Board of Directors
Debra Bennett
Ohio
The Rev. Debra Q. Bennett, has been the priest at Church of Our Saviour in Akron, OH for the past 8 years. She came to us from the Diocese of Long Island as our Priest-in-Charge in 2012 and was installed as our 9th Rector in 2014. Before coming to Akron, she served St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Roosevelt, NY, first as Deacon-in-Charge in 2009 and then Priest-in-Charge in 2010 after her ordination to the priesthood. She is one of the newly-elected members of the TENS Board of Directors class of 2021 and will be serving a three-year term. An avid collector of cookbooks (at least a 100), this foodie loves to prepare gourmet meals for friends, family and, of course, herself.
Contact: revdebcoos@gmail.com
Karen Davis-Lawson
New York
The Rev. Cn. Karen Davis-Lawson serves as a priest in the Diocese of Long Island. In November 2021 she was called as the third rector of St. David’s Episcopal Church in Cambria Heights, NY. Prior to that call, Karen served as a curate at St. George’s Episcopal Church and Church of the Redeemer (a bilingual congregation), Astoria, NY for two years. Following her curacy, she was called to serve as priest-in-charge and then the sixteenth rector of St. George’s. Karen creatively uses TENS material in the congregations in which she serves.
She attended Brooklyn College where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree and Master Degrees in Arts and Science and she earned a Master of Divinity from the General Theological Seminary in New York. Before ordination, Karen served as an administrator in higher education. In her spare time, she loves to sing and travel.
Contact: revkdl@gmail.com
Lynn Farlin
Virginia
Lynn Farlin serves as the Canon for Formation for the Diocese of Southern Virginia. Canon Farlin’s responsibilities include Christian formation, safe church, vestry retreats, stewardship, congregational development, and educational programming.
Before joining the bishop’s staff, she served as the Director of Christian Education for ten years. Additionally, she served twenty-six years in higher education settings primarily responsible for student judicial affairs. Lynn holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania and a Master’s degree in College Student Personnel Administration from Indiana State University. In her spare time Lynn dabbles in stained glass projects, is training to walk the Camino de Santiago and hopes someday to master Tai Chi. She and her husband Stuart Farlin are parents to Taylor and Trent.
Contact: lfarlin@diosova.org
Charles L. Fischer III
Pennsylvania
The Rev. Charles L Fischer III is the Vice President for Seminary Advancement at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.
Rev. Fischer received his undergraduate degree in finance from Morehouse College. After several years of working in New York City, he returned to his beloved alma mater, serving as the Associate Director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving Programs.
He continued his studies at the Virginia Theological Seminary (VTS) in Alexandria, VA, where he earned a Master of Divinity degree. During his course of study he was deeply committed to the life of the community, holding many leadership positions including Student Body President. Also during this time, he was a Canterbury Scholar at the Canterbury Cathedral in Canterbury, England.
Rev. Fischer is a fellow of the Black Theology and Leadership Institute at Princeton Theological Seminary. He has also studied at Wesley Theological Seminary, Howard University Divinity School, Columbia Theological Seminary, Princeton Theological Seminary, Bexley Seabury, and the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University. Annually, Rev. Fischer has returned to the Princeton Theological Seminary, serving as a Theologian in Residence with the Black Theology and Leadership Institute.
Rev. Fischer has served parishes in the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh (St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Mt. Lebanon), Diocese of Atlanta (St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Atlanta and St. Catherine’s Episcopal Church, Marietta), the Diocese of Maryland (St. James Episcopal Church at Lafayette Square, Baltimore),and the Diocese of Washington (St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, DC).
Rev. Fischer was proudly inducted into the Martin Luther King, Jr. International College of Ministers and Laity at Morehouse College in April 2012. He is also an inaugural member of The Martin Luther King Jr. International College of Pastoral Leadership.
Rev. Fischer has served on the Boards of the St. Edmund’s Academy in Pittsburgh PA, Flourishing Communities. He is a member of the 100 Black Men of Western PA, Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASLAH) and a Life Member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc.
Rev. Fischer is blessed to share his ministry with his lovely wife, Mrs. Rhonda D. Fischer. They are the proud parents of two sons, Charles IV and Cameron.
Sabeth Fitzgibbons
Washington
The Rev. Sabeth Fitzgibbons leads with the people of Trinity Parish in Seattle, WA, as Priest in Charge. Sabeth and her family returned home to Seattle in 2016 after spending the first 10 years of ordained ministry in Massachusetts and Northwestern Pennsylvania. She brings the practical experience of a delighted TENS user and evangelist in congregations of many sizes and levels of resources.
Sabeth’s understanding of the web of lived faith, community and abundance, are informed by her experiences as a Jesuit Volunteer and a community initiative developer for United Way. She earned a MSW (community organization) and MA (pastoral ministry) at Boston College and attended the Church Divinity School of the Pacific for seminary. When not dreaming up new ways for her urban congregation to engage with its neighbors, Sabeth loves knitting, walking with her husband Julien, and watching her two middle school children explore life.
Contact: sabeth@trinityseattle.org
Julia McCray Goldsmith
California
The Rev. Julia McCray-Goldsmith serves Trinity Cathedral in San Jose California as Priest in Charge. Previously, she served as Canon for Cathedral Life at Trinity Cathedral in Portland, Oregon. In her 13 years on the staff of the Episcopal Bishop of California, where she oversaw a broad portfolio of ministries related to growing up in and deepening Christian faith, including growth in gratitude and generosity. Bilingual in Spanish, Julia was sponsored for ordination by La Santisima Trinidad (a Latino congregation in the Diocese of California) and was made a priest in 2013. A former missionary and non-profit fundraiser, Julia did her graduate theological studies at Creighton University and the Church Divinity School of the Pacific. She is a faithful student of Jesuit spirituality, contributor to Daily Prayer for All Seasons and Lifting Women’s Voices, and blogs at www.liftupyourhearts.net.
Julia lives in Berkeley California with husband of 34 years, John. Together they are the frequently surprised and always grateful parents of Nicaraguan-born (and now young adult) sons Amos and Aaron, and new daughter-in-law Jillian.
Contact: julia@trinitysj.org
Glenna Huber
District of Columbia
The Rev. Glenna J. Huber is the 15th Rector of the Church of the Epiphany in downtown Washington, D.C. Before joining Epiphany, she served as Vicar at the Holy Nativity Episcopal Church in Baltimore. She has also served as a consultant for urban congregations on the efficacy of community organizing in congregational development.
For the past 19 years, Rev. Huber has served in a number of ordained pastoral roles in Baltimore and Atlanta, including ecumenical and educational positions. Her positions have provided her with the opportunity to offer pastoral care and counsel to teachers, seniors and parents, and students from preschool to high school.
She has experience working in a variety of communities ranging from suburban affluent neighborhoods to underserved and economically depressed environments.
In relationship to her capacity within the church, Rev. Huber is a sought out lecturer and has addressed subjects ranging from leadership in the church and in the community to faith and justice and systemic injustice, including urban poverty, education, housing, redlining, and how the church can respond to issues affecting our community, to racism and reconciliation.
Rev. Huber received a Master of Divinity degree from The General Theological Seminary (New York) and her undergraduate degree in history from Spelman College (Georgia).
She is married to Richard, and they have two children – Jonas and Adayah.
Contact: ghuber@epiphanydc.org
Amanda Kiernan
California
Amanda Kiernan is the Director of Planned Giving for the California Pacific Medical Center Foundation, a Sutter Health Affiliate. CPMC is one of the largest not-for-profit medical centers in California with four campuses located throughout San Francisco. Prior to joining CPMC, Amanda worked for the Episcopal Diocese of California, the University of Notre Dame, and United Way. With more than a decade of experience across the non-profit spectrum, Amanda has worked in nearly every area of fundraising from grant writing to major gifts to planned giving. She currently serves on the board for the Northern California Planned Giving Council as Co-Chair for the NCPGC Conference and as a volunteer mentor for Girls on the Run. She has an undergraduate degree from the University of Denver and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Notre Dame.
Contact: amandankiernan@gmail.com
Mark Strobel
North Dakota
The Very Rev’d. Mark Strobel is a native North Dakotan and has served as Dean of Gethsemane Cathedral in Fargo, ND since February of 2015. Mark received the MDiv from Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, IA, an MA in Liturgical Studies from St John’s University School of Theology in Collegeville, MN, and has written on preaching, worship, and spirituality for various publishers for the last two decades. Newly elected to the Board of TENS in 2021, Mark has found great joy in taking up a life of grace and generosity in loving and echoing response to the generous love and grace of God in Jesus Christ. Mark is husband to Vanessa and dad to Max and enjoys watching as many British game shows on YouTube as he can make time for.
Contact: markstrobel@gmail.com
Amy Underhill Lythgoe
Colorado
The Rev. Amy Underhill Lythgoe is the rector of St. Luke’s in Denver. She has served in nine varied ministry settings in the Episcopal Church in Colorado, in both lay and clergy positions. Amy brings her curiosity and enthusiasm for the ways stewardship enhances and fosters our relationships with God, our communities, and the world to her work with TENS.
Amy’s childhood included living in or visiting all 50 states and more than 25 countries. As a result of those multicultural experiences, she offers an open-hearted appreciation for our differences and similarities, and for the varied ways we find spiritual groundedness with God and as God’s people.
Amy firmly believes everything we do may be grounded in love and joyful hope. One of her favorite holy people is Blessed Julian of Norwich and her reminder that “all will be well.” Whether directing a high school youth leadership initiative of five students or serving a congregation with an ASA over 500, Amy is committed to helping folks identify and discern their gifts of the Spirit, helping bring them forward in community as we live into God’s dream for us and all of creation.
Contact: revamylythgoe@gmail.com
Dina VanKlaveren
Maryland
Dina is an Episcopal priest and Jesus devotee who loves exploring how the Good News calls us to live into a joy, clarity, and freedom that is worth the work it requires. In her 12 years of service as Rector at St. Andrew’s in Glenwood, Maryland, the congregation’s leadership has relied upon the good work of TENS for resources that are well designed and theologically sound. She is the mother of two teenagers, is married to a hospital pharmacist, and previously served as Associate Dean of Students at the Maryland Institute, College of Art in Baltimore. Learn more about her understanding of stewardship, as well as her ongoing effort to live into Good News on her blog at goodnewslifestyle.net
Contact: dinavk@gmail.com
Staff
J. Davey Gerhard III
Executive Director | California
Davey was called to be the Executive Director of TENS in January 2020, and comes to this position with more than two decades’ experience helping good causes and communities raise money for mission. He also serves on diocesan staff as Canon for Stewardship for the Diocese of California. Davey believes that the best conversations in church happen at the intersection of money and meaning, and that unlocking our faith exposes our generosity to the world. What gifts we can raise and celebrate when we put our mission and our meaning with our money! When he is not working, he enjoys Disney-inspired travel, camping in California’s mountains, and cooking for and hosting dinner parties.
Contact: Davey@tens.org | +1 415-869-7837
Casa Hispana Translations
Translator | California
Casa Hispana is a community of linguists, educators, and students with a joy for teaching, learning, translating, and sharing our experiences in Spanish.
Contact:info@casahispana.org
Elizabeth Honeycutt
Membership Steward | Texas
Elizabeth has been the financial and membership side of TENS since January 2013, both as a volunteer and then as a staff member. A native of Wharton, Texas, and a 2003 graduate (BBA, MAcc) of Baylor University, Elizabeth is a Certified Public Accountant licensed by the state of Texas. Prior to coming to TENS, she spent seven years in state and local tax, Federal tax, and tax planning roles with ExxonMobil and two years in state and local tax with KPMG, LLP. Outside of TENS, you can likely find her managing church finances as Treasurer for Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Tomball, Texas, or hanging out with husband Greg, daughter Katie, and son Mark.
Contact: Elizabeth@tens.org
Cori Kesler
Kesler Creative Communications |California
Cori feels lucky to work in a field she loves. She founded Kesler Creative Communications, Inc. in 1999 and has spent the last several decades working with non-profit organizations and small businesses all over the country – refining brands and creating award winning print and digital publications. When she’s not in front of her desk, you’ll find Cori hiking with her dogs in the Berkeley Hills or tending to her indoor jungle.
Contact: www.keslercommunications.com
Simon Carney
Creative Director, Strategic Consultant | California
Bio Coming Soon
Contact:
