WHAT IS A VESTRY? An elective body in an Episcopal parish composed of the rector and a group of elected parishioners administering the temporal affairs of the parish.

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Spike Lobdell, Senior Warden

Spike Lobdell has been a member of Calvary since 1999. His great-great grandfather was an Episcopal priest in Buffalo New York. His family also established the Episcopal Church in Rumson, New Jersey back in the late 1800s. This past year Spike led the Our Church 2030 initiative where the goal is for Calvary to become a catalyst of spiritual growth for our parishioners and the community. Working with all parishioners and members of the community to realize this objective will be an important element of his role as Senior Warden. Spike served on the Vestry (2016–2018), Chair of the Nominating Committee (2019–2023) as well as the Finance and Investment Committees over time.

Spike founded the New England Science & Sailing Foundation (NESS – Stonington) in 2002 and now serves as the Chairman of the Board. NESS teaches STEM to approximately 9,000 students across the country using water-based platforms like sailing to foster academic success and social emotional development. Over 50% of the students receive some form of financial aid to participate. NESS is the only school partner program accredited by the New England Association of Schools & Colleges (NEASC).

In 2023 Westminster School in Simsbury, Connecticut named Spike the recipient of the Alan F. Brooks Distinguished Alumni Award. In 2021 he was named the Ocean State Chamber of Commerce (Connecticut/Rhode Island) Citizen of the Year. In 2020 Spike received the Martin J. Luray Award from US Sailing. This is the highest recognition for achievement in community sailing. He received the National Recreation Foundation’s Robert W. Crawford Achievement Prize in 2019.

Formerly CEO of XL Capital’s non-insurance operations, Spike worked at JP Morgan for 27 years. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the National Sailing Hall of Fame and Sailing Museum in Newport, Rhode Island where he chairs the Education Committee. Spike and his wife Betsy Bowman live on Masons Island and enjoy cruising New England waters, especially Maine.

Jim Taylor, Junior Warden

I have been an active member of Calvary Church for 20 years. Since that time, I have held two previous Vestry assignments under different rectors, participated in the committee that led us to Gillian, and was previously the President of the Calvary Music School. More recently I have been an active member of the Our Church 2030 Initiative Task Force. Additionally, I’m the co-chair of the Stewardship Committee, and volunteer to usher at the 10 AM service.

I grew up in Florida but didn’t find structured religion until later in life when my wife, Lori, and I began looking for a church in which to raise our two daughters. We found St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Yardley, Pennsylvania. We joined Calvary Church when we moved to Stonington in 2004. Calvary drew us in with its welcoming culture, active outreach, and its engaging music program.

In my free time, I can be found golfing, boating, and traveling. I’m excited about the opportunities at Calvary and I look forward to navigating through the new challenges that we face. I believe in living out our baptismal covenant and commit to doing everything I can to bring joy and energy to our Calvary community.

John Ong, Treasurer

I am an active musician and my first experience at Calvary was at a concert about 12 years ago given by The Ten, my NYC-based a cappella group. I was instantly attracted to this little church by the sea, and it was a pleasure to connect more deeply when, after a long international career as a banker, I moved to Stonington from Norwalk in 2018 when becoming Head of Finance and Operations at Pine Point School.

In addition to singing in the choir, I have served Calvary on the Finance and Endowment committees for two years and have completed my first year as Treasurer. I have two grown children living in Ohio and Senegal, and with a life revolving around numbers and music, I also serve as the numbers guy on the boards of the University Glee Club of New York City, The Anglican Singers, and Salt Marsh Opera.

Ben Baldwin, Clerk

Ben has been a member of Calvary Church and the Calvary Church Choir since 1998, when he moved to Stonington. He grew up in Toronto and New York City and graduated from Vassar College. He currently works as a commercial real-estate appraiser, appraising farm and forest land in eastern Connecticut.

He is a member of the Town of Stonington's Conservation Commission and is a volunteer with the Stonington Land Trust. He is a past member of the Stonington Borough Fire Police and the Chorus of Westerly. He served a previous term on the Calvary Vestry in the mid-2000s, has served on music committees, and as a Eucharistic Visitor. Ben and his partner, Kristin Lichtenberg, live in Stonington with their daughters Elizabeth and Katherine.

Members

Terri Brennan

Terri lives in Stonington with her dogs Winston and Winnie, cat G.G., and budgies Skye, Sailor and Wellie. After time working in NYC and living in Africa, she returned to coastal living in Stonington.

She participates in the Uganda Mission Team, Prayer & Care, Flower Guild, and the 2030 Committee, and serves as an acolyte. She enjoys sailing, rowing with Mystic River Rowing Club, skiing, and the arts.

Betsy Carr

A lifelong Episcopalian, Betsy has attended Calvary for over 50 years. She served as Vestry clerk for eight years and worked in fundraising at Yale University, Brown, and Connecticut College.

She is active in local organizations including the Stonington Historical Society and Planning and Zoning Commission. Betsy co-served as Senior Warden during a challenging period for the church.

Dean Davis

Dean Davis moved to Stonington in 2004. A Duke University graduate with an MBA from NYU, he spent his career in software development at Microsoft.

Now retired, he serves as a trustee of Salt Marsh Opera and chairs its investment committee. He participates in Calvary’s book club and music school board.

Paul Lemming

Paul lives in Stonington with his family. He first joined Calvary in 1983 and later served on the Vestry and 2030 Committee.

He is a financial advisor with UBS and previously worked in investment strategy. He is active in local organizations and enjoys tennis and music.

Phoebe Payne

Phoebe has long-standing ties to Stonington and a professional background in music and law. She has taught music in schools and conservatories and later practiced law specializing in arts-related issues.

She is active in Calvary’s music programs and looks forward to serving on the Vestry.

After moving to Maine and later returning closer to family in Stonington, Phoebe enjoys singing in the choir, teaching piano, and participating in church leadership.

John Phelps

John grew up in Massachusetts and has worked over 36 years as an acoustic engineer at Electric Boat.

He joined Calvary in 2007 and has served on Vestry, Finance, and Stewardship Committees, and as Junior Warden. His work has included major building improvements and pandemic-related technology upgrades.

Chris Chenard

Chris has been a parishioner of Calvary Church since 2023 and is grateful to God and the Calvary community for the spiritual home that Calvary has become. He currently serves as an usher, lector, member of the Stewardship Committee, and on the Altar Guild. Chris works at Electric Boat as a Program Manager and lives in Stonington with his wife, Ashley, and their dog, Kiki.

Jean Marquand

A “cradle” Episcopalian, Jean was baptized in Schenectady, NY by the late Reverend Canon Darwin Kirby, whose influence has continued throughout her life. She was confirmed at Emanuel Episcopal Church in Wakefield, Massachusetts. For 20 years she served as a Sunday School teacher beginning at All Saints Episcopal in South Burlington, Vermont, subsequently at St. Mary’s Episcopal, Barnstable, Massachusetts and finally at The Church of the Advent, Boston where she also was a member of The Advent’s Corporation. For 29 years she has been an Associate of The Society of Saint Margaret, an Episcopal religious order principally located in Duxbury, Massachusetts.

She holds degrees and credentials from Simmons College, The University of Vermont and Radcliffe College. During her many years living in Boston, she was a board member of various philanthropic organizations and was employed by Meredith & Grew, Incorporated, a commercial and industrial real estate firm. Jean is a past president and member of The College Club of Boston and retains memberships in the Junior League of Boston, the Boston Junior League Garden Club, the P.E.O. Sisterhood, and the Harvard Club of Boston. Following the unexpected death of her husband, Elon (Lonny) Marquand, her equestrian interests led her to move from their home in Pownal, Maine to Stonington, Connecticut. Jean boards Well Done, her Dutch Warmblood dressage horse, at Dragonfly Equestrian Center, drives a black Toyota Tundra and lives at StoneRidge with Mimi, her dachshund and Selkie, her Siamese cat.

Diocesan Delegates

Pam Leeming

Pam attended Calvary earlier in life and returned in 2016. She worked as a fundraiser and teacher and volunteered in community outreach programs.

At Calvary, she has taught Sunday School, supported refugee fundraising, and served as an usher. She is interested in addressing social issues such as homelessness, hunger, and immigration.