Staff at Saint James
The Rev. Deacon Martha Lester Harris, Pastoral Care Coordinator
Martha Lester Harris is a recent graduate from Lancaster Theological Seminary with a Master’s of Divinity degree and a Certificate in Anglican Studies. Her highest academic achievements to date, these degrees culminate a lifetime of service and faithful lay ministry in the Episcopal Church. Martha is a candidate for ordination to the priesthood in the Episcopal Church.
In addition to serving at Saint James, Martha is also Outreach Coordinator at Gestalt Pastoral Care, a ministry of healing that integrates Gestalt growth work, spiritual companioning and prayers for healing.
Martha and her family are long-time members of Saint James. She is presently also serving as Lay Worship Leader at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Columbia, PA. Email Martha
Michael Good, Organist
Michael Good is the organist at Saint James Episcopal Church in downtown Lancaster. He studied music at Eastern Mennonite University and more recently has studied with Mark Laubach, Sandor Kadar, and Wesley Parrott. Previous church positions include organist at All Saints Episcopal Church, Hanover and Saint Edward’s Episcopal Church, Lancaster; interim organist and choir director at Saint John’s Episcopal Church, Lancaster.
Chris Keeney, Director of Contemporary Music and Worship Technology
Chris has nearly twenty years of experience as a professional guitarist, music director and recording engineer. In demand as both a performer and teacher, he is currently the lead guitarist at the Fulton Theater, as well as the head guitar instructor at Lancaster Bible College. Previously, he taught the guitar and recording programs at Albright College, band directed for a number of different churches and has performed for American Music Theater, Prima and many other theater companies, in addition to playing with various bands and artists both regionally and nationally. Chris is also a mixing and mastering engineer, working with various regional recording studios as both an engineer and musician. He currently serves as the Director of Worship and Technology at Saint James. Email Chris
Karen King, Parish Secretary
Karen has worked at Saint James since 2005 and helps the whole parish and staff team keep all the administrative plates spinning from a ministry of welcome and communication to producing with a volunteer team all of our service bulletins. She has an Associate Degree in Specialized Business from the Executive Secretarial program at Central Pennsylvania College. She is an active member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, as well as being active at Saint James. She enjoys various crafts, including crochet and knitting. She resides in West Lampeter Township with her husband, Russ, one Jack Russell Terrier Dixie and two cats—Blacky & Stella. Email Karen
Nancy LeVasseur, Webmaster & Director of Events
Nancy brings over 15 years’ experience in website design & development and content creation & population to her role as webmaster for Saint James. She graduated from Clarion University with a bachelor of arts and also holds a certificate in marketing from eCornell. In addition, she attained her internet marketing certification from Hubspot with an emphasis in content marketing, search engine optimization and end-user experience. Nancy also has over eight years experience as an arts administrator and events coordinator. An avid photographer, graphic designer and FAA certified remote drone pilot, she loves using her skills to educate, encourage and help people and organizations tell their story. In her spare time, Nancy loves to cycle, garden and go on long hikes with her husband John and their adorable Shi Tzu, Grace Note. Email Nancy
Nicolette Norris, Minister of Giving and Communications
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 the expansion of our social media presence. 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 has been elected as a deputy to General Convention 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 4 adult children. In her spare time, she plays the piano and flute, enjoys studying foreign languages and researching the history of Saint James. Email Nicolette
Dr. William Wright, Director of Music
Dr. William Wright performs as both conductor and keyboardist and has been heard in twenty-seven countries of the world. In addition to serving as Director of Music and Arts at Saint James Church, he is Director of Choral Music and Senior Teaching Professor at Franklin & Marshall College, and Chorusmaster for the Lancaster Symphony Orchestra. Bill is a native and long-time resident of Boston. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Amherst College where he received the Lincoln Lowell Russell Prize for music performance and the Edward Poole Lay Fellowship for graduate study in music. He earned a Master of Music degree in piano performance from The NewEngland Conservatory and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in choral conducting from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro where he was awarded the Charles Hayes Fellowship.
Committed to using music for the benefit of the community, Bill has performed five benefit concerts for Tabor Community Services of Lancaster. Perhaps the most unique period of his life was the year he spent in Islamabad, Pakistan, where he taught at The International School of Islamabad, played for services at the Protestant International Church of Islamabad, and performed benefit concerts which raised significant funds for The Rawalpindi Leprosy Hospital, Saint Joseph’s Hospital in Islamabad, and the people of the Kalash Valley. Email Bill