Staff and Vestry

The Rev. Dr. Gawain F. de Leeuw has been celebrating at St. Barts since August, 2001 and has been a priest since 1996.   He was raised in a multicultural, interfaith family in Rochester, New York, being baptized and confirmed at Christ Church.  He was graduated from Oberlin College, the University of Chicago, General Theological Seminary.  Upon winning the Luce Scholar’s award, he served in Korea for two years as the vicar of the Anglican Cathedral and lecturer in liturgical theology.   He received his doctorate from Seabury Western in 2010.    He has been trained in facilitative leadership and coaching from the Interaction Institute for Social Change in Cambridge, and organizational development from the Tavistock Institute in England.    He serves on the boards of Meals on Wheels, the Housing Action Council of Westchester, and Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic.  He convenes the White Plains Religious Leaders, and serves as the Dean of the Westchester Central Clericus.  He helped found Westchester United, a community based power organization,  He also teaches a freshman seminar on utopianism at Manhattanville College, and has taught world religions at Berkeley College.   He is also a member of the Order of the Ascension, a fraternal order dedicated to building healthy parishes working for justice.   He is also a Rotarian. 

When not working he cooks, reads modern poetry, trains the Olympic lifts, runs wine tastings, and dispenses justice at the Lazy Boy Saloon.  He lives with his brother, Kabir de Leeuw.

Rita Mathsen, became involved with St. Bartholomew’s in 2005 as the interim organist and choir master and assumed the position full-time in 2006. She received her vocal training at the Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia, a student of Nancy Williams (Bernstein’s favorite mezzo!) and went on to study in Italy with renowned opera stars, Carlo Bergonzi and Renata Tebaldi. Rita sang professionally for over 10 years before meeting her husband (who is a Lutheran Pastor in White Plains) and settling down to family life.  Since then, Rita has two wonderful children (one in high school, one in college); she and her family appeared on Emeril, live! (he featured one of her recipes) and she still maintains an active performing schedule in addition to her teaching studio (www.learntosing.com).  She believes that everyone is capable of singing and that “those who sing pray twice”! Music at worship should inspire the congregation and also give them a glimpse of the glories of heaven.  If you are interested in auditioning for the choir, please contact Rita at learntosing[at]msn[dot]com.

Debbie Gruber, the Parish Administrator, has served St. Barts since the fall of 2005.  She has worked in the hospitality industry, owned her own shoe store, and is the mother of two delightful boys, Sabastien and Matthias.  Her husband is Karl.  

Bruce Betts, Warden, Sacristan

Karin Almquist, Warden

Catherine Alexander, Vestry

Margit Burmeister, Vestry

Jim Owen, Vestry, Assistant Treasurer

Gary Rogers, Vestry, Property

Kathryn Wallace, Treasurer, Website coordinator

Clinton, "Chip," Calhoun, Counsel, 

Arthur Bonagura, Soup Kitchen Coordinator, 

Robin Bradley, Wedding Coordinator,

Madeline Heliker, Thrift Shop Coordinator,

Valerie Friscati, Sunday School Teacher

Russ Michel, Zen Coordinator

Barbara Del Rowe, Animal Ministry Coordinator