Bruce Johnson
Saint Mark’s has been the church home for Bruce Johnson, and his wife, Michele, for 30 years. “We were made to feel welcome from the very beginning and the warmth of the welcome has never faded,” Bruce said.
He has returned the favor: singing in the choir for more than a decade, a lay reader, chalice bearer, trustee of the parish endowment fund and a member of the Marksmen. He has served on Saint Mark’s vestry twice previously and also served on vestries in Columbia, SC and Ann Arbor, MI. Plus, he is “Exalted Scheduler” (Bruce’s term) of the parish Golf League.
Bruce retired in 2014 as a professor at Ohio State University’s Moritz College of Law. He said he is interested in returning to the vestry because “assisting in the governance of Saint Mark’s is an important way to serve this parish and its members.
“I have liked the four rectors (each very distinct) I have known here, its liturgical style (not too high, not too low), its wonderful music, its architecture (very good mid-century modern), its gardens and, above all, the people of Saint Mark’s.”
When it comes to serving Saint Mark’s, Barb Keyes’ response is ‘yes.’ Barb has been a member of Saint Mark’s for nearly 40 years; this would be her third vestry term. In her previous term she also held the posts of junior and senior warden.
“You’ll usually find me around at most things going on in the parish,” she said. That includes Outreach activities, Altar Guild, Flower Guild, Sacred Conversations, book groups and more. She said she’s excited about the future of Saint Mark’s: “Despite the Covid restrictions I have watched Saint Mark’s adapt, change and grow to meet the needs of the congregation. I am so proud of how we have pulled together to keep Saint Mark’s active.”
“I find the people of Saint Mark’s caring and resilient. We adapt to situations with a smile and hard work. I love that we are able to reach outside our walls and help others through all our outreach projects. We check on each other and are there to help when needed. The lasting friendships I’ve made here at Saint Mark’s are a great joy. Saint Mark’s is a wonderful, vibrant place to be.”