The Vestry

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Officers of the Vestry

Rick Shurtleff, Junior Warden

One Year Term for 2023

I have had a very rewarding career in the service industry for the better part of my life, making others comfortable.  What is more rewarding than that, is being of service to my parish family. 

I have served in many positions through many years but feel now is the right time to serve my parish family as Junior Warden.  With the many gifts I have been given, I am looking forward to serving you in the years ahead. 

Susan Newkirk, Treasurer

One Year Term for 2023

Hi, and welcome! These are the first words that come to mind when I think of Trinity Church. You see, approximately 7 or 8 years ago, my husband Bob and I decided we wanted to find a church where we could worship. We lived in Scituate at the time, and often drove pass the little stone church near the center of town. We chose to attend a 9:30 service. At the end, the rector announced that all were invited to go “across the way” for “coffee and.”  With trepidation, we entered the hall. Almost immediately a woman approached, introduced herself as Norma, and proceeded to welcome us with inviting conversation and interaction. Although Bob and I now live in Coventry, we choose to continue to worship at Trinity because of the welcoming spirit, the hospitality, and the wonderful people of faith that we experience here.

As for me, I grew up in West Warwick, where upon graduating high school, I found a job working for a credit and loan company. Over the years I married, had three wonderful children Jonathan (44), Jillian (40) and Amy (36), was a stay-at-home mom, ran a real estate appraisal business with my former spouse, attended college at night and finally graduated from Providence College with a BS in Liberal Studies and a minor in theology. I have also worked as an operations manager for computer company in Lincoln and a large insurance company with a branch office in Warwick.

In 2006 I divorced and met Bob in October of 2010. A couple of years later, Bob and I planned a trip to visit dear friends in Arizona. My friend suggested that while we are there, we could all drive to Las Vegas, visit her son and Bob and I could get married. Her son ran a catering business in Vegas, and he was willing to plan a dinner celebration for all. So, there it was, a wedding planned and prepared for us. Bob and I were married on April 22, 2013, in the Weekirk o’the Heather wedding chapel near downtown Las Vegas. In case you were wondering, no, Elvis was not there. We did have a nice minister perform the ceremony and my sister, daughter, and a few friends were able to celebrate with us. Bob was already retired, so after we married, I retired from the insurance company, and shortly thereafter we moved to Coventry.

As a member of Trinity, I have had the privilege to serve within a number of ministries including being a reader, treasurer, and project manager. Bob and I continue to feel blessed to be part of this community and are grateful to have the opportunity to serve, wherever our gifts and talents are needed. As Treasurer, it is my hope that I remain faithful to working in the light of God’s love and care, so that the work we do, is in the best interest of and for, the greater good of our community.

Renee Melaragno, Clerk of the Vestry

One Year Term for 2023

As I look back at my time here at Trinity Episcopal Church, it is hard to believe I have been a part of this wonderful community since May of 1995. I came to Trinity at the suggestion of my mother-in-law, Joan Melaragno, since I was looking for a church to baptize my daughter Samantha.

From the first meeting I had with Father Frink, and all the years in between, up to the present day, what has remained constant is the feeling of belonging, and the feeling of family. I can’t remember a time that I have entered Trinity where there hasn’t been someone smiling at me and saying hello. This welcoming atmosphere makes it easy to want to belong to Trinity.

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At-Large Vestry Members

Pam Borden

Class of 2023

I was born in North Kingstown, RI (my Navy father was stationed in New London, CT).   Quonset was the closest Navy Hospital during a February snow storm.

I was a Navy brat (as we were called) for 19 years. During that time I have traveled to 46 of the 50 states, attended 26 schools, and lived in 18 countries. My current address is my 38^th residence.  I felt then and now that being a Navy dependent built character and independence in one’s self.  The longest we lived anywhere was Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, for three and a half years.  It was a great place to be a teenager.

My first long-term job was with a psychiatric team of 7 that I managed and assisted for five and a half years.  I left due to new management caring about money and not the clients.  I then gravitated to defense (since that was something I understood).

Defense was good to me: I worked hard and two contractor companies provided me with further education without joining the military.  Sonar and ships control were my specialties in RI and CT, wrapping it up in a secure office supporting submarines.  I worked with a team that traveled to submarines up and down the East Coast supporting new builds and testing upgraded systems.  I also supported and eventually coordinated classified international conferences once a year held at the Naval War College.   I was a woman in a man’s world and it worked for me due to my understanding the military mentality.

I have lived in North Scituate for more than 27 years and I am married to Ken.  Ken and I were married at Trinity and I dove into church activities [the bazaar, WINGS, Men’s Club (assisting in woodworking projects for the bazaar), and eventually the Vestry (the first time)] while working/commuting full-time to Newport and/or New London daily when not traveling for work. 

North Scituate has been the longest I have ever lived anywhere.  To find a place to call home and a church to feel part of is something priceless.  Investing in a community and being part of something/somewhere for long-term/lifetime is my goal.

Lynette Cunningham

Class of 2023

I am married and have a daughter who has blessed my husband and I with two beautiful granddaughters. I also have a son who will be 22 years old this year and is in the Army Reserves.
My husband and I had been searching on and off for a church to go to where we could feel comfortable and at “home”. We were introduced to this church by close friends and ever since then, have found what we have been looking for: a place where we could fit in and feel as though we were part of a church family.

After coming to the church for a couple years, I realized that there was something more I needed to do with the church: to be a part of the group of people who were the “behind the scenes” people – the Vestry. I have been on the Vestry now for two years and have enjoyed being a part of a group of people whose goal is to work towards the betterment of the church and community. I look forward to working with my peers on the Vestry to help make things better for our church community.

Jim Connors

Class of 2024

I came to Trinity as a former Roman Catholic who went unchurched for a very long time. My wife, Deb, and I found the Episcopal community to be welcoming, non-judgmental, and open. I immediately became part of a group that is supportive and kind. I have made so many new friends here. I love the fact that, as a community, we do everything with a meal involved.  At Trinity I feel that giving is much more important than receiving, and this community is always giving. The Trinity Episcopal Church community is where I rediscovered my faith.

Megan Picozzi

Class of 2024

Many of you would probably agree with me that it is hard to talk about yourself.  I often get teased that when I write, it is never brief.  So here we go…

 My name is Megan Picozzi.  For 27 years I was known as Megan Maureen Duffy.  I have been a Scituate resident my whole life.  I have been a lifelong parishioner at Trinity (50 years).  Trinity was my second home as a child.  From a young age I was very involved in church, as an acolyte, in the junior choir and in youth group.  I spent my summers from 5^th-12^th grade at ECC.  As an adult, I have continued to stay involved in the adult choir (34 years), directed junior choir, taught Sunday school, and served on a variety of committees.  When I look at my spiritual journey so far, I feel so blessed to have so many folks from Trinity who have touched my life.  Many have celebrated the joyous moments with me and have helped me through the bumps in my life.   

I have always had a strong faith since I was little.  God has always been present in my life.  Being a part of Happening, Cursillo, EFM and WINGS has continued to strengthen my faith and to feel the Holy Spirit present in my life. 

I live in Scituate with my husband Chris of 23 years and our beautiful, spiritual daughter Emma.  We cannot forget our beloved black lab, Jackson.  I am a RI certified teacher and teach PreK at the preschool that we own in town.  I have been teaching there for 25 years. 

I am very excited and looking forward in serving on the Vestry.  Trinity is a very special place with an amazing, diverse, talented, and gifted people (young and old) among us.  One thing I have learned over the past years is to not take things for granted; embrace life.  This is the time to reach out within our church community and the communities outside our walls.  As my daughter and the children in our Sunday school would say “Let Us Be Kingdom Builders”.  I am excited to see where the Holy Spirit will lead me and our Trinity community in 2022.

Eric Peterson

Class of 2025

I have lived here in Scituate, RI most of my adult life. I started attending Sunday services here at Trinity Episcopal Church approximately six years ago, looking for spiritual healing and direction in my life. What I have observed in that time is how supportive and caring the people of this parish are, with all the different ministries that have been established within Trinity Episcopal Church, which I believe to be a great attribute of the parish. I am honored to serve on the vestry committee and look forward to participating with the other vestry members in service to God and working to move the parish through the new year.

Sara Schwartz

Class of 2025

I attend Trinity Church North Scituate because it has long been dedicated to
serving not only the needs of our congregants, but our greater community. At Trinity, area residents and members alike can find essentials in our thrift shop,nourishment from our food closet, and open doors to our weekly services. We work steadily to put our missions into action, in and outside of our walls!

Trinity fostered my journey as a youth in the Episcopal community; from first communion to Junior Choir, through youth group to ECC Staff member, and beyond to be a delegate to Episcopal Youth Event. As an adult, Trinity has continued to be a congregation devoted to spiritual growth and education, and I currently find joy and reflection through singing in our
choir, which speaks to another strong Trinity tradition—music for worship and praise!

As a vestry member, I am looking forward to contributing to Trinity’s many good works in new ways!

Jon Roberts

Class of 2025

I was born and raised in central Massachusetts and brought up Roman Catholic. I am a lover of the outdoors and dabble in various art mediums as my hobbies. In my late forties I was in a place where I was lost spiritually and found Trinity church. This was a turning point in my life.

I have been traveling for work over the last few years and I am back at Trinity once again. I split my time between Tucson, Arizona and Scituate, worshiping in both locations, spending most of my time in RI. Praying and worshiping on Sunday mornings fulfills me, and I enjoy the people of the Episcopal parishes I attend. My favorite Psalm is 91. Why? Because I believe it and it resonates within me.

I am honored to be elected to the Vestry and I hope my service is of value to the parish and the people I engage with and impact through our collective efforts.