Our Leadership

Father Jim Teets - Rector

The Rev. James Teets, or Father Jim as he is known to his parish, graduated with a Master of Divinity degree from the School of Theology at the University of the South, Sewanee in 2017. Shortly thereafter, he was ordained to the Sacred Order of Priests at Trinity Cathedral in Miami, Fl. He, his wife Sharon and their chocolate lab, Shamus, moved to Dade City in 2019 and are excited to be able to minister in this new mission field. Jim and Sharon have two grown sons, Casey (Boaz, AL) and Crawford (Mooresville, NC).

Jim and Sharon feel a calling by God to spread the Good News and model a Christ-centered life to their new church and surrounding community. They were drawn to the open, loving, and enthusiastic community of faith at St. Mary’s and look forward to continuing to help their new faith community make new and enduring disciples for Christ through worship, education, and local missional outreach.

Sandra Sartain

Parish Administrator

Cheryl A. Smith

Music Director

Tony Carbone

Sexton

Laura Weeks

Custodian

Vestry Officers

Dennis Alfonso - Chancellor

Nancy Alfonso has been engaged in the practice of law since 1990. She has represented the District School Board of Pasco County since 1992 and the Hernando County School Board since 2011 as assistant general counsel in the areas of real estate acquisitions, bid and contract review, exceptional student education and charter schools. In addition, she practices in the area of estate planning, probate, bankruptcy, adoption, and family law and has litigation experience in State trial, administrative and appellate Courts as well as in Federal trial courts. Nancy has served on the Florida Board of Bar Examiners since 2013. She served on the 2nd District Court of Appeals Judicial Nominating Commission from 1999 until 2007. She has been a member of the Florida School Board Attorneys Association since 1992 and served as its President in 2014. Nancy was elected as a City Commissioner for the City of Dade City in 1992 and served two terms through 1998. A native of Dade City, Nancy continues to be active in the community. She is a member of the Advent Health Zephyrhills/Dade City Foundation, the Hollyhock Circle of the Dade City Garden Club and St. Mary’s Episcopal Church.

Danielle Hicks - Vestry Clerk

Danielle has been an active member of St. Mary's for 44 years. Over the years, Danielle has served as the church treasurer, a Sunday school instructor, a choir and bells choir member, a member of the altar guild, and served as the vestry secretary for four years. Danielle has been happily married to Lonnie Hicks for 34 years and has two beautiful children, Adam and Kaeleigh Hicks. Danielle has worked for Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative, Inc. in customer service for 14 years and enjoys giving back to her community, family bonding, cooking, canning, gardening, and outdoor activities in her spare time.

John Harrison - Treasurer

Our Treasurer, John Harrison, earned a BS in Accounting and a Master’s degree in Personnel Management. John has served as the Bursar at Ithaca College and Comptroller at Lynchburg College. He has also served as the Assistant Treasurer at Genessee Community College, Treasurer at Worcester State College and Dean of Business at Pasco Hernando Community College.

Our Vestry

Nancy Alfonso- Sr. Warden

Nancy Alfonso was born and raised in Dade City and has been an active member of St. Mary’s since 1995.  She served on the vestry from 2005 to 2008 and was active with the Sunday School and Youth Group. 

Nancy has been happily married to Dennis Alfonso for 26 years and they have two children, Alex and India who were raised at St. Mary’s.  Nancy and her husband are both attorneys and have a general civil practice in Dade City and Zephyrhills.  Nancy is thrilled that Father Teets is with us and is looking forward to seeing the Church grow into an active and thriving church community.

Greg Gude- Jr. Warden

Greg Gude is a long-time member of St. Mary’s and attends regularly with his wife Fanchone and grandchildren Kinlee Rose, Andy and Caden. He has served prior terms on the Vestry and is excited about returning to that leadership position. Greg is the President of Kumquat Growers and is very active in the Dade City community. He looks forward to offering his many skills to help continue the growth of St. Mary’s into the future.

Elizabeth “Liz” Mitchell- Christian Formation

I am a Christian.  I am a wife, a mother and a teacher.  I have been attending St. Mary’s since the early 1990s. I have raised my three adult children (Correen, Thomas, and Alexander) in this church and I have lived in Dade City with my husband Michael for over 37 years. Two years ago I retired from teaching after working for Pasco County Schools for 30 years most all of it right here in Dade City at Pasco Elementary school. I would be happy to use my experience and talents to help St. Mary’s children education continue to expand and grow!

John Finnerty- Inreach

John Finnerty is a Florida Native and has been a member of St Mary’s forever 30 years. He is married to Dr Nancy Finnerty. Their family includes four children and ten grandchildren. John has vast organizational experience. He retired from the U S Postal Service as Postmaster of Sarasota Florida after 35 years of service. He also served in the U S Army Reserve as a Command Sergeant Major with 31 years of service. Most recently John has served as President/CEO for Pasco Habitat for Humanity for eleven years. During that time, he served as a Coordinator of Special Operation (During the refugee crisis in Europe) working in the country of Macedonia for four years. After his return to Florida in 2016, he again worked as President/CEO of Habitat until 2020. He has a long history of service to his community serving as a Life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars, Special Forces Association, Florida Trail Association, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Nantahala Hiking Club and as Vice Chair of the Pasco Housing Authority. John’s organizational experience and time served with Habitat for Humanity have made him a valuable member of the St. Mary’s Building Committee. He also serves as a consulting member with the St. Mary’s Endowment Fund Committee.

Kenneth White- Church Life

My parents came to St. Mary’s in the 90’s and were received into the church. I began attending St. Mary’s regularly in 2012. I was married in the church in 2013. I was received into the church in 2018. I have always felt that St. Mary’s is an inviting place to worship and more times than I can count have felt that I came out better for having attended. Recently, I have felt compelled to be more involved in the church and was encouraged by my father to pursue candidacy for the vestry. I have 2 focuses for outreach to community and additions that I think all of our members would appreciate. I am very much interested in using the Locke house property as a community garden as well as a permanent labyrinth prayer garden.

Mike Menard- Outreach

My wife, Karen and I, were married, by Fr. Tanno, at St. Mary’s.  We have been regularly attending members ever since.  Mike and I have 2 sons, Mike II and Marc, they were also both baptized at St. Mary’s.  As we wanted to become more connected to St. Mary’s, I started helping with Childrens Chapel and then became a Sunday School teacher. I am excited by Fr. Teets leadership and looking forward to seeing St. Mary’s s continue to grow. St. Mary’s is home for our family.