Tricia McMath, Senior Warden
I have spent over 20 years as an appellate public defender representing persons convicted of criminal offenses. Currently I work for the Indiana Attorney General as Section Chief of Civil Appeals. The skills I bring to Trinity’s vestry include the ability to recognize issues, listen to others, and identify the common grounds that lead to collaboration and mutually constructive solutions.
Todd Relue, Junior Warden
I have been a practicing attorney for 13 years, the last ten with Plews Shadley Racher & Braun, LLP, with a focus on commercial real estate and environmental law. I serve as Assistant Chancellor for the Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis, helping the Bishop and her staff to address a variety of legal and governance matters. I served on the board of directors for a United Way organization for six years including two as President. Since 2016, I have served as the Clerk to the Vestry, participating in all Vestry and Executive Committee meetings. I am also an Acolyte Leader and Usher and currently chair a task force that is exploring potential uses for the 3265 House. I have represented Trinity as a delegate at Diocesan Convention and the annual gathering of the Consortium of Endowed Episcopal Parishes. I also served as a member of the Rector Search Committee.
CLASS OF 2023
Carol Decoursey
Although I have been retired for several years, I started my working career in Sales and Marketing in the Hotel industry and then with Indiana Bell/Ameritech. In the Bell System I also spent two years in Corporate Communications in charge of Ameritech Sponsorships and Small Business Communications. I left Ameritech to start DeCoursey Decor, my own Interior Design Consulting business. I also taught yoga and meditation for approximately ten years. My volunteer work with the Indiana Alzheimer’s Association has been useful education, and I was part of their Speaker’s Bureau and co-facilitated a Caregivers Support group at Martin University. My service at Trinity includes the Healing Ministry, counting/recording Trinity offerings, co-facilitating the Caregivers Support Group, the Stewardship Committee, and the Lay Eucharistic Ministry.
Shelly Furuness
I teach in the College of Education at Butler University where I am an Associate Professor of Education and the Curriculum and Assessment Coordinator in the college. I spent 7 years in middle school classrooms as an English teacher and have spent the last 15 years working with undergrad and graduate educators and advocates seeking to serve kids and communities in a variety of school and community contexts. I spend a good deal of time trying to serve teachers, youth workers, and young people at Pike High School, Shortridge High School, the Butler Lab Schools #60 and #55, and any school community where my former students find themselves working. I am also a member of the board of Horizons at St. Richards and a Journey Fellow for Youth Workers.
Kären Haley
I am the founding Executive Director of Indianapolis Cultural Trail, Inc., the non-profit behind the Indianapolis Cultural Trail: A Legacy of Gene and Marilyn Glick. Under my leadership the organization launched the Pacers Bikeshare program along the Cultural Trail in 2014. Prior to leading the Cultural Trail, I was the City of Indianapolis’ first Director of the Office of Sustainability. I began my career working for URS Corporation in the transportation demand management group. At Trinity, I served on the discernment team for the 3265 house and the implementation team for Trinity Haven. I have also served the board of St. Nicholas Early Learning, Inc.
Nathaniel Samba
I have more than 10 years of experience teaching in elementary school, middle school, high school, and college, with more than 15 years of experience in curriculum and course development for grade school and college. Also, I have more than eight years of experience working in educational program development, grant writing, and fundraising for non-profit community-based organizations. With a passion for giving back to the community, I bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to serve on the vestry at Trinity. Currently, I serve as Vice President/CEO for the family business, Quality Personal Home Care Services. This agency cares for all and provides personal service and home health care for the elderly and people with disabilities to help them remain in their homes. As the Co-Founder and President of Friends of Floya-Borma Hospital, Inc., I coordinate partnerships and volunteer to secure medical supplies and equipment for Foya-Borma Hospital, clinics in Foya District, as well as other hospitals in Lofa County, Liberia. At Trinity, I have been involved in voluntary outreach ministries including the grants committee, ushering, Gleaners food distribution, and Sunday dinner.
CLASS OF 2022
Bobby Bell
I am Assistant Director for Marketing and Recruitment Communications for the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at IUPUI. No matter what hat I’m wearing – to be a problem solver. I truly enjoy taking an issue and strategizing on all the possible paths that can be lead us to the solution we’re trying to achieve. At Trinity, currently I co-leader for the Rite-13 youth group; member of the Trinity Greeting Team; member of the PREP family group; previously assisted in the coordination of Trinity’s presence at the Cadillac-Barbie Indy Pride Parade; rumored to moonlight as the Magi Melchior at the Annual Epiphany Party for the past three years.
Deborah Cooney
Currently, I serve on the Exodus Welcome Team, the Lector Guild, and am a Chalice Bearer. During the 23 years that I have been a member of Trinity I have served on the Rector Search Committee, co-led the 2-year Julian of Norwich Contemplative Study, convener of Journey in Faith. I have offered Centering Prayer, the Labyrinth, and other contemplative practices. Our four daughters (Jennifer, Natasha, Melissa and Emily) all went through Rite-13 and Journey to Adulthood, and now our granddaughter, Rose is in Rite-13. I have been an educator throughout my career and am currently the Vice President of Indianapolis Classical Schools (Herron HS and Riverside HS). I have always been passionate about education and the health and well-being of children, both here in our country and abroad.
Marlene Marchesani
I went to Butler University and then to graduate school at Indiana University School of Optometry. I have had an optometry practice on the east side of Indianapolis for 28 years. I have been a parishioner at Trinity for six years but have been linked with Trinity for 25 years as we were raising our children at St Richards Episcopal School. All three of my children benefitted from their participation in Rite-13, Journey to Adulthood, and Pilgrimage .
Bill Mirola
Since completing my doctorate in 1995, I have spent my entire professional career at Marian University, where I currently serve as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. As a member of Trinity since 1991, I have served in many capacities. Most know me as one of the Ministers of Ceremonies at the 10 a.m. Sunday service. My previous leadership experiences include serving on the Trinity vestry twice, serving on the Saint Richards Board for six years, being a member on the rector and interim rector search committees, representing Trinity at several diocesan conventions, working as a legislative aide at four General Conventions, and a leader in the Journey in Faith program for many years. I have also been a Rite-13/J2A leader for two groups of youth, served on the Worship Committee, been a lector and a chalice bearer, and played roles in several Madrigal performances as well as being on the cooking team for Madrigals more recently.
Shana Stump
I teach in the Political Science Department at IUPUI. I am also a licensed attorney, and before teaching full time, I practiced law with a focus on general business litigation. My husband, Brian Steensland, and I attend Trinity with our two daughters: Minna and Maxine. For the last two years, I have co-chaired Trinity’s annual stewardship campaign, which includes participating in the Trinity Financial Working Group. I am a member of the board (and the governance committee) of St. Nicholas Early Learning, Inc. With my family, I convened a Discipleship Group for families newer to Trinity and/or the Episcopal Church. I serve on a Sunday Dinner team, have taught the preschool Sunday School class, and have served at the Mid-North Food Pantry.
CLASS OF 2021
Rick Beardsley
I am retired from my 40 year career at St Francis Hospital this month. I am a physician in geriatrics, family medicine, and a teacher of geriatric medicine. I grew up in Frankfort Indiana, graduated from DePauw University, and Indiana School of Medicine. My interests are gardening, art, travel, and running. I am involved with the Sunday Dinner as a team leader and hope to further help improve that important program. I am also involved with the Unexceptionable Cuisiniers, which has provided great fellowship as well as service. I think that this is an exceptional and unique church with potential to further expand services to our community and parishioners.
Linda E. Brown
I am a judge in the Marion Superior Court, in my 18th year of serving the community, presiding over misdemeanor cases. I am a member of the Marion County Bar Association, Indianapolis Bar Association and the Indiana State Bar Association. I have been a Trinity parishioner since 1996 and currently serve as a member on the Altar Guild and the Choir. I was baptized at Trinity as an adult and my spiritual journey has continued to enrich my life in ways I never expected.
Mary Chalmers
Currently I serve as Lector, Chalice Bearer, and Newcomers Welcoming Committee; and with my husband Brockton Brown: Lay Eucharistic Minister, Welcoming Team working with Prosper and his family, Madrigal Dinner, and Guest Host at Waycross Camp & Conference Center. Trinity and its people are a huge blessing to my life. I am thrilled to be part of the Newcomer Welcoming Committee and working on finding ways to be more intentional about welcoming newcomers. Community and Communion is what I see as the basis for planning our 100-year celebration and for going forward as a community-engaged, spiritually uplifting church.
Ann Smith
I am an attorney and also hold master’s degrees in Philanthropic Studies and Public Affairs. I spent 20 years in the nonprofit sector, beginning at a homeless shelter and soup kitchen in North Carolina and ending as a planned and major gift officer for The Nature Conservancy. In 2017, I opened the Ann Smith Law Office, a solo practice specializing in elder law and estate planning. My husband, David, and I were married at Trinity in 2008. Since 2015, our family has participated in Trinity’s Welcoming Team, which partners with Exodus Refugee International to welcome refugees to Indianapolis.