Our Vestry
According to dictionary.com a Vestry in the Episcopal Church is "a committee elected by members of a congregation to serve with the church wardens in managing the temporal affairs of the church." At St. Martin's the Vestry is a group of individuals who are truly committed to helping our church run smoothly, bring great events and ministries to the congregation, and looking ahead to see what we may need to do in order to not only keep St. Martin's current but also best serve the ever changing needs of our parishioners.
Bryan Coussens, Senior Warden
Senior Warden
Nancy Kostka
Nancy Kostka joined St. Martin’s over ten years ago. She sought a church in the neighborhood that aligned with her values, faith and commitment to community which she found at St. Martin’s. Nancy is native of LaGrange, IL. She travelled abroad at a young age which gave her a global perspective with appreciation, tolerance, and respect for a variety of cultures, languages, and religions. Nancy obtained her BS at DePaul University. Her son, Philip, is a Music Major at NIU and always jazzes her life up. St. Martin’s has supported Philip in spiritual and loving ways throughout his childhood and for that, Nancy is ever grateful.
Nancy is dedicated to serving our congregation’s needs by supporting services and programs that are important to St. Martin’s parish. She visited Amiens (France) where our Patron Saint cut his cloak in half to give to a beggar. Saint Martin of Tour’s devotion and ministry resonates with her. Nancy works at the American Academy of Pediatrics for the Global Child Health & Life Support team. Her role at a not-for-profit is rewarding helping to promote evidence-based science to improve the lives of newborns and mothers worldwide.
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Kristen Dahlstrom
Kris has been a longtime member of St. Martins, since 1991. She and her family have been active here since then. She comes onto the Vestry with interest in growing St. Martin's and looking toward a future of community for our congregation.
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Deanna Vihnanek, Junior Warden
Junior Warden
Robert "Bob" Smolik
Vestry Member
Jack Short,Certified Episcopal Treasurer
Jack Short came to St Martin’s July 4th weekend 2017, after shopping for a local Episcopal church for several months. A big fan of a faith based community, good (plentiful) food, and love for animals, St. Martins is a perfect fit!
A career nonprofit professional, Jack works for the Alzheimer’s Association, Stage 773, and has served on several nonprofit boards. As a musician, Jack can be seen filling in on the St Martin’s Organ from time to time, and occasionally plays for musical theatre and cabarets. As the treasurer, Jack frequently often enjoys a lovely excel spreadsheet and graphs.
Originally from Ohio (via St. Clair, Michigan), Jack comes from a long line of Episcopal Church family members. Jack has one fur-baby Janet Vivian, who will never attend Paws in the Pews – by her choice.