The Vestry is a body of lay members elected by members of the congregation to run the secular business of the parish. The vestry also oversees the ministries of the church, the budget, and when necessary, the selection of the rector of the church. Members are elected to three year term at elections held during the annual meeting in January. Officers of the Vestry include: Senior Warden, who serves as leader; Junior Warden, who oversees property; Treasurer, who oversees financial matters; and Clerk, who records the minutes of the meetings. Vestry members represent all worship services and all age groups. They also interface with the different ministries of the church.
Edwin Hill
Senior Warden
2022
Edwin Hill is an Oncology RN at Health First Cancer Institute. He recently graduated with a Master’s Degree in Leadership and Management and has years of management experience. Edwin has been an active member of St. Gabriel’s since 2003. He and wife Jenni were married here in 2004 and son Graham was baptized here 3 years later. He served on the Rector Search Committee in 2009. In 2010 Edwin served as Vestry member and became Senior Warden in 2012. Father Rob, Deacon Johnny Clark, and Edwin started Weight For God in 2012 and this program continued over the years. Edwin helps out with Sunday School, supports Verger wife Jenni, Acolyte son Graham, Choir brother Dan, and Healer Aunt Jo participate in Sunday Service. To Edwin, St. Gabriel’s is a family affair.
Ron Rowton
Junior Warden
2021
Ron Rowton has been a long time member of St. Gabriel’s, as are his parents. He served as Junior Warden from 2014 through 2016 and did an extraordinary job. We’re pleased that he is back. Ron holds two jobs, full time at Kennedy Space Center, and he runs his own plumbing company. He also is a Lay Eucharistic Minister and Layreader at the Saturday evening service.
Marshall Couch
Vestry
Marshall Couch is a long time Episcopalian (1955) having attended services more recently in churches from Florida to Alaska, and Texas to Newfoundland. He considers St. Gabriel’s his church home having attended here regularly since 1999. He has participated in several Saturday “clean-ups,” helped with decorating the church at Christmas, and has served as usher for several years and knows many of the parishioners. Marshall has volunteered to be a lay delegate to this year’s Annual Diocesan Convention. Marshall is USN Retired (1981) as a Navy Chief, and so has some experience that will help care for the parish going forward. Even though he and his wife, Juanita, are “snowbirds,” he feels that with the modern communications everyone has been forced to adopt, he will still be able to serve the people of St. Gabriel’s.
Dr. Al Koller
Vestry Advisor
Al Koller and his family have been part of the aviation and aerospace industry for more than 80 years. He began his career at age 17, working for the Army Ballistic Missile Agency on Cape Canaveral. He transferred to NASA in 1960 and remained there for 32 years, earning Masters and Doctoral degrees from FSU. He pursued a commitment to education at Brevard Community College serving as an executive for 20 years. He’s served boards of the Titusville Chamber of Commerce and the NASA Alumni League. A members of St. Gabriel’s for 50 years, Al served as Lay Reader, Treasurer, Vestryman, Junior Warden, Senior Warden, and chair of the Rector Search Committee in 2008. He looks forward to serving in this next decade.
Marion Hughes
Vestry
Marion Hughes is a lifelong communicant in the Church of England and the Episcopal Church. Born and raised in Chester, England, she was baptized in the 12th century St. Oswald’s Church where she was later married to husband Larry. After graduating from Chester Business College she worked in research at Unilever in England. The couple immigrated to Ashtabula, Ohio in 1960 and became active members of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church. They came to Titusville and St. Gabriel’s in 2003. Marion shows Christ’s love be serving as a Lay Eucharist Minister and Lay Eucharistic Visitor.
John Seville
2021
John Seville has been a member of St. Gabriel’s since 1981. His last time on Vestry was during the Pobjecky years including tenure during the selection of Father Rob Goodridge. John is currently serving St. Gabriel’s as a Lay Eucharistic Minister (> 20 Years), Order of St. Luke, Church Kitchen Ministry, Caregiver for Living In The Presence Caregiver/Care Receiver Group, and No One Dies Alone. John has also been in other ministries in past including Choir, Cursillo, Host for Ultreya and Home Bible Study, Church Dinner and Breakfast Planner and Head Cook (100+ guests), Kairos Prison Ministry, and Diocesan Convention Delegate. Most recently, he enjoyed the time spent on the Search Committee and is excited over the choice of Father Rob Griffith as “Rector #8”. As an Air Force Veteran, he is looking forward to helping St. Gabriel’s Aim High to spread the Love of God to our community.
Barbara Carter
2022
Barbara came to St. Gabriel’s Church in 2015 with her mother and friends and feels very much at home here. She serves as a Coffee Angel and chaired the Epiphany Tea Committee. She has worked with the Doctors Goodwill Foundation for 17 years, and Board of Directors for the past 10 years. She is the Doctors Community Liaison, and Director of the Patient Advocate and Support Service. She also handles Inventory and Control of Medical supplies and equipment, supporting doctors, nurses and Churches on Medical Missions. She loves cooking, crafting and playing cards and is excited to help St Gabriel’s wherever needed.
Polly Schuster
2023
Polly Schuster is a lifelong Episcopalian who was raised in St. Gabriel’s by one of the founding families. She served as Church Historian, 125th Anniversary Committee, Titusville Merchant’s Association Representative, Sunday School Teacher, Co-Chair ECW, wrote “History of the Bishop’s Chair,” Co-Author 125th Anniversary Commemorative Book, Member of North Brevard Historical Society and she sits on the Board of the North Brevard Heritage Foundation. She assists planning the hymns and service music, annotating chanting and singing solos. Professionally, Polly is a Six Sigma Yellow Belt employed by Cigna as Southeast Region Manager, Digital Solutions Provider Engagement. Her goal is to serve St. Gabriel’s now and into the future.
Richard Cota
Treasurer
When Richard Cota was at Park Avenue Baptist Church, he served on the finance committee for more than 10 years. He assisted members with financial needs & counseling. He worked at NASA for over 43 years as an engineer, project manager, resources & financial manager, and Deputy CFO. He now serves part time as a Senior Project Control Consultant. Although he completed his term on the Vestry, he continues to provide his expertise as Treasurer of the Parish.
Michael Van Heusen
Michael joined St. Gabriel’s in 2008. He served on the first Vestry with Fr. Rob Goodridge and is looking forward to serving on the first Vestry of Fr. Rob Griffith. Michael is currently Convener for the Space Coast Chapter of Order of St. Luke (OSL). OSL is a Healing Prayer Ministry. He serves on the Worship Committee and is both a LEM (Lay Eucharistic Minister) and LEV (Lay Eucharistic Visitor). Michael and his wife Carolyn are worship leaders for the LEV group. He is also an enthusiastic member of the Lector (reader) team. Michael is also responsible for scheduling and training the Ushers. Michael is part of the “counting team”. They record the pledges and donations made to St. Gabriel’s and deposit the funds in the bank. He loves to cook and enjoys being part of the “Coffee Angels” team. In his life before retirement, he was Director of World-Wide Customer support for Oracle Corporation.
