CLERGY & STAFF
The Reverend Alan R. Hesse, Rector
rector@stjohnssandwich.org
The Reverend Alan Hesse grew up in Iowa and Arizona, with most of his formative years spent in a small farming community in the northwest corner of Iowa.
Alan graduated from Morningside University, a Methodist liberal-arts college in Sioux City, Iowa (B.A. in Mass Communications and Business). From there he went on to graduate work in Communications at Pepperdine University, in Malibu, California.
He graduated with a Master of Divinity of Degree from the Episcopal Divinity School, Cambridge, MA.
Prior to his call, for nearly twenty five years, he worked in the communication field, at AM/FM radio stations and at television affiliates of NBC and ABC in Iowa and southern California.
Prior to coming to St. John’s, Fr. Alan has worked in urban ministry settings, in Worcester, MA; in the suburban settings of Walpole, MA, Swansea, MA and Barrington, RI.
Alan served for 10 years as a board member of the Episcopal Diocese of MA Camp and Conference Center, Barbara C. Harris Camp. He most recently served as the Chair of the Board. He has also served the Diocese of Massachusetts on the Diocesan Council, Executive Council, and Bishop’s Search and Consecration Committee. He is a trained anti-racism facilitator and has served on the Diocesan Social Justice/Antiracism Ministry Team.
Currently Alan serves as Trustee to the Church Home Society. The Church Home Society is an independent non-profit corporation related to the Episcopal Church of Massachusetts. Its objective is to provide support to young persons (ages 9-25) by making financial grants to both religious and secular organizations. Fr. Alan is grateful for this opportunity to better the lives of the underserved youth of Massachusetts.
Alan is married to Dr. Tim Orwig, who is a lecturer at Boston College, Lesley University, and the University of MA Lowell, and author of many articles and publications. His most recent book is “Cape Cod Canal, a history of the Canal on its hundredth anniversary.” They have one son, William, an athletic senior at Wareham High School who has introduced his family to all sorts of new athletic adventures along with a passion for his culinary skills.
Susan Sharpe – Parish Administrator
Susan moved to the Cape in 1969 from upstate New York. She has resided in Mashpee since 1976, and was married by Fr. John Thomas here at St. John’s.
Susan holds a Master’s Degree in Education/Special Education and brings broad experience in administration, having served in telecommunications, state government, human resources, appliance manufacturing, travel/transportation/tourism, and hospitality industries. Susan is a retired elementary/middle school, and special education teacher. After retiring from education, Susan worked for over 8 years as a Certified Pharmacy Technician.
Contact Susan by email at parishadmin@sjchurchsandwich.org
Susan moved to the Cape in 1969 from upstate New York. She has resided in Mashpee since 1976, and was married by Fr. John Thomas here at St. John’s.
Susan holds a Master’s Degree in Education/Special Education and brings broad experience in administration, having served in telecommunications, state government, human resources, appliance manufacturing, travel/transportation/tourism, and hospitality industries. Susan is a retired elementary/middle school, and special education teacher. After retiring from education, Susan worked for over 8 years as a Certified Pharmacy Technician.
Contact Susan by email at parishadmin@sjchurchsandwich.org
Misao Koyama – Music Director
Born in Japan with a passion for music, Misao plays all genres of music from classical to Broadway, especially jazz. Misoa brings this passion to St John’s as organist, pianist, and choir director, enabling the choir to express their faith through song.
Misao is a graduate of Berklee College of Music in Boston and also is the accompanist for the Barnstable Intermediate School Chorus and the Cape Conservatory. She likes to teach piano privately and currently resides on the Cape with her daughter.
Contact Misao by email at music@sjchurchsandwich.org
Born in Japan with a passion for music, Misao plays all genres of music from classical to Broadway, especially jazz. Misoa brings this passion to St John’s as organist, pianist, and choir director, enabling the choir to express their faith through song.
Misao is a graduate of Berklee College of Music in Boston and also is the accompanist for the Barnstable Intermediate School Chorus and the Cape Conservatory. She likes to teach piano privately and currently resides on the Cape with her daughter.
Contact Misao by email at music@sjchurchsandwich.org
Deborah (Dee McLaughlin – Thrift Store Manager
Dee has lived on the Cape since 1979 and been a member of St. John’s since the early 1980’s. She lives in Mashpee and has 3 children and 2 grandchildren. Before retiring in 2015, she was in the food service industry for 35 years.
Six Years ago, she was offered the job of Thrift Shop Manager and took the challenge. Along with 20 plus volunteers they run a beautiful shop. Stop by and say hello.
Dee has lived on the Cape since 1979 and been a member of St. John’s since the early 1980’s. She lives in Mashpee and has 3 children and 2 grandchildren. Before retiring in 2015, she was in the food service industry for 35 years.
Six Years ago, she was offered the job of Thrift Shop Manager and took the challenge. Along with 20 plus volunteers they run a beautiful shop. Stop by and say hello.
Building and Grounds
The Campus has three buildings—the Church, The Office and the Thrift Shop. There are three dedicated volunteers who clean and manage them. There is a Vestry Liaison who oversees all major projects. We are grateful for the volunteers who spend numerous hours each week keeping our campus clean and welcoming. Please contact Susan in the office with any questions or issues.
The Campus has three buildings—the Church, The Office and the Thrift Shop. There are three dedicated volunteers who clean and manage them. There is a Vestry Liaison who oversees all major projects. We are grateful for the volunteers who spend numerous hours each week keeping our campus clean and welcoming. Please contact Susan in the office with any questions or issues.
ST. JOHN'S VESTRY
The Vestry of Saint John’s is the elected body of lay leadership. By church law they are entrusted with the oversight of property management, fiduciary administration, and human resources responsibility. In practice, they serve as a council of leadership that have been called by the faith community of the church.
The Vestry normally meets each month and there are four officers of the Vestry: the Senior Warden, Junior Warden, Treasurer and Secretary. The four officers are elected each year as part of the annual church meeting. A normal term for a Vestry member is three years.
The Vestry normally meets each month and there are four officers of the Vestry: the Senior Warden, Junior Warden, Treasurer and Secretary. The four officers are elected each year as part of the annual church meeting. A normal term for a Vestry member is three years.
Vestry Members
Paul Coyle, Senior WardenAnn Geary Roche, Junior Warden
Celia Bailey Ochoa, Treasurer
Deborah Roberts, Clerk
Class of 2025
Jeff CuiltyLillian Woo
Cecilia Bailey Ochoa
Class of 2026
Sandy Scannel
Kathy Uggerholt
Class of 2027
Mary AmesGregory B. Roche
Cape and Island Deanery Representatives and Delegates to Diocesan Convention
Deanery Delegates
Jared CohenLillian Woo