Our Ministers & Staff

"The mission of the Church is to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ"
[The Book of Common Prayer (BCP), p 855]

• Who are the ministers of the Church? (BCP, p 855)
• What is the duty of all Christians? (BCP, p 856)
• What is the ministry of the laity? (BCP, p 855)
• What is the ministry of a bishop? (BCP, p 855)
• What is the ministry of a priest or presbyter? (BCP, p 856)
• What is the ministry of a deacon? (BCP, p 856)
• Who to Contact?

• Meet our Clergy
• Rector
• Associate Priest
• Deacon
• Our Bishops
• Meet our Staff
  • Director of Traditional Music, Organist and Choir Master
  • Director of Intergenerational Music
  • Office Manager

Our Rector: The Rev. Dr. Richard Laribee+ [email] Rick+ began vocational ministry as a youth pastor while still in college in the early 70's. Since then he has continued in pastoral and college ministries, conference speaking, and retreat leading. Rick+ came to St Marks in August, 2002.

A life-long student, Rick+ is a graduate of 3 seminaries, and continually challenges his own understanding and perspective through reading, seminars and conferences, dialogue, and travel.

Rick+ would love to welcome you to St Marks, whether you're considering the Christian faith, seeking a new start, new to the area, hoping to deepen your existing faith and spiritual experience, or seeking an opportunity to serve God in a new way. [Read his Word of Welcome]

[More about experience & background]

Our Associate Priest: The Rev. Melanie Barnett Wright+ [email] Melanie+ came to St Marks in July 2006, primarily to focus in youth ministries and oversight of Spiritual Formation / Christian Education, including leadership development in those two areas.

Melanie+ grew up a world traveler, the daughter of missionaries, with a broad exposure to many cultures and communities of faith. She is a talented artist and has explored both a more rational-verbal approach to theology and spirituality, as well a more tactile, visual approach. Melanie+ is a busy mom of three, and married to Andrew+, a priest serving in another parish.

If you are curious about or interested in learning, serving, leading, or exploring ministry in any aspect of Spiritual Formation / Christian Education, Melanie+ is eager to hear from you.

[Christian Formation & Education]

[Youth Groups]

Our Deacon: The Rev. Madeleine Beard+ [email] Madeleine+ first came to St Mark's as an intern in 2005, and was ordained Deacon and appointed to St Mark's in June, 2006.

She serves with the Justice Ministries of the Diocese and is responsible for the MD Episcopal Public Policy Network webpage and listserve. At St. Mark's she works with the Outreach and Pastoral Care Committees. Deacons are non-stipendiary, ordained leaders, who inspire and lead the Church to serve the world, and who bring the world to the Church. For more information about the ministry of deacons, you may read the following articles:
"About Deacons", "What is a Deacon?", "Serving the Helpless", and "Shining a Light on the Vocation of Deacon".

For fun, Madeleine enjoys reading, sewing, and playing piano -- and her favorite ice cream is Ben and Jerry Raspberry Avalanche.

[News from Our Deacon]

[St. Mark's Outreach]

Our Director of Traditional Music, Organist and Choir Master: Rosemary Beakes [email] Rosemary became organist/choirmaster at St. Mark's in November, 1979.

In addition to private organ studies, she has attended many seminars and church music conferences including Westminster Choir College,the British and French Organ Music Seminars. She received the Presiding Bishop's Diploma in Church Music from the Leadership Program for Musicians and now serves as its coordinator for the Diocese of Maryland's Committee on Liturgy and Music.

Rosemary has attained the Service Playing Certificate from the American Guild of Organists and is a member of the Association of Anglican Musicians.

Rosemary is also a registered nurse and works at the Howard County Child Advocacy Center.

Our Director of Intergenerational Music: Nick Pace [email] Nick and his wife Jane live in Scaggsville and have two grown children, Jennifer and William.

Nick has been playing guitar for most of his life. In addition to St. Mark's, he has been a choir member and musician at several other churches in the area. His love of praise and worship music started when he became involved in the Maryland Episcopal Cursillo. Nick became a Music Director on Cursillo Weekends and at various gatherings. He has also played guitar accompaniment on the Maryland Episcopal Cursillo recording, "Songs of Praise, Volume 2." For many years he led the music for a Prayer and Praise Service which met at St. Mark's once a month.

Nick is currently a manager of information technology with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Hyattsville, Maryland.

Our Office Manager: Nancy Fadely [email] Nancy became St. Mark's receptionist and parish secretary in September 1995. In addition to those tasks, she now serves as our office manager. Nancy grew up in Baltimore County in a Methodist family, now lives in Howard County, and is a member at Mt. Zion United Methodist Church in Fulton.

Nancy and her husband have a married daughter and three young grandsons. (Ask to see pictures!) She enjoys listening to music, aerobic dance classes, reading, and spending time with friends and family.

Who are the ministers of the Church? (BCP, p 855)

The ministers of the Church are lay persons, bishops, priests, and deacons.

What is the duty of all Christians? (BCP, p 856)

The duty of all Christians is to follow Christ; to come together week by week for corporate worship; and to work, pray, and give for the spread of the kingdom of God.

What is the ministry of the laity? (BCP, p 855)

The ministry of lay persons is to represent Christ and his Church; to bear witness to him wherever they may be; and, according to the gifts given them, to carry on Christ's work of reconciliation in the world; and to take their place in the life, worship, and governance of the Church.

(Somebody once observed: "Shepherds don't make more sheep... sheep make more sheep!" The Great Commission to make disciples is the work of the people, the ultimate liturgy. "Send the Laos into the Chaos!"

Read "Make A Difference"  for more about ministry of the laity. Let us help you find a ministry role at St. Mark's.

We are not a voluntary organization; but a society of ministers.
We are called to be disciples of Jesus Christ and ministers of Christ's kingdom.
We take seriously our Anglican tradition, proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ.

"Everyone a disciple;
Every disciple a minister;
Every minister has a mission."

What is the ministry of a bishop? (BCP, p 855)

The ministry of a bishop is to represent Christ and his Church, particularly as apostle, chief priest, and pastor of a diocese; to guard the faith, unity, and discipline of the whole Church; to proclaim the Word of God; to act in Christ's name for the reconciliation of the world and the building up of the Church; and to ordain others to continue Christ's ministry.

Our Bishops: Information about our Bishops

What is the ministry of a priest or presbyter? (BCP, p 856)

The ministry of a priest is to represent Christ and his Church, particularly as pastor to the people; to share with the bishop in the overseeing of the Church; to proclaim the Gospel; to administer the sacraments; and to bless and declare pardon in the name of God.

What is the ministry of a deacon? (BCP, p 856)

The ministry of a deacon is to represent Christ and his Church, particularly as a servant of those in need; and to assist bishops and priests in the proclamation of the Gospel and the administration of the sacraments.