Our vestry consists of nine members, elected by our annual meeting of the whole parish to staggered three year terms. The presiding officer of the vestry is the rector. There are two wardens. The senior warden leads the parish between rectors and is a support person for the rector. The junior warden has responsibility for church property and buildings. A treasurer and a secretary or clerk are elected by the vestry. These officers may or may not be vestry members. The basic responsibilities of the vestry are to help define and articulate the mission of the congregation; to support the church’s mission by word and deed, to select the rector (in the case of a vacancy), to ensure effective organization and planning, and to manage resources and finances.
Dennis has been a member of St. John since 1985 and has served on the Vestry as a member, Sr. Warden, and Jr. Warden, as well as the St. John representative on the Galilee Board of Trustees. He is currently Sr. Warden and Vice-President of the Galilee Board of Trustees. Dennis is currently retired but was the Manager of Public and Legislative Affairs for the South Tahoe Public Utility District. He has been married to his wife, Kathy, for forty-six years and they have three grown children, Molly, Tom, and Reid and three grandchildren, Landon, Reese, and Matthias..
As far as I know, I was baptized non-denominationally by a Navy Chaplain in Sanford, Fl, my birthplace. But I consider myself a cradle Episcopalian, as we lived next door to our Rector at St. Mark’s in Albany, GA, where I was confirmed.
I met my wife Karen at the University of Virginia, and our first date was attending a Sunday service at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, my one and only time I went to church while attending college.
I was commissioned an officer in the Navy after college, and eventually became a Naval Aviator, flying the F/A-18. In my last job in the Navy, I was stationed in Fallon. That was when we purchased a weekend home at Lake Tahoe.
After eleven years in the Navy, I became a stay-at-home-dad, while Karen continued her career flying for American Airlines. Eventually, we settled in Maryland, where I built the home where we raised our children. We were very active members of Christ Church Parish Kent Island, where I served on the vestry and was the Junior Warden for six years.
We continued to visit our home at Lake Tahoe and eventually made Tahoe our full time home four years ago, Karen and I decided to make St. John’s our spiritual home, and we are very happy we did.
Bill Drewes agreed to be our treasurer in July, 2025, a position open after our treasurer, Peggy McKee died. Here are some facts about Bill:
~~Bill married Beth in 1973.
~~He earned an MBA in International business.
~~He had a 34 year corporate banking career, including international assignments in the Netherlands, Greece and Japan.
~~He served as treasurer of St. Alban’s Anglican Church in Tokyo, and at St. Patrick’s in Incline Village.
~~He was on the Nevada diocesan finance committee under Bishop Dan Edwards.
~~He joined St. John during Covid, and he and Beth immediately became involved members.
~~He and Beth love the outdoors, and lead St. John’s monthly Outdoor Enthusiasts Group.
Lorraine’s journey in the Episcopal Church began at age five when her father, a former Southern Baptist minister, introduced her to this faith tradition. Baptized by immersion and confirmed at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in Ridgecrest, California, Lorraine’s spiritual path has led her through various Episcopal communities across the country.
Her church involvement has been rich and diverse, from singing in choirs and serving as a lay reader to leading outreach programs and participating in international mission trips. Lorraine’s dedication to service is evident in her roles at St. Alban’s (UCLA), St. Mark’s (Grand Rapids), and Messiah Episcopal Church (Santa Ana).
Since moving to South Lake Tahoe in 2021, Lorraine and her husband Bob have found a new church home at St. John’s. Here, she continues her tradition of active participation through singing, weekly Bible study, lay reading, and involvement in the Flower Ministry.
Professionally, Lorraine enjoyed a 40+ year career as a healthcare administrator in both adult and pediatric settings before retiring shortly after the pandemic. She and Bob have an “unofficially adopted” son, Michael, a former Lost Boy of Sudan who is now an American citizen. Michael and his wife Elizabeth have blessed the family with six grandchildren.
serving on the Vestry and as a crucifer and lector. His journey with the Episcopal Church spans nearly four decades, culminating in finding a spiritual home at St. John’s upon retiring to South Lake Tahoe.
Prior to retirement, Mark dedicated his career to social work in the Bay Area, primarily focusing on serving the developmentally disabled population. Now, he embraces the Tahoe lifestyle with his partner, Francis, and their two dogs, enjoying hiking, biking, kayaking, snowshoeing, and yard work.
Mark’s connection to St. John’s began long before he became a full-time resident. For 20 years, while owning a second home in the area, he and Francis visited the church periodically during weekend trips. They were consistently drawn to the warm sense of community, the traditional Mass, and, of course, the breathtaking surroundings. These same qualities continue to make St. John’s a cherished part of Mark’s life today.
Teresa Bachman, originally from southern New Jersey, found her way to Reno after college. A retired physician, Teresa specialized in rheumatology where she treated patients with autoimmune diseases and arthritis. Teresa now embraces an active lifestyle, enjoying outdoor activities and traveling. She and her husband have two grown daughters and a beloved dog named Daisy. Teresa joined the Episcopal Church in the 80s, drawn by its inclusiveness. St. John’s became her sacred place after bringing her daughter to camp years ago. As a “hybrid member,” Teresa attends in person when possible and online otherwise. She values the welcoming community at St. John’s and looks forward to supporting current ministries and embracing new ideas as the church moves forward.
When I consider my education, vocation, marriages, children and grandchildren, the most pivotal decision I ever made, was to be received into the Episcopal Church on May 14, 2017 as a member of St. John in the Wilderness Episcopal Church in Glenbrook, Nevada. My sponsors were Reverend Victoria Warren, Glenn and Mary Robison and Margo Carrell. Having been raised in the Congregational Church as a child and having become an unchurched skeptic for half of my 73 years on this planet, I have been warmly enfolded in the Episcopal tradition and spiritual path. To know and be known, to love and be loved, by Jesus Christ, my Redeemer, supersedes all that came before. This includes a nursing career of 35 years, boarded in critical care, neuroscience and nephrology, marriages to two good men and being a proud mother and grandmother. It is my honor above all endeavors to serve my church family as the clerk of the vestry and as the principle ZOOM technician for our hybrid services. I have a heart of deep gratitude for my church family!
Michael’s journey to St. John’s in the Wilderness is as colorful as the Hawaiian shirts he once sold. After graduating from UNC Chapel Hill, he taught English, Speech, and Drama for five years before a December visit to Lake Tahoe changed his life trajectory. Falling in love with the area, he returned in September 1972 and made it his home.
With a passion for cooking that began at age twelve, Michael worked in the food industry for 60 years. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to own a Hawaiian Shirt business, spreading joy through vibrant designs.
Michael joined the Episcopal Church in 2000 and later found his spiritual home at St. John’s in the Wilderness. He was drawn to the friendly nature, caring atmosphere, and sense of community that made Galilee his home church. His favorite hymn is “How Great Thou Art,” and he finds comfort in John 3:16 and the prayer “Evening is at hand.”
In retirement, Michael keeps busy and feels blessed through his work with the Hospitality Committee and his Greeting Card Ministry, where he reaches out to parishioners for both celebrations and challenging times. He praises God for St. John’s and its wonderful people, finding joy and purpose in serving his church community.