Clergy, Staff, & Vestry

The Rev. Scot McComas came to The Episcopal Church of the Nativity in August 2019 with more than 15 years of ordained ministry and experience in parishes and schools in five dioceses from Southeast Florida, North Carolina, Newark, Dallas, and most recently the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth, where he served as rector at St. Martin-in-the-Fields.  Scot is a graduate of Southern Methodist University, Harvard Divinity School and The General Theological Seminary, and he completed several courses at the College of Preachers at Washington National Cathedral. He enjoys preaching and teaching and looks forward to facilitating various courses throughout the year. Fr. Scot’s schedule varies week-to-week, so if you would like to make an appointment please click the link under his picture, “Email Scot.”

The Rev. Wayne V. Whitney, Ph.D. is an enthusiastic teacher and preacher of the Bible.  Dr. Wayne received his doctorate in New Testament Studies from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville; the M.Div. from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City; and the B.A. from Kansas State University.  A confirmed Episcopalian since 1993, Dr. Wayne served as a Southern Baptist pastor in the late ’80s.  Dr. Wayne has been on staff at Nativity since 2010, and was ordained a priest in the Episcopal Church in January 2014.

Tamra Duncan has served as music director, choir director, vocalist, and pianist in the Lutheran church for most of her life. She currently teaches choir and piano at Paradise Valley High School and is in her 23rd year of music education. Tamra is a graduate of Grand Canyon University with a degree in choral and vocal music.  She earned her Masters of Music Education from Arizona State University. Tamra enjoys hiking, working out, reading and her time in the mountains with her husband (Jeff) and dog (Duke).

Mina Rafferty has been with Nativity since the founding of the church in 2006. She provides excellent communication and organization for the parish. Mina is in charge of church membership and numerous office duties to support the ministry of the parish. Her office hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 8 am – 2 pm.

Nativity is governed by an elected Vestry that acts as its Board of Directors. The Vestry is the legal representative of the parish regarding all matters pertaining to its corporate property. 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 call (select) the Rector (Senior Pastor) with the bishop’s concurrence; to ensure effective organization and planning; and to manage resources and finances.

The Rector is the President of the Parish and presiding officer of the Vestry. Vestry members are elected at the annual parish meeting in late January. Current Vestry members are:

Kathy Graf, Senior Warden
James Newhouse, Junior Warden

Mike Drexler, Treasurer

Cheryle Dunkelberg, Clerk/Secretary

 

Term 2022-2024: Donna Hartz, Mary Kelley, Margaret Cohea

Term 2023-2025: David Bolger, Russell Forbes, Kathy Hackworthy

Term 2024-2026: Jon Bost, Jeff Jameson, Janyce Schneider