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Parish Staff

The Reverend Renee L. Fenner Rector [E-mail Renee Fenner]

The Rev. Renee L. Fenner became rector of St. Barnabas Episcopal Church on March 28, 2010. She matriculated from The General Theological Seminary in New York City in 2005. Rev. Renee was ordained to the transitional diaconate on December 22, 2004 and ordained a priest on June 24, 2005. She joined the staff of Christ Church Cathedral on July 1, 2005 as Canon Pastor and Liturgist. She also served as priest-in-charge at the Cathedral for a brief period. In addition to her ministry at Christ Church, Rev. Renee served on the Diocesan liturgical planning committee for ordinations and as Minister of Ceremonies for major events held at the Cathedral.

Rev. Renee is a native St. Louisan and graduated with a B.A. degree in Theatre Arts from Webster University (formerly Webster College) and attended dance classes at Southern Illinois University, East St. Louis. She taught acting and dance for many years in Springfield, IL. Upon returning to St. Louis in the early 1980's she enjoyed working for both PBS and CBS affiliates, first as a production assistant and later as floor director, associate producer for "Eye on St. Louis" and as a director for public affairs shows.

Rev. Fenner is passionate about her family and good liturgy. She loves listening to Gospel music and enjoys art in all forms.

"Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9)

David Sinclair Senior Warden [E-mail Dave Sinclair]

Dave Sinclair has been a lifelong member of the Episcopal Church. He was baptized, confirmed and married in the Church. As a member of St. Barnabas' for the past ten years, he has held the positions of Junior Warden and Senior Warden on the vestry, served as a convention delegate, is a member of the Saturday morning maintenance crew and participates in the outreach programs; Room at the Inn and birthday parties at the youth detention center for Episcopal City Mission. He now finds himself in the challenging position of Senior Warden during St. Barnabas' Parish's interim period.

Dave has been married to his wife Andria for sixteen years and they have a twelve year old daughter, Kelsey.

Dennis Haefner Junior Warden [E-mail Dennis Haefner]

Dennis Haefner has been Member of St. Barnabas for 24 years and, prior to this term, has served on the Vestry from 1997 to 1999. He was the Senior Warden for the year 1999. He has served as a Sunday School teacher for the Junior and Sr. High class. He now serves as the Junior Warden for 2008-2010.

Dennis was married at St. Barnabas' on May 11, 1985 to Deborah Stobaugh. They have four children, Aaron Brown, Amanda, Allyse, and Abigail, and four grandchildren, Beau, Landon, Carter Brown, and Jack Graue. When Dennis isn't seeing to the needs of his parish, he is a Systems Analyst with AT&T.

Harry Goff Liturgical Coordinator [E-mail Harry Goff]

Harry B. Goff has been a faithful member of St. Barnabas Episcopal Church more than twenty years. Baptized and confirmed at Calvary Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina, Harry graduated from Tennessee State University earning a BS in Psychology with a minor in Biology. Now retired, he served eight years active duty in the United States Air Force and 15 years in the Missouri Air National Guard. Harry has two sons, Christopher and Carlton, who grow up as active participants in the youth group at St Barnabas.

Harry has served on the vestry as a member and most recently as Senior Warden for two terms. In addition to his role of scheduling Liturgists and Lectors for Sunday services, during the search period, he has accepted the responsibility of planning services. This includes identifying and recruiting guest clergy several Sundays a month for both services. He currently serves as a convention delegate, coordinates the parish ministry with the Episcopal City Mission, and assists with the scrip program. He formerly served a three-year term on the Diocesan Council of the Diocese of Missouri.

Amy Walling Secretary [E-mail Amy Walling]

Amy Walling has been the Parish Secretary since the end of May 2007. She is also employed part-time at St. Mark's Methodist Church as a financial secretary. Amy was raised in Brighton, Illinois and attended Lewis and Clark Community College for 2 years and studied business management. She is a member of John Knox Presbyterian Church and has been a deacon there, serving as evangelism leader, for the past 2 years.

Amy lives with her husband Darryl and they have two daughters, Katie and Sarah. Sarah recently blessed her with a new granddaughter, Madison. Amy's interests include a variety of crafts, knitting, reading, and gardening.

Elizabeth Heckman Christian Education Coordinator [E-mail Elizabeth Heckman]

Elizabeth Heckman has been the Christian Education Coordinator for the children at St. Barnabas' since Fall 2004. She has been a Sunday School Teacher at St. Barnabas' since joining the parish in 2001. Elizabeth has been an active volunteer in children's activities, including being a Room Mother for her sons in elementary school, 7 years as a Den Leader in Cub Scouts and 6 years in Boy Scout Committee activities.

Elizabeth is a graduate of the University of Minnesota with a B.S. degree in Metallurgical Engineering and has a M.S. in Materials Science from Washington University. She has been an engineer at Boeing/McDonnell Douglas for 23 years, and her other interests include needlework, scrap booking, geology and gardening.

Leah Milton Adult Choir Director [E-mail Leah Milton]

Leah Milton has been the St. Barnabas Adult Choir Director since Fall 2002. She graduated with honors from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville in December 2003, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education, with emphasis in piano accompaniment and voice. She studied piano with Dr. Linda Perry, voice with Ms. Sandra Bouman, and was a member of the SIUE Concert Choir and SIUE Madrigal Choir, both under the direction of Dr. Joel Knapp.

Along with directing the adult choir at St. Barnabas, Leah is the 7th Grade Choir Director and a Music Theory and Appreciation teacher at Collinsville Middle School. She also teaches private piano and voice lessons to students in the St. Louis area. During her free time, Leah is an active member of the Bel Canto Chorus of St. Louis, under the direction of Dr. Bruce Vantine, and can often be found performing in musical theater with Summer Showbiz at SIUE.

Lucinda Vantine Organist Children's Choir Director [E-mail Cindy Vantine]

Lucinda "Cindy" Vantine has been the organist and children's choir director at St. Barnabas since 1982. She began her organ studies with Mary Fellows at Hamline University in St. Paul, Minn. She is a graduate of Concordia College, Moorhead, Minn., where she studied organ with Peter Nygaard and sang in the Concordia Choir under the direction of Paul J. Christiansen. She taught public school music in Bismarck, No. Dak., and Pelican Rapids, Minn., and taught elementary music methods at Mount Mercy College, Cedar Rapids, Ia. She performs as a singer with the professional touring group The Cornerstone Chorale and Brass and with the Bel Canto Chorus of St. Louis. Cindy is director of university events at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

Vestry Members

• Senior Warden — David Sinclair
• Junior Warden — Dennis Haefner
• Clark Burton
• Harry Goff
• Ronald Grames
• Sheron Howe
• Cam Murphy
• Debbie Palmer
• Bob Weisgerber
• Clerk — Karen Birr

Convention Delegates

• Michael Dobbs
• Debbie Haefner
• Diana Howarth
• Sheron Howe (alt.)