Clergy
The Reverend Mark D. Stuart, Interim Rector
Fr. Mark Stuart came to Church of the Messiah in October 2011 to serve as Interim Rector during the transition following Fr. Brad Karelius’ retirement. Immediately prior to that he served as Interim Rector at St. Augustine’s by-the-Sea, Santa Monica and from 2002 – 2008 as Associate Rector for Parish Growth and Development at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, Hollywood.
Although born in Kansas, Fr. Mark was raised in San Francisco. He attended San Francisco State University and received a Master of Divinity degree from Nashotah House Seminary. He was ordained Deacon at Grace Cathedral in 1979 and the following year was ordained Priest at Calvary Church, Santa Cruz where he served as Assistant. Subsequently, for the next twenty years he worked as the Executive Director for Episcopal Social Services Agencies in Kansas and on the Gulf Coast; which served abused, neglected, at-risk, and troubled children and youth. After moving to Southern California he was employed as Director of Development for the YWCA of the San Gabriel Valley and then as Director of Development for the Torrance – South Bay YMCA.
Throughout his years in social service ministries he also served a variety parishes as interim, associate, vicar, and priest-in-charge, and was even contracted as a civilian with the First Infantry Division of the US Army as a chaplain. In the Diocese of Los Angeles Fr. Mark has served on the HIV-AIDS Commission and as Chair of the Stewardship and Development Program Group. He owns a home in the Hollywood Hills and commutes to Santa Ana.
Contact Father Mark at fr.mark@messiah-santaana.org.
The Rev. Carolyn S. Estrada, Associate Rector
The Reverend Carolyn S. Estrada was ordained to the transitional deaconate in June of 2001 after a career as a teacher and counselor (MFT) working with at-risk youth, most recently with Pregnant Minors and Teen Parents. She did her seminary internship at Church of the Messiah and officially joined the staff on June 1, 2001.
Carolyn raised her family in Whittier, where her home parish was St. Matthias. There she facilitated support groups in the area of grief and wellness; led retreats; sang in the choir; was a lay preacher; and participated on the liturgy team. She responded to a call to ordained ministry, and began attending the Episcopal Theological Seminary at Claremont in their weekend program for four years while she continued to work. She retired in June 2000 to complete her course of studies.
She has worked variously in private practice, for the Family Service Association, and for two different school districts. Additionally, she served three terms on the Whittier City School District Board of Education.
Contact Reverend Carolyn at rev.carolyn@messiah-santaana.org.
Assisting Priest - The Rev. Kathy MacKenzie
Assisting Priest - The Rev. Dr. Ellen Hill
Director of Music - James Gilliam
Organist - Dr. Jim Vaskov
Staff Singer - David Stoneman
Staff Singer - David Sheridan
Hispanic Musician - Miguel Conniff
Church School Coordinator - Stephanie Miller
Office Manager - Bill Wallace
Sexton - David Vazquez
Bookkeeper - Cindi Gross