Austin. In 2010 his doctoral thesis, An Old Look at Schumann’s Organ Works, was published in the United States and Europe, celebrating the composer’s 200th birthday. Robert frequently serves as adjudicator for choral and organ competitions. He often concertizes with his wife, Dolores, performing a variety of music from early to modern, including organ, piano, harpsichord, flute, piccolo, and baroque flute. They have a 16 year old son, Robert John, and a 12 year old daughter, Melody Grace. Catherine Hinkley grew up in Mesquite, TX and was a member of the Region 3 All-Region Choir for multiple years and a member of the Texas All-State Treble Choir her Senior Year. She attended Texas A&M University Commerce where she received her Bachelors degree in Music Education in 2016. Catherine spent the last year as a staff singer at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church and the last 5 years as a choir director in Mesquite ISD. She is excited to bring her love and passion for sacred music into a position that allows her to be more behind-the-scenes. In her free time, she loves to spend time with her pets (a dog named Blaise and two cats named Lily and Bella), perform in community theater musicals, play board games, and go roller skating with her friends.Jonathan Ryan
Director of Music & Organist
214-363-5471 | Justin Brooks
Director of Contemporary Music
214-363-5471 |
Dr. Margaret (Meg) Harper
Associate Director of Music and Organist
214-363-5471 | Dr. Robert August
Assistant Director of Music and Organist
Catherine Hinkley
Administrative Assistant to Music
After 6 months of contract work, Colleen O’Hara, was hired as the full-time Director of Operations in September 2019. Melisa Bray joined the Saint Michael staff in October of 2020. Melisa has a servant’s heart, a love for people and a desire to learn and grow. She has an extensive background in administrative support, customer service, and policy and procedures. Her work experience includes working with the Lewisville ISD, Ursuline Academy and Tejas Camp and Retreat. Colleen O'Hara
Director of Operations
Colleen has over thirty years of professional experience in the areas of residential real estate valuations and appraisals, business operations, financial analysis, and process improvement. Most recently, Colleen worked as Director of Valuation for Fannie Mae, leading a department responsible for loan quality. She is a strategic and tactical leader with extensive experience in improving workplace processes and efficiencies. She possesses strong interpersonal and communication skills and enjoys forming and leading high-functioning teams. She has been a member of Saint Michael for several years and volunteers regularly with the contemporary worship service on Sunday morning. She loves hosting dinners and engaging in meaningful conversations with family and friends. Melisa Bray
Operations Manager
Director of Facilities
Assistant Director of Facilities
Sexton
Sexton
Sexton
Director of Parish Life
Director of Farmers Market
Pastoral Care
The Reverend Greg Pickens grew up in Oklahoma and came to Texas for college. Following his undergraduate degree at the University of Texas, Greg worked in the professional/executive search industry and in the computer services industry. In 1999, he began working toward the ordained ministry through the Diocese of Dallas. During his theological studies at Nashotah House in Wisconsin, Greg chose to work in at a downtown Milwaukee parish because of its diverse, urban setting. It was there he met his wife, Noralyn, and her daughter, Annie. After graduation and ordination to the Deaconate, he returned to Dallas. Following a short season as a Deacon, Greg was ordained to the priesthood in 2006 and served as Rector of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Irving, before being called to Saint Michael and All Angels in 2011.
Rob Springer has served in ministry as a small group/connections pastor, a worship leader, and church planter in Indiana, California and Florida and he served as a short-term missionary in Gyor, Hungary, helping develop house churches for young adults and the unchurched. Most recently Rob has worked in higher education with donor/alumni and student engagement, events and fundraising/major gift development for Tyler Junior College and the University of Texas at Tyler Soules College of Business. A Texas native, Rob returned to his home state in 2016 from Indiana where he had been working as the Redevelopment Commission Executive Director for the City of Shelbyville and the Executive Director for the MDA of Central Indiana. He is a Desert Storm USMC Veteran having served during his time at Baylor University (Waco, TX) where he received his undergraduate degree in business administration and marketing. He later completed an MDiv with an emphasis in worship renewal at Regent University (Virginia Beach, VA). He also has a certificate in community development from Ball State University and his community block grant administrator certification from the Indiana office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA). Erin Osborne joined the Saint Micahel staff as Coordinator of Small Groups in April of 2022. She has been a member of Saint Michael and All Angels since 1990. Erin grew up in the windy Panhandle town of Pampa, Texas, a “cradle Episcopalian,” where she was an acolyte, led VBS, and never missed a Pancake Supper. She attended Southern Methodist University, receiving first her BA, then MA in clinical and counseling psychology, focusing on family systems. She then completed her MTS in Biblical Studies at Perkins School of Theology. Erin spent her twenties and thirties working with children and their families as a school counselor and learning specialist. With the birth of her youngest, she focused her energy on raising her children and immersing herself in seminary training. Erin has initiated and facilitated small group discipleship for years. She teaches a women’s Bible study out of her home, leads prayer meetings, teaches Sunday school, and stays active with multiple missional advocacy and outreach programs in the metroplex. For Erin, spiritual formation is like a team sport. “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” (Proverbs 27:17) We are created to live in relationship with one another, and we all need a safe place to feel belonging, be curious, playful, contemplative, even fearful and regretful. Small groups are integral to our formation in Christ and our love for our neighbor. They gift us accountability, both calming and disturbing our waters. Small groups are where we learn to be the church, not go to church. Erin is the lucky wife of Vic Schmerbeck and the proud mother of five children aged twelve to twenty-two.The Rev. Greg Pickens
Associate for Pastoral Care
214-692-3041 | Rob Springer
Director of Engagement
214-692-3008 | Erin Osborne
Engagement Coordinator
Assistant to Pastoral Care
Parish Nurse
Bhavnita Masih joined the Saint Michael staff in September of 2021. Bhavnita Masih is best described as an includer and encourager with a true servant’s heart. Bhav—which she will tell you “rhymes with love”—is passionate about connecting people, building bridges and bringing out the gifts in others. Bhav considers herself a Texan through and through despite an early upbringing in England and Canada. Her family moved to west Texas in 1981 where she finished her early education. After high school, she moved to Austin to attend the University of Texas, earning her Bachelor’s in Speech Communication in 1995. Austin is also where she met her future husband, Neelesh. Neel and Bhav have been blessed with three children, Joshua, Rebekah, and Daniel. Bhav is a Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) with deep experience as an Executive Assistant, most recently working with executives at Interstate Batteries. In addition, she brings with her many years of ministry experience working with family and children’s ministry. In her downtime, her hobbies include painting, reading, organizing, and watching movies with her family.Bhavnita Masih
Executive Assistant to the Rector
Database Manager & Parish Records
Receptionist
Receptionist
The Reverend Dr. Andrew Grosso joined the Saint Michael and All Angels clergy team in March of 2021. Before coming to Dallas, Andrew was the Canon to the Dean at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral (Columbia, SC), where he also served as the Acting Dean during the time the cathedral sought a new Dean. Andrew has also served as the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at Nashotah House Theological Seminary (Nashotah, WI), Rector of Trinity Episcopal Church (Atchison, KS), Dean of the Bishop Kemper School for Ministry (Topeka, KS), and Canon Residentiary at Grace Episcopal Cathedral (Topeka, KS). Andrew was raised in Michigan, and completed his undergraduate studies in Psychology at Calvin College (Grand Rapids, MI). He began his graduate studies at Wheaton College (Wheaton, IL), where he completed an MA in Interdisciplinary Studies. His doctoral studies were in the areas of systematic and philosophical theology, and he received his PhD from Marquette University (Milwaukee, WI). In preparation for ordination, Andrew completed an MDiv at the School of Theology of the University of the South (Sewanee, TN). He maintains an active interest in theological and philosophical scholarship, and especially appreciates the work of Michael Polanyi, Thomas F. Torrance, John Neville Figgis, and Martin Thornton. Much of Bob’s ministry has concentrated on evangelism. He studied church planting in seminary, was ordained in 2003 in London, and served in Brompton. Most recently he helped start and lead the contemporary worship ministry, “Uptown,” at Church of the Incarnation, as well as the small group ministry, “Growth Groups,” and an outreach in local pubs known as “Theology Live.”
Bob has graduate degrees in theology, law, and business from Southern Methodist University, and maintains an intellectual property law practice. He is at Saint Michael two days a week; on Sundays, serving primarily in the 11:00 contemporary worship service, and one other day during the week. Bob has twin sons, Hugh and Ian.
What, you may ask, is a “head sacristan”? The ministry of sacristans has been recognized in the church for many hundreds of years, and has most often involved oversight of the appurtenances needed for corporate worship. Additionally, sacristans help coordinate the efforts of others whose ministries contribute to corporate worship, including clergy, acolytes, musicians, and all who help enrich the worship of the church.The Rev. Dr. Andrew Grosso
Associate for Worship & Liturgy
The Rev. Robert "Bob" Johnston III
Associate for Contemporary Worship
Haley Dettra
Head Sacristan
Coordinator for Worship Media
Assistant for Worship & Liturgy
