Our Staff

The Very Rev'd. Lauren Lyon, Rector

Lauren Lyon was educated at the University of California, San Diego, and received her M.Div. from Yale University Divinity School. She began her ministry at St. Mary's in 2005 after serving as chaplain of St. Francis Academy in Atchison, Kansas. She has a particular passion for urban parishes and has grown St. Mary's into a vibrant, diverse community during her tenure here. Lauren and her husband, Nelson McGee, have lived in the city for nearly 20 years. An avid athlete, she captains her World Team Tennis team and also collects vintage textiles, silver and tableware. In a past life prior to being ordained, Lauren worked as an on-air personality for local radio station KY-102.

Nelson McGee, Choirmaster

Nelson McGee received his MFA in Voice Performance from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. He performed for 10 seasons with the Lyric Opera of Kansas City, as well as the Des Moines Metro Opera. A specialist in Anglican choral music, Mr. McGee spent more than 15 years as a soloist with Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral. He completed a summer residency at Christ Church Cathedral in Oxford, England, and has performed at London's famed Westminster Abbey. Mr. McGee is a composer, conductor, accomplished cellist, and charter member of Kansas City's Société des Amis de Francis Poulenc.

Our Vestry

Angie Stanland, Sr. Warden, is an executive of Cerner Corporation in Kansas City. Three different generations of her family are represented among the membership of St. Mary's.

Chas Marks, Junior Warden, is a manager with Synergy Services, a local non-profit agency. Chas is an amateur liturgical scholar and plans and coordinates the services at St. Mary’s. Chas and his husband, Barry Nipp live in the Plaza/Westport Hill neighborhood and their cheese grits are a legend at St. Mary’s potlucks.

Angie Hopper, Treasurer, is an accountant at State Street. She is a mainstay of St. Mary's Saturday food pantry.

Karl Johnson is an attorney in private practice. He is a great cook and gardener who, with his wife Susan, owns an historic home in Coleman Highlands.

Sharon Hunter Putsch is a retired arts college administrator. She is also a painter who creates commissioned works and teaches painting and drawing in the Kansas City Art Institute Continuing Education Program.

Bob Batterson is a child psychiatrist on the staff at Children's Mercy Hospital. He is a world traveler and the companion of Willie, a miniature schnauzer.

Ryan Shaw is an attorney. He is a Boston Celtics fan and is always looking for new music to listen to.

Betty Herndon, Clerk (ex officio), is a pharmacologist on the faculty of the UMKC School of Medicine. She and her husband Richard became members of St. Mary's more than 50 years ago.

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