2021 Nominations

Jackie Eisenbise-Ross

Hi, my name is Jackie Eisenbise-Ross, I have been attending Saint James for approximately 8 years. I was born and raised in the Roman Catholic faith, along with my younger brother and six younger sisters. When I was expecting my daughter, I wanted to raise her in a faith that welcomed all to the table and also included women in ministry. Jasmine was baptized in the Episcopal faith at St. Luke’s in Mount Joy. It was a warm Saturday afternoon in a June of the not-so-distant past, when I saw the sign for a “David Bowie” Mass in front of Saint James church and my curiosity was peaked. My husband Bill, Jasmine and I attended that evening and have been connected to Saint James ever since; especially the Saturday evening Masses. You have not lived till you experience Space Oddity as the communion song! Everyone was generous with smiles and making all three of us feel so welcome. We felt like we found our home.

During my time at Saint James, I have served on the parish engagement committee, was involved with youth programming and assisted with hospitality needs. Without a doubt, the work that had the most impact on me, was volunteering with our Anchorage Breakfast program, culminating in the year I (along with my family) took the lead for the Anchorage Christmas Breakfast on Christmas Day 2015. For those unfamiliar, the daily Anchorage breakfast consisted of cereal, toast, baked goods but Christmas Day’s breakfast was a large hot breakfast. French toast, ham, eggs, juice and hot beverages were served to anyone who needed a warm meal and a friendly exchange. It was a lot of prep work from securing supplies, setting up the forum room and making and serving the food. I was humbled by the number of parishioners who chose to spend their Christmas morning in service to their brothers and sisters. It was a deeply moving and emotional morning; I am forever changed. My intention is to continue serving my Saint James family in whatever way is needed, with God’s guidance, as a member of vestry.

Bernadette Gardner

My husband Eugene and I married at Saint James 27 years ago. I was a Quaker and he was a Presbyterian. The beautiful and historic campus attracted me to Saint James and the congregation and liturgy kept us.

Our four daughters and I were baptized and confirmed here. They served as acolytes and then lay eucharistic ministers. My activities at Saint James have largely revolved around our girls. I was a substitute Sunday school teacher, a Vacation Bible School teacher and organizer, and I’ve spent the last 8 years as an acolyte master with a brief stint as an usher before COVID restrictions shut down in person worship.

My husband is an investment manager and member at Gardner Russo & Gardner LLC. I was a lawyer before our children were born and I am now a stay home mother. Until this year, I served as President of the Board of Trustees of Lancaster Country Day School (LCDS). I chaired the Room to Grow capital campaign for LCDS which built the new athletic wing. I have served on the Development, Finance, Property, and Strategic Planning committees of LCDS.

As a member of Vestry, I would like to help Saint James serve the needs of our congregation and our community, with an emphasis on financial viability and sustainability. I hope to have the opportunity to help Saint James grow while still maintaining a strong financial position.

Chris Modlin

I am honored to be asked to stand for Vestry. I am a native of Washington, DC, a cradle Episcopalian, a realtor with Berkshire Hathaway, and the father of three wonderful daughters. Growing up at St Johns Lafayette Sq, I was exposed to a tradition of wonderful music, a rich liturgy, and intelligent and thought provoking preaching. I have found that at Saint James too.

I have been blessed to serve Saint James in a variety of capacities over the past 16 years. From volunteering with Anchorage, serving on two working groups and chairing a third, to serving as Assistant Treasurer, it has been my great fortune to give back. I look forward to continuing this if able.

In the past several years, Saint James has grown tremendously in programs for spiritual growth and development for the community. We have also recognized that there has been many years of neglected maintenance around the campus. I look forward, if chosen, to working on these and other issues for the further growth of Saint James and those it serves.

Michael W. Schmid

Michael (Mike) is currently a founder and senior partner with Cre8tive Logic, Inc., a Central Pennsylvania-based marketing firm. Prior to his post with Cre8tive Logic, Mike served as the Chief Marketing and Operations Officer for Renewable Nutrients, a North Carolina-based company with a portfolio of emerging technologies focused on the recovery and re-use of minerals in the municipal and agriculture sectors.

Mike began his professional life as a commissioned officer in the United States Navy, serving in both active duty and reserve capacities. Following the Navy, Mike managed two lines of business for Leitch Technology Corporation, a publicly traded manufacturer and worldwide distributor of professional television, cable, and satellite broadcast equipment. He later joined the Wolfgang Candy Company as Managing Partner and Chief Marketing Officer.

Mike earned a bachelor’s degree in German language with a minor in naval science and a master’s degree in business administration from Old Dominion University in Virginia. As part of the Department of Business at Elizabethtown College, he teaches the “New Venture Creation” course within the entrepreneurship program. Mike currently serves on the boards of Central Penn College and LancasterHistory.

Since joining Saint James in 2004 with his wife, Lori and daughter, Laurel (a junior at Roanoke College in Virginia), Mike has been actively involved and engaged in parish life and leadership. He has most recently chaired the Saint James Board of Endowment Trustees, serving six years in that capacity. Mike is also a former Saint James Vestry member and Junior Warden. He has served as a Saint James representative to the Lancaster County Council of Churches, and as a Diocesan Convention Delegate.

Mike’s vision for Saint James is to ensure that it continues to be a beacon in the community for spiritual growth and development. He sees Saint James as a parish that the diocese (and other episcopal congregations) looks to for honoring our faith tradition, but also as a leader in challenging convention and adopting and embracing new methods and programs for engaging the community.

Elena O’Brien Wolman

I started attending the 5:00 Mass at Saint James in 2011 and became an official member in 2013 when I was accepted into the Episcopal Church.

I was raised in Lancaster in a multicultural Catholic family. My mother is from Puerto Rico and my father, of Irish descent, was born and raised in Aruba. I attended Lancaster Catholic High School and graduated from University of Pittsburgh with a double degree in Spanish and Political Science. For 10 years I worked in Washington, DC and Baltimore as a writer and translator at several nonprofit organizations and received my M.A. in Communication Design at University of Baltimore.

My husband Rich and I have 2 grown children, Michaela and Ian. While they were young I worked part time as a Spanish teacher at Lancaster Country Day School.

I have been a Eucharistic minister at Saint James for several years and volunteered with the Winter Shelter, Anchorage and the former Newcomers Committee, as well as serving as a volunteer teacher of English as a Second Language for the Lancaster Literacy Council. I am also an artist and served as the volunteer facilitator for the Tuesday Evening Drawing group at F&M for many years.

In this time of isolation during the pandemic, I truly miss the sense of community and inclusiveness that I have found at Saint James and look forward to making a contribution by serving on the Vestry.

Freda Dombach

As a 3rd generation member of the church and where I was baptized, confirmed and married, Saint James has always been my “home” church. Through the years, our family life has taken us to other states and other churches where we were actively involved in parish life. Since our return to Saint James, I have served as the Hospitality/Kitchen coordinator, Pathways to Parish Engagement, Faith, Food and Fellowship, Dinner for Eight, St Nicholas Mass, Parish-wide events, Shrove Tuesday pancake supper and Maundy Thursday Bible foods dinner. Through these events and attending the Saturday evening and Sunday morning services, I have been able to interact with all generations of St James members, volunteers and staff. For the past 2 years, I have represented Saint James as a delegate to the Diocesan convention and the Lancaster Convocation which I would welcome your consideration as a delegate again this year.

By profession, I am a Registered Nurse and presently work at an Outpatient Surgery Center as a Post-Anesthesia Care nurse and as the Quality Assurance and Patient Safety Coordinator for the center. I have been married to Rick for 41 years and we have one son, Eric who lives in Cleveland. We are thrilled to be adding a daughter-in-law to our family soon!

Please continue to be safe everyone and do wash your hands, wear a mask and social distance. Most of all continue to pray for the healthcare workers and those they care for.

Peace, Freda Dombach RN

Rick Dombach

I call Lancaster County home having grown up in Lititz, graduating from Warwick High School. I enlisted in the Air Force and spent my active duty in Washington, D.C at Bolling Air Force Base working in the chapel as a church business administrator. I graduated from Millersville State College with a BS in Business Administration. I started my career in retail management, but after two moves decided this was not for me. I entered the IT field and have been in numerous areas, locations, states, from helpdesk, training, support and now for the past 13 years, I have been the procurement agent for RKL eSolutions in Lancaster.

I married Freda Gehman, yes we met in high school, lifelong member of Saint James in September of 1979 with The Rev. Canon Stan Imboden and my home pastor officiating. I have been involved, when we could attend in person church, as sound technician at any of the three services. I have ushered and was involved in hospitality. I served on vestry filling an unexpired term of one of the vestry members who was unable to fulfil their term. Last year I was a delegate and served that position virtually.

I am standing for delegate this year to represent Saint James at the convocation meetings and the convention. Virtually does not give one the sense of these gatherings, but due the current pandemic this is the safest way to meet. Thank you for your consideration.

Brad Norris

Brad has been a member of Saint James since 2000. He's had the privilege of traveling to Mississippi, West Virginia, and Puerto Rico for mission trips. Each trip has provided an opportunity to witness God's grace in the world. Over the years, he has served as a Sunday School teacher, a member of the Finance Committee, Board of Endowment Trustees, and a substitute dishwasher at the Anchorage program. The generous members of Saint James have repeatedly demonstrated their willingness to assist those in need through many activities. As a complement to faith in actions, he has appreciated the depth of the contemplative studies growing in the parish. The Urban Well is an excellent antidote for our overcommitted lives, social media, and the hollow demands of trying to maintain our secular status.

Brad is a Finance Manager at Prince William County in Virginia. He oversees the issuance and compliance of the County's tax-exempt debt portfolio. Additionally, he has worked many years in residential finance. He earned the Chartered Financial Analyst designation from the CFA Institute.

He is married to Nicolette Norris. Their son, Phil was baptized at Saint James. For several years, the three of them sang in the choir, a great joy. He enjoys reading and hiking. He believes that the wisdom of Christianity is evergreen. There is always more that can be found. The teachings and model of Christ are vital in today's chaotic world.

Nicolette Norris

Nicolette has been a member of Saint James since 1997 and joined the staff in 2015. In her role, she works to keep Saint James highly visible via a broad communications platform of electronic and print communications, internet marketing, digital storytelling, media placement, print and online advertising and social media. She also directs all aspects of financial stewardship, from annual and planned giving to fundraising for special projects and capital campaigns. She is currently serving the Episcopal Diocese of Central Pennsylvania as a member of the bishop's standing committee and will represent the diocese as a deputy at the General Convention of the Episcopal Church in 2022.

A graduate of the University of Virginia, she has held key marketing, fundraising and management roles in the arts and education. Nicolette is a lifelong Episcopalian and church musician. She is married to Brad and the mother of 3 adult children and a high school senior. She writes: The life and teachings of Jesus and the richness of Christian community provide a dimension to our lives that the secular world cannot provide. The pandemic has taught us how important our spiritual health and the love and care of others matters. The future of Saint James and the modern church is critically tied to our ability to be nimble and adapt to whatever is thrown at us. It is also tied to our creative response to the generational and cultural shifts around us. Our parish has created cutting edge local and digital learning options, prayer, meditation, worship, fellowship and service opportunities that will position us not only for survival, but for prosperous, bold living well into the 21st century.

Dick Sware

I am honored to be standing for election to be a Delegate to the Diocesan Convention representing Saint James.

I am a cradle Episcopalian after my Catholic father and Methodist mother decided to split the difference and were married in the Church of the Redeemer in Andalusia, PA where we attended during my early childhood. While at Redeemer, I was a member of both the Junior and Adult Choirs. We joined the Church of the Redemption in Southampton, PA after moving to Warminster. I switched roles from choir to acolyte at Redemption. One of our rectors at the Church of the Redemption was the Rev. Stanley Imboden. I continued working with acolytes during my college years at Virginia Tech. Jeanie and I were married in 1980 at the Church of the Redemption and relocated to Lancaster. We looked for a church in the local newspaper and found Saint James listed with their rector, S. Imboden. Thinking there couldn’t be an abundance of Episcopal priests named S. Imboden, we came to Saint James and stayed. In the early years, I was director of the acolytes serving as an adult acolyte when needed. I am now the lead sound technician and thoroughly enjoyed being an integral part of the services when we were able to be in church.. I am completing my last year on the Saint James Vestry. Both our sons attended Saint James participating in many of the youth activities and trips. Matt was married to Rachel at Saint James and was a lead member of the choir, the cantor at the Compline services, Jesus Christ in the Superstar Mass, and Valjean in the Les Mis Mass until his move with Rachel to New York.

Professionally, I am now retired after having been a Vice President / Community Banking Manager for S&T Bank in Downingtown. I’m Vice Chairman of the Board of Limited Jurisdiction for Pope John Paul II Regional Catholic Elementary School. I am a Lion currently serving as the First Vice Distrcit Governor of District 14-D and am preparing to be the District Governor for 1 year beginning in July.

I am excited by the opportunities we have at Saint James. I look forward to helping to move the church into the future while keeping an eye on our 250+ years of history. To do this we must continue to maintain our beautiful, historic church and campus while inviting new people and families to join us through our progressive programs. All of this can be accomplished through thoughtful, prudent fiscal planning.

Jeanie Sware

I am honored to be standing for election to be a Delegate to the Diocesan Convention representing Saint James. I came to Saint James with Dick when we moved to Lancaster in 1980. I was raised in the Roman Catholic faith and was accepted into the Episcopal Church at Saint James. I have been a member of the Newcomers Committee, President of the Episcopal Women’s Group at Saint James, taught Sunday school, and needle pointed one of the kneelers that were in the Chapel until the most recent renovation. Most recently, I assisted at the Head Start Program and helped in the office answering phones and doing other tasks. Both our sons attended Saint James participating in many of the youth activities and trips. Matt was married to Rachel at Saint James and was a lead member of the choir, the cantor at the Compline services, Jesus Christ in the Superstar Mass, and Valjean in the Les Mis Mass until his move with Rachel to New York.

Professionally, I was the Secretary to the Principal at Lampeter Elementary School until my retirement in 2018. I am a Lion currently serving on the Board of Directors of the Willow Street Lions Club. I look forward to visiting other clubs with Dick during his year as the District Governor. I am a member of the Town & Country Garden Club of Lancaster. I enjoy knitting, reading, and travelling.

I am excited by the opportunities we have at Saint James. I look forward to soon being able to worship in person in church.