Cathedral Staff

Bishop of the Diocese of Spokane

The Right Reverend James Waggoner

Dean of the Cathedral --The Very Reverend Bill Ellis

The Very Rev. Bill Ellis has been Dean of the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist since October, 2007. Prior to coming to Spokane Bill spent fourteen years as the rector of Trinity Episcopal church in Bend, Oregon. Bill was born and raised on the West side of the Cascades in Oregon, and upon graduating from high school in Ashland he began attending the University of Oregon in Eugene, graduating with a degree in History in 1976. He enrolled in Church Divinity School of the Pacific in 1978, and earned a Masters of Divinity degree in 1982. He started his ordained ministry on the Oregon coast where he worked as the curate at Emmanuel in Coos Bay and the vicar of St. Mary’s in Reedsport/ Gardiner. Following two years in that work he spent eight years as the vicar of St. Bede’s Episcopal church in Forest Grove, Oregon before being called to Bend. Bill has been married to his wife, Beth, since 1978, and they have two grown children, Rachel and Karen.

Associate Priest -- The Reverend Margaret Fisher

Director of Childrens and Youth Ministries -- Michelle Klippert

Secretary -- Susan Shane Miller

I have been on the office staff since 2005 where I serve as liaison between the public and the parishioners and the dean and other clergy. I also publish the Newsletter and many other Cathedral publications in addition to other administrative duties.

Born in Spokane and raised in a nearby town. Received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Speech and Theatre from Washington State University. Married with four children, two girls, two boys, ages 13 through 21. My family and I have been members of the Cathedral for 21 years. I have held many lay positions through the years including director of liturgical dramas, Service League President, Adult Education coordinator, Archives coordinator, and Server Advisor (acolytes).

Organist and Choir Director -- Janet Ahrend

Janet Satre Ahrend began her organ studies in Spokane with Barbara Top Rockwood. She holds the Bachelor of Music Degree from the University of Idaho and the Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts Degrees from the University of Washington, with further training at the Royal School of Church Music in England. She has been a member of the music faculty at Gonzaga University since 1984, teaching organ, class piano, and portions of the music theory program.

From 1990 to 1993 she served on the Hymnal Committee for the United Church of Christ, helping to produce the New Century Hymnal. She has been Organist-Choirmaster for the Episcopal Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist since 1997, where she also directs a handbell choir and coordinates the afternoon worship and concert series, Mostly Second Sundays. Janet maintains a private piano and organ studio in her home.

Adjunct Clergy -- The Reverend John Hay

I served in the Pacific Theater of WWII as an executive officer of PC-487. After graduation from Williams College and the Episcopal Theological Seminary of Cambridge, Mass, I served as as Vicar of Episcopal Churches in Madison County, Montana. Then served as Rector of St. James Dillon, MT. During that period I served as President of Standing Committee of the Diocese of Montana and was a staff member of Supervision and Leadership Training for the five northwestern dioceses. I served the National Church on the Town and Country Commission.

In the early sixties I entered the Peace Corps as Deputy Director for Kenya. Next I served as a regional director of Citizens Corps for Volunteers in Service to America. I came to the Diocese of Spokane as rector of St. Stephen's Spokane in 1968 and served there until 1990. During this time I served as President of the Commission on Ministry, was a founding member and president of Spokane County Alcoholic Council. I have also served as a board member of Hospice, Planned Parenthood, and on the editorial board of KREM TV. Following retirement in 1990 I served as an interim priest at seven different parishes throughout the Diocese. I married Marj Youlden on June 9, 1958 and have 4 children, Michael, Jennifer, Martha and Julie.

At the Cathedral I serve in pastoral care and serve regularly at the Wednesday 10 A.M. worship and bible study. On Sundays I offer a bible study class at the 10:00 A.M. education hour.

Adjunct Clergy -- The Reverend Kerry Kirking

My priestly duties at the Cathedral include periodic preaching and presiding at the Eucharist or other services, as well as providing pastoral services or completing special projects upon request. Periodically I serve as a supply priest in the diocese, as well.

I was raised at Trinity Lutheran Church in Coeur d'Alene, and first came to this Cathedral in the mid-1960's as an organ student. My wife Judy and I joined the congregation as members in 1980 and were fortunate to raise our two daughters in this parish. As a layman, I worked primarily in the community outreach and social justice areas--still primary focuses for me.

Having received my MA in Religion from Yale Divinity School in 1972 (preceded by a BA in European History from Pacific Lutheran University, 1968), I was encouraged by various clergy and friends to pursue ordination, was ordained Deacon in 1994 and priested in 2001. Since 1994 I have served on the non-stipendiary clergy staff here, with the exception of the year beginning May, 1995, when I served as Deacon-in-Charge at Holy Trinity, Spokane.

Deacon -- The Reverend Jon Holloway, M.D.

Deacon -- The Reverend Barbara Novak

Deacon -- The Reverend Chris Pollock

Deacon -- The Reverend Dave Walker

Carillonneur -- Andrea McCrady, M.D.

Andrea McCrady, M. D., is a family physician in Spokane, WA. She began playing the carillon in 1971 as an undergraduate at Trinity College, Hartford, CT (B.A., 1975). Then she studied in Europe on a Thomas J. Watson Traveling Fellowship, 1975-76, primarily at the Dutch Carillon School with Leen ‘t Hart, but also visiting the Royal Belgian Carillon School and the French Carillon School, as well as learning change-ringing in Oxford, and playing numerous carillons throughout the continent. While attending medical school at McGill University, Montreal, 1976-80, she was carillonneur at St. Joseph’s Oratory, and during her residency in Toronto, 1980-82, played at the University of Toronto and the Canadian National Exhibition. She served for many years on the board of the Guild of Carillonneurs in North America, and as its president, 1987-88. In addition, other committees she has worked for include Carillon News, Public Relations, the GCNA Examination Jury, and she is current co-chair of the Ronald Barnes Memorial Scholarship Fund. From 1990-96 she was Secretary of the World Carillon Federation. Since 1990 she has coordinated the carillon program at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Spokane. She performed at the 2000 Bok Tower International Carillon Festival, was a featured recitalist for the GCNA for the 2002 World Carillon Federation Congress, and performed at the 2003 Springfield International Carillon Festival. She also sings in the Spokane Symphony Chorale, dances in the Spokane Folklore Society, participates in the Spokane Mountaineers’ outings, and is an active volunteer for the Spokane Public Radio station. In September 2006 she will begin studies at the University of Denver for a Bachelor’s Degree in Music (Carillon Performance).

Business Manager -- Rosie Banta

I started working at the Cathedral in July of 1990 coming from a background in the banking industry. Born and raised back east, we moved here the year after Mt. St. Helens decided to blow her top.

My responsibilities at the Cathedral include managing the finances, database, computer system, and other various administrative duties.