The Vestry is the governing body or board of directors of the parish. Its members are elected at the annual general meeting for staggered three-year terms.

Vestry Minutes

2026 Finance Committee

2026 Budget & Annual Operating Report

Current Vestry Members (bios below)

Nora McLaughlin, Co-Senior Warden, (2029)
Stephen Weeks, Co-Senior Warden, (2029)
Marissa Cheplick, Treasurer, (2029)
Alicia Lehrle, Clerk
Kirstin Greene, (2029)
Martha Humphrey (2027)
Shannon Jones (2028)
Yetunde Lanrian (2029)
Kathleen Park-Lindsay (2029)
André Pruitt (2029)
Jennifer Traeger (2028)

Scroll down for an archive of Vestry Minutes.

Vestry Communication Covenant

Current Vestry Members

Nora McLaughlin
Co-Senior Warden
2029

I found my way to Grace in 1994, having visited many churches after arriving in Portland that January. Raised in California, I came to Portland to work at Reed College, after serving at Cal State Long Beach, the University of Redlands, and Johnston College. I retired from Reed in 2021, and continue to devote my energies to family, friends, music, volunteer work, travel, and my garden and two dogs. At Grace, I serve as a lector and help with the lunch program, have served on the vestry and other committees, and enjoyed working on Friday Feast preparation. I appreciate that Grace is a community with deep ties and commitment to the broader community and to the spiritual life of its members.

Stephen Weeks
Co-Senior Warden
2029

My wife Denise and I started coming to Grace over twenty years ago. Our daughter Lily was baptized here. I have served on the Grace Institute Board for two terms and on the search committee that hired Martin. I have contributed in other areas of life at Grace, as an usher, a lector, and a volunteer at Friday night dinners. Two years ago, I retired from my position as Chair of the Theatre Department at Lewis & Clark College, and I find I have more time to be of service to other institutions. I hope to be of use in supporting and furthering the missions of Grace, including the build-out of the campus.

Marissa Cheplick
Treasurer
2028

I have called Portland, Oregon home since early 2022, when I moved here initially for work. Shortly thereafter I found Grace. I was practically neighbors with the building! I was full-time remote and seeking connection to local community. Although I now live in a different part of Portland, and my employment has changed, I feel Grace was a critical through line in my path of spiritual development. Participation in Grace’s Catechumen was inspiring and a novel experience with adult Christian education. I was raised in the Eastern Orthodox tradition. I attended Episcopalian services throughout graduate school in Bloomington, IN. The Orthodox church was a 15-minute drive, and I could walk to the downtown Episcopal church in just a few. That time instilled in me a personal relationship with the Episcopalian tradition.

When asked to join Grace Vestry, I felt it could continue my development in faith. My professional life includes financial analytics and program management. I am interested to share in a process that works to improve Grace for everyone. The call to Vestry seems an impactful way to bring about positive change. I am currently enrolled in a part-time Master of Science in Finance graduate program at University of Portland. I split my time between work, school and cross-country skiing, one of my favorite pastimes in Oregon!

Alicia Lehrle
Clerk

My family became members of Grace in the mid-1960s, and I maintained contact with Grace during the 20 years I migrated around the Pacific Northwest before returning home to the Portland area for good in 1993. Over the years, I have participated in the Altar Guild, Church School, Bell Choir, and Healing Prayer Ministry. I am a professed member of the Third Order of the Society of St. Francis. My work life has included a long period at Standard Insurance Company drafting contracts, and also bookselling, commercial printing, and a short stint in a pet store many years ago, which I fortunately left as I kept taking my work home with me (dogs, birds, fish, reptiles, etc.). My volunteer activities outside of church have included many years with SMART (a literacy program for elementary school students) and work as both a volunteer and board member with Off The Couch Events (a socialization program for differently-abled adults). I very much enjoy time with my family, including the non-human members, gardening, the Oregon coast, a good book and a good beer.

Martha Humphrey
2027

I moved with my family from Los Angeles to Portland in 2002 where we have made a home and become involved in our community. I am a cradle Episcopalian, and was baptised and confirmed at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Florida. I then attended All Saints in Beverly Hills where my son, Jack, was baptised. Shortly after getting settled in Portland, we joined Grace Memorial, finding it so welcoming and full of missions we cared about –including Grace Art Camp and service to the broader community—it has been a wonderful part of my family’s life. My daughter, Kate, was baptised by Mother Esme Culver on Rogation Sunday, and Jack and Kate enjoyed church school, and participating in the pageant and the family retreat. Jack was an accolade for several years.

I have had two careers, first as a Creative Director, and then as a Talent Acquisition Director for creative and tech brands. Both professions have been enjoyable and challenging in all the best ways: honing my skills in leadership, cross-functional team management, and long-range planning and budgeting. I think of myself as a creative problem solver and like using my talents in the service of others when I can. Painting and drawing, gardening and nature, cooking, and being with my kids are some of my favorite activities, and are essential to my spiritual life.

Kirstin Greene
2029

It’s a great honor to be considered for the Grace Vestry. The skills I would
bring are in facilitation and project coordination. I’m enthusiastic to help
Grace meet their campus planning goals, albeit a long range project. I am
trained as a land use planner, and am currently the Deputy Director of
the Department of Land Conservation and Development for the State.
From age 12, I grew up in the Episcopalean tradition – at St. John the
Baptist, then followed Father Stephen to Grace Memorial.

Shannon Jones
2028

Bio

Kathleen Park-Lindsay
2029

I grew up in Portland working in health care in a non-clinical role until I
retired in 2008. This gave me the opportunity to spend time with my
grandchildren and build close relationships with them.
For the last nine years I have been a member of a national social justice
movement, Be Present, Inc. This group has helped me to live in
community using effective communication to build sustaining
relationships.

I found the Episcopal Church, or it found me, in 2015. It continues to be
a central part of my life. I have volunteered with the Sack Lunch
ministry, and for a time, dishwashing. I put intensional energy into welcoming new people and I have participated in many of the offered events.

The Grace community is a special group of caring people who inspire me every day. It is a blessing to be a part of this congregation and I look forward to supporting its mission.

André Pruitt

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker providing culturally responsive therapy through my private practice at Rustic Sage LLC. Additionally, I serve as an Adjunct Professor at the
Portland State School of Social Work. My life has been an incredible spiritual journey that began with my baptism as a baby at St. Philip the Deacon Episcopal Church. I have
participated in a variety of spiritual practices. Throughout my life, I attended Episcopal churches sporadically, but during the COVID-19 pandemic, I began attending Grace Memorial Church regularly.

During my time at Grace, I became increasingly aware of the remarkable journey I have had with God. In 2020, I decided to strengthen my connection with God by making Grace Memorial my home church. While participating in a catechumen class, I recognized the need for a deeper understanding of the Episcopal faith and committed to becoming more involved at Grace.

To act on this commitment, I lead a book group focused on “Your Faith, Your Life: An Invitation to the Episcopal Church,” and participating in the Education for Ministry. Additionally, I have served as a Diocesan Delegate. I feel that my participation in the church has brought me many blessings, and now, I hope to give back as a vestry member.

Jennifer Traeger

I was fortunate to find Grace Memorial last year after the closure of Sts Peter and Paul, where I had been a member since 2015. I came to the Episcopal church later in my life as a sort of refugee from the Catholic church. At Sts Peter and Paul, I was buoyed by the liturgy, the community, and the opportunities to serve the neighborhood around us. I continue to volunteer most Sunday nights with the Hope & Bread church, and Episcopal City Mission that meets in the Montavilla Park to feed, worship, and build community with our houseless neighbors. I served on the vestry at Sts Peter and Paul.

I was born in Portland, but most of my growing up happened in Montana. I have degrees in history and social work, and have spent most of my career as a clinical social worker in end of life care. Currently I’m the director of a large home hospice program. As a social worker, I have most enjoyed working with children and families, and one of my most fulfilling experiences was running a camp for bereaved children, called Camp Erin. I am a lover of books, walking, knitting, cooking, animals, movies, and I am especially grateful for the friends and family in my life.

Convention Delegates

Diocesan Representatives: Zahnga Peabody, André Pruitt, Jennifer Traeger

Zahnga Peabody

Zahnga E. Peabody has been a member of Grace Memorial Episcopal Church
since 2021. He has served as a Lector and Intercessor at the 8:00 a.m. service
since 2024 and also participates regularly in the Thursday morning service.
Zahnga is honored to stand for election as a Diocesan Delegate and looks forward
to continuing to serve the church and the wider diocese.