Clergy

The Reverend Mark Pruitt

Rector

mpruitt@stpaulsakron.org
(330) 836-9327 Ext.23

The Reverend Mark J. Pruitt began serving as Rector of St. Paul’s in 2007 after serving for eight years as Chaplain and Chair of the Theology and Religious Studies Department at St. George’s School in Newport, Rhode Island, where he taught courses in theology, literature, ethics, and biblical studies, while coaching soccer and leading worship services in the school's famed chapel. Prior to that Mark served as the Rector of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Butler, PA, as an Assistant Chaplain at the University of Cambridge (Peterhouse Chapel), and also as Director of Youth Ministries at St. James Episcopal Church in Potomac, MD. Mark is married to Becky and they have two children, Elizabeth and Andrew.

The Reverend Polly Glanville

Deacon

revgville@aol.com
(330) 836-9327 Ext. 24

The Reverend Polly Glanville is a Deacon in the Episcopal Diocese of Ohio.  Ordained in 1996 by Bishop J. Clark Grew, she was assigned to serve at St. Philip's in Akron.  After leaving St. Philip's in 2001, she created The Susan Ministry, an extra parochial ministry for the elderly which provided empowerment and education for mature adults in the life skills critical to well being in later years of life. She worked with parishes throughout the diocese, helping them to honor seniors by providing tools that would enrich the lives of the elderly and equip them to discern God's plan for their lives. Polly was assigned to St. Paul's in 2004 by Bishop Mark Hollingsworth.  She has served on the Ohio Council of Churches task force for seniors, is a member of the Ohio Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, and a facilitator of advance care planning trained by Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center of La Crosse, Wisconsin.  Polly works full time as a dental hygienist.  The widow of Dr. Richard Glanville, she is the mother of two grown children.

Music Ministry

Daniel J. Fortune

In September, Daniel Fortune began his work as Organist-Choirmaster of St. Paul’s. He held a similar position at Old St. Paul’s in Baltimore, Maryland for almost twelve years. Prior to that he was Assistant Organist and Choirmaster at St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral in Buffalo, New York. He has degrees in organ from Houghton College (Houghton, NY) and from the Eastman School of Music where he studied with Dr. Susan Klotzbach and Russell Saunders, respectively. In July 2009 he was appointed Publicist for the Association of Anglican Musicians of which he is an active member. He has a particular passion for hymns and has written many descants, organ reharmonizations, and instrumental arrangements for liturgical use.

Dr. Jeannie Kienzle

Associate Organist-Choirmaster

runninchick@sbcglobal
(330) 836-9327 Ext. 25

Dr. Jeannie Morris Kienzle began work at St. Paul's in 2000, playing as an accompanist and helping with choir camp. Following Dr. Robert Quade’s retirement in June of 2000, she became the interim Organist-Choirmaster until November of 2000.  In November of 2000, Dr. Kienzle became the Associate Organist-Choirmaster under Jamie Hitel. Dr. Kienzle holds a Bachelor of Music in Church Music from Westminster Choir College, a Master of Music in Organ Performance from Kent State University, and a Doctor of Musical Arts in Organ Performance from the University of Cincinnati-College Conservatory of Music. Dr. Kienzle is also certified to teach the Musikgarten program to children from infants through eight years.

Program Staff

Sheila Svoboda

Director of Family Ministries

ssvoboda@stpaulsakron.org
(330) 836-9327 Ext.20

Sheila Svoboda, began her work at St. Paul's in 1999. Her primary duties include Church School teacher training (recruiting teachers, choosing curriculum, providing space & supplies, etc.), Summer Education, and Family Net, a social network for parish families. She also promotes worship experiences for and with children, gives children’s sermons, adds a family focus to our Adult Education offerings, and communicates with groups within the church that have family interests. Sheila also oversees preparation for baptism.

Jerry Smith

Director of Student Ministries

jsmith@stpaulsakron.org
(330) 836-9327 Ext.20

Jerry Smith began working with students at St. Paul’s in July 2008 after working for seven years as Youth Pastor in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.  While there he was very successful working with local churches and the city in reaching out to a large number of youth in creative, relevant, and impacting ways. Here at St. Paul’s he is responsible for the spiritual formation of junior and senior high students through teaching, discipleship, mission trips, events, service projects, etc. Jerry and his wife Tiffany currently reside in Ravenna and have three children, Tyler, Alyssa, and Caleb. In his spare time he enjoys spending time with family and friends, biking, hiking, camping and boating.   

He is an active member of the Akron Area Youth Workers Network and has served on the board of the East Akron Area YMCA, R.I.O.T., and is the founder of The Light Teen Dance at the Falls Natatorium
 

Administrative Support Staff

Julie McFarland

Welcome Desk Receptionist

jmcfarland@stpaulsakron.org
(330) 836-9327 Ext.20

Julie McFarland began in January 2008 after teaching seventh grade Math in the Akron Public Schools for 30 years. She has been a member of St. Paul’s since 1953 and sang in the choir until 1968. After retiring from teaching, she became involved in the Akron Civic Theatre Women’s Guild, the Diggers & Weeders Garden Club and volunteered for Akron General Medical Center.

She was married to James McFarland, who passed away in 1998. Her dog, Gabrielle (Gabby) greets visitors to St. Paul’s during the week.

Marcheta Scott

Executive Assistant to the Rector

mscott@stpaulsakron.org
(330) 836-9327 Ext.21

Marcheta Scott, Executive Assistant to the Rector, provides primary administrative and clerical support to the Rector. Marcheta is married with three adult sons.

Sherrie Petrochuk

Business Manager/Treasurer

spetrochuk@stpaulsakron.org
(330) 836-9327 Ext.24

Sherrie has been treasurer at Saint Paul’s since August 2007. Her responsibilities include overseeing the financial operations of St. Paul’s and practicing good stewardship of church resources. She’s been a parishioner of St. Paul’s since 1992 and is active in the Needlepoint Guild, Altar Guild, and is a member of the Vestry. Sherrie is a graduate of the University of Akron with a BS in Accounting and a Master’s in Taxation. She’s married to Mike with one daughter, Emily. She spends her free time needlepointing and cross-stitching, all the while accompanied by her two Pugs, Lexie and Jacob.
 

Thomas J. Valtman

Financial Administrator

tvaltman@stpaulsakron.org
(330) 836-9327 Ext.24

Thomas J. Valtman, Financial Administrator of St. Paul’s, started here in February 2006 after working in corporate accounting for 30 years. The church environment is proving a welcome change from the corporate atmosphere and it has been and continues to be, an extremely pleasant learning experience. The many one-on-one interactions with so many of the parishioners of St. Paul’s is proving to be a very rewarding experience, both professionally and personally. Thomas lives in Seven Hills (a southwest Cleveland suburb) and is married with three daughters and a small “team” of grandchildren. His hobbies include enjoying the time spent with the family, baseball, bowling, and just soaking up the wonderful Northeast Ohio summer weather.
 

Dale Lower

Head Sexton

dlower@stpaulsakron.org
(330) 836-9327 Ext.24

Dale Lower, Jr. has been at St. Paul's for three years as Head Sexton. He spent the previous 32 years at F.E. Schumacher, the last eleven as Facilities Manager. He and his wife April have been married for 33 years. The couple have two children, Christina & Dale III, and five grandchildren.

Michelle Tognetti

Endowment Foundation

mbtpelican@aol.com
(330) 836-9327 Ext.33

Michelle Tognetti began creating communications for the Endowment Foundation in 2002. Following a twenty year career as a professional mother and volunteer, Michelle entered the world of development, planned giving and publishing on behalf of the Foundation. She also produces print material for St. Paul’s. Michelle has two daughters, Elizabeth and Morgan and a menagerie of pets. Her spare time is filled by various committees at St. Paul’s, volunteering in the Medina Parks, raising funds for American Cancer Society, being a “horse show mom”, and gardening.

Carolyn Chapman

Pastoral Ministries Administrator

crflowers1@hotmail.com

(330)-604-1094