St. Peter's Clergy/Staff

The Rev. Russell W. Johnson, Rector
A native Minnesotan, Fr. Russ and his family moved to Kansas City in May, 1977, and is celebrating his fourteenth year as senior pastor of St. Peter's Church. He is married and has two adult daughters.

Fr. Russ is an active member of the Red Bridge Ministerial Alliance which includes pastors of the southern Kansas City area, active in the Diocese of West Missouri's various organizations, including being the convener of the Diocesan Continuing Education Committee for Clergy.

He received his masters and doctoral degrees from Seabury-Western Theological Seminary and enjoys strengthening the ministries of all baptized believers, the development of small groups, teaching to all ages in Christian Formation, and proclaiming the mission of St. Peter’s beyond the walls of the parish through Outreach activities/programs.

Fr. Russ can be reached at Russ.Johnson@StPetersEpiscopal.net

The Rev. Kathleen Hall, Priest-in-Residence
Kathy came to St. Peter’s on June 12, 2011. She was ordained as a “transitional deacon” on June 4 and ordained to the priesthood on December 3, 2011.

Kathy has completed three years of study through the George Herbert Institute of Pastoral Studies, a diocesan program for local preparation of those called to ordained ministry. She is also working towards a Masters of Divinity through the Saint Paul School of Theology.

During the week, Kathy puts on her librarian hat and provides reference services at the UMKC Law Library. She and her husband, Jim, share their home with two cats, and enjoy British who-dunnits.

Kathy can be reached at Kathy.Hall@StPetersEpiscopal.net

Paul Tarro, Parish Administrator
Overseeing the general administration of the church and providing administrative support for the clergy are Paul’s responsibilities. He’s a “joints and ligaments” kind of person. He is an ordained minister and with his wife, Sandi, has led local, national and international Christian nonprofit organizations since their marriage in 1972; they are both oblates attached to a Benedictine monastery, where they frequently lead retreats. The Tarros have five children and three grandchildren and own an Arts and Crafts home in North Kansas City which they share with two big dogs and a cockatiel. There is a rumor that the real reason Paul was hired at St. Peter's is that he, like Fr. Russ, is a Minnesotan; Paul and Sandi spend most of their free time at their second home in Duluth.

Paul can be reached at Paul.Tarro@StPetersEpiscopal.net

Laurie M. Schwab, Director of Music, Pianist/Organist
Laurie came to St. Peter's in September 2001. She holds a degree in Music Theory from the University of Missouri at Kansas City, and has been a church organist since 1989. A lifelong Episcopalian, she brings a variety of experience in liturgy and both traditional and contemporary worship styles. Laurie is also the staff accompanist at O'Hara High School in Raytown, MO, the staff accompanist for the Kansas City Women's Chorus, and is active in the musical theatre community in Kansas City, as a pit musician and music director. She and her husband, Tim, live in Lee's Summit and have a son, Benjamin.

Laurie can be reached at Laurie.Schwab@StPetersEpiscopal.net

Cathy Henson, Director of Day School Services

Our Director of Day School Services has been in the childcare industry for over 20 years. Since 1991 Cathy has dedicated her time and energy to the children in our community.

After receiving her Early Childhood Education degree from Iowa State University in 1991, she moved to Kansas City, Kansas and is a member of All Saints Church. Her strong Christian background and beliefs coupled with her professional experience with children has allowed her to develop skills in decision making, overcoming obstacles and best of all patience. While sharing her time with us she has enabled our school to achieve our main goal of laying a strong foundation for our children. (while preparing them for kindergarten and establishing good self esteem).

When not at work, Cathy enjoys gathering with family and friends and chasing Teddy and Charlie, her two dogs.

Cathy can be reached at Cathy.Henson@StPetersEpiscopal.net

Debra Kennedy, Sunday Nursery Supervisor

Debra Kennedy is a 2004 high school graduate from Louisburg, Kansas. She currently attends Johnson County Community College full time in hopes of achieving her associates degree, then transferring to KU to earn a business degree. She has two daughters, six-year-old Zoie and four-year-old Daiya, who are seen at church on Sundays bouncing around and brightening up the place. Debra’s a true-blue Royals fan and was raised by a Navy Chief. Her bucket list includes things like traveling the world, doing missionary work and owning a peach farm.

Debbie Miller, Financial Administrator
Debbie Miller is the Financial Administrator for the church. She has more than 25 years experience in Church Administration, and has received Certification in Church Administration (CCA) from the National Association of Church Business Administrators (NACBA). This required intensive study in the 14 disciplines of Church Administration, as well as performing a specific project for the church where employed, and then writing about the process.

Debbie’s passion is to help small churches handle the “business” of the church correctly and with excellence, so that the churches can be leaders in their community. Debbie has lived all of her life on the Kansas side of the Kansas City area. She has two children: Jason, who along with his wife and three children, live in Mwanza, Tanzania (Africa) as Missionaries; and Jessica, who along with her husband and two children, live in the Overland Park area.

Debbie can be reached at Debbie.Miller@StPetersEpiscopal.net

Maryann Ferraro Sell, Webmaster

Maryann can be reached at Maryann.Sell@StPetersEpiscopal.net