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Leadership, Staff, and Vestry
Leadership at Immanuel starts with Jesus. The leadership team of Immanuel includes clergy, lay staff, and an elected vestry. The entire team works with one focus in mind: “to equip the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:12)
Clergy
Father Travis loves Jesus, loves his wife and their four children, and loves the family that is Immanuel Anglican Church. (And he’s pretty fond of his family’s dog and cat as well.) Travis began serving this congregation as their rector in June 2020, grateful to share life together as we experience and express the truth of our name: Immanuel – “God with us for the sake of others.”
Texan by birth and a life-long follower of Jesus, Travis set his sights first on theatre, then on teaching, then stumbled into computer technology. To his surprise, the Lord called him to be a pastor, right about the same time he had his first encounters with liturgy and sacraments – an experience of the presence of God in a sung Compline service, and an experience of grace in the rite of Confession. Those drew him into the Anglican Way, leading him into studies at Trinity School for Ministry, ordination in Pittsburgh and Uganda, and service in theological education, cross-cultural mission, cheesemongery, and local churches. Fr. Travis and his family are grateful to be putting down roots in Woodbridge, VA, ready to grow with Immanuel, as the Kingdom of God grows here in Northern Virginia.
Staff
Melissa Byers
Director of Family Ministries
mbyers@iachurch.org
Melissa joined Immanuel’s staff as Children’s Minister in January 2017. Melissa and her family have been members of Immanuel since 2015. She lives in Woodbridge, VA with her husband of 10 years, Brian. They are blessed to have three young children: Lillian, Amanda and Owen.
Tyra Harpster
Director of Parish Administration
tharpster@iachurch.org
Tyra returned to the Immanuel staff as Director of Parish Administration in January 2025, after an eighteen month “retirement” from the job of Parish Administrator. She and her husband of 53 years live in Manassas and have been a part of the Immanuel family since locating here in 1990. Before becoming the Parish Administrator in 2015, Tyra retired from her 23-year career as CFO of an Association in Alexandria.
Meredyth Stirling
Organ & Keys
office@iachurch.org
Educated here and abroad, Meredyth made her concert debut at 16. Many years later, she celebrates 45 years as our organist. Her “happy hour” is any Sunday morning, and she is equally at home with Mozart or good gospel music. She and her husband, Mike, enjoy theatrical production, golf, and working with young children.
Danny Cade
Office Assistant
dcade@iachurch.org
Danny joined the church in 1986 and has served twice on the Vestry. While working with Fairfax County Government, he volunteered in the office printing and folding bulletins and newsletters. He has been an usher and with his wife, Alice, is a member of the Altar Guild. Danny also serves on our Sound Team. He has one daughter and four grandchildren.
Vestry
The Vestry is an elected body of lay leaders that provides oversight in the business affairs, activities, and property of the church; prays regularly for the church and its mission; and serves as a resource for godly counsel, biblical wisdom, and vision casting with the Rector.
Debra Tomchek
Senior Warden
Administration Liaison
Psalm 51:10-12
Tim Timmons
Junior Warden
Building & Grounds Liaison
Psalm 23
Jerry Fitzsimmons
Registrar
1 Peter 4:9-10
Monika Dew
Matthew 28:16-20
Paul Giannini
Proverbs 3:5-6
Nick Makrides
Finance Committee Liaison
Proverbs 3:5-6
Vickie Morse
John 3:16
Jack Sova
Finance Committee Liaison
Mark 12:30-31
To contact a member of the vestry, email office@iachurch.org
If you are interested in joining the vestry and would like to learn more about the election process, please click here.
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