Our Leadership
Clergy Leadership
St. Augustine’s in-the-Woods has been in a transition period between clergy. We have completed the search for a Priest-in-Charge.
The Rev. Bill Stanton will be joining us on March 29, 2026 to begin his ministry with us!
In the absence of the Priest in Charge, the Senior Warden (Sue Idso) acts as the ecclesiastical authority for specific purposes under the bishop's guidance. Key duties include liaising with the bishop, ensuring worship services continue, and managing parish affairs to maintain normalcy and support the congregation during the transition.
Staff
Shantina Steele
Office Administrator and Bookkeeper
Shantina was raised in Sultan, Washington, and has called Whidbey Island home since she graduated high school in 1990. She and her husband have built a rich life together in Coupeville, where they share a beautiful piece of land. Shantina is the proud mother of four grown children and the joyful grandmother of four.
360-331-4887
admin@staugustineswhidbey.org
Missioner for Music
Henry Lebedinsky
Historical keyboardist, composer, and conductor Henry Lebedinsky has performed with the Seattle Symphony, Seattle Opera, the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Pacific Northwest Ballet, the Charlotte Symphony, Seraphic Fire, Sonoma Bach, and the Cantata Collective, among others. Recent conducting engagements include the Seattle Baroque Orchestra and Sonoma Bach’s Live Oak Baroque Orchestra. As part of a career built on collaboration, he serves as co-Artistic Director of the San Francisco Bay Area’s GRAMMY-nominated AGAVE and Seattle’s Pacific MusicWorks.
With countertenor Reginald L. Mobley, he has introduced listeners on three continents to music by Black composers from Baroque to modern, including recent appearances at the Musée d’Orsay in Paris and Festival Printemps Musical des Alizés in Morocco. Henry's compositions for choir and organ are published by Paraclete Press, Carus-Verlag Stuttgart, and CanticaNOVA, and two volumes of his poetry and hymns are in preparation. He holds degrees from Bowdoin College and the Longy School of Music, where he earned a Master of Music in historical organ performance as a student of Peter Sykes.
admin@staugustineswhidbey.org
Our Vestry
The Vestry is the local governing body of our congregation and is composed of nine lay members and the Rector who serves in an ex officio capacity. The Senior Warden and the Junior Warden serve as vice-chairs of the Vestry.
The Vestry provides appropriate administrative oversight and leadership to our parish. We elect one-third of the Vestry each year and members serve three-year terms.
Ron Costeck
Class of 2026
Ron Costeck relocated to the Northwest in 2002. In 2018 he moved to Whidbey Island to take the position as Island County’s District Court Commissioner. Ron and his wife Natasha joined the St. Augustine’s congregation in 2022, with the baptism of their daughter Katie. Both are joyful at having found such a great community and fellowship, and look forward to serving.
admin@staugustineswhidbey.org
Grant Heiken
Class of 2028
Grant Heiken is a retired NASA and Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory geologist with particular expertise in volcanism. Grant and his wife, Jody, retired to Whidbey Island in 2004 and have been involved in volunteering and supporting a variety of environmental, musical, educational and philanthropic organizations.
admin@staugustineswhidbey.org
Sue Idso
Senior Warden
Class of 2028
Sue Idso has been a parishioner at St. Augustine’s since moving to the Island with her husband Marv in 1990. Sue, a retired elementary teacher, brings her experience and passion for nature to a leadership position at St. A’s.
seniorwarden@staugustineswhidbey.org
Duane Lewellen
Class of 2028
Duane has been a member of St. Augustine’s in the Woods Episcopal Church since 2020. Duane is the owner of Lewellen Associates, LLC, an energy consulting firm specializing in energy efficient and sustainable commercial and residential buildings. Duane’s interests include energy policy, classic cars, gardening, travel, and golf.
Maureen Masterson
Class of 2026
Maureen Masterson has been a member of St. Augustine’s in-the-Woods for 23 years. During that time she has volunteered with the Mission Sunday Offerings, coffee hour, Holiday Market and Trash and Treasure Sale. Maureen currently serves as an acolyte, lector and as a member of the vestry.
admin@staugustineswhidbey.org
Patti Muncey
Class of 2028
Patti Muncey Whidbey Island 4 years ago and became a member of St Augustine's not long after that. Patti is grateful for all the activities offered at St A's, such as guest speakers, concerts, nature walks, holiday market, that allow our community to witness what a diverse and welcoming congregation we are. After a 40 year nursing career Patti is looking forward to retirement next year and enjoying a new house that she is building in Clinton
admin@staugustineswhidbey.org
Nanette Rosenthal
Treasurer
Nanette Rosenthal and her husband have attended St. Augustine’s since 2023 when they moved to Whidbey Island. Nanette retired as Assistant Dean of Finance & Administration for Undergraduate Academic Affairs at the UW. She is active as a Holiday Market crafter and co-coordinator of Coffee Hour along with the treasurer duties. Gardening and cooking/baking take up much of her free time. She and her husband have two sons who live in Seattle and Portland.
treasurer@staugustineswhidbey.org
Frank Shirbroun
Clerk
Frank Shirbroun is the son of Christian parents. His mother was an ordained minister. He was Professor of New Testament in the Episcopal Theological School at Claremont, CA for more than 17 years. Frank and his wife lead Celtic Christian pilgrimages to sacred sites in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Brittany.
admin@staugustineswhidbey.org
Laura Valente
Chancellor
Laura has been a member of St. Augustine’s for 22 years and its Chancellor for 10 years. Laura grew up on the Gulf Coast of Texas but has lived in Washington for 35 years. She has been an attorney for 38 years and her work includes private practice and training volunteers for the King County Superior Court to advocate for abused and neglected children in court. She has served as an Administrative Law Judge for Washington State and the federal government for 30 years. In her free time, she likes to hike, bike and kayak with her husband, Meade Brown, and spending time with family and friends. She is an avid conservationist and a member of numerous botanical organizations, including the Washington Native Plant Society. She has enjoyed many pleasant hours making her yard on Whidbey a wildlife habitat.
admin@staugustineswhidbey.org