Our Staff

 
 
The Rev. Christopher Schuller was ordained to the priesthood in 2004 and came to St. Thomas in June 2007.  Before answering the call to Holy Orders, he sang in rock 'n roll bands in his twenties and, along with his wife Bettina, ran a hand-painted t-shirt business in Key West, Florida in his thirties. Chris earned his B.A. in English from the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. He studied at a number of seminaries including; South Florida Center for Theological Studies (Miami), the School of Theology at the University of the South and Harvard Divinity School before receiving his Master of Divinity from Episcopal Divinity School. Chris and Bettina have two daughters, Maya and Sophia.  Contact Father Chris at awoundedhealer@tampabay.rr.com.

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The Rev. John C. Suhar joined the clergy of St. Thomas after his graduation from Virginia Theological Seminary in May 2005. Father Suhar transitioned to the ministry after a 26-year career in the U.S. Air Force, where he served as a Judge Advocate (JAG). During his discernment period, he worked as a program director for the United Way of Pinellas County, focusing on outreach to seniors. Father Suhar also served for a year as a chaplain at Tampa General Hospital, where he worked with organ transplant recipients and donor families. Before attending seminary he volunteered at St. Thomas, was elected to the vestry and was part-time youth minister. He and his wife, Barbara, have two adult sons.  Contact Father John at Jsuhar@tampabay.rr.com.

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The Rev. Peter Wallace Fleming, Jr. was the Rector of St. Thomas from 1976 – 1995.  He attended the School of Theology in Sewanee, TN before transferring to the Virginia Theological Seminary and receiving a Masters Degree in Divinity in 1954.  That same year, he was ordained to the Sacred Order of Deacon in St. Paul’s Church, Augusta, GA; the following year, he was ordained a Priest and became Rector of St. Paul’s Church in Jesup, GA where he served until 1961.  While there, he founded the Church of the Annunciation in Vidalia, GA and served as its part-time Vicar for three years; all the while maintaining his Rector duties at St. Paul’s.  Father Fleming served as Rector of St. David’s Church in Lakeland, FL from 1961 – 1976 when he joined St. Thomas.  He has served on all major committees of all the dioceses he served and has been active in clergy and ecumenical efforts for those dioceses as well.  He and his wife, Marion, have three adult sons.

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The Venerable Lucien A. Watkins, was ordained a deacon on June 12, 1999 and was assigned to St. Thomas. He is the Diocesan Deacons Council convener and recently was appointed as archdeacon for the northern region of the Diocese. He is a board member and treasurer of the St. Petersburg Ministerial Association and is affiliated with the St. Petersburg Free Clinic and Beacon House homeless men's shelter. He and his wife, Barbara, have a daughter.  Contact Lu at Lwatk947361@aol.com.

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Louise started playing the organ when she was thirteen years old. She graduated from the University of Michigan as an honors scholar with a Bachelor of Music in Oboe Performance and a Master of Music in Music Education.  Louise was the recipient of the Elsa Stanley Gardner Award for Musical Excellence and the Kenneth VanderHeuvel Oboe Award, as well as the Brandstrom Award for Scholastic Achievement. While at Michigan she sang with the Michigan Choral Union, was piano soloist with the Symphony Band and the first oboe soloist with the University Philharmonic Orchestra.  She has also played in orchestras conducted by Eugene Ormandy, Van Cliburn and Alan Hovhaness. Louise was chairman of the Association of Armenian Church Choirs, guest organist for concerts and church services at the Armenian Cathedral in New York City.  For the past 19 years, until her recent retirement, Louise was teacher of vocal and instrumental music at the Canterbury School of Florida. She is married to Dr. Haig Yardumian and they have two grown sons, Edward and Ara.  Contact Louise at lyardumian@tampabay.rr.com.

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Elaine has attended St. Thomas since 1995.  During the last ten years she has been actively involved in both the Sunday School and Vacation Bible School programs at St. Thomas.  Elaine is a graduate of Salem College, Salem W.Va., where she earned her B.A. in Art Therapy.  In 1991, she earned her Masters Degree from the University of South Florida in the area of Special Education.  She has worked in the area of Children's Mental Health Services in a variety of hospital and educational settings for twelve years.  Most recent years have been filled with the joy of family as she and her husband, Allen, raise their two sons, Sean and Devin.  Contact Elaine at stthomas_christianed@tampabay.rr.com.

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Allison has been a member of St. Thomas since she was two years old.  She has worked part-time at St. Thomas since 2001, having had a variety of responsibilities including  Pastoral Care Coordinator, Adult Education Coordinator and Coordinator of Christian Education.  Allison graduated from Stetson University with a BBA in Marketing.  She and her husband, Tom, have two daughters, Lane and Meredith.  Contact Allison at Amarshall@tampabay.rr.com. 
 
 

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Pam joined the staff in January of 2007. Before coming to St. Thomas, Pam spent 19 years in customer service. She has been in the chior since 1989 and member since May of 2006. Pam and her husband, John, have a two adult children. Contact Pam at tidings@tampabay.rr.com.

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Michael joined the staff of St. Thomas in October 2007.  After serving six years with the Merchant Marines and seeing many parts of the world, Michael moved to Florida from his home state of New Jersey.  He has spent over 15 years working in Property Management and Maintenance.  Michael and his wife, Irene, reside in Gulfport. 

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