Denise Peden (Senior Warden) – Denise grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah, and was very involved in her Lutheran church. She attended Western Washington University in Bellingham, Washington for her Bachelor’s degree in English, then Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts, for a Master’s degree in Writing, Literature, and Publishing. After a brief stint working in book publishing, she started working in insurance marketing and communications. After a few years in Boston, she moved to Santa Monica, because she always wanted to live in California. There she met Richard Peden, whom she married in 2011. Madeleine was born a year later. In 2017, Richard’s company asked him to move to an in-person position in Washington, PA. Richard and Denise and Madeleine came to St David’s shortly after moving here. Denise enjoys singing and has been in several choirs and praise bands, including a gospel choir in Boston and a semi-professional orchestral choir in Los Angeles. She joined the St. David’s band almost immediately after they moved here, and really misses singing every Sunday with everyone. Other hobbies include sewing and quilting.
Liza Godfrey (Junior Warden) – Liza is a retired Technology professional having worked locally in health care and education. She resides in Peters Township and has attended St. David’s since Fall of 2016. She was raised in the Episcopal church in Southern Ohio and has attended and served in the church in several states.
Jen Yoon (Treasurer) – Jen
(she/her) has been a member of St David’s for 15 years since moving to Pittsburgh. She spent many of those years leading and serving the Children’s Ministry and preschool. Originally from the Dallas/Ft Worth area, she grew up in the Episcopal Church and holds many fond memories of church, church camp, picnics, and socials. Her church family is an important part of her life and she is honored to serve and grow St. David’s community as a member of the vestry. She works as a Pediatric Dietitian and Lactation Consultant and has 3 almost grown children. She enjoys walking, hiking, and yoga. She lives in Bethel Park with her children, partner John, 2 dogs, and thousands of bees.
Michael Cochran (Secretary) – Michael is originally from the Indianapolis area. He and his wife Elizabeth moved to Pittsburgh 15 years ago and are raising their two young sons and dog in the South Hills. He works as an engineer. He wishes he had more free time, but when he does, he enjoys reading, gardening and biking. He and his family started worshipping at St David’s seven years ago and felt right at home quickly. He appreciates the warm friendship people in the church have offered, and the caring way their kids have been included and supported.
Tom Higgins -Tom is a Pittsburgh area native who grew up in Peters Township but now resides with his wife and two children in Upper St. Clair. He currently co-owns a small advertising agency that provides marketing plans, media buying and creative services for regional and national accounts. In his free time, Tom ”enjoys” running and home repairs. He came to St. David’s more than 5 years ago, shortly before his daughter Hope was baptized at the church. During church services, he can be found in the back pews constantly telling his young daughter to stop putting down the kneelers and walking across them like a balance beam.
Keri McCloskey -After residing in the areas to the north and south of Pittsburgh over the last two decades, and attending the local Episcopal churches there respectively, Keri became a member of St. David’s when she and her husband decided to raise their family here in the South Hills, 8 years ago. Since then, she has served as a Children’s Church teacher during Sunday service to our elementary-aged kids, as well as Bible Café leader for our growing pre-teens/teens youth group, and Eucharist service needs through the Altar Guild. Being called to do more, Keri is happy to be welcomed as a Vestry member and looks forward to helping sustain and grow the ministry of St. David’s in the local community.
Nancy Polachek – Nancy has been here at St. David’s since moving to Peter’s Township in December 2019. Nancy has been a long-standing member of the Episcopal Church, joining us from The Church of the Epiphany in Grove City, Pa. Nancy served on Altar Guild while at Epiphany and taught Sunday School, as well. She has continued serving the needs of Altar Guild here at St. David’s. Nancy is enjoying retirement after a 35+ year career as a Speech & Hearing Supervisor and Quality Assurance Manager at Polk Center/DPW (A residential facility for the Developmentally Disabled). Nancy and her husband, Bernie, are the parents of two children, Adam Emily, and the ‘loves of their life’, grandchildren Rhett and Layla. They also have their very spoiled fur baby, Coco. Nancy enjoys reading, cooking, antique shopping for vintage Christmas items, and traveling with Bernie and Coco.
Adam White –
