The Rt. Rev. Betsey Monnot
Bishop and Chief Pastor
The Rt. Rev. Elizabeth Lockwood Hawley Monnot was ordained and consecrated as the 10th Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa on December 18, 2021 at a service held at Lutheran Church of Hope in West Des Moines, Iowa. Monnot is the first woman to serve as bishop since the diocese was formed in 1853.
Monnot was elected as the 10th bishop of the Diocese of Iowa during a Special Convention held on July 31 in Des Moines, Iowa. Monnot had served as the priest-in-charge at St. Clement’s Episcopal Church in Rancho Cordova, California, and as director and retreat leader of Called to Abundant Life: Leadership Consulting. Monnot previously served as missioner for leadership development and networking for the Diocese of Northern California and co-rector with her husband, Michael, at All Saints Episcopal Church in Sacramento, California.
Monnot enters her ministry as a bishop “with a deep belief that God calls every baptized person to ministry in the church and in the world, and that an important part of the work of the church is to discern and support that ministry. When we do, we move closer toward the abundant life that Jesus promised (John 10:10). Our work and our joy as Christians is to partner with God in bringing about God’s kingdom here on earth, just as Jesus did during his ministry; this work will never be complete. As Christians, we recognize that we live all our lives in a liminal time, a time in between what has been and what will be. As a church, we know that our institution is in a similar time of transition as we move away from Christendom and into the future. In addition, at this time in history, our whole world is living in the liminal time between pre-COVID and whatever will come next. During this time, we can strengthen our resilience and our flexibility to enable us to best meet what comes next. I invite every member of the Episcopal Church in Iowa to join me in three practices: to tell the truth, to love one another, and to make our home in the heart of Christ. Grounded in Christ and strengthened by truth and love, we will listen together and, when Jesus calls us, we will step out of the boat that keeps us safe and hems us in and join Jesus, walking and dancing on the water.”
Monnot and her husband have three children – William, 16; Robert, 13, and Thomas, 11, who have interests ranging from Little League, through a variety of musical instruments (trumpet, violin, piano, ukulele), to theater.
Our Team
The Rev. Thomas Early
Priest-in-Charge
Father Tom arrived at St. John’s at the beginning of 2023. He attended the University of Northern Iowa, volunteered with Green Iowa AmeriCorps, and then attended The School of Theology at the University of the South. Before coming to St. John’s he was the Rector of St. Alban’s in Spirit Lake. Father Tom’s church interests are small group ministry leadership, biblical scholarship, and Early Church Theology. His non-church interests include walking his golden retriever Alleluia (Allie for short), competing in the local disc golf league, and getting beat by his wife (Sara) at board games.
Favorite Bible Verse: John 15:4-5
Favorite Saint: St. James the Great
Favorite Hymn: Lo! He Comes on Clouds Descending
Emily Watts
Parish Administrator
Emily Watts holds a bachelor’s degree from Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT and a master’s degree in Folkloristics and Cultural Heritage Studies from University of Tartu in Estonia. Having studied at the University of Tartu, Emily gained a profound appreciation for the rich cultural tapestry of Estonia and its folk traditions. Her academic background in folklore enables her to appreciate the stories and their significance in binding communities together. In addition to her academic pursuits, Emily is an avid fan of Estonia’s favorite son, professional Dota 2 player Clement “Puppey” Ivanov, who holds a special place in the hearts of many Estonians. Puppey is not only a legendary figure in the gaming world but also the winner of the first International, the largest Dota 2 tournament in the world. Emily greatly admires his skills, achievements, and the inspiration he brings to aspiring gamers. As a newcomer to St. John’s, Emily is eager to engage with the congregation and contribute her unique perspective, influenced by her time in Estonia and her admiration for Puppey. Her passion for cultural exploration, shared stories, and gaming exemplars gives her hope that she can make a positive impact within the community.
Josh Human
Campus Chaplain
Josh Human is a recent college graduate from John Brown University, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Biblical and Theological Studies. He moved to Ames in August 2023 with his wife, Macy, who is attending Iowa State to complete vet school. Josh was born and raised in Omaha, NE. He has served at Journey Church in Omaha as a summer intern, working directly with middle and high school students and leading a college-aged bible study. He has recently been confirmed into the Episcopal church and is tremendously excited to see where life leads and to experience what God has planned for him and his family. He enjoys playing video games, going on walks with Macy and their dog, Benny, and he loves meeting new people.
The Rev. Mary Jane Oakland
Assisting Priest
The Rev. Mary Jane Oakland is a retired priest in the Diocese of Iowa. She was ordained to the vocational diaconate at St. John's by the Campus in 1995, where she served until 2001 when she was called to serve in the parish of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Marshalltown, IA. Rev. Oakland was ordained to the priesthood in 2005. In addition to her parish work she was a member of the nutrition faculty at ISU for 27 years. She served the Diocese as Chair of the Commission on Ministry at three different times: as a lay person, a deacon, and a priest, serving as chair for 11 years. She has been involved with the One World One Church commission serving in ministry alongside her husband, David, making several trips and spending some extended time under the direction of the Bishop of the Diocese of Swaziland. At St. John's, Rev Oakland is involved with the parish committee for pastoral care, and as a spiritual director. She can be reached through our parish office at 515-292-6655.
The Reverend Paul W. Gennett Jr.
Assisting Priest
The Reverend Paul W. Gennett Jr. has served as a priest in the Episcopal Church for over 30 years. He received a M.Div. from Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, Virginia, in 1992 and retired as Rector at St. Thomas’s Episcopal Church in Newark, Delaware in 2018. Prior to his ordination, he was a corporate consultant for 20 years, principally serving the human resources and organizational development disciplines. He has been blessed to be married to Marilyn for 52 years and by two adult children – Colin and his partner Lucinda living in Phoenix, and Adrienne and husband Bill living in Ames with their recently arrived granddaughter Samarchai Cora, adopted from Thailand in December 2022. For the last 20 years, Paul has been enjoying his deeper calling to walk with others in his own recovering spiritual journey and as a spiritual director. He has led retreats on spiritual living and the Twelve Steps for both recovery and non-recovery communities.
Dr. Miriam Zach
Director of Music/Organist
Email: miriamzach@gmail.com
Dr. Miriam Zach, Ph.D. is a musicologist, author, organist, harpsichordist, Iowa native, and since 2016 the Charles and Mary Sukup Endowed Artist in Organ at Iowa State University, and Director of Music/Organist at St. John’s By the Campus Episcopal Church in Ames, Iowa. She can be heard on National Public Radio recorded in Princeton University Chapel. After completing degrees at Northwestern University and University of Chicago she taught music in Germany at the Universität Bielefeld, and served as organist for the Church of England. In 1990 she studied Olivier Messiaen’s organ music in Paris, and has performed most of his organ works in Europe and the United States. For 20 years (1996-2016) she taught music history, and Honors music and health at the University of Florida. She is past Dean of the Gainesville, Florida Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, and University of Florida Professor of the Year 2000-2001. She continues to research architecture and music, teach music and health, organize annual international festivals of women composers (iwclib.org), and enjoy playing Baroque chamber music (alachuaconsort.com).
Joan Aiton
Treasurer
Email: je8ton@gmail.com
Joan came to Ames with her former spouse, Al Aiton, in 1991, along with their 3 daughters. She received her MBA from Iowa State and worked for the Department of Animal Science, retiring in 2018. Joan has been very involved at St. John’s over the past 30 years. She has directed the handbell choir, sung in the choir, taught church school, been a lay minister, and been a convention delegate.
Amy Mellies
Senior Warden
Marlene Strathe
Junior Warden
Marlene has been a member of St John’s since 2015 when she returned to Iowa State University to serve as the Director of the School of Education. Marlene retired in 2019 after serving as a faculty member and academic administrator in universities in Iowa, Oklahoma, and Colorado. She has served as a vestry member at St Luke’s in Cedar Falls and St Andrew’s in Stillwater, OK, as well as being a licensed lector, lay Eucharistic minister, and chalice bearer. She is married to John Lowthian, a retired physician.
Leigh Ann Long
Clerk of the Vestry
Leigh Ann joined St. John’s in 2004 when she and her husband Jeremy moved back to Ames. While she was raised Presbyterian, Jeremy attended St. John’s and St. David’s while a student at ISU. This is her second time serving on the vestry, and she also serves on the Altar Guild, helps in the kitchen, serves as a chalice administrator and lay reader, and sings with the choir. She has worked at Iowa State University as a staff member since 2003 researching issues in soil and water quality. Leigh Ann and Jeremy have two daughters, Natalie (17) and Nora (11).
Brenda Freeman
Vestry
Cristine Mincheff
Vestry
Cristine was raised a Methodist. In 1987 she entered the ISU College of Veterinary Medicine and while living in Boone became confirmed by Bishop Epting into the Episcopal Church at Grace Church, in Boone. She has attended the Episcopal Church ever since. She has sung in choirs, volunteered, and was elected to the Vestry of the St Francis Episcopal Church in Willow Glen, San Jose, California in the early 2000s. From service to the vestry, she went on to serve as a co-director of the Stewardship Committee and then to be elected to the Board of Directors of the Diocese of El Camino Real in California. She served two terms there and was active on the Stewardship Commission and the Mission Commission before moving back to Iowa. She served on the Transition Committee for the election of a new Bishop of the Diocese of El Camino Real in 2018 and 2019. She is a retired veterinarian who had a special interest in veterinary dentistry and now is pleased to be able to devote more time to her quilting passion. She was appointed to the Transition Committee which is facilitating the election of a new Bishop for the Diocese of Iowa. “Service on the vestry is a great way to get to know the Episcopal Church better and specifically to join in the life of my church home in Ames.”
Diane Gillott
Vestry
Diane is a lifelong Episcopalian, growing up and active at St. Luke's Cedar Falls. In 1975 Diane married Ed Gillott, moved to Ames, and became a member of the Episcopal Parish of Ames (EPOA). During the years Ed and Diane, as well as son Philip and daughter Elisabeth, attended both congregations of St. David and St. John's. When the additions to this original church building were being planned Diane was a member of that Vestry. We are again in a time of change, and she hopes to be a positive part of this transition as well.
Elizabeth Charbonnet
Vestry
Elizabeth joined St. John's when she moved to Ames in 2021 with her husband (Joe) and one-year-old son (Andrew). While she grew up Episcopalian, her husband is Catholic and together they have been to a number of both Catholic and Episcopalian churches over the years and over the various places they've called home. Elizbeth is originally from Massachusetts but has lived in Alaska, California, India, and Colorado. Her parents, however, are both from Iowa and both went to St. John's while attending college at ISU. Both Elizabeth and her husband are environmental engineers by training and, with Joe's recent appointment to the ISU faculty, are excited to be settling down in Ames. Elizabeth is honored to serve on the Vestry during this time of transition.
Debbie Haywood
Vestry
Debbie Haywood joined St. John’s after moving to Ames in 2016. She serves on the Altar Guild and has been part of small group study. She and her husband, John, have two married children; a son, Stephen and Elizabeth Haywood, a daughter, Emily and Joe Heintz, and one grandson, Graham. Debbie grew up at Memorial Lutheran Church in Nevada. She has been an elementary teacher for 30 years in England and in Iowa.
Tim Muggli
Vestry