Meet Our Church Staff

PASTOR & HEAD OF STAFF

Elizabeth is a Tar Heel basketball fan, flower gardener, and Montreat enthusiast. After earning a B.M. in Music Education from UNC, she taught music before following a call to ministry. She and her husband Richard, a retired hospice physician, both attended Columbia Theological Seminary and co-pastored in Alabama before living in England, where Richard earned his Ph.D. in New Testament. Elizabeth served in several pastoral roles before becoming the founding pastor of Peace in 2005. They have four adult children—Emily (Nico), Catherine (Taylor), Andrew, and Rebecca—and three beloved grandchildren.

ASSOCIATE PASTOR

Mary Beth is our Associate Pastor. A proud Presbyterian PK (Pastor’s Kid), she grew up in Winter Haven, FL. She studied Religious Studies at Stetson University, while also nurturing her creative side through Studio Art and Piano Performance. She earned her Master of Divinity from Vanderbilt Divinity School in 2010 and was ordained in 2013 while serving as Associate for Worship Arts at Northminster Presbyterian in Tucson, AZ. Mary Beth later served at First Presbyterian Church of Bradenton (2016–2018) and has remained active in ministry throughout the presbytery while raising her two young sons.

DIRECTOR OF CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND FAMILIES

Eirinn is a charter member of Peace who has long served in youth ministry and as an elder for mission. Since joining the staff full-time in 2019, she has taken on key roles in coordinating children, youth, and family ministries, congregational care, social media, virtual worship, and the Earth Care team. Inspired by Montreat in 2016, Eirinn is passionate about helping youth stay connected to God and one another. She and her husband, Chris, have two sons and host a legendary Irish party every March.

DIRECTOR OF MUSIC

Elena is an accomplished keyboard musician with degrees from the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory, The Juilliard School, and Stony Brook University. She has performed internationally in Russia, the U.S., and Germany, including at prestigious venues such as the Moscow Conservatory and Alice Tully Hall. In addition to her solo work, Elena has served as an accompanist, church musician, and music director for Salt Marsh Opera. Now based in St. Petersburg, she teaches piano, music theory, and history in Tampa, New York, and Connecticut—and is currently accepting new students. Her recordings are available on CD and YouTube. She shares her home with her husband, Michael Oakes, and their pets.

OFFICE MANAGER

Jenni holds a degree in creative arts and a certificate in early childhood education. Before moving to Florida in 2015 with her husband, Richard, and their two children, she served in churches and schools in Kentucky and Georgia. At Peace, Jenni works full-time managing the church calendar, bulletins, facility use, and many behind-the-scenes tasks that support the church’s ministry. She also curates liturgical artwork for worship as the Sacred Art Curator and serves with the Fellowship Team to offer warm hospitality each Sunday. Jenni enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, knitting, cooking, eating, and singing!

FINANCIAL MANAGER

Beth has been a member of Peace since 2014 and has volunteered in various capacities before joining the staff part-time. She is an active member of both the Administrative and Fellowship Teams. In addition to serving as the church’s bookkeeper, Beth is an attorney specializing in estate planning (Wills and Trusts). She offers estate planning services and document reviews. Beth is also a Notary Public and provides free notarization services. To schedule an appointment, please contact Beth at 941-713-1388.

LIVE STREAM TECH

Luke holds a degree in music composition from Saint Petersburg College (SPC) and currently oversees the Audio and Visual teams at Peace Presbyterian Church. He has led modern worship services in churches across the Tampa Bay Area and has a passion for all things creative. Luke has two children, and when he's not working, you'll find the three of them spending quality time together. He is dedicated to finding Christ in the people around him and loves bringing people together for a common cause.

PARRISH ASSOCIATE

Born and raised in Naples, Florida, Kelly loves raising her family here on the Gulf Coast. She is a parent, a wife, a daughter, a baker, a gardener, and also happens to be an ordained pastor in the Presbyterian Church (USA). Kelly received her Master of Divinity from Columbia Theological Seminary with a calling to minister to the whole family – all ages and all stages.

VOLUNTEER PARRISH NURSE

Deidre is a longtime member of the Congregational Care team, offering compassionate support to individuals and groups in need of nursing care. Her holistic approach addresses mind, body, and spirit, providing comfort, prayer, first aid, health screenings, healthcare assistance, referrals, and hospital transportation. Deidre also teaches classes on women’s health, men’s health, the opioid crisis, preventative care, and immunizations.

DIRECTOR OF CHILDCARE

Damaris is a child development specialist and co-director of Kids R Kids daycare in Lakewood Ranch. With three children of her own, she brings a deep understanding of the needs of families and is dedicated to supporting children and their caregivers.tion goes here

CHILDCARE

Jaclyn, an alum of William Patterson University, joined Peace this year to meet the growing childcare needs of the church. With her wealth of experience, Jaclyn ensures that all staff and volunteers who work with children are fingerprinted and background-checked, so you can trust that your children are safe at Peace.