Wardens
jason vroman
sr. warden
I am an army veteran who served from 1994 - 2002. I am married to Becky, our children’s ministry director, and we have 5 children and 3 grandchildren. I am a Project Superintendent at Shaw Construction and was previously the Junior Warden of Buildings and Grounds. As senior warden, I will be responsible for coordinating Vestry meetings and agendas and, in the absence of our Rector, making decisions for the church.
Heidi plank
Jr. warden of building & grounds
I have attended St. Matthew's for over 10 years. My daughter, now in college, served as an Acolyte at St. Matthew's. My son works in the nursery on Sundays. My husband David and I work for the Bureau of Land Management and US Forest Service, respectively. My husband also runs a small business as a handyman, and the two of us have remodeled 5 homes together over the years. We have two dogs and foster dogs through the Pointer Rescue organization.
rebekah feigh
Jr. warden of technology
I started attending St. Matthew’s on Easter Sunday in 2019, just a few days after arriving in Grand Junction in our RV for my husband Adam’s travel nursing assignment at St. Mary’s. Adam and I instantly fell in love with Grand Junction and with the community at St. Matt’s. After renewing Adam’s contract twice, we decided to officially make Grand Junction our home. I returned to working as a social worker after taking almost two years off to be a traveling stay-at-home mom to our daughter.
The Episcopal Church’s long history and connection to the past, combined with its commitment to radically loving all God’s children, immediately drew me in and helped my faith to grow in new and wonderful ways. I am excited for the opportunity to serve on the Vestry at St. Matthew’s as a way to give back to this amazing community and to help it continue to grow and welcome all.
Kathy Lyn
JR. Warden of Community Life
Kathy discovered her love of learning and teaching at an early age, so she became a special education and literacy acquisition professional. She spent over 40 years serving students and families in the educational field. Kathy raised 5+ children and now has 4 grandchildren. She and her husband love to play outside with hikes, bikes, kayaks, swimming, horses, and world travel adventures. Kathy loves to scuba dive and jet ski as well.
Her faith journey began as an infant. She was baptized in the Methodist church her family attended regularly. Curiosity led her to explore many denominations over the years. She was introduced to the Episcopal Church in 1987 and has always felt at home in this faith community. She originally joined St. Matthews in June of 1989. She rejoined the community in August of 2022. She is excited to serve this parish as the Jr. Warden of Community Life so she can lead the organizing of parish parties, dinners, and special events that allow everyone to deepen relationships and share some laughs.
Vestry Members
Blake bickham
My name is Blake Bickham. My wife, Allison, our two sons, and I have been members of St. Matt’s since 2008. We have been 10 am attendees and have tried to stay active in our church home. The boys and I have served as acolytes for many years; My wife and I both completed Education for Ministry here; and Allison has been a member of the handbell choir for several years. I am a Professor and the Department Head for Teacher Education at CMU, while Allison is an Instructor of English. I am honored to be a member of the Vestry for the first time and am excited to serve St. Matt’s and its mission in this capacity.
Roger smith
Jana and I moved to Grand Junction two years ago after I retired from my job in Texas. Prior to retirement, I managed environmental remediation projects for a large oil and chemical company. We feel very fortunate to have landed in such a beautiful place.
One of the things we are most thankful for is the church. We have found St. Matt's to be a warm, welcoming community that encourages us in our faith. We are currently drivers for the church’s van and I am very appreciative of the opportunity to serve St. Matt's in a new capacity.
I also volunteer for the National Park Service at the Visitor Center in the Monument. My educational background is in geology and one of the joys of being here and volunteering at the Monument has been the opportunity to learn about our geology and to share this information with visitors to help enrich their visits. My other interests are hiking, running (now more like jogging) and learning about local history.
Anna Crickmer Shannon
I have been a member of St. Matthew's since I moved to Grand Junction in 2017. I am a member of the choir, drive the van, and help with Vacation Bible School. I have been an Episcopalian since birth, but have worshiped with Roman Catholics, American Baptists, and the Disciples of Christ as the need arose. I am an engineer and have managed facilities for more than 40 years for the VA Hospital, the State of Washington, the Department of Transportation, the US Army Corps of Engineers, and (for 10 years) the United States Air Force. I was born in Seattle and raised in the Army in many different locations. I have a BA from the University of Texas at El Paso, a BCE from Seattle University, and an MPA from Golden Gate University. I married Bill Shannon in 2018 at St. Matthew's. We met at an episcopal youth group dance in 1974, and became fast friends in college the year after. I have two adult sons, a daughter-in-law, and two tiny grandsons, who all live in the Seattle area. I visit them several times a year.
Dave Emerson
I have been attending St. Matthew’s since 1993, when my wife Sue and I moved to the Grand Valley with our three daughters. In that time I’ve served on the Vestry, attended the Episcopal Convention as a Delegate and Alternate, served on three Discernment Committees and one Search Committee for a new pastor, sung in the Choir, worked as the Sexton, participated in numerous Cursillo weekends (serving as Lay Rector for one) as well as several Alpha courses, attended several Annual Cristian Renewal Conferences, and most recently I have had the opportunity to serve as your Head Usher.
Prior to moving to the Grand Valley, we lived in our hometown of Roswell, New Mexico and attended St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church there since 1984. We had moved there following a six year enlistment in the Navy as an E-5 Electrician’s Mate with four years and eleven months aboard the guided missile cruiser USS Sterett, CG-31. I received an honorable discharge after a six year enlistment in the and four service medals. Following the Navy I entered nurses’ training and have retired after 39 years as an Operating Room Nurse (the majority of that time in a leadership role), and most recently as Director of Surgery, Recovery Room, Pre- and Post-Op and all the Surgeons’ clinics for the Grand Junction VA Hospital. I feel it is a real honor to be considered for a position on the Vestry and, if elected, will serve our congregation and our mission to the best of my abilities.
Jan Marie DeLay, Ph.D
I grew up in Southern Idaho, where my family attended the Methodist Church. In adulthood, Ken and I raised our children, Nicholas and Claire, in the United Church of Christ in Longmont, Colorado. I assisted the church community with coordinating Sunday School services for several years.
I was a teacher and coordinator of parent education and family literacy programs in my early career. I also served as a Peace Corps Volunteer for 3 years in Thailand. I completed my career in Colorado public education after serving for seven years as the Superintendent of Schools in Sterling, Colorado. Ken and I moved to Grand Junction in 2021 and happily found St. Matt’s in 2022.
Janet azbell
Janet has served as the clerk for the vestry for the past year. During this time, she has had the opportunity to see what exactly the vestry does for our church community. As a person born and raised in the catholic church, the vestry, and even some Episcopalian practices are new/different/welcomed. Janet and her family started attending an Episcopal church about seven years ago. Initially, stating, “We are Catholic, but we attend an Episcopal church" seemed accurate but has moved to, "Why yes, we are Episcopalian!"
Janet is married to Joe, and they have two sons. She attended The Ohio State University College of Nursing and works as a registered nurse. When not working or driving kids around, Janet enjoys reading, kombucha brewing, and all outdoor activities, especially mountain biking.
Matthew ross
I've attended St. Matthew's since 2016. In my past life, I worked as a law enforcement officer for the National Park Service and then as a picture framer/designer for a couple of art galleries until I retired due to a back injury. I enjoy camping, hiking and love being outdoors. I also enjoy drawing and painting, and have shared several pieces of my artwork with St. Matthew’s as “Artist of the Season”.
I've been part of the church audit committee in the past and enjoy the men's Bible study on Monday mornings. Currently I attend the 8:00 AM service and make coffee for the social hour following. I especially enjoy the fellowship and friendships afforded me as a part of the St. Matt’s family. I am honored to have been asked to join the vestry, to broaden my understanding and involvement in the day to day operations of the church, and I appreciate the opportunity to serve my church home in the future.
sandra moore
I was born in Grand Junction and graduated from Grand Junction High School. I also graduated from Mesa State College at the fun old age of 60 and worked as an accompanist in the music department for many years.
Dale and I have been married 59 ½ years and have 5 children, 8+ grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren and 2 dogs. Before settling back in Colorado, we lived in many states where I always seemed to end up on the organ bench. I began playing piano & organ at St. Matthew’s GJ with the junior choir during the seventh grade when St. Matt’s was on North Avenue.
As one can tell, my ministry has always been music so with your approval I would like to branch out and be a member of your vestry. Having been appointed this last year to fill a one term vacancy, I find I very much enjoy serving in our church. It certainly gives me a different perspective of the church and its workings. I am a life-long Episcopalian and have business experience. While living in Nebraska I served on the Alliance Public Schools Board of Education for nine years, owned a small gift shop and owned a travel agency. Thank you for this opportunity.
