Our Staff

The Rev. Dr. Jane F. Maynard
Interim Priest-in-Charge

Jane Maynard graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with highest honors in 1975 and received a Masters Degree in Developmental Psychology at the University of Illinois. She went on to the Church Divinity School of the Pacific in Berkeley and the Claremont School of Theology, where she received an MATS in Pastoral Counseling in 1998 and a PhD in Pastoral Theology in 2001.

Jane has served as a hospital chaplain and in a variety of ministry settings, including several congregations in Idaho and California. She also served as Director of Field Education and Professor of Pastoral Theology at CDSP from 1995-2003. After moving to Seattle with her husband, Jim Treyens, in 2003, she has worked as Interim Dean for the Diocesan School of Ministry and Theology, as Priest-in-Charge at Good Samaritan in Sammamish, and as Interim at Epiphany Parish in Seattle. Jane joined us at St. Thomas in April 2008.

In 2006, Jane published her first book, Transfiguring Loss: Julian of Norwich as a Guide for Survivors of Traumatic Grief. Jane’s husband Jim is a software salesman.

Jane and Jim enjoy traveling, reading, attending movies and concerts, and playing with their cats, Madeleine and Omega. They have three adult children: Daniel, Beckie, and Marc.

Jane can be reached via email at jane@stthomasmedina.org.

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 can be reached via email at kathryn@stthomasmedina.org and is available for spiritual direction and pastoral visits.

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 steveb@stthomasmedina.org.

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 charles@stthomasmedina.org.

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 josh@stthomasmedina.org.

Danielle Smoot
Childcare Coordinator

Aileen MacLaren Loranger, RN, ARNP, PhD
Associate for Pastoral Care and Health Ministries

Aileen became a member of St. Thomas in 1998 and recently joined our staff as Parish Nurse in September, 2003. She brings over 25 years of nursing experience and is credentialed as an advanced registered nurse-practitioner. Her doctorate in public health focused on health promotion and health education.

Aileen heads the Pastoral Care team and facilitates the Health and Healing Ministries team. Aileen can be reached via email at aileen@stthomasmedina.org  Aileen makes home, hospital and/or nursing home visits by request, and you can make an appoint to see her through the parish office.

Judy Crunkilton
Parish Administrator

Judy has been with St. Thomas Church since 1999. Her duties as Parish Administrator are very diverse. She schedules the use of the church, events at St. Thomas (both for the parish and community organizations), and maintains the parish calendar. Judy keeps track of everything that happens at St. Thomas and keeps things running smoothly. A retired litigation paralegal, Judy supervises our sexton and administrative ministers. In the absence of clergy, she is also the primary staff contact for pastoral emergencies. Judy can be reached via email at judy@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 gerry@stthomasmedina.org.

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.