STAFF/VESTRY

Staff & Vestry

CLERGY


Rev. Shariya Molegoda | Rector

The Rev. Shariya Molegoda joined St. Andrew's as rector in November of 2016 after serving as rector of Grace Episcopal Church in Jefferson City, Missouri for nine years. Prior to that she served in a variety of positions across Massachusetts: Interim Rector at St. James’s Episcopal Church in Cambridge, Priest-in-Charge at St. Mary of the Harbor in Provincetown, Associate Rector at Christ Church Cambridge, Assistant to the Rector at St. Anne’s in-the-Fields Episcopal Church in Lincoln, and Pastoral Associate at St. Paul's Cathedral in Boston. She received a Master of Divinity degree from the Berkeley Divinity School at Yale in 1993, and spent her first five years after graduation as a sister and novice at the Society of St. Margaret in Roxbury, MA, a convent now located in Duxbury, MA.


The Rev. Molegoda grew up in Sri Lanka, the large island country off the southeast coast of India, once known as Ceylon. Many of her family members live there, and she returns to visit every year.


Her early years in the United States were spent in Georgia. Shariya graduated from Agnes Scott College in Decatur in 1981 and did graduate work in forestry at the University of Georgia in Athens. She has a Masters degree in environmental science from the University of Colombo in Sri Lanka.

Rev. Ronald Steed | Deacon

The Rev. Ronald Steed serves as an Episcopal Deacon in Southeast Connecticut. Ron is a Chaplain at Lawerence & Memorial Hospital in New London, CT and is a published author who writes lyrical heart-stories that are spiritual, simple, and artful.


Formerly, Ron was a Captain in the U.S. Navy’s Nuclear Submarine Force, where he commanded the USS Jefferson City (SSN 759) and was the Commodore of Submarine Squadron Two. After 26 years of service, he was the Principal at UpScope Consulting Group; a trusted advisor for the development of submarine combat systems, tactics, and resilient, high-performance human systems. After this, he was Deputy Director of the New London Homeless Hospitality Center, one of the most innovative homeless shelters in New England.


Ron and his wife Roxanne live in Mystic, CT. Roxanne is an artist, specializing in oil and watercolor journal paintings of landscapes of New England and Europe.

STAFF


Anita Spear | Preschool Director

Born and raised in Rhode Island, Anita attended The Community College of Rhode Island plus the University of Rhode Island and Providence College. She holds an Associate of Science degree in Early Childhood Education along with a minor in Psychology. Anita taught at Brown University preschool for many years. In addition, she has directed several daycare centers in Connecticut and welcomes the warm and inviting atmosphere here at St. Andrew's preschool and church.


In her spare time Anita enjoys boating with her husband Nate, two beautiful daughters Nadine and Jackie, along with their yellow Labrador Rosco.

Mary Merkle-Scotland | Youth Director

Born and raised in Connecticut, Mary wonders if she has ever NOT been working with youth! After earning a BA in political science and French at the University of Michigan, Mary attended a satellite campus of Fuller Theological Seminary while working full-time in youth ministry in Colorado. Mary holds an MA in Theology with a focus on adolescent development. Four daughters and many mission trips later, Mary then became a certified French and EL teacher. Since 2008, Mary has been running the youth program at St. Andrew's with the help of many amazing adults.


When Mary is not managing programs or kids, she can be found sailing or cooking with her husband, Ian, or reading, gardening, or walking.

Shelby Auletta | Director of Children Christian Formation

Jeremy Hutchins | Music Director

Jane Marin | Bookkeeper

Emily Saska | Communications Assistant

VESTRY


Jess Baycroft | Co-Warden

Susan Wines | Co-Warden

Mary Potenziani | Treasurer

Laura Downes | Clerk to the Vestry

Members through 2025

  • Katie Wilker
  • Jeff Colburn
  • Mary Swec (Youth Representative)

Members through 2026

  • Lisa King

Members through 2027

  • Lauren Dodington
  • Katie Swec
  • Liz Chatfield
  • Bob O'Connor
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