The Very Rev. Leslie Burkardt, Rector

Leslie’s family moved to Rochester in 2015 from Corpus Christi, Texas. Jay, her husband, is the Assistant
at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on East Avenue. They have a teenage daughter, Norah, who is fabulous,
and two dogs, Bear, & Eleanor, who are an important part of their family.

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Leslie’s professional experience is both broad and deep. She served as an associate in parishes in Corpus Christi, TX, and Greensboro, NC, and as Rector in North Carolina and Interim Rector in Texas. She has formal training in Interim Leadership, Meditation and Reconciliation in Family Systems, Appreciative Inquiry, and Stewardship Formation. She is passionate about Preaching, Teaching, and Spiritual Formation,
and imagining creative ways people of faith gather, grow, and serve the world.

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Spiritual practices such as yoga and running are key to her health and life with God. She enjoys writing, spending time with her family, volunteering in their daughter’s classroom when possible, and spending
time outside.

 

Phone: 585-442-3544 ext. 103

Email: leslie@stthomasrochester.org

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The Rev. Lydia Arnts, Associate for Children's and Youth Ministries​
Lydia currently serves St. Thomas’ as a Transitional Deacon and will continue her role as Associate

when she is ordained a Priest at the end of 2025.

Lydia is originally from Bath, New York and grew up in the Diocese of Rochester attending St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church in Bath. She attended Ithaca College majoring in Vocal Performance and graduated

with her Bachelor of Music in 2022.

After discerning a call to ordained ministry, Lydia attended Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, Virginia. There she completed her seminarian internship at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Washington D.C. Lydia graduated with her Master of Divinity in May of 2025.
 

Lydia is passionate about Christian formation, liturgy and music, and social justice. In her spare time,

she enjoys reading, cooking, going for walks, and making music.

 

Phone: 585-442-3544

Email: lydia@stthomasrochester.org

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Deacon Andrea Stridiron, Deacon

Andrea is a retired teacher from the Rochester City School District. She graduated from West Chester

State University in West Chester, PA, in 1976 with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education.

In 1998, she earned her Master of Education in Elementary Education/Reading from SUNY Brockport. Andrea has been a member of St. Thomas' Church for 40 years. In May 2009, she was ordained to the Diaconate after completing the Rochester Deacon Formation Program.

 

Email: ritastarryeyes@gmail.com

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Paula Gitlin, Youth Minister 

Paula is a long-time member of St. Thomas’ and a recently retired high school teacher. She loves God,

St. Thomas’, and desires that our children and youth grow up surrounded by the love of our parish family.

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Phone: 585-442-3544
Email: paula@stthomasrochester.org

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​​Rhonda Wright, Organist & Choir Director

Rhonda joined the ministry team as organist and choir director in 2023. She brings to the position
an expansive history of choral and handbell conducting, church director of music experience, and
organ and piano performance. She graduated from Penn State University with a Bachelor's degree
in Piano Performance and moved to New York for her graduate studies at The Eastman School
of Music. While there, she completed her doctoral coursework, and a Masters degree in Music
Theory. She has also immersed herself in Biblical studies at Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity
School. Rhonda finds joy in the ministry of music, both within the walls of a church sanctuary and through the engagement of community ensembles with the wider community. 

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Phone: 585-442-3544 ext. 108

Email: organist@stthomasrochester.org

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​​Anita Herring, Director of Finance & Administration​

Anita Herring was born and raised in the picturesque western farmlands of Rochester, where the

values of hard work and community were instilled in her from a young age. With a strong foundation

in academics, she pursued an Associate of Science in Accounting, equipping herself with the financial knowledge to navigate the business world.

 

Anita's career began at Hudson Hotels, where she spent 13 fulfilling years. She then transitioned to a

role at Paychex, dedicating five years to the company before making the decision to work part-time.

This choice allowed her to focus more on her family and cherish moments with her son, Shane.

 

Anita's personal life is equally rich. She has been happily married to her high school sweetheart for over

two decades. Together, they have realized a long-held dream of building their own home, a project they began envisioning when they were just 12 years old.

 

Beyond her professional and family life, Anita has a variety of passions. She loves music, reading, and challenging her mind with brain games. An avid animal lover, her home is shared with her beloved pets, including two dogs, Athena and Zona, two cats, Didymus and Nera, and two horses, Star and Journey. Anita’s appreciation for nature and commitment to her family define her, creating a life that is both balanced and fulfilling.

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Phone: 585-442-3544 ext. 102

Email: finance@stthomasrochester.org and office@stthomasrochester.org

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Amy Holowczenko, Communications/Reception

Amy joined the staff with a wealth of experience in communications and website design and oversees

all things communication oriented. Additionally, she serves as the Parish Office Receptionist, answering

the phones and manages some technical aspects of the Parish Office and AV equipment. 

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Phone: 585-442-3544 ext. 101

Email: communications@stthomasrochester.org

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David Grantham, Property Manager

David comes to us with a wealth of knowledge and experience. David joined the staff in February 2021.

 

Phone: 585-442-3544 ext. 107
Email: david@stthomasrochester.org

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