CALLING ALL MEMBERS!
Are you interested in learning more about the business of the church and serving with your gifts of financial management, strategic planning, building knowledge, and human resources experience? The Board is looking to fill 4 upcoming vacancies who will serve 3-year positions.
The Board is an amazing ministry that helps with every aspect of church life and health. On a practical level the meetings are only once a month. Board members take turns doing announcements and counting the offering. Being on the board is a wonderful way to get to know more people in the church and to draw others into our work.
Join our next board meeting on August 18th or September 15th at 6:30 pm either at MCCGSL or on Zoom to learn more about how our Board Meetings work.
Meet Our Board of Directors
In addition to our Lead Pastor who serves as the Moderator of the Board, the following folks are current members of our Board of Directors who help guide our congregation’s overall mission and vision. To email the Board of Directors, simply write to board@mccgsl.org.
David Hanes, Vice Moderator (he/him)
David has been in the Project Management industry for over 25 years, specializing in coaching organizations and teams on collaboration and transparency, and he has served as a co-chair for LGBTQ+ diversity employee resource group for two companies. He is part of the church choir and served in many other roles in the church dating back to our days at St. John’s off Washington. David is currently in a loving and supporting relationship with his partner, David, who also attends services on a regular basis.
Tim mullins, clerk/record keeping (he/him)
Tim is a relationship-focused professional with and expertise in healthcare, leadership development, and retail. He has a long history of cultural, community, and human rights leadership, and since 2016 he has been an active voice and participant in many aspects of the MCCGSL community. Tim often chooses to challenge the status-quo with an eye toward forward motion while not leaving others behind. One of his guiding questions is, “What good is progress if only a small group makes the journey while others are left behind feeling unheard or less-than?”
Dennis White, Treasurer (he/him)
Dennis White started attending MCCGSL at St. John’s in 2000. Acceptance of everyone just as we are, believing as we do, resonated with him. Dennis met his partner, Maurice, at MCCGSL in 2001, and they have been together ever since. At MCCGSL, he was able to find the love and support he needed to overcome effects of earlier religious experience. At church, Dennis is on the multimedia volunteer team, serving almost every Sunday, is an usher, reader, and communion server. Most recently he has taught the Aging Faithfully class and served on the 2024 Budget Committee. In addition to the vast church experience he has, he has also worked closely with a number of boards over the course of his three careers, including facilitating strategic planning, process/quality improvement, project management, and has experience with budgets ranging from approximately $5M to $2.5B.
LEONA BRYSON, MEMBER-AT-LARGE (she/her)
Leona Bryson joined MCCGSL in April 2022, after looking for a new church home. She has volunteered with many groups and activities since joining, including, Greeter, Usher, Pride, Social Hour, and most recently has joined the Board of Directors as a provisional Board Member. She is a thirty-year letter carrier with the United States Postal Service where she has held various leadership positions. Leona is the mother of two: Robert and Ashley. She is also the grandmother of Tyler and Bryson, with whom she loves spending time.
Galen Elliot, Member-at-Large (he/him)
My name is Galen Elliott, and I have been a member of MCCGSL for about 2 years as of 2025! I am relatively new to St Louis, (since 2022). My partner, Cecil, and I have been together for 12 years and I have been a cosmetologist for almost 50 years, and a salon owner for 20 years. I am partially retired, but still enjoy practicing my profession on a part time basis.
I look forward to the future of our community of faith, and the opportunity to serve on the Board of Directors. Thank you for putting your trust in me!
Carole Ward, Member-at-Large (she/her)
After moving to St. Louis, I began working as a Nurses' Aide at the old Christian Hospital on Pope in the 63115 neighborhood. I am sure God was preparing me for my career as a RN later after attending college for same. I absolutely loved my career, assisting, teaching, and guiding others to their return to normal (or at least a more stable way of life), was a true dream come true. The Emergency room was my haven away from home! I joined the MCCGSL Family in 2010 and through many life transitions, always felt home within the doors of our Church home!
Even though I am now living in Columbia, SC, I continue to be an active member, attending Tea and reading the books that are recommended!
Metropolitan Community Church of Greater Saint Louis is the BEST of the BEST!!!
Vicki Statsko, Member-at-Large (she/her)
I started attending concerts, special events & services at MCCGSL with dear friends that were members. Rev. Wes Mullins’ sermons always brought a tear to my eye, it would just drop without me knowing. I always felt I had been “touched”. No other pastor had ever brought me to tears. I made the decision to become a member at our last Easter service on Broadway. I belonged here.
I am not sure if this is a good personality trait or a bad one, but never tell me “You can’t do that!” Because I will definitely prove you wrong! When my high school counselor told me I was too smart to be a teacher, I went on to prove him wrong. I graduated in 3 ½ yrs., went on to college, & taught pre-school special education for 5 yrs. Then I decided I really wanted a man’s salary. Back to college & became the only female civil engineer for 36 yrs. with St. Clair County, IL. Highway Dept. Laughingly, I always say engineering was my “boy” job, but was not really creative. So, I always seem to find a part time “girly” job. I have worked for Christian Dior, Calvin Klein &; Juicy Couture cosmetic companies in sales. I used my creative skills to design; start Bagapalooza, one-of-a-kind handbags. I designed & sewed over 700 named & numbered handbags.
Those creative sewing skills led me to 12 years at Jackman’s Fabrics, where I sold embroidery and sewing machines. I taught sewing techniques, embroidery classes & digitizing classes. I am still employed in a “girly position” as the manager of Merle Norman Cosmetics & Wigs.
During my time as a member of MCCGSL, I have served on the Hospitality team, 50 th Anniversary Committee, Decoration & Design Committee, Trivia Committee, chaired the Silent Auction and assist with serving communion. When there was an opening on the board that needed filling, I made the decision to step forward. I felt another woman was needed to balance the board & someone to represent the Illinois members. My background is quite diversified, but what stands out, are the people and leadership skills I have developed in my many different roles in my lifetime. “Come as you are, believing as you do” has always resonated with me.