MEET OUR TEAM
Clergy & Staff
Rector
the Rev. Kay M. Houck
The Rev. Kay Houck is a cradle Episcopalian whose aspiration in life is to become her most loving self and to provide encouragement and resources for others to do the same. During her formative years, Rev. Kay intended to enter the field of medicine; but during college she discerned a call to nurture and support healing in a different way. Rev. Kay is a graduate of Seabury Western Theological Seminary (now Bexley-Seabury) and was ordained to the priesthood in March 2012.
Rev. Kay served congregations in Syracuse, NY; Windsor, NY; and Lexington, MI before accepting the call to Emmanuel Petoskey. Her leadership style and spiritual life may best be described as contemplative. She enjoys yoga, gardening, and taking day hikes with her husband Matthew, and their beloved Australian Kelpie, Vivienne.
Assisting Priest
The Rev. Dr. J. Barrington Bates
A retired priest of the Episcopal Church, Barrie holds four master’s degrees and a Ph.D. in liturgical studies. He has served Anglican and Lutheran congregations in California, New York, New Jersey, and Michigan over the last three decades, and taught at Anglican and Lutheran seminaries. He has published sixteen essays in scholarly journals, and his essay “From Penitence to Praise, and Back Again” will appear in the forthcoming Oxford Handbook on the Book of Common Prayer. He has served as Church Review Editor of the journal Anglican and Episcopal History since 2011, where he has published over seventy of his own reviews. More than thirty of his sermons appear on the Episcopal Church’s “Sermons That Work” website. Before ordination, Barrie worked as a computer programmer, punching holes in cards. He sang for five years in the Tanglewood Festival Chorus of the Boston Symphony. He and his husband, James MacKenzie, live with cats Harry and Wills at Council Tree Cottage in Readmond Township.
Assisting Priest
ThE Rev. Paul Greve
Paul Greve serves as a priest while also working in the medical malpractice insurance industry. He grew up in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, and graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University and Capital University School of Law. Paul worked in administrative and legal positions at major hospitals in Ohio, including the Cleveland Clinic.
Paul was received into the Episcopal Church at Christ Church, Shaker Heights Ohio in 1974. He married his wife, Lynn, at St. Peter’s in Lakewood, Ohio. Their daughter, Lauren, lives in North Carolina. Paul was ordained a priest in 2016. Paul enjoys reading theology and provides presentations to parishioners in various settings. He serves other parishes periodically as a supply priest.
Director of Music Ministries
dr. André Strydom
A native of South Africa, André started his career at Johannesburg General Hospital’s Department of Cardiology. He left medicine to pursue a career in music, and received his Licentiate Diploma from Trinity College, London, followed by a master’s degree at University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music. His teachers included Gerhard Samuel and Allen Sapp. He pursued a concert career, then received a Master of Music degree from the University of Central Arkansas. André returned to South Africa, where he founded the Johannesburg Chamber Choir and Orchestra.
In 1998, André attended the prestigious Karelia International Conducting Master Class in Russia. He returned to Russia for three summers to study with Ilya Aleksandrovich Musin at St. Petersburg Conservatory and conducted the Yaroslavl and Sochi Symphony Orchestras.
André served as minister of music at the First Presbyterian Church of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, and that of Bentonville, Arkansas. He started a Music and Arts Academy and performed as principal pianist with the Symphony Orchestra of Northwest Arkansas.
In 2018, André became become Director of Music Ministries here at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Petoskey. He is also chorusmaster of the Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra and conductor of the Little Traverse Choral Society. He enjoys teaching piano and organ to local students.
Office Manager
Teressa Kyser
Born in Hartland, MI, Teressa moved to Harbor Springs at 16. She attended North Central Michigan College, studied Culinary Arts at the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale. She studied Graphic Design at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh.
Teressa has been an artist in fiber since elementary school—spinning and weaving. She worked as a chef on private yachts in South Florida, the United States Virgin Islands and the Mediterranean. She owned a deli and catering business in Harbor Springs but closed it to give more time to her family. She’s worked in public school districts as a substitute teacher, health aide, and in behavior intervention. Teressa managed a print shop where she served as lead graphic designer. She works as a freelance graphic designer.
She and her husband David live in Petoskey with their two Great Danes. They have three grown children and three grandchildren.
Vestry
Steve Selden
Senior Warden
Steve came back on Vestry in order to see Emmanuel flourish. He’s eager to support our mission and our vision. He wants to support our rector in her ministry and he’s very invested in EEC’s outreach to the community.
Steve’s strong suit is financial planning. He was an original member of our Finance Committee when it began in 2004, including ten years as chair. He’s been on the Stewardship Committee. He worked on developing Emmanuel’s planned giving brochures and presentations. Steve was on the Rector Search Committee. He worked to revise EEC’s by-laws. He did intensive research into Emmanuel’s esteemed Connick stained-glass windows. He’s done two stints as Senior Warden on the vestry.
Steve hopes his experience will keep Emmanuel strong — and help guide us as a parish community into the future.
Mark Tarquini
Junior Warden
Mark has worshiped at Emmanuel since he returned to Petoskey with his wife Claire and their two children. He soon joined the Facilities Committee and immediately began working on projects. He became an AV coordinator, as well. Mark really enjoys fixing things. His expertise has touched Emmanuel’s swing set, internet service, lighting, and sound system. He’s joining the Vestry to step up and contribute– and allow others to step aside.
A graduate of Michigan State, he has spent his entire career in Information Technology. Currently he works at First Community Bank of Harbor Springs. He also volunteers as a technical consultant for Camp Daggett. He loves working on plumbing, electrical, cars, boats, and model trains. Mark and his family are avid boaters, sledders, and skiers.
Bernadette Caldwell
Clerk
After completing confirmation classes in 2024, Bernadette threw herself into the Emmanuel community, joining the Parish Life Ministry, serving as a lay eucharistic minister, and creating the Help Desk for Ministry Scheduler Pro. She wants to use her gifts of listening deeply, respectfully, and care-fully and hopes that her spiritual teachings and values will enhance the Vestry and inspire her fellow parishioners.
She’s often experienced authentic and satisfying encounters over the kitchen sink in the Wood Hall, at the communion rail, exchanging the peace, or adding her voice to the prayers of the people or the hymns.
Bernadette’s work experience as an editor has contributed to several EEC efforts: working on EEC’s new website, on the Communications Committee, and volunteering in the office to support Teressa. She finds that editing is often a sort of midwifery—facilitating a meaningful, significant project with a gentle touch and a persistent commitment to the process until the project ends. A lifelong learner and a curious person, Bernadette always honors others’ cultural, class, and religious similarities and differences. She likes to learn and problem-solve and expects to learn a lot while also being able to serve the EEC community in this role.
Joe Audia
Member
Joe really enjoys the fellowship, the feeling of contribution to Emmanuel, and most of all the spirituality of a more intimate involvement with his church and his faith.
He and Kathy joined Emmanuel Episcopal Church in 1996. Their three children grew up at Emmanuel. They headed up the Youth Group from 2004 through 2014–working with other parents. Joe is returning to Vestry after serving from 2006-2008. He was Senior Warden in 2008. He currently leads the Usher/Greeter Ministry Group and serves on the Capital Planning Committee. He’s a musician and a history buff.
Joe and his family came to Petoskey in 1992. For 17 years, he’s managed and led manufacturing, procurement and distribution functions at Kilwin’s. Prior to that he was the plant manager at LexaMar Corp. in Boyne City, an automotive manufacturing company owned by Magna International, one of the largest tier-one automotive suppliers in North America. He holds degrees in mechanical engineering and physics, as well as an MBA.
Denise Evans
Member
Raised in the Christian Reformed Church, Denise became a Presbyterian, married a Methodist, and joined the First Presbyterian Church in Harbor Springs. After a chance encounter with Father Greg Brown, she and Randy attended services at Emmanuel and never looked back.
Denise’s work at EEC reflects her passion for volunteer work, including becoming a Michigan Master Gardener, helping out at Hiland Cottage (Hospice), serving as President of the Petoskey Area Antiques Club, and joining the board of the Manna Food Project, serving two years as President. She volunteers at Manna and serves on the Emmet County Historical Commission.
Denise spent most of her career as a Human Resources executive, specializing in staffing, high volume recruitment, and organizational development. Additionally, she established the first corporate wide diversity program at Haworth, Inc. in Holland, Michigan. Moving to Kalamazoo in 1995, she worked in H.R. for Stryker Corporation and later Pfizer, Inc.
David “Dave” Farley
Member
David believes strongly in service to his community. Recently, he started writing EEC’s “View from the Pew,” which summarizes the sermons we hear each week. His work at Emmanuel is only one of the ways he’s giving back. He is active with the Kiwanis Club, Camp Daggett, the Boy Scouts, Petoskey Montessori Children’s House and Elementary School. He served on the Parks and Recreation Board for the City of Petoskey. He coached the Petoskey High School cross country and track teams with a long record of successful meets—and a Coach of the Year award for his efforts.
After graduating from the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks. David returned to Petoskey. For more than 30 years, he has worked as a trusted financial advisor to business owners, professionals, and retirees and widows to realistically define their goals to create financial plans for the pursuit of both short- and long-term objectives. He joined his father, John “Jack” Farley, a partner at Roney & Company, which merged with Raymond James & Associates in 1999. David strives to adhere to the high professional standards set by both of his sage mentors.
David and his wife, Carrie, have four adult children David and Carrie both enjoy running. He has completed 12 marathons and an Ironman triathlon. David also enjoys biking, swimming, Nordic skiing and has recently discovered a new form of torture…golf.
Dianna Heinzelman
Member
People tell Dianna that she’s “outside the box.” Her response? “What box?” Dianna found that serving GOD and her church is a passion and a calling. She’s re-joining the Vestry to be of service to her loving church family.
She sees herself contributing to the life of our parish in many capacities. She’s in the choir, on the outreach Committee, and chairs the Parish Life Committee. Her diverse life paths have given her a unique perspective. She raised two children as a single mother while attending six years of college.
Dianna has worked for much of her life in the entertainment business. After retiring as a Classical Ballet dancer, she went into Musical Theatre as a performer, choreographers, director, designer, and a writer of numerous dance concerts. She spent decades teaching dance and theatre and ran a student dance company. She partnered in an insurance agency, worked as a painting contractor, sold Real Estate and owned a quaint cafe.
Donna Hunter
Member
Donna originally discovered Emmanuel online and was captivated by Reverend Kay’s preaching. She joined the church and has taken on an important role as Leader of the Lector Ministry. She felt a calling to serve on the vestry because of her deep love for Christ, our Church, and a desire to deepen her connection with all who worship here. Taking on this role came from a genuine desire to support and aid in all that our parish does. She looks forward to being of service in whatever ways God invites her.
When she thinks about how she might contribute to the life of the parish, she’s still wondering about the specific ways she can help. However, she’s willing—and truly excited—to learn where she can be of service. She’s looking forward to discovering the direction this journey takes as she walks alongside the church community.
With a caring spirit, and a sincere desire to listen, learn, and give, she hopes to help our ministries continue to thrive. She brings a heart committed to service and to supporting the vibrant life of our church in every way she can.
Andrew “Andy” Keller
Member
Andy joined the vestry after he and Mary Joe moved back to Petoskey full-time.
He wanted to deepen his involvement at Emmanuel and to support Reverend Kay’s work.
Andy discovered the Episcopal Church in college at the University of Maryland. Andy and his wife Mary Jo have belonged to Emmanuel for over 20 years. They raised their two children in the church. Andy was confirmed along with his daughter Megan in 2012. He was on Vestry during Father Greg’s tenure. He has served as Lay Eucharistic Minister for 15 years and is planning to become a Lector soon. He serves on the Finance Committee and the Capital Campaign Planning Committee.
Andy has thirty years of experience in business—the last 15 years in non-profit organizations. He’s currently the President and CEO of Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute. He also collaborates on a Podcast “Kasich & Keller” with former Ohio Governor John Kasich focused on healthcare issues.