Our Ministerial TeamThe staff at St. Andrew's
Episcopal Church strives to bring God's Word to you in a variety of
ways. Each has their own unique background and skill set. This includes
our clergy and organist, but a number of others who remain unseen
behind the scenes.
Mother Bennett was ordained to the priesthood in January of 1990. She
graduated from Aquinas Institute of Theology in 1988 having completed a
Master's Degree in Divinity and a Master's Degree in Systematic
Theology (with honors). She did further work at Seabury-Western
(Episcopal) Theological Seminary, in Evanston, Illinois, and received
her Doctorate in Anglican Ministry there in 1993. The Rev. Virginia Bennett, Rector Before being called as rector of St. Andrew's in December of 1995, Mother Bennett served parishes in Missouri, South Carolina and Kansas. Mother Bennett has two grown daughters and five grandchildren.  The Rev. Canon
George E. Pence, Assisting PriestThe Rev. Canon George E. Pence was born in Milwaukee, WI (1939)., and raised in Chicago. He earned his B.A. (Hist/Phil) at McKendree University, a M.A. (Social Science) from the University of Illinois , M.T.S. from Seabury-Western Theological Seminary (Church Hist/Ethics, and a Ph.D. (Administration of Higher Education/Statistics) from St. Louis University. Fr. Pence is a late vocation priest, coming to the Priesthood at age 40, after a career as a University Professor and Administrator. He was ordained Priest in the Diocese of Central Florida in 1979. Since ordination, he has served in Parishes in Texas, Florida, Wisconsin, and Illinois and his last assignment was as Rector, St. John's, Kewanee, IL, and as Canon Administrator/Treasurer, Diocese of Quincy (IL). Fr. Pence retired in 2001 and has assisted off and on at St. Andrew's since that date, and served as Interim Rector/Pastor in two Churches in the area. Upon completion of the Interim positions, Fr. Pence has been assisting Mother Bennett with the Pastoral Care of the Parish by working with the Prayer Group and Celebrating Mass on the 1st Tuesday of the month, and helping with the visitation to those in the Hospital and the Home Bound, and Preaching and Celebrating one Sunday a month. Fr. Pence and his wife Ione will be celebrating 47 years of marriage in December 2009.  Henry Evans, Organist and
Choir MasterHenry Evans has been organist and choirmaster at Saint Andrew’s since 2003. He holds the Master of Music degree from the University of North Texas and the Bachelor of Music degree from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. From 2002 through 2003 he held the organ scholar fellowship at Church of the Incarnation (Episcopal) in Dallas, TX. While at Church of the Incarnation, he learned the ancient and modern music of the Anglican church, played the organ and conducted choirs. His teachers include Jesse Eschbach and Kathleen Thomerson. He was one of the last American students of the French organist Marie-Madeleine Duruflé -Chevalier. He is currently the sub-dean of the Saint Louis Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. |
