Vestry

Vestry Mission

The members of St. Bede’s Vestry are elected parish representatives who serve as the governing body of the parish.

We learn from the past and look to the future as committed partners with the Rector to discern God’s calling for us. As stewards and fiduciaries of the parish , we strive to make wise decisions regarding the best use of our resources – time talent and treasure- to strengthen the well-being of all of St. Bede’s ministries. We perform our duties in fellowship and service to the glory of God and the community entrusted to our care.

Ann Latta, Senior Warden

Like any other significant ministry to which we believe God has called us, the ministry of a member of the vestry is an invitation into a deeper relationship with God, the Church, and other people.

    1. Vestry members share with the clergy and other leaders in being spiritual leaders, seeking God’s will for the parish through prayer, study, discussion, and communicating a vision for the parish’s ministry.
    2. Vestry members attend monthly vestry meetings, the annual meeting, and the vestry retreat, among other events.
    3. Vestry members respect the confidentiality of the business of the vestry.
    4. Vestry members bear ultimate responsibility for the maintenance of the parish property and development of its financial resources.
    5. Vestry members are called to encourage and enable others to “take their place in the life, worship, and governance of the Church” according to the gifts with which God has equipped them.
    6. Vestry members help the parish grow in its stewardship of God’s gifts by their willingness to set a personal example of good stewardship.
    7. Vestry members exercise a ministry of support, friendship, and encouragement to the parish’s clergy, speaking the truth in love.

Vic De La Cruz

Music Director

     Vic has been the music director at St. Bede’s Episcopal Church since 2022. In his time, he has continued the longstanding musical tradition of prestigious music while bringing the ideals of contemporary choral music to the church’s congregants. While bringing thought-provoking and worship enriching repertoire to Sunday services, he has also collaborated with many musicians both within St. Bede’s and the surrounding community for several special services, including bringing Christmas Eve Lessons and Carols to Menlo Park as well as many Evensong Services.

     Outside of St. Bede’s, Vic is the Head of Music and Director of Vocal Studies at Ohlone College where he directs the Choral Ensembles, instructs voice lessons, and teaches courses in musicology. He earned a Doctorate of Musical Arts from Northwestern University (where he acquired an intense love of both contemporary choral music and deep-dish pizza) and a Master of Arts from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, both in Choral Conducting. He is originally from Orange County, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Choral Music Education from California State University, Fullerton.

    Beyond music, Vic has a deep love for Olympic style wrestling, which he both enjoys as a fan and trains and competes for regularly. The remainder of his free time goes to his lovely mini aussiedoodle – Buffy.

Service

We engage in serving the needs of the unhoused, the food insecure, and those in need of educational assistance in the Peninsula as we proclaim the Gospel and promote justice, peace, and love for all people.

Education

We strive to understand the workings of Jesus and enrich our lives with continuous learning. We strive to teach those around us about the good works that Jesus performed, and strive to input His teachings into our own lives.

Community

We join with one another to support one another in all things, celebrating the high points of life, mourning together the low points, and following the example given to us by Christ during his life among us.

Worship

We gather together to set forth God's praise, to hear God's holy Word, and to pray for those things that are necessary for our life and our salvation, believing that the way of Jesus is the best possible way to live.

St. Bede’s has been home to Jane for a startlingly long time. She taught music in Trinity School and was the Music Director at St. Bede’s for many years. She was then ordained, and served as the Vicar of Holy Innocents in San Francisco. In her retirement, she has returned to St. Bede’s where her family also attends. Her delight is working with the Children’s Ministry but she can occasionally be spotted being useful in other ways.

Rev. Jane McDougle

Associate Priest, Family Ministry Lead

Include Jane’ New Bio for Family Ministry

nursery 2

Jane McDougle (Team Lead)

Bio will go here.

Claire Lawrence

Bio will go here.

Martin de Jong

Bio will go here.

John Wenstrand

Bio will go here.

St. Bede’s has been home to Jane for a startlingly long time. She taught music in Trinity School and was the Music Director at St. Bede’s for many years. She was then ordained, and served as the Vicar of Holy Innocents in San Francisco. In her retirement, she has returned to St. Bede’s where her family also attends. Her delight is working with the Children’s Ministry but she can occasionally be spotted being useful in other ways.

Jane McDougle

Associate Priest

      St. Bede’s has been home to Jane for a startlingly long time. She taught music in Trinity School and was the Music Director at St. Bede’s for many years. She was then ordained, and served as the Vicar of Holy Innocents in San Francisco. In her retirement, she has returned to St. Bede’s where her family also attends. Her delight is working with the Children’s Ministry, but she can occasionally be spotted being useful in other ways.