The Reverend Karen Cuffie, Rector
Karen began her ministry at St. Stephen’s in-the-Field in 2018 and is now the rector of both St. Stephen’s and St. John the Divine in Morgan Hill. She was ordained to the priesthood in 2016. Prior to ordained ministry, Karen was an elementary school music teacher, served five years on active duty in the USAF, and began a long, challenging career raising five children as a stay at home mom. Her family is uniquely diverse, which has helped form her theology around beloved community. Karen attended Shenandoah College and Conservatory of Music in Northern VA, and Church Divinity School of the Pacific in Berkeley, CA. She loves to sing, play piano, do jigsaw puzzles, and knit for her granddaughters.
Vestry
Susan Zaballos, Senior Warden
Susan has been a member of St. Stephen’s in-the-Field Episcopal Church since 1995. She has served on the vestry 3 times and is currently the Senior Warden. She has also served on the Altar Guild for the majority of her time at St. Stephen’s. She has been involved in the music program, playing piano for the services and the choir, and has used her training in art to create several pieces for the church. Her favorite thing about St. Stephen’s is its welcoming atmosphere and inclusiveness for all. It is family.
Rob van der Molen, Junior Warden
In the 70’s Rob attended Stephen’s in-the-Field as a child. He has been involved with St. Stephen’s in-the-Field since 2019. This is Rob’s first time on the vestry and this year he was elected Jr. Warden.
Rob, his wife Kristen and son Lucas, love the fellowship with the congregations of St. Stephen’s and St. John’s. At work, Rob and his brother have owned and operated Trials Pub in Downtown San Jose since 2005.
Rowena Dizon-Burger
Rowena Dizon-Burger has been a member of St. Stephen’s in-the-Field Episcopal Church for 15 years.
She has raised her two daughters in the St. Stephen’s community and enjoyed serving in the ministry of Christian Education, especially teaching Sunday school.
Her favorite thing about St. Stephen’s is its warm, welcoming environment.
Janet Thorsrud
Janet has been a member of St. Stephen’s in-the-Field Episcopal Church for 25+ years. This is her fifth time serving on the vestry, and she has been Senior Warden and Junior Warden in the past. She has also served on the alter guild for twelve years. Her favorite thing about St. Stephen’s is the opportunity it provides to serve our community.
Janet is a retired elementary school teacher, though she continues to teach swimming every summer. She first came to St. Stephen’s for the education that the Church provided for her children, and stayed for the free coffee and fellowship!
Janet enjoys gardening, watercolor painting, puzzles, and going to events with her friends!
Anthony Francis
By day, Anthony Francis teaches robots to learn; by night he writes science fiction and draws comic books. Anthony has been a member of Saint Stephens in-the-Field for 17 years and has served on the Vestry three times. His passion on the Vestry is to improve the ways Saint Stephens connects to people so it can better fulfill its mission of drawing people to Christ.
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Jill Vaughn, Clerk of the Vestry
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Andy Lief, Treasurer
Andy Lief has been a member for 25 years. Served on vestry numerous times and is currently treasurer. His favorite thing about SSITF is the people and fellowship. In his personal life, Andy has been engaged in affordable housing development and construction for 30 years and plays in a classic rock cover band.