The Vestry of Trinity Church

The first 18 years of my life were spent on a farm in rural Iowa. Through a thousand twists and turns in life, I am now in Manassas. These twists include 8 1/2 years in the Army, being an Army spouse, and a federal employee. I was an Intelligence Analyst (during the Cold War), and now work in Human Resources for the Department of the Army, with the Intelligence and Security Command, in the area of Talent Management and Professional Development. Which translates to assist employees to change and grow. My transition from being a member of the Disciples of Christ Church occurred in 2008, when I found my true home. I have been a Vestry Member in St. Augustine Episcopal Church, in Wiesbaden, Germany. My current volunteer organizations include the Manassas City Volunteer Fire Department, and the Daughters of the American Revolution. My experience in managing the finances of volunteer organizations include the Parent Teachers Students Association, and the Boy Scouts Of America. I have served as a guest auditor with multiple organizations, and am excited to contribute to Trinity.

I have been a member of Trinity for many years and have volunteered in many different aspects of the life of the church and have served on prior vestries. I would like to continue to serve Trinity as a vestry person during this exciting time of change. I retired from the education field several years ago. I began my teaching career in special education in Maryland and moved to Virginia after I got married. I worked as an educational diagnostician for Manassas City and Manassas Park City School divisions. I finished my career as Director of Special Education with Manassas Park City Schools. As a member of Trinity for many years, I have served as Christian Education director, teacher, junior warden, usher, altar guild and chalicist/altar assistant. As altar assistant I assist at all three services depending on the schedule. I enjoy working with different people and the challenge of helping Trinity become the best version of all of us who are part of this caring and inclusive church family.

I enjoy my current volunteer work with Trinity Church and look to expand upon my service. I'm 51, married to Matthew since 2001, have a son, daughter and one year old grandson. I have been attending Trinity since 2013 and confirmed February 2014. I currently attend the 11 am service. I graduated in May of 1993 with a bachelor's degree in Sociology from the University of Virginia. My husband and I own a "mom & pop" small IT company based out of Fairfax City, which he founded in 1993. We are currently the only two employees. My primary job is that of web developer designing e-commerce registration systems for associations and their conventions and meetings. I work with the Food Ministry and also help as a greeter. I've helped out with the Altar of Hope the past two years.

Rich lives in Old Town Manassas with his wife, Ann, and has attended Trinity for the last 25 years, usually at the 7:30 a.m. service. He has previously served on the Vestry, taught Sunday School, and served as President of Region 7 of the Diocese. He recently retired after practicing law for nearly five decades; for the last decade as Senior VP and General Counsel of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. Post retirement, Rich serves as a commissioner of the Manassas Utility Commission and a board member of the Upper Occoquan Service Authority.

In 2003 my wife, Terri, and I were lucky to find Trinity. From the first day we walked into the church we felt welcomed, included and invited into this LOVING community. I have grown in my faith and we have grown as a couple because of Trinity. In 2011 we were married in DC. The next day our Union was blessed at Trinity. We wanted and needed God as part of our love and commitment. Together we have served in many Trinity community outreach programs. I have served as Sunday School Teacher, Junior Youth Group Leader, Vacation Bible School Teacher, member of the vestry, Senior Warden, Chalice Bearer, Greeter, and facilitated Via Media The Episcopal Way. Most recently, I was a member of Trinity’s Discernment Committee.

Shanan Conlan is from Keene, NH and Topsfield, MA. Her family attended St. Margaret Mary’s, a Catholic Church in town. She was an alter server and loved ringing the bells during the consecration. Her wife, Pat, and 3 sons, Hayden, Owen and Reid, live in Manassas. She loves watching Reid as a greeter and usher. Owen is also planning on becoming an acolyte very soon! One of her family’s favorite things to do is visit Old Town Manassas. From the music and food to the arts, they enjoy it all! The family started attending mass on Easter of 2023. Her children have been baptized and Shanan has been received at Trinity Church. They are very active members of the church volunteering at SERVE, The Youth Choir, Sunday School, and packing food bags for families in need. Shanan has been a proud public educator in Virginia for the past 25 years. She has had the opportunity to teach in Roanoke, Chantilly and Manassas. She is a passionate educator, always putting the students’ needs first. 

Kelly Bowe is an Air Force veteran who transitioned into civil service and has worked as technical editor and Records Officer for the Departments of the Navy and Interior. Born in the San Francisco Bay area. After being stationed at the Pentagon, moved to the DC region and has remained for over thirty years. Over thirty years experience volunteering for the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC). Raised over $1.4 million in 2022 for local, national, and international charities through the Department of the Interior's CFC Campaign. Over twenty years experience teaching Sunday school (ages 5 to 8). U.S. History., M.A. degree, George Mason University. 

I began attending Trinity in 2011 and have since served in several capacities, including Men’s Group, reader, choir member, facilitator at Adult Forums, and vestry member. I hold an undergraduate degree in philosophy and social science from Wadhams Hall Seminary-College in Ogdensburg, NY, and a Master of Divinity degree from Christ the King Seminary in East Aurora, NY. I was ordained as a Roman Catholic priest in 1981 and served in various teaching and pastoral roles in northern New York until 1994. After moving to northern Virginia that same year, I worked in various roles at the American Chemical Society in Washington, DC, most recently as assistant secretary for governance affairs in the Office of the Secretary and General Counsel. I retired in 2022 and currently reside in Independent Hill, VA, with my husband, James Hughes.

I was born in McLean, Virginia, and raised in the Roman Catholic church. I attended Virginia Tech - receiving a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, with focuses in Computer Engineering, Music, Psychology, and Film Studies.  But it was during my college career that I fell away from the church. In 2019, I realized that I needed God back in my life, and I began “shopping around” for churches, attending services at 5 different churches around Manassas. I walked into Trinity Episcopal Church for the first time, and instantly felt at home. Trinity offers love, support, joy, and fun…and provides a welcoming and warm environment to enrich my faith. Since joining the Trinity Family, I have enjoyed helping with the Food Ministry, Altar of Hope, Audio/Video Team, and reaching anything up high that our shorter members can’t reach.

I look forward to serving as part of the Vestry, and helping the church welcome with open arms all those seeking God’s love.

In my downtime, I enjoy hiking with my dog Wilfred, flying my small airplane to explore and camp at remote locations (usually with Wilfred), skiing, writing and playing music (jazz saxophone), cooking, driving way too fast around race tracks, and tinkering with electronics (audio/video, computer, solar energy systems).

My wife, Sue, and I started attending Trinity Parish in 2009. We moved to Fairfax in 1999 with our two children and it took us some time to find Trinity, but we are incredibly grateful that we did. I have a PhD in microbiology from Duke and have worked in the biotech industry for most of my career. After that, I took a ‘retirement job’ teaching high school science; one of the most fulfilling jobs I’ve ever had. I am what’s called a ‘cradle Episcopalian’, but over the years I have worshiped at Roman Catholic, Congregational, and Unitarian churches. At Trinity I am part of Men’s Group, am a lay reader, and have served on a discernment committee. I am very optimistic about Trinity’s future and am excited and honored to be part of the Vestry.

My husband and I settled in Virginia in 2006 and currently live in Bristow with our two children, a dog and a rabbit. I work at the Lake Ridge branch of Prince William Public Libraries. During my time with Trinity, beginning in 2011, I have served as a Sunday school teacher, singer in the church choir, a reader, and as a member of the vestry where I served as co-chair for the Thornton Trust grant committee.