2026 Vestry candidates
Among the most important aspects of the Annual Parish Meeting on Sunday, Feb. 1 at 9 a.m. is electing four new Vestry members. There are four candidates for those four seats this year: Ruth Fugee, Erik Jensen, Mary Neal and Lee Owsley. Keep scrolling to learn more about each candidate.
The new members will replace Chris Giglio, Gita Grady, Lucian Niemeyer and Lori Working, whose terms are expiring.
Ruth Fugee
Ruth Fugee
I am a wife, mother of two, grandmother of three, an Episcopalian for 40 years, chair of the Parish Health Ministry, chalicer, usher, member of Education for Ministry, registered nurse, CPR instructor, retired college faculty member, Warrenton native, Master Gardener, watercolor artist, calligrapher, a good cook and a seamstress. I’ve been a Vestry member and senior warden in the past.
While still living in Culpeper County and working at Germanna Community College, we began coming to Saint James’ to see our grandchildren in services while they were in Saint James’ Episcopal School during the pandemic, and we joined a few months later, transferring our membership from St. Stephen’s Culpeper to Saint James’
My greatest experience at Saint James’ has been serving on Christmas and Easter as a chalicer. I love seeing so many new faces in our wonderful church, especially those who haven’t taken Communion before and don’t know how. That’s my favorite time on the altar, warmly welcoming them. Something special happens to me every time I walk behind the rail and look out on the people; it is a great blessing to me. The best of the best is when everyone’s face is lit by their candles in the gloom at 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve singing “Silent Night.”
I am proud to be part of Saint James' because Father Ben brings out the best in me and in others. I am loved by God and all of you, and I love us.
I would love to see Saint James' enlarge the very successful outreach of the Firewood Initiative into more areas of human need. “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty… I was a stranger… naked… sick… in prison.” (Matthew 25:35, 36) We only need to look around the Parish Hall to see that we parishioners have so much abundance, grace upon grace. We have plenty to give.
Erik Jensen
Erik Jensen with his family
I am a husband, dad, and someone who values faith, family and meaningful relationships. I enjoy serving others, building strong teams, and helping people grow in confidence and purpose. Whether at work, at home, or at church, I try to lead with humility, consistency, and gratitude.
Two of our children, Eloise (13) and Henry (6), attended Saint James’ Episcopal School for preschool, and I have been a part of the Saturday morning men's group for years. Our family attended Saint James' off and on when we moved to Warrenton in 2010, but we began attending Saint James’ regularly (pre-COVID) in 2018 after searching for a church that felt both welcoming and grounded in truth. From our first visit, we felt genuinely noticed and cared for, not just as attendees but as people. It was also important to us to have a church that made their children’s ministry a priority. Over time, Saint James’ became more than a place we go on Sunday mornings — it became our church home.
My greatest experience at Saint James’ has been watching how the church walks with people through both joyful milestones and difficult seasons. Having personally experienced both with the church, the authenticity of the relationships and the willingness of people to serve without recognition has deeply shaped our family’s faith.
I am proud to be a part of Saint James’ because it is a church that truly lives out its values in action, not just in words. The church's broader impact can be seen throughout our small-yet-diverse Fauquier community, and beyond.
I would love to see Saint James’ continue growing in ways that reach more families and deepen opportunities for discipleship across every generation.
Mary Neal
Mary Neal
I am a lifelong resident of Fauquier County, born in the “old” hospital building next to the current Red Truck Bakery. (Incidentally, the Red Truck building was a service station owned by my relatives; my grandfather is pictured in knickers on the wall in the establishment.) I am also a lifelong Episcopalian. As a child, I remember worshiping on Sunday with Bishop Ted playing our organ when he was a teenager. I am retired. I enjoy traveling, exercising, designing quilts, reading, and spending time with friends and family.
I became a part of Saint James’ after my little church in the country began to disintegrate. About three years ago, I started searching for another place to worship, considering all denominations. I attended Saint James’ more than once and each time felt the Holy Spirit guiding me there.
My greatest experience at Saint James’ was the drawing of the Holy Spirit that I felt as I was searching for a worship location. I felt the holiness and same awe of God that I remembered as a child.
I am proud to be part of Saint James’ because I feel that it is truly a church for all people — embracing everyone and encouraging the youth, our future.
I would love to see Saint James’ attract those that are part of the dying churches in our area.
Lee Owsley
Lee Owsley
I am the mother of four married, adult children who live in the area, and I have eight grandchildren. One of my greatest joys is being a part of their lives. I also love to quilt, volunteer in the community, and study the Enneagram. (Feel free to ask me what the heck that is, if you don't know.) My husband and I recently sold our business, Latitudes Fair Trade Store, to our daughter so I have more time to consider adding in commitments such as serving on the Vestry.
I've been part of Saint James’ for the past 16 or so years after leaving the less-liturgical church we were attending. It's felt like ‘coming home,’ since I was raised in the Episcopal tradition. My greatest joy in being part of this church has been singing in the choir. It's truly a win-win to be able to offer ministry that is such a source of personal fulfillment. The fellowship we share under Jesse’s leadership (and Robert’s as well) has been a great inspiration to my faith. I think our music ministry is one of the aspects of Saint James’ that I'm most proud of.
My dream for the church is that we continue to find new ways to foster community internally, locally, and in the world at large. I believe the church is positioned to have a unique and important role in building bridges and creating harmony and hope on the Earth as never before.
