Our Leadership
As an Episcopal parish and community center, we have a diverse team of people supporting our mission to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God. We have a talented and dedicated staff, as well as volunteers who lead our organization and support our many ministries and programs.
Clergy
The Rev. Dr. Amy Slaughter
she/her
Rector
About Me:
Preacher, justice seeker, Episcopal priest, community organizer, theologian, parent of three artistic young adult children. Native North Carolinian. Bookish. I believe God is up to something beautiful in this world, and I’m grateful we get to be a part of it.
My Role:
Rector is an old-fashioned word for pastor and administrative head of a church. As Rector I get to do what I love: support and nurture a faith community in the Episcopal tradition. Rectors are generalists; I get to wear a lot of hats, sometimes all in the same day. Preaching and presiding at Sunday worship, connecting one-on-one and in small groups at Welcome Table Wednesday, checking in with folks in crisis or in immediate need of care, meeting with those mourning a loss or celebrating an upcoming baptism, writing sermons, showing up at county meetings to make our neighborhood a better place and so much more. Mostly, I listen deeply – for what God is doing here and in the world, for what people need, and for how St. Francis can keep becoming a community where everyone belongs and everyone matters.
My Dream for St. Francis:
Listens to the Spirit, practices wide and generous welcome, shows up for each other and our neighbors, and isn’t afraid to ask big questions and have hard conversations.
A Few of my Favorite Things:
Hobby: Spending time by the water recharging and reflecting; journaling
Book/Movie/TV Show: Narrative non-fiction that reads like fiction – faves include Patrick Radden Keefe
Fun fact:
I come from a theatrical family and began working as an actor myself as a kid.
The Rev. Giuliano Gargiulo
he/him
Assistant Rector
About Me:
I grew up in a quaint village in Northern Italy, a region enriched by vineyards, culture, and historic mansions. As the youngest of five children, my early years were marked by challenges, including my parents’ divorce and the loss of my mother during my teenage years. Despite these hardships, I found solace and purpose through my faith, which guided me towards a life dedicated to others. At 17, I joined a youth movement dedicated to supporting those in need across South America. This transformative experience led me to spend seventeen years in Peru, working tirelessly to bring dignity and relief to people living in remote Andean regions. After nearly two decades of service and seeing the completion of numerous community projects, I felt called to embark on a new journey. I moved to the United States, where I have continued my mission, now focusing on Spanish Ministry. I am thrilled to have recently joined St. Francis as Assistant Rector.
My Role:
As the Assistant Rector at St. Francis, my role is part of a broader assignment with the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland. My mission is to develop and nurture new pastoral spaces to welcome immigrants Spanish speaking into our community. By bridging linguistic and cultural gaps, I hope to lay the foundation for a vibrant, multicultural congregation.
My Dream for St. Francis:
I envision St. Francis as a thriving and dynamic multicultural community where diversity is celebrated, and the unity of being part of one family is cherished.
A Few of my Favorite Things:
I am passionate about lifelong learning, currently pursuing a double major in Integrated Design of Communication at the University of Baltimore and Social Psychology at Southern New Hampshire University.
My journey is also enriched by my love for the arts and beauty, which I see as expressions of my inner need for harmony and elevation of the human spirit.
Fun fact:
I have a deep love for languages and cultures. I am fluent in Italian, Spanish, and English. Interestingly, my French skills seemed to vanish when I learned Spanish, but I am confident they are still tucked away somewhere in my brain.
Office Staff
Carrie Reed
she/her
Community Missioner
About Me:
I am a relatively new Episcopalian. My previous church home and place of employment was with a Unitarian Universalist congregation in Texas. Upon moving to Maryland from Texas, finding the Episcopal Church was an unexpected joy. I majored in English at the University of Texas at Austin. The English major in me loves the three-legged stool of Anglicanism and the feeling of acceptance that comes from bringing my whole self to church every Sunday, including my questions. I do love to analyze a text! I live in Baltimore City with my husband, young son, and cat. We love to go to the library on a Saturday, take a family hike, or explore some new facet of life in Baltimore.
My Role:
I am the Community Missioner at St. Francis. My role here is multifaceted. I direct our communications, including our e-newsletter, website, and social media. I oversee the daily comings and goings of our parish office. I guide our space sharing program. I track membership. I aid our wider Timonium community as a resource for all things St. Francis. I think creatively and strategically about opportunities to grow our community into the future.
My Dream for St. Francis:
I dream about fostering a culture that celebrates mistakes. Mistakes are gifts inviting us to ask questions, seek solutions, and find new ways to relate to and understand one another. Building community and creating a place of welcome is not without its challenges. As Robert Frost said, “the best way out is always through.” When we encounter roadblocks on our path, my hope is that we can approach blocks with a spirit of calm, curiosity, and mutual trust.
A Few of my Favorite Things:
I love the work of Fred Rogers, vegan hazelnut chocolate confections, contemporary and classic fiction, coffee, and a good sitcom.
Fun fact:
I am a multi award winning vegan chili chef!
Faith Townsend
she/her
Office Assistant
About Me:
I am a long time Episcopalian who has seen many changes here and very happy to be part of something new.
My Role:
I am an office assistant, pretty much helping with whatever needs doing from Amy and Carrie. This includes preparing bulletins, children's coloring and activity sheets, assistance emails, the weekly prayer list, memorial garden and columbarium records, flower dedications, and helping with the Annual and Parochial Reports, among other things.
My Dream for St. Francis:
My dream for St. Francis is for us to continue to grow as a welcoming place for all, to work towards figuring out what that looks like, including the nuts and bolts of offering people support and joy.
A Few of my Favorite Things:
Some of my favorite things at St. Francis are helping with Altar Guild and crocheting with the Comfort and Joy group.
Fun fact:
I have one sweet rescue dog Jasper, and two sisters, Susan in Texas and Stephanie here in Maryland.
Music & Livestream
William (Will) Zellhofer
he/him
Director of Music Ministries
About Me:
I was born and raised in Baltimore City. When I was 10 years old, I started taking piano lessons with a dear family friend who worked as the music director of a local church, and playing music has been an enormous part of my life ever since. Along those lines, I love musical theatre and a good amount of my free time is spent teaching music to actors and playing in orchestras for theatres around the Baltimore area. I graduated with honors from Goucher College, where I studied music and history. When I’m not playing music, I greatly enjoy reading and watching documentaries, watching most sports (especially football), and I love animals, especially large dogs.
My Role:
My current responsibilities at St. Francis include planning and selecting music for our Sunday services with the help of our wonderful clergy, rehearsing that music with the St. Francis Worship Musicians, and recording and/or performing that music for Sunday services. I am also available to serve both as an accompanist or advisor for any other events the Church may need music or musicians for, such as weddings, funerals, baptisms, and more.
My Dream for St. Francis:
I believe that as long as St. Francis is a place where each and every person feels welcomed, loved, and accepted, regardless of whether they’ve been attending services for years or if they’ve never stepped foot inside of a Church before, we are on the right path. If we as a Parish and Community Center are able to consistently help those who need our assistance, whether that be spiritually, emotionally, physically, or otherwise, we are on the right path. There are a lot of things that happen at St. Francis that bring us closer to God each day – things like checking up on a member of the community to see if they need anything, or singing a song together during worship, and it’s in experiencing those everyday moments with each other and with God that make me think St. Francis is on the right path.
A Few of my Favorite Things:
Color: Orange
Vacation Spot: I think the most amazing spot I’ve ever visited while on a trip was Uluwatu Temple in Bali, Indonesia.
Fun fact:
While I was in college, I taught myself how to play the accordion so that I could play in the orchestra for a production of Fiddler on the Roof. I also started taking tuba lessons while in college, so between those two instruments and the piano, I like to joke that I only play instruments that are bulky and hard to tote around.
Denni Arrup
she/her
Music Ministry Associate & Organist
Ray Payne
he/him
Volunteer Director of Worship Media
About Me:
Life long Episcopalian and member of St. Thomas’ before the merge. Worked my way up within the church from Acolyte, to Senior Server, to Chalicist and finally Fellow Verger Guild of the Episcopal Church. Have been involved with Sound, Video, and Livestream within the church for about 10 years. Heavily involved with Scouting having held various positions within my home Troop, held various leadership positions including Lodge Adviser for Nentico Lodge, Order of the Arrow, and chairman for the National Camp Accreditation Program for the Baltimore Area Council. I’m retired from Northrop Grumman having spent my career involved with Test/Mission Assurance Department. I am married to my wife Yvonne and have three sons, all Eagle Scouts.
My Role:
Worship Media Director, handling the sound in the Nave, projection of the service on the two screens and livestreaming the service and all the equipment associated with these tasks.
My Dream for St. Francis:
To be a growing community while serving the community needs.
A Few of my Favorite Things:
Loving spending time at Broad Creek Scout Reservation, working with my hands and solving problems with the worship/church media.
Fun fact:
My favorite place to visit is Bermuda. My mother was born and raised on the Island, and I still have relatives living there.
Executive Committee
Jennifer Ray
she/her
Senior Warden
Bob Summers
he/him
Junior Warden
Diane Flayhart
she/her
Treasurer
Lesa Gould
she/her
Registrar
Vestry
Barb Lewis
Vestry
Barb Lewis
Vestry
Susana Gould
Vestry
Susana Gould
Vestry
What I Love About St. Francis:
I feel that it is a continuation of my home, so this is a part of my family. We have diversity, and we respect each other. I appreciate our Community Agreements, and how we work together to bring that to life.
Karen Engstrom
Vestry
Karen Engstrom
Vestry
What I Love About St. Francis:
I love the welcoming attitude and the acceptance of all people. There is a warmth and kindness felt here. I appreciate the opportunities to connect with and support our neighbors through the community center.
Terry Brown
Vestry
Terry Brown
Vestry
Donna Lettow
Vestry
Donna Lettow
Vestry
What I Love About St. Francis:
No matter what you’re into or what you love — cooking, gardening, social outreach, books, knitting, helping others, DIY — there’s a ministry for that. But then we all come together to worship with one heart.
Nick Banack
Vestry
Nick Banack
Vestry
What I Love About St. Francis:
What I love about St. Francis is how it feels like a home for our community—where Christ’s love and teaching are lived out in shared meals, helping hands, and friendships that last. Here, every person is welcomed as part of the family, no matter where they come from or what they carry.
Samantha Sergent
Vestry
Samantha Sergent
Vestry
Betsy Niehoff
Vestry
Betsy Niehoff
Vestry
What I Love About St. Francis:
Our openness to serve all of our diversified community, openly, with loving arms.
