Our Seminarian, Mark Cosenza
Mark brings his whole heart to worship, formation, and service, and to making the church a place where everyone feels welcome. During his career, he has worked in churches, schools, and nonprofit organizations, combining his abilities in ministry, administration, leadership, and pastoral care.
Mark has broad experience in church ministry, especially as a parish administrator, carrying out duties such as assisting the rector in planning liturgies, managing parish stewardship, coordinating communications, providing hospitality, and engaging with the community to support the parish’s daily life and outreach. Earlier in his ministry, he served as Minister for Children and Youth at Grace Episcopal Church in Silver Spring, Maryland, and as Pastoral Associate for Christian Formation at Mount Calvary Catholic Church in Forestville, Maryland.
Education has also played a significant role in Mark’s career. He has served as a classroom teacher, school principal, and school founder in both public and parochial schools. His efforts have always shown a commitment to serving diverse communities and creating environments where his students can learn, grow, and thrive.
Mark obtained a Master of Arts in Educational Administration from Lindenwood University and a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Harris-Stowe State University, both in Missouri. He has also studied theology at the Washington Theological Union. His career has extended beyond the United States, serving as a missionary educator at St. Anne's School for Girls in Damongo, Ghana, West Africa, where he helped open a residential school for girls.
At the heart of Mark’s ministry is a genuine love for people, especially those from all walks of life and those too often overlooked. He cares deeply about working collaboratively, building relationships, offering pastoral care, and leading by serving.
Mark especially loves to cook, and he enjoys nothing more than gathering around the table. To him, serving a meal involves much more than food; it is an opportunity to welcome people, build relationships, exchange stories, and foster a feeling of belonging. Whether at a parish table or with friends or neighbors, Mark enjoys bringing people together and believes hospitality can powerfully show love, fellowship, and mutual ministry.
As our seminarian, Mark looks forward to further developing his faith and ministry by joining a parish committed to opening the door to Christ’s love.
Barbara Gay,
Sr. Warden
In addition, to the Sr. Warden job, Barbara oversees the volunteers responsible for the Outreach Ministry. Barbara joined the vestry Jan 2024 and her 3-year term ends Jan 2027
Herb Thompson
Jr. Warden
Herb joined the vestry 2026 and his 3-year term ends Jan 2029.
Therese Chaplin,
Clerk
In addition to the Clerk for the Vestry, Therese is a strong advocate and leader of the Social Justice Ministry and as a member of the Church Communication Ministry handles Facebook and other forms of media. Therese joined the vestry in 2024 and her 3-year term ends Jan 2027.
Tony Knight,
Treasurer (non-vestry member)
Tony's additional roles include the lead for the tech booth zoom and Sunday Service broadcasting. He is also a member of the Church Communication Ministry handling the YouTube media.
Linda James
As a member of the Vestry, Linda provides the support for DOK and fellowship activities for the community. Linda joined the vestry 2025 and her 3-year term ends Jan 2028.
Richard Krewson
As a member of the Vestry, Richard provides support to the Church Communication Ministry to enhance communications within the community and outside the church. Rick joined the vestry 2025 and his 3-year term ends Jan 2028.
Zorina Alliata
As a member of the Vestry, Zorina works with other members of the Vestry to provide support to the Church Communication Ministry within the community and outside the church. Zorina joined the vestry 2026 and her 3-year term ends Jan 2029.
St. Martin de Porres' TRUSTEES
Jim C. Bailes, Mary Jane Stockstill and Richard Yep
Trustees of a Virginia Episcopal church are governed by a combination of Virginia law and the Diocesan canons.
The excerpt from the Diocesan canons: "Canon 151 says that vestry of a Church shall elect trustees for appointment by the local Circuit Court to hold title to the property of the Church "
The excerpt from the Code of Virginia: "Sec. 57-8 of the Virginia Code provides the process of having trustees appointed. "
Under Virginia law, trustees of a church do basically two things: 1) hold title to property (in trust for the Church, the Diocese and The Episcopal Church) and 2) be the agents of the church to be served with court papers if someone sues the church. Both functions provide public representatives of the church, but the functions are subject to the Diocesan Canons.
Although a trustee's name may be on a deed, the trustee does not own the property individually, but as a trustee for the church, the Diocese and The Episcopal Church (Canon 15.1).
In an Episcopal Church the sale or encumbrance of church property follows the provisions of Canons 14 and 15 and is based on approval by the congregation, vestry, bishop, and Standing Committee, as appropriate. If a decision is made under the Canonica! procedures, the trustees are then directed to sign a deed, mortgage, etc. and if they decline to do so, Sec. 57-13 provides that the church can compel them to take the action. Likewise, if the trustees are served with a lawsuit, the lawsuit is against the church and they turn it over to the church to handle. In sum, the trustees are not decision-makers, they cannot make a decision to buy or sell property; they are simply public agents for the church.
Most churches select persons to serve as their trustees who are long-term, responsible members of the church (and are unlikely to be moving away or leaving the church in the near future).
The trustees do not necessarily need to be current or former vestry members and are typically lay people. They should also probably be people who have some legal or business background so that they can be relied upon to turn over lawsuit papers to the church, sign deeds, etc. The objective should be to have trustees who can serve long-term, be responsive if and when they need to sign a deed or mortgage and promptly turn over lawsuit papers to the appropriate people at the church.
