Staff
A dedicated staff serves the St. Paul's community, along with a host of parish volunteers.
Laura Bryant, Interim Rector
My tenure at The Cathedral Church of St. Paul began with the celebration of The Feast of the Epiphany January 6, 2019.
I arrived in Burlington from the Diocese of Atlanta, where I served three parishes. I was also privileged to serve as director and priest of The Road Episcopal Service Corps, an intentional community and formation program for young adults and Church of the Common Ground, a worshiping community for people who live on the streets in Atlanta. I was also involved in the work of the Absalom Jones Center for Racial Healing, and prior to that was a member of Beloved Community: Commission for Dismantling Racism. Having served now as priest for many years, and in several contexts, I can say that I love the church and the work of ministry even more now than when I first began.
I have a special interest in the role of scripture in spiritual formation and of the imagination in the life of faith. I love exploring—a landscape, a city, a story—and discovering the gifts and courage of others. Together, as companions, and as a community, we can mobilize our faith and hope for creative, courageous, and compassionate ministry.
Among the many beautiful prayers in the Book of Common Prayer, one of my favorites is the one said over the newly baptized but applicable to us all of at all times: “Sustain us O Lord in your Holy Spirit. Give us an inquiring and discerning heart, the courage to will and to persevere, a spirit to know and love you, and the gift of joy and wonder in all your works.” (BCP 308)
I love to walk and run and ramble outdoors, to cook for a crowd, creative problem-solving, reading, and dancing whenever I can.
Laura can be reached at lbryant@stpaulscathedralvt.org.
I arrived in Burlington from the Diocese of Atlanta, where I served three parishes. I was also privileged to serve as director and priest of The Road Episcopal Service Corps, an intentional community and formation program for young adults and Church of the Common Ground, a worshiping community for people who live on the streets in Atlanta. I was also involved in the work of the Absalom Jones Center for Racial Healing, and prior to that was a member of Beloved Community: Commission for Dismantling Racism. Having served now as priest for many years, and in several contexts, I can say that I love the church and the work of ministry even more now than when I first began.
I have a special interest in the role of scripture in spiritual formation and of the imagination in the life of faith. I love exploring—a landscape, a city, a story—and discovering the gifts and courage of others. Together, as companions, and as a community, we can mobilize our faith and hope for creative, courageous, and compassionate ministry.
Among the many beautiful prayers in the Book of Common Prayer, one of my favorites is the one said over the newly baptized but applicable to us all of at all times: “Sustain us O Lord in your Holy Spirit. Give us an inquiring and discerning heart, the courage to will and to persevere, a spirit to know and love you, and the gift of joy and wonder in all your works.” (BCP 308)
I love to walk and run and ramble outdoors, to cook for a crowd, creative problem-solving, reading, and dancing whenever I can.
Laura can be reached at lbryant@stpaulscathedralvt.org.
Mark Howe, Director of Music and Canon Precentor
Mark Howe has served as Director of Music and Canon Precentor of St. Paul’s Cathedral since 1999. He began singing in a choir of men and boys at the age of 8, and he holds degrees from Westminster Choir College (B. Mus. in Organ and Church Music), Yale University (M. Mus. in Organ, with diplomas in Anglican Studies from Berkeley Divinity School and in Sacred Music from the Institute of Sacred Music), and New York University (Ph.D. in Musicology). Mark has taught at Seabury-Western Theological Seminary, Yale Divinity School, and McGill University. At St. Paul’s, he is responsible for overseeing the musical life of the Cathedral, playing the organ, training and directing the choirs, and consulting on liturgical matters. He has served as Editor of the Journal of the Association of Anglican Musicians, and as a member of the staff of the Royal School of Church Music's Newport (R.I.) Summer Training Course.
Mark says: “I keep a small icon of the Transfiguration on the organ, because I think that music helps draw us into the cloud of God’s presence, just as Peter, James, and John were taken beyond their own time and space on the Mount of Transfiguration. So a central part of my work is to help transfiguration occur at St. Paul’s Cathedral, by the immense power of music – whether we’re singing, playing, or hearing it.”
Mark can be reached at mhowe@stpaulscathedralvt.org.
Mark says: “I keep a small icon of the Transfiguration on the organ, because I think that music helps draw us into the cloud of God’s presence, just as Peter, James, and John were taken beyond their own time and space on the Mount of Transfiguration. So a central part of my work is to help transfiguration occur at St. Paul’s Cathedral, by the immense power of music – whether we’re singing, playing, or hearing it.”
Mark can be reached at mhowe@stpaulscathedralvt.org.
J. Stannard Baker, Deacon
I began my journey at the Cathedral in 1999. This was when my husband, Peter, and I were plaintiffs in the Freedom to Marry lawsuit and, after attending one service here, we knew it was the right place for us – we felt supported and surrounded by friends. I was ordained as a deacon in 2009 and assigned by Bishop Ely to the Cathedral after serving internships at Christ Church Montpelier and Calvary Underhill as well as chaplain training at Fletcher Allen hospital. As Cathedral Deacon my responsibility is to connect our faith to the needs of the world. I love reading the Gospel each Sunday but this diaconal role would be incomplete without attending to the needs all around us in our community. My major focuses are on the Social Justice and outreach activities at the Cathedral and on formation. I am proud that we are a designated Jubilee Center and look forward to continued involvement and growth through SASH, JUMP and VIA.
I grew up as a Quaker. Silent worship, with its direct connection to the Holy Spirit, helped me form my early relationship to God, but my spiritual home is here in the liturgy and deep and powerful sacramental worship of the Episcopal Church. My “day job” is as Clinical Director for Howard Center Developmental Services. I have a background in child development and am a child and family therapist as well as Registered Play Therapist – Supervisor. I play the cello and guitar and love music of all kinds. I love to read, take long walks and be by the water. I collect nativities, fountain pens, and books. My husband, Peter Harrigan, is a Professor of Theatre and Chair of the Fine Arts Department at St. Michael’s College. We have a beloved Schnoodle, Daisy, who lives a very fine life.
Stan can be reached at sbaker@stpaulscathedralvt.org.
I grew up as a Quaker. Silent worship, with its direct connection to the Holy Spirit, helped me form my early relationship to God, but my spiritual home is here in the liturgy and deep and powerful sacramental worship of the Episcopal Church. My “day job” is as Clinical Director for Howard Center Developmental Services. I have a background in child development and am a child and family therapist as well as Registered Play Therapist – Supervisor. I play the cello and guitar and love music of all kinds. I love to read, take long walks and be by the water. I collect nativities, fountain pens, and books. My husband, Peter Harrigan, is a Professor of Theatre and Chair of the Fine Arts Department at St. Michael’s College. We have a beloved Schnoodle, Daisy, who lives a very fine life.
Stan can be reached at sbaker@stpaulscathedralvt.org.
Jennifer Sumner, Office Administrator
I joined the staff at St Paul’s Cathedral in 2016, after a few years of searching for a position that would be fulfilling, make a positive difference in my community, and enable me to be present for my very busy family including myself, my husband and our three daughters.
I graduated from Emory University in Atlanta and have held a variety of positions, most recently as an Administrative Assistant in the Burlington School District. I am active in the Burlington Schools as a parent, and enjoy swimming, reading, music, and the fantastic community we’ve come to know here in Burlington.
Jennifer can be reached at (802) 864-0471 or at admin@stpaulscathedralvt.org.
I graduated from Emory University in Atlanta and have held a variety of positions, most recently as an Administrative Assistant in the Burlington School District. I am active in the Burlington Schools as a parent, and enjoy swimming, reading, music, and the fantastic community we’ve come to know here in Burlington.
Jennifer can be reached at (802) 864-0471 or at admin@stpaulscathedralvt.org.
Barbara Comeau, Financial Administrator
I became a member of St. Paul's in 2009 when we moved from Atlanta back to Vermont with our three girls in tow. The girls' grandparents, aunt and uncle, and cousins were already members of the Cathedral and we quickly adopted St. Paul's as our church home. The girls joined the choir, and as a family we jumped right into parish life: hosting start up Sunday, working on the Wreath Project and performing the annual audit.
I graduated from Stonehill College with a degree in accounting and worked for 10 years with IDX Healthcare, managing their revenue budget and sales forecasting process. For the last 14 years, I have worked as a Research Director for KLAS Enterprises conducting healthcare IT research.
Based on my experience with the annual audit and financial background, it was a natural fit to join the Cathedral staff in supporting their financial processes and reporting.
Barbara can be reached at bcomeau@stpaulscathedralvt.org.
I graduated from Stonehill College with a degree in accounting and worked for 10 years with IDX Healthcare, managing their revenue budget and sales forecasting process. For the last 14 years, I have worked as a Research Director for KLAS Enterprises conducting healthcare IT research.
Based on my experience with the annual audit and financial background, it was a natural fit to join the Cathedral staff in supporting their financial processes and reporting.
Barbara can be reached at bcomeau@stpaulscathedralvt.org.
