Rector:     The Rev. Kim L. Coleman

The Reverend Kim L. Coleman has served as rector of Trinity Episcopal Church in Arlington, Virginia since November 2002.  As rector, Mother Kim oversees Trinity’s dynamic outreach and community building ministry to the Columbia Pike area.  This ministry includes the Columbia Pike Thrift Shop, the Trinity School of Early Learning, Trinity’s Mothers Union Branch, and a Youth “Art for Life” initiative launched in winter 2009.

An Episcopalian since 1993, Kim was confirmed at Meade Memorial Episcopal Church in Alexandria, Virginia and was sponsored for ordination by St. Christopher’s Church in Springfield, Virginia.  She graduated cum laude from Virginia Theological Seminary in May 2001 and was ordained to the priesthood at The National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. on December 29 of 2001 by The Rt. Rev. Peter James Lee.  In addition to a Master of Divinity degree, Kim holds Bachelor of Arts degrees (1980) in Political Science and Economics from The Pennsylvania State University in State College, Pennsylvania.

Prior to entering the ordination track, Kim pursued a career in the association management and human resources fields.  She served as Assistant Director of Commercial Real Estate for the National Association of Home Builders, a consultant for the National Association of Realtors, and Benefits Manager for a government contractor in Northern Virginia.  Much of Kim’s church and secular work experience has involved designing and producing various curricula instructing others in how to do everything from building mini-warehouses to being a disciple of Christ.

Mother Kim believes in the therapeutic power of laughter and describes herself as a “committed, striving, often obedient yet still imperfect follower of Christ who loves sharing God’s joy with others.” 

The most common question Kim faces from people for whom women as pastors is a new phenomena is “So, what   do I/we call you?”  She encourages people to choose between Reverend Kim, Mother Kim and/or (simply) Kim.  You may contact Rev. Kim via email at rector@tecarl.org.

Administrative Assistant to the Rector:      Mary Kathleen “Kathi” Justus

Kathi was born in Brooklyn, New York, and raised in Vermont.  In her past life/lives she has been a childcare worker in a home for children from broken homes, a trucking company dispatcher, secretary/administrative assistant in the Diocese of Massachusetts working for 3 bishops and various diocesan and cathedral staff and Assistant Deployment Officer to the Canon for Congregations/Deployment Officer.  She has been with Trinity Church since January 1996.

From 1976 – 1977, Kathi was one of 8 students in The National Institute for Lay Training at the General Theological Seminary in New York.  “NILT” was a program for training lay leaders in the church.  Following the year of studies, she was in the internship portion of the program for 18 months.  This program concluded with a commissioning and graduation accompanied by certification signed by the Presiding Bishop.  In former parishes, she has been Lay Reader, Lay Eucharistic Minister and Lay Preacher.

Kathi enjoys Native American flute music, massages, cruises, reading mysteries, membership in Sisters in Crime (an international organization of mystery writers and fans) and participating in the annual Malice Domestic convention held in the Washington, DC area—a 3-day convention of mystery authors and fans.  Kathi can be reached via e-mail at info@tecarl.org.

Minister of Music and Christian Education:     Barbara Stefan

Trinity’s Minister of Music since November 2003 is Barbara Stefan.  Barbara has been involved in church music since she was a teenager.  She holds a Bachelor of Music with a major in organ, and keeps current with church music news and events through member-ships in several professional organizations.  Barbara directs Trinity’s adult, children, and handbell choirs, as well as the Columbia Pike Community Chorus and Columbia Pike MusiKids. 

Since college, when she worked summers as Youth Director and Sunday School Superintendent, Barbara has had a keen interest in Christian Education.  She has

completed the Education for Ministry course (a 4-year equivalent to the first year of seminary), as well as many workshops and conferences relating to Christian Education.  She enjoys the challenges of working with all ages, leadership and learners alike.

Barbara can be reached by phone or via e-mail at musicmin@tecarl.org.

Sexton:     Rienzie George Ferdinando

George Ferdinando has been Trinity’s part-time sexton since December of 2003.  George has a lengthy work history in building maintenance and has improved and cared for our facilities significantly.  By way of introduction, George writes:

My name is George Ferdinando.  I have worked at Trinity Episcopal Church as Sexton for over 4 years.  Every one is good to me including Rev. Kim and the rest of the staff and all the members I know.  I also work at Hyatt Regency Bethesda in the Engineering Department.

I take this opportunity to thank Rev. Kim and the rest of the members of the church who helped my son Yohan Ferdinando to travel to Sri-Lanka to help the tsunami victims.

George has received several commendations from his full time employer for work performed above and beyond the call of duty.  You may contact George through the church office at 703/920-7077 or via email at info@tecarl.org.

Bookkeeper:      Kelli Corts 

In March 2009 Kelli Corts began serving as bookkeeper for both Trinity Church and Trinity School for Early Learning. In addition to Trinity, Kelli also works for two other area churches.