Our Leadership
Rector
REV. JENNIFER CLEVELAND
The Reverend Jennifer B. Cleveland arrived at St. Augustine’s in November 2022. Raised in Seattle, with a life-long connection to Lopez Island (just up the road and a ferry ride away), she is thrilled to be here, after serving in churches in Eastern Washington, the Chicago area, and in Western Oregon. She and her husband, Stewart Stout, were engaged in the development of a Spanish-speaking congregation in Yakima, Washington, and she comes to St. Augustine-in-the Woods after fifteen years of serving as school chaplain for PreK - 12th grade students and their families at Oregon Episcopal School, Portland, Oregon. She and Stewart have two adult children who are currently studying in Brazil (Nick) and in Seattle (Becca). While various animals have graced their household over the years, currently their cat, Mickey, rules the roost.
Staff
Alex Bear
Office Administrator
I’m humbled, honored, and so excited to work as the office administrator at St. A’s! Although my background is in wellness and my wife Charlotte and I work as nutritionists at our business Whidbey Nutrition in Freeland, I’ve felt God calling me to help the church in a greater capacity since we started attending services, events, and began volunteering in early 2023. What truly excites me about this position is the opportunity to create systems that empower new ministries that serve the most vulnerable residents on Whidbey to thrive, all while helping current parishioners focus more on community, connection, and service versus worrying about the cumbersome administrative details (which I love to focus on!).
360-331-4887
office@staugustineswhidbey.org
Shantina Steele
Bookkeeper
A Washington native, Shantina Steele moved to Whidbey after graduating high school in 1990. She and her husband have four children and four grandchildren also living locally. Shantina spends most of her time managing her husband’s busy chiropractic practice and also serves on the Board for the League of Women Voters.
360-331-4887
office@staugustineswhidbey.org
Missioner for Music
Henry Lebedinsky
Historical keyboardist, composer, and conductor Henry Lebedinsky has performed with the Seattle Symphony, Seattle Opera, the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Pacific Northwest Ballet, the Charlotte Symphony, Seraphic Fire, Sonoma Bach, and the Cantata Collective, among others. Recent conducting engagements include the Seattle Baroque Orchestra and Sonoma Bach’s Live Oak Baroque Orchestra. As part of a career built on collaboration, he serves as co-Artistic Director of the San Francisco Bay Area’s GRAMMY-nominated AGAVE and Seattle’s Pacific MusicWorks.
With countertenor Reginald L. Mobley, he has introduced listeners on three continents to music by Black composers from Baroque to modern, including recent appearances at the Musée d’Orsay in Paris and Festival Printemps Musical des Alizés in Morocco. Henry's compositions for choir and organ are published by Paraclete Press, Carus-Verlag Stuttgart, and CanticaNOVA, and two volumes of his poetry and hymns are in preparation. He holds degrees from Bowdoin College and the Longy School of Music, where he earned a Master of Music in historical organ performance as a student of Peter Sykes.
office@staugustineswhidbey.org
Our Vestry
The Vestry is the local governing body of our congregation and is composed of nine lay members and the Rector who serves in an ex officio capacity. The Senior Warden and the Junior Warden serve as vice-chairs of the Vestry.
The Vestry provides appropriate administrative oversight and leadership to our parish. We elect one-third of the Vestry each year and members serve three-year terms.
Mark Anderson
Class of 2025
Mark Anderson is a retired architect with deep roots in the Northwest and the Episcopal Church. He and his wife Carol have raised their 3 children and 6 grandchildren here over the last 50 years. He enjoys bicycles, canoes, old cars, backpacking and the tranquility and drama of the beach.
Bryan Avila
Junior Warden
Class of 2026
Bryan Avila became a part of the Saint A's family back in 1990. Following an extended hiatus, during which he dedicated eight years to the U.S. Navy as an aircraft mechanic, he seamlessly transitioned into a successful career in commercial aviation. Since reuniting with the congregation and taking on the role of a torchbearer, he eagerly anticipates contributing even more to the community.
juniorwarden@staugustineswhidbey.org
Sue Idso
Class of 2028
Sue Idso has been a parishioner at St. Augustine’s since moving to the Island with her husband Marv in 1990. Sue, a retired elementary teacher, brings her experience and passion for nature to a leadership position at St. A’s.
office@staugustineswhidbey.org
Grant Heiken
Class of 2028
Grant Heiken is a retired NASA and Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory geologist with particular expertise in volcanism. Grant and his wife, Jody, retired to Whidbey Island in 2004 and have been involved in volunteering and supporting a variety of environmental, musical, educational and philanthropic organizations.
office@staugustineswhidbey.org
Ron Costeck
Class of 2026
Ron Costeck relocated to the Northwest in 2002. In 2018 he moved to Whidbey Island to take the position as Island County’s District Court Commissioner. Ron and his wife Natasha joined the St. Augustine’s congregation in 2022, with the baptism of their daughter Katie. Both are joyful at having found such a great community and fellowship, and look forward to serving.
office@staugustineswhidbey.org
Patti Muncey
Class of 2028
Patti Muncey Whidbey Island 4 years ago and became a member of St Augustine's not long after that. Patti is grateful for all the activities offered at St A's, such as guest speakers, concerts, nature walks, holiday market, that allow our community to witness what a diverse and welcoming congregation we are. After a 40 year nursing career Patti is looking forward to retirement next year and enjoying a new house that she is building in Clinton
office@staugustineswhidbey.org
Elaine Ludtke
Class of 2025
Elaine Ludtke has been a member of St Augustine’s since 1970 when her husband came to teach at South Whidbey Schools. She has previously served in Vestry leadership positions and has seen this parish go through many celebrations and changes. Serving our parish community is one way she is faithful to Christ.
office@staugustineswhidbey.org
Maureen Masterson
Class of 2026
Maureen Masterson has been a member of St. Augustine’s in-the-Woods for 23 years. During that time she has volunteered with the Mission Sunday Offerings, coffee hour, Holiday Market and Trash and Treasure Sale. Maureen currently serves as an acolyte, lector and as a member of the vestry.
office@staugustineswhidbey.org
Brad Portin
Senior Warden
Class of 2025
Brad Portin and his husband, Mark Wicks, have attended St. Augustine’s since 2016. They moved to the Bush Point area of Freeland after both retired from careers at the University of Washington. They have two sons who live in California and Texas and enjoy traveling adventures.
Seniorwarden@staugustineswhidbey.org
Frank Shirbroun
Clerk
Frank Shirbroun is the son of Christian parents. His mother was an ordained minister. He was Professor of New Testament in the Episcopal Theological School at Claremont, CA for more than 17 years. Frank and his wife lead Celtic Christian pilgrimages to sacred sites in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Brittany.
office@staugustineswhidbey.org
Laura Valente
Chancellor
Laura has been a member of St. Augustine’s for 22 years and its Chancellor for 10 years. Laura grew up on the Gulf Coast of Texas but has lived in Washington for 35 years. She has been an attorney for 38 years and her work includes private practice and training volunteers for the King County Superior Court to advocate for abused and neglected children in court. She has served as an Administrative Law Judge for Washington State and the federal government for 30 years. In her free time, she likes to hike, bike and kayak with her husband, Meade Brown, and spending time with family and friends. She is an avid conservationist and a member of numerous botanical organizations, including the Washington Native Plant Society. She has enjoyed many pleasant hours making her yard on Whidbey a wildlife habitat.
office@staugustineswhidbey.org