Vestry
St. James' 2026 Vestry
John Devins-Senior Warden (2025-2027)
I am excited to be the senior warden on St. James’ Vestry. My Stephanie and I joined St James in 2017. I continue to be thankful to be a part of such a wonderful, loving faith community. At St. James’, I have served one year on Vestry, was a member of the Stewardship committee, as well as served as an usher, assisted with lawn mowing, and helped the “unofficial” table wranglers team which prepares the parish hall for events. Stephanie and I moved to Skaneateles in 1988, and had 3 children attend Skaneateles schools. We are blessed with 7 grandkids. Upon graduation from St. John’s University, College of Pharmacy, I worked in a variety of sales and marketing positions for Eli Lilly and Company. It would be an honor to continue to serve on St. James’ Vestry as we continue on our exciting path forward!
David O’Neill-Junior Warden (2026-2028)
Hello, my name is David O’Neill and I want to thank St James for the opportunity to serve on the Vestry. My wife, Helen, and I are looking forward to celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary this coming July. We have been blessed with two amazing daughters and four equally amazing granddaughters (With 7 ladies in my life, it is not a surprise I believe in strong and independent women). At a difficult time in my life the people of St James’ were there for me and my family and they continue to be there whenever I need support. Through my association with the Mission of Miracle, my wife and I started attending services at St James and quickly felt at home. I travelled to El Salvador for the Mission as a team member and eventually became part of the planning committee for a total of 11 Missions with two extra trips to bring down supplies. When St James’ setup a Spanish service for the local migrant workers I got to know more of the people at St James. More recently, I have helped with the setup of the Outdoor Lakeside Service and was part of the team that maintained the lawn for the church and rectory. I am truly thankful for the community that is St James’ and for the friendships that have come from it. Since joining St James my faith is continually growing stronger. I am inspired by what I hear and see at St James’ and by the people of St James’. A quote from one of my favorite musicals comes to mind when I am at St James. “To love another person is to see the face of God.”I am excited to be considered for junior warden on St. James’ Vestry. My Stephanie and I joined St James in 2017. I continue to be thankful to be a part of such a wonderful, loving faith community. At St. James’, I have served one year on Vestry, was a member of the Stewardship committee, as well as served as an usher, assisted with lawn mowing, and helped the “unofficial” table wranglers team which prepares the parish hall for events. Stephanie and I moved to Skaneateles in 1988, and had 3 children attend Skaneateles schools. We are blessed with 7 grandkids. Upon graduation from St. John’s University, College of Pharmacy, I worked in a variety of sales and marketing positions for Eli Lilly and Company. It would be an honor to continue to serve on St. James’ Vestry as we continue on our exciting path forward!
Beckie Hidy-Vestry Member (2024-2027)
I have attended St James since I was born. I was baptised and married in St James. I have been married for 30 years to Brian Hidy (the love of my life). Danae Hidy is our 25 year old daughter who was baptised in St James as well. She happened to be the first in a long line of children to be baptised in the lake in the 20th century. I work full time as a Reservations Manager at Mirbeau Inn & Spa and have been there for 23 years. I look forward to the next three years to be on the Vestry of my second home.
Carol Murphy-Vestry Member (2024-2027)
I have been a member of St. James’ for three years. Prior to moving to the Skaneateles area in the summer of 2020, and recently widowed, I had spent the two previous decades on Onondaga Hill with husband Tom and attended St David’s Episcopal Church in DeWitt where I sang in the choir, served as an MC, Lector, Intercessor and Vestry member. In earlier years (the 70’s – 90’s), I lived near Aurora in southern Cayuga County where daughters Julie, Nicole and Michelle grew up in a single-parent household while I taught high school and middle school French in Lansing. We attended the United Ministry of Aurora (Episcopalian and Presbyterian) where I sang n the choir, served on Vestry and as a Lector and Chalice Server. Currently, I volunteer at Interfaith Works as a tutor of citizenship and English to refugees and as the backpack organizer for newly-arrived refugee school children. I also sing with Masterworks Chorale here in town. A grandma of seven, I enjoy attending events of local grandkids. At St. James’, I love choir singing, reading lessons and prayers, serving the chalice and helping out with Evening Prayer. It is an honor to be asked to serve on Vestry and I look forward to serving St. James’ in this capacity.
Meg Osborne-Vestry Member (2026-2029)
Although I was raised in the Catholic church here in Skaneateles, both my great grandfather, Harry Horne, and my grandfather, Lucian Horne, were members of St. James’. I never knew either of them, but that family connection and welcoming community at St. James’ made it the perfect church home for me and my husband, Bruce, when we relocated back to the area from New York City in 1997. I have felt surrounded by love, support and inspiring examples of faith from my St. James’ family – through joyful times and especially difficult ones. As a two-time cancer survivor, I was deeply cared for with meals, prayers and rides to treatment. It is a privilege to be part of this community and I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to sufficiently give back what I have received. I’m honored to serve once again on the Vestry after 25 years since my last service. Over the years at St. James’, I have taught Sunday school, participated in the Outreach Committee and currently co-chair The Racial Justice and Reconciliation Commission, co-coordinate the Diversity Book Club, have worked on the Three Sisters Garden project at Merriman Circle and volunteer with Safe & Warm, making and delivering meals to our unhoused neighbors in Auburn. There are simply so many opportunities to live out the Gospel at St. James.’ I retired in 2021 after a career spent primarily in higher education as a counselor and professor. My husband, Bruce, retired a few years later from OCC, where he taught design. He’s now the organist at Skaneateles First Presbyterian church after spending 20 years as organist at St. James’. We have a 25-year old daughter, Zoe, who lives and works in Philadelphia. Our lab mix, Maddie, keeps the nest from feeling too empty!
Kris Perkins-Vestry Member (2025-2027)
My name is Martha Kristie Perkins, but to many, I am known as Kris. I was born in Auburn Memorial Hospital, lived in Sennett, and went to Weedsport to school, where my parents were both teachers. We attended St. John’s Episcopal Church in Auburn, NY, the church in which I was baptized, confirmed and married. Service to the church was important to our family; my dad was on the Vestry and served as Warden, my mom taught Sunday school, and my older brother was an acolyte. I attended youth group with the youth from St. Peters, Church, down farther on Genesee Street, When I attended Keuka College, I sang 2nd Alto in the Chapel Choir, and also attended the folk mass service at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Penn Yan. In 1972, when Dick and I were married, I began attending St. James in Skaneateles. Throughout the years, I taught Sunday school, sang alto in the choir for many years, played in the bell choir, was a member of the Altar Guild, as well as being co-chair of the Altar Guild for five years. I am presently a lector, chalice bearer, acolyte and usher, and used to schedule servers in those areas. I addition, I serve meals at Sts. Peter and John once a month if possible. While teaching in Skaneateles for 31 years, I was a member of a variety of committees, helping to make decisions to continue our district’s progression in a positive and innovative direction. At the end of Robert’s ministry at St. James’ and while John Keydel was the interim priest, I served on the Vestry at St. James’. After Becky was called to St. James’, I was clerk of the Vestry for a few years. I always felt honored to represent the parishioners, giving input into decisions that were made on behalf of them. As a Vestry member, my goal will be to help St. James’ move in a positive and innovative direction, and continue as a spiritual leader in the community.
Kathy Ploufe-Vestry Member (2025-2027)
I am a happily retired elementary school teacher with 40 years of experience teaching in the Adirondack Mountains in a town called Moriah. I now enjoy life back in my beloved hometown of Skaneateles. I am a proud mother and grandmother and am passionate about nature, history, and travel. The joy of returning to the church I was baptized and confirmed in has been such a gift. I value the traditions and life long memories that I experienced at St. James’. My spiritual journey has escalated since my return to St. James’! I served previously as a vestry member of the Church of the Good Shepherd in Elizabethtown, NY which I found very enlightening and rewarding. In summary, I would like to highlight that St. James feels like family to me and I am enthusiastic about continuing on my soulful quest.
Molly Spalding-Vestry Member (2026-2028)
I have been attending St. James for more than 20 years. My husband, Bill, is a St. James cradle Episcopalian. We have three grown children, a granddaughter and one on the way. I have been involved in many ways at St. James, beginning with Sunday school when the kids were younger to alter guild, Creation Care, Stephen Ministry, the Rescue Mission (Merriman Circle), centering prayer and Dive Deeper. I’ve been a member of the Racial Justice and Reconciliation Committee (RJRC) since its inception and a participant of the Safe & Warm program of which I am a board member now. My faith has grown over the years at St. James and I look forward to continuing that growth through my work on the Vestry.
John Spear-Vestry Member (2026-2029)
I am pleased and honored to be asked to join the St James’ vestry. Lorrie and I live on Owasco Lake from May to October and move home to Apalachin, NY in the winter. We have a son and two grandchildren. After retiring from Lockheed Martin, I worked with Habitat volunteers building and renovating several homes in the Binghamton and Auburn areas. We have worshipped at St. James’ since the late 1990s. It is home! I participate in the Racial Justice and Reconciliation commission, the Diversity Book Club, the weekly bible study, Digging Deeper and the Jumble Sale. For the last several years I have been on the mowing team and performed the annual maintenance of the equipment. I look forward to serving on our vestry.
Diane Steckel-Vestry Member (2026-2027)
What a wonderful way to start the New Year being asked to serve on Vestry! My name is Diane and I am a long-time parishioner of St. James’. In my 30+ years at St James’, I have volunteered for many ministries at church. Each ministry, including Sunday School teaching, Outreach efforts, Altar Guild and Stephen Ministry has enriched my life and allowed me to meet great people. I am currently the head of Altar Guild. I live in Skaneateles and am married to Chad Steckel. We have 2 grown children Peter and Allison. I love to keep busy so in my free time I am a member of the Junior League of Syracuse and the Skaneateles Garden Club. It would be an honor to serve on the St. James’ Vestry.
Amy Tuttle-Vestry Member (2026-2029)
My name is Amy Tuttle and I am a candidate for St. James’ Vestry. I have been a member of St. James’ since I was born. My parents have been members of the church since 1974. I was baptized and confirmed at St. James’. I have been involved with many ministries over the years. Currently, I am an usher at the 8:30 service, assist with Altar Guild, volunteer at both the Samaritan Center and the soup kitchen at SS Peter and John Church and help my mom collect and deliver food, toys and blankets to give to Meachem Elementary School. I was on the Vestry from 2018-2021.
In my personal life, I am a Registered Dietitian and work for the Onondaga County Health Department WIC program. I have a BS in Nutrition and Dietetics from Marywood University and a MS in Community Health from SUNY Cortland. I serve on the Board of Directors of the Skaneateles Ecumenical Food Pantry and am involved with the Marywood University Alumni Association. My hobbies include traveling, going to the theater and knitting.