I am pleased to be working with St. Mary’s Episcopal Church as your Parish Administrator. I have a background in Administration in the Corporate World, several years with Kinko’s as a Corporate Business Representative, and most recently five years with a non - profit Foundation. Many of these past experiences lend themselves very well to the requirements of the position here at St. Mary’s. I look forward to meeting you all one day soon and for a long standing relationship with St. Mary’s. I have two adult children, five grandchildren as well as my mother and most of my siblings living in the Twin Cities area. In my spare time I like for my creativity to flourish, do some gardening and love to read.

Music Director Bjorn Gustafson has served St. Mary's since August 2005, but has been active in church music for 15 years. He began playing the organ for services at the age of 14. He has served Lutheran and Roman Catholic parishes, and his experience includes campus ministry, prison ministry and accompanying. He is a graduate of St. John's University in Collegeville where he developed a passion for liturgy. A confirmed hymn buff and collector of hymnals, he is also a piano instructor and has a small studio of beginning to advanced students.

As a native of Brooklyn, New York, MiaLisa McFarland transplanted to the Saint Paul area in 2004 and fell in love with Minnesota summers and decided to stay. She is very excited to be the new Youth Minister at St. Mary’s. As a former teacher she is looking forward to bringing her enthusiasm for learning to her new job. Mia has a Master’s Degree in Peace Education from Columbia University, Teachers College and hopes to intertwine peace studies, conflict resolution and human rights into her new work. In her spare time, Mia loves watching movies, singing, rollerblading and practicing yoga. Her goal for the summer is to learn each and every church member’s name—so introduce yourself and help her with this task!

Mitch Ryan Sexton