Our Staff and Vestry
Our staff
The Rev. Christopher Rogers
Rector
Christopher (he/him) joined St Matthew’s as our rector from London in September 2023, where he had experience working in two very different parishes. In his last parish he was responsible for social justice, working with refugees and homeless people. He is excited about St Matthew’s focus on prayer and discernment, and is keen for us to develop our focus beyond our walls to the wider community.
The Rev. Dave McEachron
Curate
As a newly ordained priest, Dave is excited to return to St. Matthew’s for his curacy, a time of continued growth early in ordained ministry. Originally from southern California, Dave has made Minnesota home for almost 15 years and has two young kids, Lewis and Bridget. He’s excited to lead the evening service, deepen spiritual practice, and engage in pastoral care.
MiaLisa McFarland Millares
Director of Children's and Youth Ministries
J Michael Compton
Director of Music Ministries
J Michael is priviledged to lead a music ministry at St. Matthew’s that includes singers, instrumentalists and handbell choir. He is a performer, conductor, composer, arranger, mentor and friend. He enjoys working with individuals, and derives great joy from those “lightbulb” moments. A singer once told J Michael that he is a “born teacher” however, because of her accent, he heard “boring teacher.” His quick response was “Oh, is that right?”
Lars Christensen
Office Manager and Communications Director
Lars (he/him) joined St. Matthew’s in 2006 and has been the office manager since 2018. Trained as an ethnomusicologist, in addition to his musical activities at church he directs the Indonesian gamelan ensemble at Macalester College. He is also a yoga teacher, and regularly offers yoga classes at St. Matthew’s.
Fariba Sanikhatam
Bookkeeper
Our VESTRY
Our vestry agrees to follow the Vestry Covenant.
Barrett Fisher
Senior Warden
Barrett and his wife Amy have attended St. Matthew’s since Easter 2012; to paraphrase the Anglican poet T.S. Eliot, at the end of his exploring he arrived where he started and knew the place for the first time. He has previously served on the vestry, preached the occasional (not to say odd) sermon, and led book and film discussions. In addition to his current role as senior warden, he serves on a hospitality team.
Lis Christenson
Junior Warden
James Albrecht
Judy Johnson
Judy Niemi Johnson and her husband, Dan, have been members of St. Matthew’s since 2010. She was raised Catholic, attended a Baptist college, and worked in the evangelical church until 2002. She changed careers and landed in higher education. After working at Augsburg University and St Catherine’s University for 20 years, she currently works for the Minnesota Private College Council developing transfer partnerships with the MN State system. After finding a faith community at St Matthews, she has volunteered in a variety of areas including faith forums, hospitality, retreats, special events and healing prayer. She loves to teach, write and travel. She holds bachelor’s degrees in English education and theatre and master’s degrees in leadership and creative writing.
Linda López
My husband Mike and I have been members of St. Matthew’s for over 30 years. From the first time our family of six walked into the church, it felt like home. I have been active at St. Matthew’s and this is the second time that I have served on the vestry. Currently, I am part of the Sunday Morning Book Group, the crafters, the hospitality team, and help organize the Blue House Boutique. Outside of church, I belong to two book groups, am president of our HOA, volunteer at a wonderful non-profit called Daily Work, and most importantly, I am a new grandma to Gabriella!
Bruce Nerland
Bruce and his wife, Ann, have been members of St. Matthew’s since 1982, the year they were married. Bruce has been on the vestry several terms and has served as Senior Warden. He was the co-chair for fundraising for the church addition of 1996. He humbly realized he was not a very good teacher when he taught Sunday school one year! Bruce has been stewardship chair in the past and is delighted that his daughter, Elizabeth Anderson, has picked up that baton, being the co-chair this past campaign. Bruce retired as of March 31 and is looking forward to a much different chapter in life.
Gwen Odney
Gwen and Eric Odney came to St. Matthew’s in the thick of the pandemic, and discerned over a few months that here was a place to grow and share, and joyfully joined! Gwen soon became the ministry leader of readers and prayer leaders. Along with being a chalice bearer, she is involved with food ministries outreach, is a hospitality team leader, and a Faithful Innovation coach and team member. Perhaps best of all, Gwen is a lay liaison for newcomers and loves to watch new members come in and find that they, too, have found a place to grow and share.
Margaret Whitworth
I started attending St. Matthews in the fall of 2021. After experiencing the genuine welcome and worshiping with intergenerational congregation, I quickly knew St. Matthew’s was the place for me. I grew up in a different tradition and found the Episcopal church while I was in college. I have lived in the Twin Cities for five years and currently reside in Roseville. I recently started a new job with the Minnesota Council of Churches as an Education Specialist in Refugee Services. In my free time, I enjoy crafting, baking, and spending time with my husband James and our dog Asoka.
