The Rev. Vicki Zust
Rector (rector@saintmarkscolumbus.org)
Vicki grew up in Westerville, received a Bachelor of Arts degree in elementary education from Ohio Wesleyan University and a Master of Divinity degree from the former Seabury-Western Theological Seminary, Evanston, IL. She served as Director of Youth Ministries at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Delaware, OH, from 1988 to 1994. She was Assistant Rector at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church in Bexley in 1997 and 1998 before being called as Rector of Trinity Episcopal Church in Newark, where she served through 2004. After that she served five years as Canon to the Ordinary for the Diocese of Southern Ohio, where her roles included working with 82 congregations in planning and stewardship, developing youth curriculum and overseeing the development of the diaconate and priesthood. Vicki was called to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in suburban Buffalo in 2009, where she emphasized youth and adult formation, stewardship and community involvement. During this time she also served more than four years as the Bishop’s Assistant in the Diocese of Western New York.
The Rev. MaryJane Plote
Curate (curate@saintmarkscolumbus.org)
MaryJane is excited to be the curate at St. Mark’s. MaryJane has a B.A. in History from the University of Dallas, an M.A. in Pastoral Ministry and Theology from the University of Dayton, and a Master of Divinity from The Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest, in Austin Texas.
MaryJane is originally from El Paso, Texas. She lived in the South Bronx, NY for a year of service where she taught 4th grade at a public charter school, before moving to Dayton for graduate school in 2018. She served as a Campus Ministry Graduate Assistant at the University of Dayton (Go Flyers!) where she worked primarily with undergraduates involved in liturgy and taught undergraduate courses on liturgy and LatinX theology and migration. Most recently before seminary she was serving as Programs Assistant at Christ Church, Dayton, leading formation for children and families, as well as teaching adult formation and running the live streaming for worship. While in seminary she did field education at Texas Canterbury and Jubilee Episcopal Church, and was the Mental Wellness Chaplain at Procter Summer Camp in 2025.
She is passionate about the Book of Common Prayer and bringing joy into ministry. She is excited to explore Columbus and get to know each of you!
Dr. Matthew Bester
Director of Music (directorofmusic@SaintMarksColumbus.org)
Matthew Bester hails from Minneapolis, Minnesota. He holds both a PhD and a Master’s Degree in Musicology from The Ohio State University as well as a Graduate Certificate as a Specialist in Medieval and Renaissance Studies from Ohio State’s Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree cum laude in Music from Harvard University.
While living in Boston, he founded and directed the Holden Consort, an amateur orchestra and chorus with a diverse repertoire of choral and orchestral works, and was music director of the Lowell House Opera for a fully staged production of Gaetano Donizetti’s L’elisir d’amore. From 2002 to 2004 he was Assistant Conductor of the Ohio State Men’s Glee Club. In 2006, he founded Fior Angelico, a local chamber chorus dedicated to summertime performances of early music. He remains active as a singer, performing regularly with the all-professional Lancaster Chorale, for which he also serves as Associate Conductor. From 2000 to 2011 he was a soloist and bass section leader at Saint Mark’s.
Michael Schreffler
Organist (organist@saintmarkscolumbus.org)
Michael Schreffler began his musical studies with piano lessons at the age of 9. While not especially attracted to the organ at first, a new instrument installed in the Methodist church in his hometown, and his grandmother’s encouragement to take some lessons over the summer following his senior year in high school, gave birth to a passion that continues to this day. While majoring in English at Allegheny College in Meadville, PA, he pursued organ studies with Rebecca Borthwick, performing a senior recital alongside completing his thesis in creative writing.
For 30 years, Michael worked as a casualty claims adjuster for the State Farm group of companies, all the while continuing as a church musician, serving various congregations in southwestern Pennsylvania and northwestern and central Ohio. His organ teachers have also included Craig Dobbins, John Walker, Robert Glasgow, and he currently studies with Richard Fitzgerald.
In January 2022, Michael was appointed organist for St. Mark’s. Prior positions include First United Methodist of London, OH, and St. Lucas Lutheran (ELCA), Toledo. He holds memberships in the Association of Anglican Musicians and the American Guild of Organists, for which has servee on the board of its Columbus chapter. He and his husband, Rob Ellis, make their home in Columbus and have six grown children between them as well as six grandchildren.
Melanie Jacobs
Office Manager (officemanager@saintmarkscolumbus.org)
Originally from small town Lodi
, Ohio, Melanie moved to Columbus in 2012. She loves to travel and had the privilege of participating in the 2017 Saint Mark’s mission trip to Guatemala. She has worked and volunteered as an administrative assistant in various settings, including the Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland, and as an AmeriCorps Service Member with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Ohio. Melanie has been married to husband Kyle for six years and has a two-year-old daughter, Scarlett. In her spare time Melanie enjoys quality time with her family, practicing yoga, and taking long walks in Griggs Reservoir Park. Melanie serves as a part-time member of the Saint Mark’s staff.