Search Committee Biographies

Susan Barkan

I have come a long way from my Presbyterian roots in suburban New Jersey. In 1967, the “summer of love,” I packed my worldly goods into a Dodge Dart (I had mailed 30 cartons of books earlier) and drove across the country to a job teaching English in a private girls’ school in Palo Alto, where I remained until my retirement. Transported by the beautiful liturgy and music of All Saints, I became a member in 1988 and have been involved in altar guild, adult forum, Just Us neighborhood group, book group, worship committee, practical support team, and two rector search committees. I have been widowed twice and regard the All Saints Community as my family

Sally Cadigan

Though I still think of myself as a midwesterner, I am what many Californians call an “east coaster” who found her way to All Saints’ shortly after moving here about 15 years ago.  My childhood in Michigan was followed by college in New York State, then adventures in Boston, St. Louis and 5 years in South Africa (where the second 2 of our 4 children were born in the late 60’s).  Our family then settled in Danbury, Connecticut, for about 20 years, where I became active in the local Episcopal church, eventually serving terms on the Vestry and as a Warden.

Diane Frankle

 I have been a member of All Saints since 1984, and began coming because of the welcoming hospitality, the church in the round and the Eucharist-centered worship.  I have served on the vestry twice and was senior warden in 2007.  I love being a greeter and a lector, and enjoy our Northern Stars neighborhood group, which I helped to found in 2007. I also  enjoyed our New Testament class and am enthusiastic about our current Hebrew Scriptures class. Whenever possible, I participate in small groups and help organize festivals and other parish events .  I am a partner in a global law firm, DLA Piper, and I work with many Silicon Valley technology companies. Since my husband Bob is a Jew, we also belong to the local reformed synagogue. We have two boys, Mark (18),   a freshman in college, and Paul (22); who is in his first job after college.

Mary Ann Hayward

 I came to Palo Alto twenty years ago from the East Coast (NH, MA and NJ) and became a member of All Saints' in 1996. I joined the Vestry in 2004, just as the Rector, Margaret Irwin, was retiring. During my third year I became Senior Warden and was in that position during our Interim year and when we called our last Rector, Ian Montgomery. I've been active especially in Stewardship efforts and am currently Chairman of the Personnel Committee.

Ann Lane

A life-long Episcopalian, I was raised in Southern California, but have been a Northern Californian for 33 years, almost as long as I have been a member of All Saints!  I have previously been a vestry member, Sunday school teacher, and participant in the book group. Currently I  sing in the choir, serve on the library committee, am in the Alma supper group, am a diocesan delegate and have pledged to start up the book club again.  This is my first search committee experience!  I work as a school librarian at a nearby large Catholic high school. I  have three grown children and multiple pets.  When I have the time I especially enjoy travelling, reading, and camping . I look forward to seeing where the Holy Spirit is leading all of us at All Saints.

Phil Palmer

I attended All Saints’ for the first time in the summer of 1991, on my first Sunday back in the Bay Area after a 14-year absence.  I was deeply moved by the Eucharistic liturgy in the round, the music, the warmth of the people, and the power of the preaching.  All Saints’ has been my spiritual home ever since.  This church has nourished my faith and has given me the opportunity to exercise my gifts in the service of God – especially my gift for teaching and my expertise in organization.  I have led classes in world religions and theology, and a long-running series in which we began with the  New Testament and are now reading the entire Hebrew Scriptures.  This is my second term on the Vestry, which has honored me by appointing me Chair of the Rector Search Committee. I’m an HR Manager at Boston Scientific Corporation.  My wife Nobuko is a member  of a historic Japanese Christian church in San Jose.  We attend each other’s church from time to time.  Our son Andrew teaches English in Japan.

Barbara Sawka

I have been a member of All Saints’ since 1982, the year that my husband John and I were married in the Chapel. I currently serve as an usher, a member of the Library Committee, a certified Godly Play teacher, and head of the Counters team. As a delegate to Deanery and Diocesan Convention from 2003 to 2008, I was privileged to participate in the election of Mary Gray-Reeves as our Bishop. I have also recently served on the search committees for our Director of Music and Interim Rector. I spent 25 years working at Stanford, taking early retirement from my position as Head of the Music Library and Archive of Recorded Sound in 2001. John and I have a 17-year-old daughter Elizabeth, a senior at Palo Alto High School, who was baptized at All Saints’ in 1993 and currently serves as an acolyte and lector.

Mattie Scott

I was born and raised in San Francisco, married my high school sweetheart, and moved to Berkeley in my early twenties where we raised our five children. After 34 happy years of marriage, my husband died; I had been a widow for 11 years when I met and fell instantly in love with a gorgeous widower, Charlie Weigle, whose great-grandfather was the first Senior Warden of All Saints’ Palo Alto. At the moment my contributions to All Saints’ consist of editing the monthly newsletter, serving on the Vestry and the Search Committee, and bringing grandchildren to church.

Bob Tatum

After completing my graduate work and joining the faculty of Stanford's Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, my family and I joined All Saints in 1983. I served one term on the vestry and enjoy ushering and reading lessons during services. My wife Dale and I both grew up on the East coast.

Gloria Van Bree

I am a cradle Episcopalian who spent her early adult years in spiritual exploration of Eastern practices while always keeping a foot in the door of the faith of my fathers and mothers. It was not until I wandered into All Saints over twenty years ago and found its open and inclusive liturgy and programs that I knew I had found a church home I wanted to join. I have been a Vestry member and Senior Warden. Currently, I an active in a neighborhood group (Just Us), Kundalini yoga and Bible study. I am a member of the Outreach Committee and serve at Breaking Bread lunches. I also serve as a Lay Eucharistic Minister and Visitor. I continue to find joy in my chosen career as a psychologist in private practice. I am married to a Methodist who is active at All Saints

Jake Warde

I was born in Denver, Colorado, where I was baptized in an Episcopal Church. I attended Stanford University from 1972-1976, obtaining a B.A. in Linguistics. After graduation I stayed in Palo Alto and in 1978 I married my wife, Liza. We have four wonderful kids, who are now wonderful young adults. I work in the book publishing industry.

I was confirmed at All Saints on November 19 of 2000. The greater part of my committee work has been with our very active and dedicated Outreach ministry. I have also served on the Vestry and am now a member of the Search Committee.

Ray Woo

I came to All Saints in 2009 for the Easter Vigil.  I was deeply moved by the liturgy, the sermon, the prayerfulness, the friendliness, and the gracious welcome of the parish. Since then, All Saints has become my spiritual home.