The Vestry is elected by Confirmed Communicants in Good Standing of the parish for a three-year term of office. This governing body, presided over by the Rector, acts as the legal representative of the parish in all matters pertaining to corporate property. The Vestry defines and articulates the mission of the parish, supports the church by word and deed, ensures effective organization and planning, and manages resources and finances. Vestry members are elected for rotating three-year terms. At Saint Paul’s, elections are held during the Annual Parish Meeting each January. You are welcome to send the Vestry a message through our rector, the Rev. Samantha R.E. Smith, or our Senior Warden, Laura Swann.
The Executive Committee meets the second Tuesday of each month from 6 to 7 PM. Vestry meets the third Tuesday of each month from 6 to 8 PM.
Vestry Meetings are open to parishioners in Good Standing. To be placed on the Vestry Agenda, you must contact the office at least a week in advance of the meeting. Interested adults and teenage youth who would like to come and observe are asked to RSVP no later than one week prior to the meeting. Please contact the church office to RSVP.
* = Member of the Executive Committee
The Rev. Samantha R.E. Smith, Rector
Laura Swann, Senior Warden* (2026)
Curtis Cleveland, Junior Warden* (2026)
Richard Nettles, Treasurer* (2027)
Jenny Peel, Clerk* (2027)
Jan Hicks (2026)
Richard Karr (2026)
Hilary LaBorde (2027)
Andy McSwain (2027)
Megan Koshy (2028)
Brooke Taylor (2028)
Brian Ford (2028)
Carolyn Turner (2028)
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Rector
The Reverend Samantha R.E. Smith
Position and Arrival at Saint Paul’s: Rector since August 2021.
From: Corpus Christi, Texas.
Family: Husband—Austin; Daughter—Ruth
Education: Bachelor of Science from Baylor University; Master of Science from University of Texas at Austin; Master of Divinity from Virginia Theological Seminary.
A San Antonio native, I studied at Texas A&M and earned my law degree at the University of Texas. After 20 years practicing employment law in Los Angeles and Austin, I discerned a call to ministry in 2020, completed seminary at Nashotah House and Seminary of the Southwest, and was ordained to the diaconate in 2021. My husband, Ryan, and I have two children, Annabella and Liam. I love family time, running (in moderation), and music of all kinds, jazz especially right now.
Position and Arrival at Saint Paul’s: Began my ministry as Director of Children’s Ministry, Saint Paul’s School Chaplain, and Safe Church Minister in July of 2005 (All Things Children). Added Family Ministries to my work at Saint Paul’s in 2015.
From: Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, and lived on Florida’s East coast before moving to Austin, Texas, and making Waco my home.
Education: Bachelor of Science in Art Education, Louisiana State University. Certificates in Christian Formation from Seminary of the Southwest and from The Center for the Theology of Childhood.
Originally from Florida, I moved to Waco five years ago for my Ph.D. in philosophy at Baylor, where my teaching and research focus on moral philosophy. For the past four years I've been a member of St. Alban's Episcopal Church, and deeply involved in its young adult ministry. As I finish my degree, I'm excited to explore how the church can be a place of learning, formation, and community, especially for youth and young adults navigating questions of identity, vocation, and purpose.
Iona Easterwood grew up in Woodway and attended Midway ISD and MCC.
Professionally, she has 26 years Accounting experience in the Insurance industry. Positions included Staff Accountant, Controller and Vice President of Finance.
Iona married Don Easterwood, Jr. in 2001, they have 3 children and a 6 year old grandson.
Michelle Shackelford, a native of Columbus, Mississippi, has been a Wacoan since 2014. She moved to Waco to pursue her Master of Divinity degree at Baylor's Truett Seminary, which she obtained in May 2019. Michelle is human to two cats, Kitty and Houdini. Her favorite office supply is the PaperMate Flair pen with black ink.
Will McLean serves on the Baylor University faculty, where he conducts choirs and teaches conducting and choral literature. His research on choral repertoire trends was recently featured in the Choral Journal. He holds degrees from Baylor University and St. Olaf College, and is completing his DMA in choral conducting at the University of North Texas.
Position and Arrival at Saint Paul’s: Hired as Organist in June 2016.
From: Born at West Point; grew up in Parkersburg, West Virginia.
Family: Father—Charles; Sisters—Tami and Jennifer; Brothers—Charles and Patrick (1969-2018).
Education: Bachelor of Music degrees in Piano Performance, Opera Coaching and Accompanying, and Voice Performance, West Virginia University; Master of Music in Accompanying and Chamber Music, Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music; Doctor of Musical Arts in Vocal Coaching and Accompanying, University of Illinois.
Employed: Associate Professor of Vocal Coaching; Music Director of Baylor Opera Theater, Baylor University.
