Parish Leadership
Clergy
We are currently in the process of calling a new rector. Our Sunday morning services are being led by supply clergy, our deacon, and lay leaders. If you would like to speak with a priest, please contact our office and we will connect you to one.
The Rev. Erin Herald – Deacon
Erin@StJohnsSharon.org
A native of Hermitage, Erin has served as a deacon in a number of area churches. During the Pandemic, she has started the Kindness Crew, a Facebook outreach to other young families.
Staff
Ron Gracilla – Music Director
Ron@StJohnsSharon.org
Ron says, “I started learning about playing organ in the 6th grade, because my Slovak parish in Warren, OH needed an organist and my mother insisted I “give back to God my gifts”. I spent my years through high school as a church organist. At Boston University in the early 80’s, I joined the Newman House folk group and played and sang there all my college years, while also joining the BU Choral Union and Madrigals while studying Computer Science. Returning to the Shenango Valley, I played at both St. Joseph’s and Notre Dame before landing at my true home-St. John’s Episcopal.” Ron has worked to build our Musical Scholar’s program and currently offers noonday prayer every Monday-Friday on our Facebook page.
Vickie Cripps-Sauer – Bookkeeper
vickie@stjohnssharon.org
Vickie joined the staff in 2025 after a career administering various local organizations and business.
Vestry
The Vestry is the “Board of Directors” for the parish, whose responsibilities are to help define and articulate the mission of the congregation; to support the church’s mission by word and deed, to select the rector, to ensure effective organization and planning, and to manage resources and finances. All matters relating to worship are the responsibility of the rector.
Vestry members serve terms of three years, with three new members being elected at the parish annual meeting.
2026 Vestry
Senior Warden: Cheryl Pryts
Junior Warden: Barbara Sudzina
Clerk: Tracy Schliep
Treasurer: Nick Baron
John Kachursky, Cynthia Beckes OConnor, Laura Peretic, Richard Steingrabe, Shane White
Read minutes from past vestry meetings
Annual Meeting
The members of the parish meet once a year to elect members to the vestry, receive reports from the various committees, discuss the budget for the upcoming year, and vote on any business before the parish.