Clergy + Staff

Melanie is passionately committed to the dignity of all persons, the ministry and mission of the church, and the care of the earth and all its creatures.

Melanie was ordained a transitional deacon in The Episcopal Church on February 23, 2019, at her home parish, Trinity Episcopal Church, in Greece. She began serving our parish as pastoral leader in April 2019. On October 4, 2019, Melanie was ordained to the priesthood and Bishop Singh appointed her as our priest-in-charge. On February 18, 2023, Bishop Lane installed her as our 24th rector.

For many years, Melanie was a member of the faculty at Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School, including ten years as Dean of the Faculty. She taught courses in Christian theology, women in Christianity, gender studies, and the social witness of the church.

Melanie studied for the Bachelor of Arts in Religion and Peace Studies at Manchester College (now University) in North Manchester, Indiana. Her graduate studies were completed at Harvard University, having earned the M.Div., A.M., and Ph.D. degrees in the Study of Religion (Christian Theology).

She lives with her spouse, Deborah, who is Rector at Trinity Episcopal Church, on 20 acres just north of Naples, in the heart of the Bristol Hills. Their household includes two beloved miniature puddles, four dairy goats, 16 ducks, and five guinea fowl. She loves reading historical murder mysteries and novels, gardening and food preserving, hiking and swimming in their spring-fed ponds, movies, and international travel, including to South Africa to visit Debs’ family.

Roxanne began serving as our Co-Minister of Music in 2005. In 2108, she became our sole Minister of Music. Roxanne holds a degree in music education from the University of Northern Iowa and is a former teacher of piano and French horn. She has been a church musician for over 25 years. Her other music ministries include our youth Celebration Band and St. Thomas' Community Ringers bell choir—which perform on major holy days. Roxanne is also our Church Office Manager and leads our Sunday morning adult study group—Curious Christians.

Tara acts as the primary liaison between the parish and the wider Bath community, fostering positive relationships and ensuring that the church responds meaningfully to local needs. 

Her key responsibilities are:

• Community Liaison: Serve as the main point of contact between the parish and community organizations, agencies, and residents.

• Needs Assessment and Response: Regularly assess community needs and collaborate with parish leadership to organize appropriate church responses, programs, and outreach initiatives.

• Facility Coordination: Invite and coordinate the use of parish facilities by local groups, ensuring that building use aligns with church policies and mission.

• Building Use Management: Oversee scheduling, logistics, and policies related to parish facility use, including maintaining a calendar, communicating with user groups, and ensuring spaces are prepared and restored as needed.

• Social Media &Communications: Maintain and update parish social media channels and online presence to inform the community about events, opportunities, and parish news.