Christ Church Cathedral

Steve Specht, Senior Warden
Family Information Wife – Lori, daughter – Ann Chapman, son- Ryan
My Work Senior Financial Advisor and Branch Manager at Merrill Lynch
My Church and Faith
Planned Giving Committee Chair, Long-Range Planning Committee, Usher, Greeter, Adult Sunday School Teacher, past member of Vestry, Investment Committee, Cursillo Head-Cha, Legacy Society organizer, Breakfast team, Alpha facilitator.
Personal Statement
I believe strongly that as individual Christians we are commanded by God to Love and Worship the Lord with all our mind, heart and soul, and to Love our neighbors as ourselves. I also believe that as a group of Christians (Christ Church) we are commanded to do the same, drawing on all the strengths and benefits of an organized group. As a Vestry Representative, I will do my best to help lead the parish toward accomplishing those goals every day, and thereby help the parish to become more vibrant, strong, growing and healthy. We are called to do more, do it better and continue it longer – being vibrant, strong, growing and healthy will enable us to do that.

C. B. Baize
My Family
My wife, Missy, my daughter, Rieke, my stepson, Jeff, & his family and my stepdaughter, Jennifer, & her family.
My Work
I have a B.S. from Murray State & a M.A. from EKU. I am retired from The Council of State Governments as Director of Finance & Administration. I served as Vice President for Business Affairs at Midway College. I have recently been performing accounting & consulting for several small clients.

My Church and Faith
I traveled to Mississippi for the past two years to work on homes damaged by Hurricane Katrina. I provided bookkeeping for the Bookstore for the past three years. I review monthly bank reconciliations of the cash accounts for the church. I served as Chair of the Stewardship campaign, usher, volunteer for the Community Cupboard, & I was on the Board of Directors of Opportunity Workshop of Lexington.
Personal Statement
I have been a member of Christ Church for about 25 years, and it has always provided for my needs. I care deeply about its future. If elected, I will dedicate my energy and range of business experience to further its mission and will support the clergy as they provide spiritual guidance to our congregation and reach out into our community.

Nancy Bogue

My Family
My husband, Russ, and I have three sons, Rusty, Randy & Rob. We have six grandchildren, and were recently blessed with a great grandson.
My Work
I am an independent travel consultant with Avant Travel. I started this career in 1981, not because the pay was great but because it sounded fun.
My Church and Faith
Christ Church is a big part of my life. At this point, I volunteer as a lector, chalice bearer, am a member of the Education Committee and am a coordinator for “The Wired Word.” I am in my fourth year of EfM, and I am also in a Dream Group, Cross of Nails & Society of the Companions of the Holy Cross.
Personal Statement
Christ Church Cathedral has become an important part of my life. It is hard to put into words. I have been a member since 1994 and have seen it become more spiritual, more loving, and more welcoming. But, maybe it is because of Christ Church that I have become all of those things. I love the building, and the people and I feel God here with us.

Ted Corman
My Family
Wife – Lorie, Sons – Chase (13) and Gates (10)
My Work
President of Corman and Associates a manufacturer of store fixtures and trade show displays – and The Corman Marketplace a retailer of Christmas and home décor
My Church and Faith
Usher, Stewardship Committee member since 2003 – Chairperson 2006-2007, Facilitator of Christian Families Sunday school class, Breakfast Team member
Personal Statement
The Corman family first visited Christ Church 7 years ago. My wife, Lorie, and I were both lifelong Baptists but had developed differences between our beliefs and those of the Baptist convention we could no longer overlook. We also had 2 young sons, Chase and Gates, and wanted to find a church home with strong family and children’s programs. We felt we belonged at Christ Church from the very first Sunday. The beauty of the church itself, the music and the service along with the number of friends and families we knew in the congregation were very welcoming. I am honored to serve on the Vestry. I believe working with stewardship has given me a chance to meet many of you and learn about the operations and ministries of our church sooner and more in depth than I would have normally expected. I welcome the opportunity to expand my role in the growth of Christ Church and my hope is to guarantee visiting families next month, next year and next decade feel the same sense of belonging as the Cormans.

Doug Geddes

My Family
Married to Mary Ann Geddes for 33 years. Two children, DJ Geddes, Elizabeth Geddes.
Parents, Herb and Frankie Geddes.
My Work
President and Owner: Herb Geddes Fence Co., Inc. and Geddes Pools, Inc. Been working in Central KY for over 40 years.
My Church and Faith
Have sung in the Men & Boys Choir for 47 years. Served on the vestry two different times. Currently serving on the music committee. Member of past search committees for current Rector and Choir Master.

Valerie Getchell
My Family
Husband - Gene, Daughters - Gail and Gretchen, Grands - Christopher, Emily, Douglas and Valerie
My Work
Homemaker
My Church and Faith
Currently, Congregational Care, Altar Guild, Bookstore volunteer, Greeter, Previously, Sunday School Teacher and Scout Leader (Brownies). Social activities, Commodores and Gather N’ Grow.
Personal Statement
“Being so proud of our church and its cohesive family, it is my wish to share this with many, many more. We have been blessed with new members and families. There are many areas for us all to contribute both on the social and always the practical working side. It is my fondest wish that as we grow in numbers we may also grow in our willingness to serve where needed and with outreach ministry being our ultimate goal.” I am proud to serve on the Vestry of this Cathedral and represent the parishioners to the best of my ability.

Tom Howard

My Family
I was raised on a farm in Woodford County, Versailles, Kentucky. I have one sister.
My Work
I graduated from WKU with a B.S. & a M.A. I am retired from the U.S. Naval Reserves (23 years), and from the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture (34 years). I have also maintained a farming operation consisting of tobacco, cattle & hay for over 30 years. I am currently a licensed funeral director for Milward Funeral Directors, Inc.

My Church and Faith
I am an active member of Christ Church Cathedral. I am involved with Room In The Inn (6 year homeless program), and the Bluegrass Military Affairs Coalition (BMAC). I have been a part of PPR since its inception in December 2005.
Personal Statement
To quote an Anglican Brother, John Wesley, “ If your heart is right with God, give me your hand. You are my Brother and Sister.” I am blessed to be serving with you; together we will be even more blessed to serve for and with Christ. “In souls filled with love, the desire to please God is a continual prayer.”

Diane Milburn

Family Information
Husband Ron; Children Casey, Jonathon & Holly; Granddaughter Emilie
My Work
Research Engineer Lexmark
My Church and Faith
Sunday School teacher, Confirmation mentor, Breakfast team coordinator, Children’s Chapel storyteller, Chalice bearer/reader,Bookstore volunteer
Personal Statement
I work as a Research Scientist in the materials engineering department at Lexmark. I have been married to Ron Milburn for twenty four years and we have three children, Casey, Jonathan, Holly and a granddaughter, Emilie. As for church activities, I have been involved as a Sunday school teacher, Children’s Chapel Leader, bookstore volunteer, chalice bearer, Crop Walk Organiser and Breakfast Team Organizer for several years. Christ Church is an essential part of my life. My family and I have received so much from our membership here, and I am honored to serve as a Vestry Representative.

John D. Stempel

My Family
Wife: Susan, grown daughters, Amy, Alix & Jill
My Work
Professor, UK Patterson School of Diplomacy
My Church and Faith
Lay Reader, Gather & Grow, Community of Cross of Nails, Sunday School Teacher, Diocesan Executive Council 2004-07
Personal Statement
I am committed to an active spiritual life, and want to help others enjoy the same by maintaining Christ Church as an active, effective, caring congregation with positive leadership. I will bring to this task my personal and professional commitment to relationship building, conflict resolution, as well as my experience in the Episcopal Church on four continents and six dioceses. This has included service as a lay leader in Burundi and Iran, Sunday school teaching in three African countries and two other churches in the United States as well as Christ Church; vestry service in three other churches, and a term on our own Diocesan Executive Council. While on Vestry, my focus will be helping to meet present needs while planning for a solid future.

Billy Van Pelt

My Family
My father, Billy, my mother, Peggy, two brothers, Jerry & John, one niece, Angela, and three grand-nephews, Lance, Jackson & Brady.
My Work
I have a B.A. from Transylvania in 1987, and a B.S. from UK in 1997. I am the Director of the Purchase of Development Rights farmland preservation program, and I am a licensed landscape architect.
My Church and Faith
I am an usher, on the Planned Giving Committee, founding member of the Legacy Society, on the Pastoral Care Team, on the Stewardship Committee and an offering counter. I am the President of the Kentucky Landscape Architects Registration Board, President of the Transylvania University Bluegrass Area Alumni Board and Vice-Chair of the Urban County Arts Review Board.
Personal Statement
I have been a member of Christ Church for nearly 14 years. As my community of faith, it is also my spiritual foundation and home. Each time that I am in the Cathedral, I become centered and focused on that which is most important.

Carolyn Ware
My Family
I have been married to husband Sam for 47 years. He is retired from Ashland Oil. We have three grown children. Two daughters, Susan and (Mary) Blanton live in Lexington.
My Work
I was fortunate to be a ‘stay at home Mom’ and volunteered in numerous areas thru the years. For 20 years was volunteer staff with the Highlands Museum in Ashland where I first was Curator of the Antique Clothing Collection and later was in charge of Collections.

My Church and Faith
Chalice Bearer
Morning Prayer Team
Daughters of the King
Historiographer
Old Episcopal Burying Ground Committee
Community of the Cross of Nails
ECW
Congregational Care Team
Children’s Ministry
Prayer Shawl Ministry
Gather and Grow

Jim Ware
My Family
When Cindy and I were married in 1986, we also found Christ Church. Cindy is a cradle Episcopalian and she introduced me to the Church, which became a large part of our spiritual lives. I have a grown son, Daniel, who lives in Lexington.
My Work
I worked as a bank regulator for 33 years, eight with the State of Kentucky and 25 with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. My service to the Church was limited during this time. My erratic travel schedule hindered my ability to make firm time commitments. Presently, I am a Senior Consultant for Bankers Service Corporation.
My Church and Faith
I am or have been a Verger, Acolyte Master, Lay Eucharistic Minister, EfM Graduate, Treasurer (through 2008) and on the Morning Prayer Team.

Marc Mathews, Treasurer
My Family
Wife, Gwen, Daughter, Mary Rollins, Son, Will
Mother and Father-in-law, Gwenda and Chuck Williamson
My Work
CPA, Controller, University of Kentucky
My Church and Faith
Vestry 2005 – 2007, Senior Warden, 2006, Bookstore volunteer, Breakfast team volunteer and former coordinator, Usher