leadership
St. Mary's is led by many dedicated people who dedicate their time and energy to the spiritual development of the congregation and the outreach of the church in the community.
The Reverend Ann Bonner-Stewart, Rector
​
The Reverend Ann Bonner-Stewart accepted our call to be our new rector in November, 2019. Ann is returning to the area after serving as chaplain at Saint Mary's School, an independent Episcopal all-girls boarding and day high school, in Raleigh, North Carolina since 2009. She was originally ordained in Boston in 2006. The Rev. Bonner-Stewart was born in and raised in South Carolina. She attended Duke University, where she earned a degree in Economics and studied abroad in China and France. After college, Ann moved to Boston to be in the third cohort of Micah interns in the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts. As a Micah intern, she served at Saint Mary's Episcopal Church in Dorchester, who sponsored her for ordination. She earned a Master of Divinity, summa cum laude, from Yale Divinity School and a certificate in Anglican Studies from the Berkeley Divinity School at Yale. Ann was ordained to the transitional diaconate in June 2006 at the Cathedral Church of Saint Paul in Boston. Ann's first parish call was as associate rector at Saint Paul's Episcopal Church in Greenville, North Carolina, where she introduced new worship services and created new systems for communication and administration. Ann has also served as a hospital chaplain in Bridgeport, Conn.; a guest theology instructor in Maseno, Kenya; and on the staff of Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church in Dallas, Texas.
The Rev. Andrew Heintz, Director of Christian Education
​
Andrew Heintz oversees all youth ministry programs at St. Mary’s. He is passionate about helping kids meet God in prayer and worship. Having taught Godly Play with children and adults since 2017, he loves imaginatively entering the stories of our faith and inviting others to do the same.
Andrew received his Master of Divinity degree from the Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and his Master of Sacred Theology at Chicago Theological Seminary. Andrew is an ordained UCC minister and serves in the community as a hospice chaplain. He also teaches yoga and has a private Spiritual Direction practice.
Originally from Oxford, North Carolina, Andrew loves living in Boston. He enjoys hiking, reading, and playing music.
Kirsten Johnson, Director of Music
​
Kirsten Johnson has been the Director of Music at St. Mary’s since 1992. She oversees all music programs, is the organist, and conducts the Adult and Junior Choirs. A native of Minnesota, she is a graduate of St. Olaf College and the Institute of Sacred Music at Yale Divinity School. She has a passion for liturgy and worship and enjoys making music with parishioners of all ages. Kirsten and her husband Jeff have two adult sons and in her spare time she enjoys singing, swimming, knitting, and traveling with her family.
Nicole Newell, Seminarian
​
I am excited to be joining your congregation as your seminarian for this school year! You’ll see me assisting at Sunday services and get to know me at church events throughout the year as I discern a call to ministry in the Episcopal Church. Currently, I am studying at Harvard Divinity School in Cambridge where I will graduate with a Master of Divinity in the spring.
A bit about where I’m from: I grew up mostly in Des Moines, IA and have lived on both the east and west coasts. I earned my B.A. from St. Olaf College in Minnesota in 2015, where I sang with one of the choirs and learned to knit (among many other things). Prior to divinity school, I worked in public policy, education, and caregiving. I previously served as a hospital chaplain at UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento and more recently as a seminarian at the Harvard Episcopal Chaplaincy for students. Currently, I am involved with community efforts to remember the history and legacy of slavery at Harvard. I also sing for morning prayers on weekdays at Harvard’s Memorial Church.
Outside of work and school, I love making pottery, food and cooking, a good cup of tea, and creating beauty around me. Fall is my favorite season, and throughout the year I love to be outside hiking or biking.
Cailin Smith, Communications and Administrative Assistant
​
As the administrative assistant, Cailin coordinates publications, calendars, and record keeping. As the primary office support for the church, Cailin is available to answer any questions you have and can forward any questions to any other member of the St. Mary's leadership team.
​
Cailin has called Massachusetts home for two years since moving to Cambridge to pursue a Master of Music degree at the Longy School of Music. In addition to being a professional classical vocalist and voice pedagogue, Cailin has held a variety of positions in educational and administrative capacities, including at the Aspen Music Festival and School and Port Discovery Children's Museum.
Vestry
​
In addition to our professional staff, a Vestry consisting of elected parish members assists the Rector with the operational oversight of the church. This includes financial oversight, capital projects, property management, and overseeing various operating committees.
Vestry and Officers 2023
Kyle Marchesseault, Senior Warden
Diane Booher, Junior Warden
Ann Wessel, Clerk
Cécile Tucker, Treasurer
Beverly Hurney, Superintendent of the Churchyard
Melita Holtey, Jeffrey Hughes, Rob Landry (2026)
Ariel Acuña, Mike Pacinda, Charlie Stover (2025)
Marisa Howe, Julia de Peyster, Lucille Rossignol (2024)
Historian
Lynn Farnell
Delegates to the Diocesan Convention
Diane Booher
Mark Booher