Our Staff
The Rev. John Newton
Rector
John Newton is a father, priest, author of three books, and graduate of the University of Texas at Austin (BBA). In 2008, John graduated from Virginia Theological Seminary and was ordained to the priesthood in 2009. Before coming to St. Michael’s in 2018, John served as the Chief of Staff to the Bishop of Texas. John is married to his best friend, Emily, and the two of them reside in Austin with their daughters, Annie and K.K.; their son, Jack; and their golden retriever, June.
The Rev Dr. Josh Kulak
Curate
Josh grew up in the piney woods of East Texas. He completed his MDiv at Baylor’s Truett Seminary and his PhD in World Christianity at Liverpool Hope University. He enjoys spending time with his three loves: his wife, Kari; their three-year-old son, Killion; and the Liverpool Football Club. In his free time, you can often find Josh at Half Price Books, eating Indian food, or enjoying the Shoal Creek Greenbelt.
The Rev. Elizabeth Turner
Assistant for Pastoral Care
The Rev. Elizabeth Zarelli Turner has an MAR from Yale Divinity School and an MDiv from General Theological Seminary (where she met her husband the Rev. Dr. Philip W Turner). She was ordained in 1985 and has served in Cincinnati, NYC, New Haven, and Austin. She retired in 2017, having served as rector of St. Mark’s. They have a daughter, Elisa.
The Rev. Hope Benko
Priest for Children
The Rev. Hope T. Benko also serves as VP of Enrollment Management at the Seminary of the Southwest. Her husband, the Rev. Dr. Andrew Grayson Benko, serves at St. Matthew’s. Together they are raising a 12-year-old girl and 9-year-old boy. Hope enjoys reading, especially the history of everyday objects and mysteries.
Hilary Bellm
Senior Warden
& Community Engagement Coordinator
Hilary and her husband, Brent; son, Aaron; and daughter, Scarlett have been members of St. Michael's since they moved to Austin in 2010. The children attended the Day School and Hilary served on the Day School Board for almost 5 years. Hilary enjoys cooking, gardening, and walking the dogs.
Bonnie Walton
Youth Coordinator
Bonnie is a graduate of the UTeach program, a high school/middle school English teacher at large, a day school board member, a Camp Allen board member and summer camp director, and has more experience in youth ministry in the Diocese of Texas than she has time to list here. She is married and mother to 2 boys who wish she would chill out on screen time limits.
Julie Hodges
Parish Administrator
Not many people can say that they are born and raised in Austin, but Julie Hodges can. Having been an Episcopalian for nearly 20 years, Julie finds being the Parish Administrator of St. Michael’s Episcopal Church both rewarding and fulfilling. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and four-legged friends. Julie has a passion for rescuing animals and being transport for many dogs for their “rescue relays and freedom rides.”
Christine Havens, MAR
Director of Communications
Christine Havens, MAR, arrived in Austin in 2012 to attend the Seminary of the Southwest, graduating in 2014, becoming an Iowa Texan. She writes book reviews and feature articles for The Living Church, and she has recently been published on mbird.com, among other places. Storytelling is her passion, and she loves St. Michael’s.
Jeremy Aschenbach
Media Tech & Sexton
Jeremy has a few different hobbies/passions, but the one constant throughout his life has been music, and in recent years, sound as a whole. An experienced sound engineer, he is grateful for the opportunity to work at St. Michael’s because he has wanted to work in live church surroundings.
Suzanne Pence
Choir Director
Suzanne Pence (DMA) is currently in her 28th year as Associate Professor of Choral conducting at The University of Texas at Austin. She has directed music programs in various churches for over 30 years and is looking forward to making new connections and beautiful music with the St. Michael’s congregation, choir, and staff.
Gena Tabery, PH.D.
Organist
Gena Tabery, PhD, has worshipped and sung in the choir at St. Michael’s since 1995. Since 2015, she has served as pianist and organist. She and her husband, Ron, have enjoyed watching their four sons grow in the church. Gena is the author of five books and the Managing Director of Illumine: a Company of Young Voices.
Ezra Bartz PH.D.
Contemporary Music Leader
Dr. Ezra Bartz is a pianist from Eugene, Oregon. In addition to his position as lecturer at Texas State University, Dr. Bartz also teaches at the Orpheus Academy of Music, a local private music school. Dr. Bartz holds a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Piano Performance and serves St. Michael’s as the Contemporary Music Leader.
Rebecca Beavers
Head of School
Rebecca's passion for empowering families shows in her experience as a seasoned childcare professional whose career spans over 25 years. In her home life, she enjoys traveling with her family: her husband of 24 years, and two children, Sofia and Nick; they love exploring new destinations together, with the beach being their favorite spot.