Our Rector
St. Paul’s is currently in a transition period, following the end of Rev. Chris Wendell’s tenure in January 2025, when he became Chief of Staff, and eventually Canon to the Ordinary, in the Diocese of Massachusetts. Rev. Jeanne Leinbach [jeanne[at]stpaulsbedford.org] joined us as interim priest in April 2025.

Our Assistant Rector

The Rev. Molly Minnerath joined St. Paul’s in the fall of 2023 as the Lay Pastoral Associate, and was promoted to Curate in June 2024 and Assistant Rector in August 2025. She was ordained to the priesthood at St. Paul’s in January 2025. She primarily takes part in children’s formation experiences of the parish, while also preaching and providing pastoral care to parishioners. Born and raised in Minnesota (and very proud of it!), Molly moved to Boston to pursue her M.Div. at Boston College School of Theology and Ministry and, for the last five years, worked at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul with the MANNA Community, a large community of unhoused and unstably housed folks in downtown Boston. Prior to attending divinity school, Molly lived at various Catholic Workers across the country; spent a year as a volunteer with Maryknoll Lay Missioners in Cochabamba, Bolivia, primarily working with women who lived in prison; spent multiple summers as a camp counselor at a summer camp in the mountains of Montana; and studied theology and Hispanic studies at the College of St. Benedict/St. John’s University in central Minnesota. In her free time, Molly loves nothing more than being outside: hiking, biking, kayaking, camping, fishing, walking around her neighborhood . . . she takes any opportunity to get outdoors, especially with her partner, Maryclare. She strives to live by her beloved home state’s motto: “there is no such thing as bad weather, just bad preparation!” You can contact Molly at molly[at]stpaulsbedford.org

Our Vestry

The vestry of St. Paul’s includes the wardens, treasurer, clerk, and several general members with rotating three-year terms. The vestry is a blend of newer and long-time parishioners committed to the responsible stewardship of the church, both practically and spiritually.

Officers
Christine Anderson, Warden  
Chris has been a member of St. Paul’s since she was born, and three generations of her family are currently part of the St. Paul’s community. A geriatric nurse practitioner by vocation, Chris has been involved with many ministries and activities at St. Paul’s over the years.  Most recently, she has been the chair of our Haiti Mission Partnerships subcommittee and organizer of two Barn Dance fundraisers. She lives in Bedford and is active in other community organizations, too.

Heath Luedde, Warden has been a member of St. Paul’s since 2013. He serves as a Lay Eucharistic Minister and previously was a Middle School Youth Group leader. Heath has particularly enjoyed helping with the Special Olympics and attending the men’s retreat. He has worked for over 20 years as a senior sales manager at Bunker Hill Sales in Boston. 

John Mitchell, Treasurer (treasurer@stpaulsbedford.org)
John and his family have been part of the St. Paul’s community since 2001. He is active in the Men’s Group and Property Committee. He is a committed volunteer with Appalachia Service Project, both as a St. Paul’s crew leader and as a “Helping Hands” volunteer in Virginia and West Virginia, to ensure families have warm, safe, and dry homes. Outside of St. Paul’s, he is an adult leader in Scouting America and was a longtime volunteer with Habitat For Humanity of Greater Lowell. John works as a management consultant in Burlington. 

Liz Cowles, Clerk
Liz joined St. Paul’s in 2013. She is active on our Outreach Committee, in particular coordinating our partnership with the B-SAFE program at St. Stephen’s Church in Boston. Liz is a math teacher and lives in Bedford.

Members at Large

Jim Clark joined St. Paul’s during the pandemic, first coming to worship with us online for a number of months before appearing in person in 2022.  Jim is originally from Montana and is retired from a pharmaceutical  research career.  He’s active in our Men’s fellowship and has an interest in helping churches (like ours!) become more environmentally sustainable. Jim lives in Acton.

Jennifer Cunningham is originally from upstate New York. She has been a Bedford resident since 2012 and a St. Paul’s attendee since 2021 (she wishes she had discovered it sooner!). Jenn and her husband, Gregg Favalora, have three kids: a college student, a high schooler, and a fifth grader.

Jason Franz joined St Paul’s in 2024 and is active in the Men’s Group. He is an electrical engineer and lives in Billerica with his wife, Tami. They have two daughters in their twenties.

Eleanor Hartley [bio to come]

Sarah Johnson is a life-long Episcopalian and is proud to be part of a joyful and welcoming tradition. She has lived in Bedford for the past nine years and began attending St. Paul’s in 2022, along with her husband, Chris, and their three daughters. Sarah works in higher education and, in her spare time, can be found enjoying movies, music, and cheering on Bedford sports.

Ron Presti has been a member of St. Paul’s and resident of Bedford for over 25 years. He currently serves as our head usher and a member of our Stewardship Committee. Ron served previously as a warden and in many other capacities — official and unofficial — around the church. He raised his three (now adult) children at St. Paul’s. Outside of St. Paul’s, Ron has worked in Business Development for many years.

Our Staff
Michael Monroe, director of music
Stacy Chandler, parish administrator