Vestry and deanery candidates: Annual meeting 2025

Vestry candidates

Sarah Blain
I have been a member of St. John’s for about 36 years. My two children, Audrey and Kyle Byrne, were raised in the St. John’s community. Both of my kids were involved with and changed by Genesis and the St. John’s youth group and other ministries.
To me, the work of Genesis is important work of the church, and I am grateful for the opportunity to be involved, and grateful to Mary Lim for her leadership over the years.

I am a retired engineer for the City of San Francisco. I love infrastructure and public institutions and I got to work on a lot of fascinating projects with a lot of fascinating people. During my career I am also proud of my union involvement and being part of a gender discrimination action back when there were very few women engineers.
There are a bunch of preachers in my family tree, including my father and my grandfather, both of whom I admired for their commitment to justice. Also, I love, love, love singing in the choir. I love the St. John’s community and what our community does to bring music and love and connection and justice to each other and to the world.

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Ginger Cook
Ginger found the St. John’s community 18 years ago when pregnant and searching for a church in which to raise her child. She was struck by the welcoming, comfortable feel of St. John’s and never looked back. Her son Owen (aka the rock seller) is now a senior at Bishop O’Dowd and has flourished with the love and support of the St. John’s family. Ginger grew up in the Episcopal Church north of Dallas, becoming an acolyte (once they finally allowed girls) when she was in 4th grade. Her parents were both vestry members and they were all active in the church.

Ginger lives in Montclair with Owen, her husband Bob, and their dog Scout. A lifelong educator, she returned to the classroom nine years ago in East Oakland, where Laurie Bennett volunteered, until COVID hit. She now works as an early literacy coach for Oakland Unified, supporting a third of the elementary schools with their foundational skill instruction. Ginger is eager to give back to St. John’s by supporting family engagement and St. John’s service opportunities.

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Alan Howe
Bonnie and I have been attending St. John’s for 18 years. We live in the Bushrod section of north Oakland. Our family includes two sons and daughters-in-law and four grandchildren, who all live too far away, and one ginger cat.

Christian faith has been a major part of my life since birth. I grew up in Presbyterian and Baptist churches and have also been a part of Episcopal, Evangelical Covenant, and United Methodist congregations.
I served as an American Baptist pastor for 8 years in small town churches in Southwestern Colorado and eastern Nebraska. After returning to California, I worked for the Oakland Public Library for 28 years, 27 of those at the Rockridge Branch, before retiring 6 years ago. I’ve been a member of numerous boards and committees, both professional and volunteer. I currently tutor elementary school children (with Children Rising) and adults. I’m also a member of the Oakland Writer’s Nest, which has just published a book of poetry.

At St. John’s I’ve been privileged to serve as a reader and cup bearer for many years and I was a deanery delegate for 3 or 4 years. I’ve taken part in numerous classes (leading on a few occasions) and activities. I hope my background and experience will prove to be an asset for the vestry.

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Candidate for deanery delegate

Maryann Blouin 
Maryann came to St. John’s in 2019, attracted by the description of the 7:45am service as a contemplative service. When the pandemic struck and services went online, a silver lining was getting to know the larger St. John’s community. Maryann is active in the VISION program and St. John’s centering prayer group, and also serves as a subdeacon. Some of her favorite parts of St. John’s are the wonderful sermons, taking communion around the altar at the early service and, of course, coffee hour!
Maryann works as an attorney for the federal government, and in her spare time loves to travel, read, go for walks, swim, and enjoy the California sunshine. She is married to the love of her life, David, who she met on one of her travels, and is delighted to have been warmly welcomed into his extended family in England.

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