Meet Our Staff
The Reverend David M. Rider 
The Reverend David Rider is Interim Rector of St. Mark's Church. He began his work with us on November 1, 2004, after completing a similar ministry at Grace Church in New York.
As Interim Rector, Father Rider oversees the spiritual and temporal resources of our parish. In addition to his liturgical and pastoral duties, he works with the vestry, staff and parishioners to take stock of our parish identity and culture while discerning new models for mission strategy as a faith community.
In addition to his parish experience, Father Rider has worked for more than a decade at the Church Pension Group in the areas of health benefits, clergy wellness and professional liability. He has provided national leadership in developing new standards for professional sexual misconduct and child sexual abuse prevention. He loves the inter-disciplinary connections among theology, psychodynamic theory, law and servant leadership.
Father Rider holds degrees from Carleton College, Union Theological Seminary and General Theological Seminary. In addition, he holds certificates from the Washington School of Psychiatry and from the Executive Education division of Harvard Business School.
A whirlwind of energy and enthusiasm for getting the job done, Father Rider happens also to be a font of knowledge on church and biblical history. He shares his expertise in lectures and sermons that are informative and provocative. Father Rider and his wife, Jackie, live in Chappaqua, NY with their teenaged sons, Phillip and Marcus. Email Father Rider
The Reverend Carol Hoidra
On September 1, 2007, The Rev. Carol Hoidra arrived at St. Mark’s as Assistant to the Rector for the program year. In addition to
preaching, celebrating the Eucharist, providing pastoral care, and officiating at baptisms, weddings, and funerals, Carol will lead the St. Mark’s EYC program for high school youth, teach the eighth-grade confirmation class, co-ordinate the Sunday-evening Taize Eucharists, and the annual high school youth trip to Taize, France.
Carol was ordained to the priesthood in the Diocese of Connecticut on January 20, 2007. She is a graduate of Yale Divinity School and holds a Diploma in Anglican Studies from Berkeley Divinity School at Yale. A “second-career” priest, Carol was, for many years, involved in publishing and advertising in New York and London. She has served in senior staff positions and as an independent consultant with a client list that includes Newsweek, Times-Mirror Magazines, and Pfizer.
As a lifelong devotee of the opera and “early” music, theater, and the fine arts, Carol is very happy to be within easy commuting distance of New York City again. Email Mother Carol.
The Reverend Anne Richards
St. Mark’s welcomes the Rev. Anne Richards as Priest Associate for the duration of the interim period. Anne began with us on Sunday, September 16 and will continue to be with us on Sunday mornings preaching, celebrating, leading the Children’s Eucharist and teaching during the 9:00 slot. Anne is leading an 11-week class: Toward God—A Theology of Prayer, in the Outreach Center.
Anne Richards graduated from Smith College and earned an M.A. in English literature from NYU, and then later a Masters of Divinitiy from General Theological Seminary. She has worked as a parish priest, a hospital chaplain, served on the diocesan staff (as administrator of the ordination process in the Diocese of New York), and currently as Chaplain at Grace Church School in Manhattan, an Episcopal school for grades pre-K through 8.
She is married to the Rt. Rev. Richard F. Grein, 14th Bishop of New York (retired). They have two sons, Matthew, age 29, graphics manager at Robert Stern Architects in Manhattan; and Jeffrey, age 26, architect at Skidmore Owings and Merrill in Chicago. Email Anne Richards
Brian-Paul Thomas
Brian-Paul Thomas, affectionately known to us as B-P, beg
an his ministry at St. Mark’s in September 1998. As Choirmaster and organist, his responsibilities include conducting the six parish choirs, playing for services, administering the St. Mark’s Concert Series and bringing special musical events to our parish.
He is also Instructor of Choral Music at Norwalk Community Technical College. A certificate holder of the Royal School of Church Music, B-P holds the Professional Studies Diploma from Manhattan School of Music in New York City where he was a student of Alec Wyton. A consummate professional musician beloved by the young, old and in-betweens who are privileged to study with him at St. Mark’s. Email B-P Thomas
Rhonda Morrill
Rhonda Morrill, became a part of the St. Mark's team in June of 1999 as the Director of Christian Education at St. Mark’s. Since then, she has taken on much of the communications role in the parish as the Editor-in-Chief of our parish newsletter, The Lion's Roar and oversees the website. Before joining our staff, Rhonda chaired the Christian Education Committee at Hitchcock Presbyterian Church in Scarsdale, NY. With her warm heart, great sense of humor, organizational skills and experience, our program is in great, caring hands.
Rhonda has a degree in Marketing from Fordham University and worked for years in the field of Marketing Research and Advertising. She and her husband, Tom, live in Pound Ridge, NY with their college age children, Evan and Brittany. Email Rhonda Morrill
Richard DePatie 
A St. Mark’s parishioner for more than 20 years, Dick DePatie assumed the duties of Parish Administrator in May 1998, following a successful 40-year career in the insurance industry, where he served in sales and sales management at CIGNA and Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.
Prior to becoming Parish Administrator, Dick served on the vestry for three years and as Senior Warden of St. Mark’s for five years. He has been involved at St. Mark’s in a wide variety of activities, including the Search Committee, Outreach Commission, stewardship, long range planning and the Finance Committee. He is currently Chairman of Planned Giving. A graduate of Brown University, Mr. DePatie served with the United States Air Force as a pilot. His quiet demeanor belies a wit and wisdom that enriches us all. He lives with his wife Molly, also an indefatigably active parishioner, here in New Canaan. Email Richard DePatie
Helen S. Palmesi
Director Helen S. Palmesi has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Child Development and Family Relations from the University of Connecticut and did graduate work in education at the University of Maryland and Wheelock College. She has more than 30 years of experience and in early childhood education. Helen has been director of St. Mark’s Nursery School since its founding over 10 years ago. She makes a point keeping up with her past alumni/ae and takes great pleasure in watching them grow. She is a gift to the school and is appreciated by parents, teachers and children alike. Helen lives in Wilton and spends as much time as possible with her three daughters and new grandchildren.
Melanie Moyna
Melanie Moyna joined the staff in June 2006 as the manager of The Lion’s Den Book and Gift Store, an exciting new outreach
venture at St. Mark’s (scheduled to open in September 2006). Having worked in four bookstores, including The Drama Bookshop in Manhattan and the New Canaan BookShop, Melanie brings an abundance of experience and knowledge to this ministry. With a natural love of books, fine arts and travel combined with degrees in Education and Performing Arts, we are assured a unique selection of books and gifts in the Lion's Den. Melanie has a grown daughter Caroline and college age son David. Email Melanie
Thea McGee
Thea McGee, our Parish and Rector’s secretary joined the staff March 2001. Before joining St. Mark’s, Thea was the Parish Secretary at St. Elizabeth Seton Roman Catholic Church in Ridgefield for 11 years. Thea’s can-do attitude and her upbeat personality, as well as her many years of church experience make her a valuable asset as support staff to St. Mark’s. Thea is an avid hiker and an Open Space Ranger for the Ridgefield Conservation Commission. She and her husband Tim live in Ridgefield and have two grown sons, Evan and Craig. Email Thea McGee
Nadia Cwiach
Nadia Cwiach, our Financial Secretary joined the staff June 2001.
Prior to joining St. Mark’s, Nadia ran her own accounting business. Nadia has a degree in liberal arts from Queens College, NY and extensive non-profit financial experience. She is our resident Pysanky artist and leads a yearly Lenten class teaching this ancient Ukrainian art. Email Nadia Cwiach
