Paige is 16 years old and has attended St. Martin’s since she was born. She currently attends Liberty High School where she enjoys studying history and biology. She has served as a Sunday School assistant teacher and presently serves on the Diocesan Youth Advisory Council. She hopes to help the Vestry by bringing in her generation’s point of view.
- Rebecca McCoy
- 9 hours ago
- 2 min read
My name is Rebecca McCoy and I grew up in the St. Louis area along with my twin sister, Katie. I was baptized in the Catholic church and attended Catholic school for 13 years – including eight years at St. Clare of Assisi next door. Currently, I am pursuing my master’s degree in Business and Data Analytics while working full time in the field of transportation. In 2016, I met my now fiancée, Chelsea and we are hoping to get married in April 2021 (assuming COVID doesn’t reschedule us again!)
Growing up, religion wasn’t a big part of my life aside from major holidays. My grandparents are practicing Catholics and always wished I was more involved in my faith. During school, I was involved in various activities in the school services. When, as a young adult, I realized I was gay and that I would never be able to comfortably be involved in the Catholic church, I started searching for alternatives. When Chelsea and I were planning our wedding, I knew I wanted to be married in a church. This led us to finding out the Episcopal church supported same-sex weddings. We contacted the Christ Episcopal Church in Rolla, where we plan to be married, and the Rev. Dr. Maria Evans directed us to St. Martin’s to find out more about the Episcopal church and because she knew Mother Leslie. It was love at first service for both Chelsea and me.
Since joining the church, I have been involved in bell choir, the alter guild, making phone calls for the capital campaign, as well as other tasks around the church. What I love about St. Martin’s is how friendly everyone is. There are no strangers in our sanctuary and whether it’s your first service or you’ve been a lifelong member, everyone is welcomed with open arms and open hearts.
- Larry Cornelius
- 9 hours ago
- 2 min read
Larry Cornelius Biographical Information
Related to Being a Diocesan Delegate for St. Martin’s Episcopal Church
I would love to represent St. Martins as a diocesan delegate. I have been a member of St. Martin’s for over 26 year after I was transferred from Dallas in 1994 by Anheuser-Busch. I became an Episcopalian in 1988 after being a Methodist since childhood.
I retired in January 2020 after 42 years as an accounting and finance professional. I was a Controller or CFO for the over half that time and am still am open to part-time or contract work in my field of expertise.
I am married to Ginger Cornelius and she became a member of St. Martin’s after we married in 2018. We love the community of St. Martin’s and we decided to stay members even after we moved to O’Fallon in 2019. We are both in the vocal and bell choir and look forward to regular services resuming after we get past the COVID virus epidemic.
I have served on the vestry two different times, the last time for 5 years as I assume an open term and then was re-elected. I was the Treasurer for two consecutive years during that time. I have been a delegate to the diocese many times and always enjoyed going to convention and seeing the inner workings of the Diocese of Missouri. I have served as an usher, been active in the men’s group, helped independently review and prepare the financial statements of the church for the treasurer and worked and participated on various other projects/activities over the years.
Being an active member of St. Martins over the past quarter century has been a rewarding and important part of my life. St. Martin’s was there for me when I lost my wife of 31 years, Esther, in 2016. I appreciate all the spiritual and emotional help I received from St. Martin’s during that time and am grateful to be able to serve the church any way I can.
Respectfully,
Larry Cornelius