Clergy and Staff
Clergy
The Rev. Dr. R. Leigh Spruill began his ministry as rector of The Church of St. John the Divine in early 2021. Leigh is a native of Tappahannock, Virginia. He is married to Susalee Can Spruill, a native of Charleston, South Carolina, and they have three adult children. His passions include poetry, oysters, golf, and cheering UNC sports from afar. A lifelong baseball enthusiast, he is one of the Houston Astros' newest big fans!
Reagan has a Master’s of Architecture from the University of Pennsylvania and was licensed in the State of Texas until 1998. Now he’s just an Episcopal priest who once sold bagels to pay for his honeymoon! He’s been married to Stephanie since 1986. They have two adult children.
Fr. Neal has been a priest for nearly six years and loves serving young adults and young families. He is married to Jennifer, and together they have two young children. When not doing churchy stuff he enjoys being outside, reading long Russian novels, listening to obscure music, and watching British mysteries with Jennifer.
The Reverend Louise Samuelson joined St. John the Divine Episcopal Church in 2017 and serves as its Associate Rector providing leadership to the church’s pastoral care, worship, and women’s ministries.
Fr. Trent joined the clergy staff at St. John the Divine in 2023, and was ordained in 2021. His discernment process and curacy took him to three different countries which deepened his heart for missions and the church’s catholicity. He is married to Kira Moolman Pettit, and enjoys art, metal, and beekeeping.
Bishop Fearon joined the SJD team in November 2022 having just completed a seven-year ministry as the Secretary General of the Anglican Communion. Prior to that, he served as the first Bishop of Sokoto; fourth Bishop of Kaduna dioceses, and the first Archbishop of Kaduna Ecclesiastical Province. Here at SJD, his job description is Bishop in Residence for Evangelism, Mission and Global Partnerships. It finds it such a joy to be a part of a strong and committed team of minsters in an exciting parish. He enjoys playing squash rackets, walking, and now learning to cook
Doug joined SJD in 1995 and served as Sr. Associate Rector until he retired from full-time ministry in 2018. When Rev. Spruill was called as the new rector in 2021, he asked Doug to join the clergy team on a part-time basis, working with pastoral care needs and teaching.
Administrative Assistants to the Clergy
Born and raised in England, Jackie graduated with a business degree before moving to Houston in the early 1980s. She has been with St. John the Divine since 2005 and has two grown children — a daughter who lives in Nashville and a son who lives in Houston with his wife. She currently shares her home with two dogs.
Membership
Stephanie holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Pennsylvania and a diploma in Biblical & Theological Studies from the University of Oxford. She has worked as Lay Ministry Coordinator and Christ Episcopal Church, San Antonio, and as Development Officer for Alpha Houston. Since 2008 she has served as Coordinator for U.S. Friends of Wycliffe Hall, Oxford. She and Reagan married in 1986 and have two children, Catherine and Winston.
Dawn has been with SJD since 2014. You may recognizer her as a long-standing member of the SJD Chorale. After working part-time in the Music Ministry administrative offices, she began full-time work with Houston Audobon and then as an elementary music teacher in FBISA. She is very happy to be back at SJD and is now the full-time front desk receptionist and greeter. Come by and say 'Hello'!
Worship and Pastoral Care
The Reverend Louise Samuelson joined St. John the Divine Episcopal Church in 2017 and serves as its Associate Rector providing leadership to the church’s pastoral care, worship, and women’s ministries.
Born a Texan, Susan spent her childhood years in New Orleans and Sydney, Australia. After acquiring a degree at the University of Virginia and moving to Houston in the '80s, she founded and managed several companies focused on healthcare staffing. Working at SJD is the culmination of 35+ years of training and experience in helping our seniors live safer, fulfilling lives as they navigate the issues of aging.
A native of Montgomery, Alabama, Chip finished electrical engineering studies at Vanderbilt and Georgia Tech, followed by four years in the U.S. Navy. Before joining St. John the Divine as a Pastoral Care Coordinator, he spent almost 50 years as an engineer, manager, and small business owner in the oil and gas business. He and his wife Ann have two teenage grandsons and a Labrador Retriever living in Austin. Chip has been a Stephen Minister for over 30 years.
Family Formation
Fr. Neal has been a priest for nearly six years and loves serving young adults and young families. He is married to Jennifer, and together they have two young children. When not doing churchy stuff he enjoys being outside, reading long Russian novels, listening to obscure music, and watching British mysteries with Jennifer.
Deanna is a native Houstonian and devoted Longhorn with a BA in English & French. She began full-time ministry 22 years ago at SJD. Deanna is married to Bill and together they have three daughters, a married son and daughter-in-law with two children, and a Labrador Retriever. She enjoys buying more books than she can read, drinking the perfect cappuccino, spending time in the mountains, and having all her family under one roof whenever and wherever it works.
St. John the Divine has been a second home to ReBecca and her family. She has been blessed to have her four children baptized and confirmed in this parish. More importantly, they are all active members of this amazing community.
Luci is from Sao Paulo, Brazil, and came to the United States as a nanny. She got her Associate in Teaching here in Houston and started working at SJD in 2006 as a Nursery Worker. She became the Nursery and Preschool Associate in 2018. She loves working with children because she believes they are angels sent by God to bring joy to our lives!
Teaching and Leadership
Reagan has a Master’s of Architecture from the University of Pennsylvania and was licensed in the State of Texas until 1998. Now he’s just an Episcopal priest who once sold bagels to pay for his honeymoon! He’s been married to Stephanie since 1986. They have two adult children.
Originally from South Africa, Kira grew up moving around Canada before settling down at Wycliffe College at the University of Toronto to study and teach theology. She submitted her dissertation for her PhD in July of 2023, just before coming to Houston. Kira is passionate about translating theology into everyday language and life and is excited to do this in a city where you can buy fresh (still warm!) tortillas at the grocery store. She loves to watch the Great British Bake-Off with her husband, Trent, and prides herself on always being the last one to leave the dance floor.
After a career in the energy industry, Andy retired to pursue ministry work. Before his current role, he served at St. John the Divine in a variety of leadership positions and the church's youth ministry. He is married to Joan, an accomplished painter. They are blessed with two children and two grandchildren.
Music and Worship
With degrees from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, Southern Methodist University, and Perkins School of Theology, Steve has served churches in Cincinnati, Mobile, and Roanoke, Virginia, before joining the staff at St. John the Divine in 2,000. In addition to his work at SJD, he has held numerous leadership roles in various professional organizations, including chairing several regional and national conferences. In his free time, Steve enjoys cycling and sharing his culinary skills.
After finishing her Master's in Voice Performance at the University of Texas, Anna moved to Houston with her then fiancé, Joe. Anna taught music at The Fay School, River Oaks Baptist, and St. Paul's UMC. Anna is also a vocalist, ranging from classical to jazz. She is happily married to Joe with twin daughters in college.
Sarah is a native Houstonian and lives with her husband Nick and their three wild and beautiful kids. She was raised in a musical family and has been performing, leading worship, and writing music all her life. Sarah is lucky enough to have found an insanely talented husband to join her in all of that. Her favorite hobbies are reading, binging true crime documentaries, enjoying all things Tex-Mex, and working out — to justify all the Tex-Mex!
Sharlu retired from education from Katy ISD after 35 years of service that included teaching and administration. She has sung with the SJD Chorale as a soprano for over three years and now serves as Administrative Assistant to the Music and Worship department. She and her husband, Bruce, live in Katy, TX.
Audrey graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a BS in Radio, Television, and Film. After a brief stint in Los Angeles, she returned home to Texas and joined her long-time friend and mento Anna Teagarden at St. John's Working with the kids of the St. John's chorister program never fails to bring a smile to her face!
Outreach Ministry
Tany is a native Houstonian and attended The Kinkaid School and The University of Texas at Austin. She was a buyer for a boutique clothing store and went on to be Director of Recruiting and assisted with marketing at Chamberlain, Hrdlicka law firm.
She has four grown children and one grandson. Tany spent many years as a “professional volunteer” with the Junior League of Houston and at her children’s schools, as well as with numerous non-profits in Houston and serving in board positions.
She began at SJD in the Rector’s office 4 ½ years ago and is now the Director of GO Outreach, where she serves her call to serve God and others who are in need.
Operations (Communications, Media, IT, Facilities, Generosity)
After earning her bachelor degree from Rice University and an MS in management, Suzanne spent the bulk of her career in non-profit management. Suzanne & her husband were members of the church for several years prior to her joining the church staff in 2015. They feel blessed to raise their two children in the SJD community. Her door is always open, so don’t hesitate to stop by!
Terra Seidel is a joyful and innovative leader in the Christian ministry and philanthropic arena. She has more than twenty years of experience serving on numerous nonprofit boards and committees at the local and national levels. Joining the staff of St. John the Divine is a full-circle moment. Terra's first job was as the Jr. High Youth Director at SJD and she married her husband Kevin in the chapel before relocating to the midwest. "It's good to be home."
Andrea is a trained soprano and Rice University graduate who moved into the church communications world almost a decade ago. She enjoys time with her husband and two young sons as well as cooking and gardening in whatever spare time she can find.
Marilyn is a former attorney who started a new career in website design in the 90's. She has been with St. John the Divine for 21 years and began her service in the children's music department. Marilyn shares her home with two daughters and two dogs.
Tony has over 10 years of experience in audio-visual production for churches. He is passionate about serving the Lord through service, and truly enjoys a great cup of coffee or tea.
Dana has been at St. John the Divine for a few years working in various capacities as an assistant in Communications. She especially loves Christ, family/friends, turtles, dogs, and Texas. She is a firmament believer and wants to spend more of her time in this world seeking and growing in the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
Homero Ayala
Assistant Facilities Manager
Maria Mendez
Sexton
Finance
ESL Program
First Steps Montessori
Originally from Gettysburg, PA, Tara received her undergraduate degree from Chatham University and graduate degree from WVU. Once in Houston, she attained her Early Childhood Credential, Director of Certification through the State of Texas, and her AMS Administrator's Credential. She has worked in education for over 27 years and loves to share her knowledge of the Montessori philosophy.
A native Houstonian, Martha Butler, was formerly a Principal dancer with the Houston Ballet and a Soloist with the American Ballet Theatre in NYC. Martha began at FSM 16 years ago as a volunteer when her two daughters attended the school. Martha continues to share her support for FSM as Director of Operations.
The Bookstore
Susan spent years in banking technology before moving to a more fulfilling position in The Bookstore in 2005. She and her husband are longtime members of the SJD community. She enjoys reading, pottery, sailing, and thrifting.
