Our Staff

	The Rev. Lex Breckinridge Rector
I am just delighted to have been called as the sixth Rector of St. Thomas, a community that intentionally “practices the hospitality of God.” This place welcomes all sorts and conditions of folks and understands that God is best known not as an abstract concept, but relationally through compassion given and received from one to another. This connects to the heart of my own ministry, which values faithful worship and beautiful music, honest and engaging preaching and teaching, deeply relational pastoral care, outreach to those on the margins, and growth that reflects the diversity of the Kingdom of Heaven. Indeed, our aim at St. Thomas is to be the sort of community where one might catch a glimpse of the Kingdom. Before coming to St. Thomas, I served as Upper School Chaplain at St. Andrew’s Episcopal School, Austin, Texas; Rector of St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, Austin; and Associate Rector of St. Michael’s, Austin. I came to ordained ministry in mid-life following a 16-year career as a maritime and commercial trial lawyer in New Orleans. After growing up in Beckley, West Virginia, I attended St. Paul’s School in Concord, New Hampshire, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where I was a double major in History and Religion, the Tulane University School of Law, and the Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest. The love of my life turned out to be a law school classmate, and Zonnie and I were married 32 years ago at the end of our first year at Tulane. We have three wonderful kids: Alexander, who practices law himself in Washington, D.C. and is married to Kirsten, a grants administrator at a federal agency; Barbara, a graduate student at the University of Texas; and Robert, a junior at Haverford College in suburban Philadelphia. Zonnie and I both love to hike and ski, so life here in the Pacific Northwest sounds just right to us. I also enjoy cooking and reading, opera and jazz. Mostly, I love being with people and sharing all the joy and sadness, the laughter and tears, of real life. It is there, after all, that we’ll meet the Risen Christ. You can reach me via email at .

	The Rev. Kathryn Ballinger, RN Deacon, Spiritual Director and Parish Visitor Kathryn joined the staff in 2004. She serves as a deacon in the liturgy and is a member of the pastoral care team. Kathryn is the contact person for "Come to the Quiet," a spirituality and meditation group. She is a member of the Ignatian Spirituality Center in Seattle and has been a spiritual director for over 25 years. Kathryn is also a retired nurse. She served in two parishes in Spokane before coming to St. Thomas. She is married and has three grown children in the area. Kathryn is available for spiritual direction and pastoral visits; her email address is:

	The Rev. Stephen W. Best Associate for Couples and Family Life Steve joined our staff in May of 2002. In addition to general pastoral responsibilities, his focus is to develop a ministry program aimed at the needs of couples and young families. Steve is available on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. He can be contacted via email at:

	Charles Rus Interim Associate for Liturgical Arts Charles was raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and moved to Capitol Hill in November 2008 to join us at St. Thomas. For a couple decades, he lived in San Francisco and played at St. John's Episcopal Church. He was also the organist for the San Francisco Symphony and taught organ at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Charles loves kayaking on the bay (or, in this case, Lake Washington and Puget Sound), swimming, and most of all, playing with his buddy Pointer, who can often be found in Charles's office. Charles can be reached via email at:

	Josh Hosler Associate for Christian Formation Josh and his wife Christy live in West Seattle with their daughter Sarah and their two cats, Epitome and Henry. Josh began working at St. Thomas in 2004 as Associate for Teen Ministry and expanded his duties in 2006. He has been volunteering for the Diocese of Olympia in the area of youth ministry since 1996, helping to staff and convene regular HYC and JYC events. In 2006 he began discernment for possible ordination. In addition to Christian formation, Josh has a lifelong passion for pop music, choral music composition, and other things musical. He can be contacted via email at:

	Danielle Smoot Childcare Coordinator Danielle and her husband Dennis, son Logan and two golden retriever dogs, Dodger and Paris, relocated back to Bellevue, WA from Las Vegas, NV in September 2008. Danielle began working at St. Thomas in February 2009. During the week Danielle is the Activity Supervisor for the afternoon program at Bellevue Montessori. She has a bachelor's degree in Recreation with an emphasis on kids' programming. Her first job out of college was working for the Ritz Carlton Hotel developing their kids' program. She brings with her excellent ideas and terrific customer service.. Danielle can be contacted via email at:
Laura Gregg Executive Assistant to the Rector Laura Gregg joined the St. Thomas staff in November 2009. Laura is a Seattle native whose 40-year work life includes contributions to scientific research, forestry, chemical sales, the travel industry, health care, telecommunications, and a number of contract jobs for several other enterprises. Along the way, she has indulged in several hobbies: theater technician and director, dancer and choreographer, musician, and miniature dollhouse crafter. She has a BA in theater arts and a secondary school teaching certificate. In 1979 she earned an MBA from Pepperdine University and has been an ASQ-Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence since 2000. In 2007, she finished a one-year term as a VISTA volunteer in Salem, Oregon, where she was assigned to a microenterprise development program. Laura is married to Robert Gidley, an accomplished humorist and technical writer, who also did a year of service in Salem, supporting an organization that provides emergency housing for homeless families. In 2008, they returned joyfully to worship at their home parish of more than 20 years, Holy Cross Church in Redmond. To all her work, Laura brings a servant’s heart, a learner’s mind, and a commitment to serve Jesus according to the baptismal covenant she has reaffirmed as an adult. Laura can be reached via email at laura@stthomasmedina.org.
	Gerry Gallaher Business Manager Gerry has been at St. Thomas Church since February 1993. As Business Manager, he prepares and monitors the Parish budget, processes cash received, pays bills, and manages the Parish database. Gerry is the Staff Advisor to the Finance and Property Committees. He also maintains giving records, prepares all financial statements and coordinates annual review. He's affectionately known as "Mr. Money." Gerry can be reached via email at:

	Virginia Yepez Sexton Born in Chihuahua, Mexico, Virginia has been in the United States since 1973 and became a proud U.S. citizen in 2007. Virginia has two married children and nine grandkids who live in the United States. She lives in Auburn and loves gardening.