Please vote up to four (4) candidates. Candidate bios at bottom of page.

Elections are now closed.

Katherine Keller Batenhorst: Member of Trinity since: 1974

Background information (family, employment, church, charitable activity, personal interests): St. Augustine is the place I was born and raised. I moved away for college and graduate school, then moved back for what I thought would be a year. That was in 1998, and I am still here! I’m married to Todd Batenhorst, and we have two dogs, Penny and Adele. I am currently working as a speech-language pathologist with the St. Johns County Schools and have worked previously in adult voice/swallowing/cognitive rehabilitation at Brooks Rehabilitation and with students at the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind. I have been involved in our community through leadership and involvement with a number of organizations: Rotary Club of St. Augustine, Community Hospice & Palliative Care, Junior Service League, St. Augustine Humane Society, St. Augustine High Alumni Association, Flagler Health Care Foundation, and others. For fun, I like to travel, work in the garden, and be with friends & family.

Past and current activities at Trinity Parish:  Trinity has been my church home for most of my life. I was a member of the choir for many years as a young person, was an acolyte, and was married at Trinity. I have not been as active a member, recently, and would like to reengage.

Why would you like to serve on the Trinity Parish vestry? The Episcopal faith, and Trinity, provided me with a solid spiritual foundation. I would like to use that foundation to share my appreciation with others and with the Trinity family.

What do you consider your spiritual gifts for ministry? I care about the well-being of others and want good things for our community and our church. I feel that I can be a good, fair listener and have experience as part of numerous governing and advisory boards.

Jonathan Miller:  Member of Trinity since 2004

Background information (family, employment, church, charitable activity, personal interests): Married to Espi Miller for 32 years. Children Madison (26) & Reagan (23). Lifelong Episcopalian, raised in Orange, CT in the Episcopal Church (Church of the Good Shepard). Graduated from Jacksonville University and employed by Aerie Pharmaceuticals. Interested in family, faith, sports and home renovation.

Past and current activities at Trinity Parish: Attended/participated in Sunday Adult Education and Wednesday night bible study groups.

Why would you like to serve on the Trinity Parish Vestry? As a longtime member of the church, I believe I can serve the members of Trinity with my personal, professional and previous vestry experience. Specifically, I would like to be involved in bringing the new North Campus Church to life. While a member at Christ Episcopal in Ponte Vedra I was involved in the building of St. Francis in The Field from an open-air pavilion mission church to the full-service church it is today.

What do you consider your spiritual gifts for ministry? The belief that God oversees all things and that He has a plan for all of us.

John Roberts: Member of Trinity since 2021, visitor since 2019

Background information (family, employment, church, charitable activity, personal interests). Sally and I have two grown children.  Megan, our oldest, is married with four daughters under the age of six living in Radnor, Pa. with her husband Matt.  Jack is living in Hartford, Ct. with his fiancé, soon to be wife, Julie.

As owner of a Mercedes Benz restoration and German car repair shop for over 40 years, I managed the employees, the shop and worked with costumers. I sold the business and retired to St. Augustine in 2020.

I have been a member of the Episcopal church for 42 years. My activities included two vestry terms, singing in the choir, spear heading fundraisers and organizing social events.

Being an Eagle Scout I served as a leader in my son’s boy scout troop. Additionally, I was a caregiver to my mother following the passing of my father for many years.  I enjoy all types of outdoor activities.  I also enjoy playing my guitars, reading, being a grandfather to my four granddaughters and traveling with my wife Sally.

Past and current activities at Trinity. I am currently on the Stewardship Committee, Welcome Table, Ushering and honorary Altar Guild helper.

Why would you like to be on the Vestry? Having served on two vestries at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Radnor, PA.  I believe I will be able to contribute to the vision and growth of Trinity as we shepherd the church and community into our third century.

What do you consider your spiritual gifts? As far as spiritual gifts I consider myself having would be service to others by doing a good turn daily. I have strong organizational skills for planning and executing a task.  Being compassionate with loving kindness and thoughtfulness are paramount attributes in my life.

Jim Saghir: Member of Trinity since 2002

Background information (family, employment, church, charitable activity, personal interests). As a 20-year St. Augustine resident and Trinity member, I’ve watched my family, our community and Trinity all change and grow. I’m grateful for the blessings God has given us through these challenging times as I help my stepdaughter Lindsay raise my 2-year-old granddaughter Hope (both live with me), especially the blessings of an amazing church family and Learning Center (which Hope attends). Most of my charitable giving is through Trinity, with additional for cancer research and early detection.  I’m currently a computer security specialist and IT Architect at Landstar, and I’ve been a small business owner and worked in finance. My interests range from tech things to yoga and music (especially organs), with other diversions thrown in like languages, history, and art.

Past and current activities at Trinity Parish. I’m a former Vestry member (2014-2016) and oversaw the Worship Committee and Church Communications. I was also a member of the Endowment Board.

My late wife Kay and I administered the old Trinity website and the old Facebook pages for Trinity and our thrift store for many years. I also ran the Capital Campaign website.

I’ve been a member of the Choir since 2005 and have tuned and fixed our organ on many occasions. I’ve also been a docent and have given historical tours of the Church.

Why would you like to serve on the Trinity Parish Vestry? We have entered a new phase in our growth. Trinity has been growing over the last decade or so, but what we will see in the next few years will be at a whole new level. I feel a calling and I’d like the opportunity to serve our Church and help Trinity expand as we navigate the road ahead.

What do you consider your spiritual gifts for ministry? I believe my entrepreneurial spirit and problem-solving skills are useful, but my ability to encourage others to strength and faith that God will guide us are the most important.

Meredith Schwarz: Member of Trinity since 2008

Background information (family, employment, church, charitable activity, personal interests). I grew up in the episcopal church, St. Thomas, in Taunton MA.  Dick and I were married at Saint Hilary’s Episcopal Church in Fort Myers, Fl. In 1983.  When we moved to Ponte Vedra Beach in 2003 we joined Christ Church in Ponte Vedra Beach but primarily attended their satellite church at Serenata Beach Club.  As the years past we knew that it just wasn’t providing the spiritual food that we needed and started church hunting.  When we finally landed at Trinity in 2017 we knew that was our home.  We know that God led us here and we couldn’t be happier.

Dick and I have one child, Matthew, that lives in Ponte Vedra Beach.  He has been married now for 10 years and we have two wonderful granddaughters, 3 & 6, our most wonderful gifts from God.

We spent most of our professional lives in southern California.  I owned an executive search firm in Newport Beach that placed high level executives in marketing and sales’ positions for the high-tech industry.  Our son went off to college and we decided to retire early and live our cruising dream.  We sailed our ketch, Distant Drum, from LA to St. Augustine in 2005-2006.  It was a trip of a lifetime and we know that God was with us the entire time.  Sailing is Dick’s passion and I enjoy it.  We spent the next several years cruising the Bahamas and sailing up & down the east coast as far as Maine.

I had a big birthday 5 ½ years ago and told Dick that I had always wanted to sell real estate and “I better do it now if I’m ever going to do it”.  It’s been a fun career I have been fairly successful at it and after much prayer I know it’s time to dedicate myself to something else.  The something else is God and my church family.

Past and current activities at Trinity Parish. Dick & I attended Cursillo #141.  Wow, what an experience, please don’t miss out on this life changing event.  Both Dick and I Usher and serve the community through Dining with Dignity. We have attended and been active working teams for Alpha here at Trinity. For the last 10 years I have been involved in a women’s bible study.   As my relationship with Jesus grows deeper, I only want more.   I have also kept myself busy being a Guardian ad Litem for St. Johns County and involved with Meals on Wheels.

Why would you like to serve on the Trinity Parish Vestry? I believe my experience and service with both people and business could be utilized for this ministry in our church. I have been so blessed in my life I would like God to use me for HIS works.

What do you consider your spiritual gifts for ministry? As my relationship has grown with the Lord I have come to realize that He has graced me with the spiritual gifts of compassion, hospitality, and discernment.  I want to use my spiritual gifts to glorify God.