Our Leadership
For pastoral care, please contact our Rector, Aaron Klinefelter.
Our office is open Monday to Friday 10am -5pm. You can contact our office Adminstrator, Donna Araiza, at (408) 252-4166. Emails can be sent to office@saintjudes.org and will be answered promptly during working hours.
Aaron can be reached at aaron@saintjudes.org, or via the office by calling (408) 252-4166 and leaving a message.
Below is a listing of all our leadership and a bit about them. We’re happy to hear from you!
Our Rector
The Rev. Aaron Klinefelter
Aaron Klinefelter was born and raised in Kentucky. He has degrees from Asbury University, Fuller Theological Seminary, and the Church Divinity School of the Pacific. He has served as a youth minister, Christian education director, college campus minister, house church planter/pastor, and priest in a wide variety of contexts and theological traditions. Aaron co-parents his three lively and creative children, Cloey, Timothy, and Elizabeth. They have one bouncy dog named Orca.
Our Deacon
The Rev. Robin Poppoff
Robin Poppoff was born and raised in Palo Alto, and now lives in Mountain View. She has degrees from San Jose State University, Heald College, and the School for Deacons in Berkeley. The last 20 years of her secular career was spent working in medical device start-ups. Robin’s diaconal ministry has been spent in parish work and is delighted to be serving as St Jude’s deacon, sharing her belief that we are all the heart, hands and feet of Jesus in the world. Robin is a member of the diocesan Deacons Council. She happily shares her home with her one-eyed Siamese cat, Xena the Warrior Princess.
Our Associate Minister
Annalise Deal
Annalise Deal first felt called to ordained ministry as a teenager at Trinity Church in Menlo Park. Following that first call, she studied theology at Boston College, and then spent two years as an AmeriCorps teaching fellow at Epiphany School–an Episcopal middle school in Boston. In 2020, she returned to California to attend Church Divinity School of the Pacific. She has worked with young people in a variety of contexts within and beyond the church, and is always excited to try new things. Annalise and her husband, the Rev. Kevin Deal, live in the Mission District of SF, where Kevin serves as vicar at St. John the Evangelist. They have a dog, Pemi, and a one-eyed tabby cat, Pablo.
Assisting Clergy
The Rev. Penelope Duckworth
Penelope Duckworth has spent much of her ministry in college chaplaincy at Santa Clara University and Stanford. She has also served parishes from San Francisco to Santa Cruz. Penelope has taught at Santa Clara University in the departments of English, Religious Studies, and Theater/Dance, and is the author of four books, a play, and several letter-press volumes. She is Co-Chair of the Diocesan Commission on the Arts, and is Artist in Residence at Trinity Cathedral. Penelope lives in San Jose with a dog, Maisie (who you will see at our services).
The Vestry
2024 Vestry (from top left):
Line 1: Louise Marriott, Diane Fitzpatrick, Sue Ramar, Thomas Wang;
Line 2: Kal der Bing (Senior Warden), Selby Mirilavassani, Noriko Kunimi, Barbara Simmons;
Line 3: Mary Souza, Rosa Pellecer, Carolyn Bowker (Junior Warden), Matt Matthews.
The Vestry is the church’s Board of Directors, the elected lay leadership of the parish. It is an integral part of strategic planning and goal setting for the mission of the parish. The vestry is called to support the parish mission by word and deed, to ensure effective organization and planning, and to manage resources and finances.
There are currently 12 members of St. Jude’s Vestry. Members are elected each year at the January annual meeting for a three year term of office. The current Vestry members, by the year that their term ends, are:
2024: Louise Marriott, Rosa Pellecer, and Barbara Simmons (Junior Warden)
2025: Kal der Bing, Selby Mirilavassani, Carolyn Bowker, Matt Matthews.
2026: Diane Fitzpatrick, Sue Ramar, Thomas Wang, Mary Souza, Noriko Kunimi.
The Treasurer for St. Jude’s is Scott Rotondo and the Vestry Clerk is Donna Araiza.
Convention Delegates
Delegates and Alternates from St. Jude’s to the Diocese of El Camino Real attend meetings, workshops, and the annual convention, including casting votes in the most recent election of our new bishop. Delegates are elected at St. Jude’s annual meeting and serve a two year term, with the first year as an alternate and second as a delegate.
2024 Convention Delegates for St. Jude’s are Matt Matthews, Ken Foot, Peter Troop, Karen LeBlanc, and Valerie Nau.
The alternates for 2024 are Carlos Estrada (1st alternate), Mary Souza, and Noriko Kunimi.
Staff
Donna Araiza, Office Manager
Donna came to St. Jude’s in 2007 after a long career in the advertising and publishing industry, most of it at the San Jose Mercury News. At St. Jude’s she assists the priests (in the office), vestry and parishioners; works on the Sunday liturgical bulletins, announcements, and other communications. Donna is also the point person for facility rentals, maintenance issues, and a host of other issues and work around our campus.
Cameron Clendaniel, Minister of Musical Arts
Cameron is a cradle Episcopalian whose love of music was nurtured at Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church in
Kristin Cameron, Communications Specialist
Kristin joins St. Jude’s with nearly 10 years’ experience in nonprofit communications. Brought up in San Jose, she studied Film and Media at U.C. Berkeley and began her career as an Art Teacher for 3rd-8th graders. In 2007, she volunteered as a counselor-in-training for Camp Saint Andrew’s where she now serves as a Board Member, leads communications efforts, and supports campers and counselors as a Unit Director. Kristin loves exploring the world with her camera and quality time with her husband, Alan and dog, Wally.
Steve Swayze, Watchperson
Steve is our Watchperson. He ensures that the campus is safe and secure, assists with physical set-up for church activities and other events, and works with staff and parishioner leaders on various projects around the St. Jude’s campus.
Bishop of the Diocese of El Camino Real
The Right Reverend Lucinda Ashby was elected as our new bishop in 2019, replacing longtime bishop the Right Reverend Mary Gray-Reeves. Her consecration was in January 2020. Previously, Bishop Lucinda was the Canon to the Ordinary in Idaho since 2011.
Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church
The Most Reverend Michael Curry is Presiding Bishop and Primate of The Episcopal Church. He is the Chief Pastor and serves as President and Chief Executive Officer, and as Chair of the Executive Council of the Episcopal Church.
ST. JUDE THE APOSTLE EPISCOPAL CHURCH
20920 McClellan Road
Cupertino, CA 95014
(408) 252-4166
office@saintjudes.org
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