Meet the Team
The Rev. Dr. J. Barrington Bates, Priest-in-Charge
A retired priest of the Episcopal Church, Barrie holds four master’s degrees and a Ph.D. in liturgical studies. He has served Anglican and Lutheran congregations in California, New York, New Jersey, and Michigan over the last three decades, and taught at Anglican and Lutheran seminaries.
At Nativity, he presides about half the Sundays a year. He has published sixteen essays in scholarly journals, and his essay “From Penitence to Praise, and Back Again” appears in the Oxford Handbook of the Book of Common Prayer. He has served as Church Review Editor of the journal Anglican and Episcopal History since 2011, where he has published over seventy of his own reviews. More than thirty of his sermons appear on the Episcopal Church’s “Sermons That Work” website. Before ordination, Barrie worked as a computer programmer, punching holes in cards. He also sang for five years in the Tanglewood Festival Chorus of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. He and his husband, James MacKenzie, live with cats Harry and Wills at Council Tree Cottage in Readmond Township (south of Cross Village). Fr. Barrie also serves as nonstipendiary assisting priest at Emmanuel Church in nearby Petoskey.
Sally Page, Parish Musician
Sal has lived in Boyne City since 2004 and has been our pianist for many years. Prior to joining us, she played at the First Presbyterian Church in Harbor Springs and was an accompanist for many of the area theater productions. Her children and grandchildren all live in the area—lucky her!
Kathryn T. Holley, Senior Warden (2029)
Kay retired after 32 years of enjoying work with middle-school students. Currently, she loves spending time with her family and friends. Travel adventures are always a welcome bonus for this founding member of our parish.
Lisa LaLande, Vestry Member (2029)
Lisa served as a speech pathologist downstate for 30+ years working with students with autism and very special needs. She and her family coached Special Olympic ski and swimming for many years. Upon retirement, Lisa and her husband, Mike, moved to Boyne City where they are active in the Kiwanis Club and love to ski and hike. They enjoy visits with their kids and grandkids and participate with them in the many seasonal activities available here. Lisa is a member of the Vestry, and Mike manages our garden in the summer for the Good Neighbors Food Pantry.
Jerris Makee, Junior Warden (2028)
She has held many positions. One of the most satisfying was working more than eight years with special education children (grades 1-5). She also enjoyed working in the medical field as a medical records clerk for 16 years. She enjoys helping others and learning from their experiences.
More to come about these folks:
Jill Carlesimo, Co-Treasurer (2027)
Charles McCord, Co-Treasurer (2028)
Virginia McCord, Clerk (2027)