Clergy
St. Andrew’s is served by seven ordained clergy members who lead church services and provide counseling and pastoral care. Working closely with the vestry (lay governing council) and lay church staff, they also provide leadership and direction for the activities of the congregation. With diverse personal backgrounds and professional experiences, the St. Andrew’s clergy bring remarkable richness to the parish community.
The Reverend Alan Gibson, Rector
The Rev. Alan Gibson, arrived at Saint Andrews Church in January 2008. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1991 following the completion of his seminary studies at Yale University, Berkeley Divinity School where he earned his Master of Divinity Degree. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Arts Administration from Northwestern University. Fr. Gibson’s love of music adds a powerful dimension to his ministry. Email: agibson@standrewsaa.org
The Reverend Jeanne Hansknecht, Curate
The Rev. Jeanne Hansknecht is a recent graduate of Ecumenical Theological Seminary in Detroit Michigan. As part of her completion of the Master of Divinity program she spent one year as a part time student at Huron University College—an Anglican seminary in London Ontario. Jeanne also holds an MA in Learning Disabilities and taught Special Education for a number of years prior to entering the ordination process. Jeanne served as a seminary intern at St. Paul’s in Brighton, Canterbury House at U of M, and St. Joseph’s Hospital. She is especially enthusiastic about faith formation for all ages but particularly in the context of children, youth and family ministry. Jeanne and her husband Blane have four children and goofy Labrador all living at home.
Email: jhansknecht@standrewsaa.org
The Reverend Charles Witke, Priest Associate
Charles Witke retired in 2001 from the University of Michigan, where he had been a professor of Greek and Latin since 1971. He has served parishes in the Diocese of Michigan in various capacities since 1989. His interests include theology, liturgy, and contemporary social issues, and has published widely on classical and medieval literature and thought. He is a Fellow of the American Academy in Rome, where he continues his research on Christian Latin poetry at the Vatican Library, and he has served Anglican parishes in Venice and Rome.
The Reverend Sally Webster, Priest Associate
Sally Webster, originally from Atlanta, lived and worked in London, England for thirty years. She was a teacher and administrator at The American School in London. Sally studied for the ministry on The Southwark Ordination Course, a program which allowed her to work full-time and study for ordination. She was ordained a priest in the Church of England in 1994, the first year in which the Church of England ordained women. Sally served on the clergy team of her home parish of St. Mary the Virgin, Primrose Hill in North London until she retired in 2001. She moved from London to Michigan, searched for a church , found St. Andrew's, and eventually joined the staff.
The Reverend Svea Gray, Deacon
There are three orders of ordained ministry in the Episcopal church: bishops, priests and deacons. Since 1985, Svea Gray has served as deacon of St. Andrew's. Her ministry begins early in the morning, when she oversees the Breakfast at St. Andrew's providing a free breakfast to any one in need. Svea assists the priests at the Eucharistic celebrations, leads a weekly Bible study, and visits parishioners who are in the hospital, or confined to their homes. She is married to law professor Whit Gray and they have four children and five grandchildren.
The Reverend Lewis Towler, Priest Assisting
Fr. Towler, who retired from full-time parish work in 1997, has served parishes in Michigan and New York, most recently, St. John's Church in Plymouth, Michigan.
The Reverend Robert Bickley, Priest Assisting
Fr. Bickley has recently moved to Ann Arbor to be closer to family. He has served parishes in New York and Michigan.