Vestry Members
Virginia Bellows ~ Senior Warden
Vivian Toan ~ Junior Warden
Vestry Members ~ Hazel Stevens Price
Karla Cline
Phil Harrold
Rick Noll
April Underwood, Clerk of the Vestry
Treasurer ~ Brian Exstrum
Asst Treasurer ~ Lynn Kircher
Karla Cline ~ Born and raised in Chicago, Karla lived in a variety of locations including Wisconsin, New Mexico and the Czech Republic, before marrying her husband Todd, a native of Ouray. At that point she became a “lifer”, gladly setting down roots in the beautiful San Juan mountains. It was this sense of rootedness that first drew Karla to the Anglican tradition, and St John’s in particular. With a liturgy passed down through the generations and prayers penned by saints centuries ago, Karla felt a deep connection with believers throughout history. In St John’s she found a church that has been part of the Ouray community for well over 150 years.
Beauty has also been an extremely important feature of Karla’s St. John’s experience. Whether it is the stained-glass windows, wooden altar or priest’s vestments, the beauty of St. John’s reflects the beauty of God, drawing one in, and holding you there. Karla loves to be out in the beauty of the mountains too, Nordic skiing, wildflower hiking or spending time with her husband and two sons.
Phil Harrold ~ is a writer, lecturer, and church historian, having taught at both graduate- and seminary-level institutions in Illinois, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. He is especially interested in the history of catechesis and spiritual formation, from the early church through the English Reformation. He also serves in music direction and accompaniment with the St. John's Ensemble. He and his wife Carol enjoy hosting meals, hiking in the mountains, and humming Masterpiece Theater themes.
Vivian Toan ~ After a few early years in the Appalachian mountains, most of my childhood was spent in Iowa. After college I moved to New York to attend law school and stayed thereafter, eventually moving to Brooklyn, to work and raise a family. My mother and father-in-law,
Winthrop and Edith Toan, had retired to Ouray years ago, and for almost fifty years, my family and I returned to town every summer and portions of many winters.
I began, as a young lawyer, working for the Amalgamated Clothing and Textile Workers, during their organizing drives throughout the south. After a break to spend time with young children, I then worked for a number of years as an attorney for the New York City Department of Health.
I have four adult children: Kate, Ellie, Eric and Bobby, with spouses, Russ, Joe, and Aryiro, and seven grandchildren. They still come to Ouray as often as they can, and we have a well-used collection of sleds and camping gear in the basement.
During my years in Brooklyn I gradually evolved from a Congregationalist (daughter of UCC minister) into an active Episcopalian. I moved to Ouray on a full-time basis in 2020, and am so grateful to be a member of the wonderful St. John’s community.
Brian Exstrum - Treasurer
I was born and raised in Hastings, Nebraska, and attended Hastings College. I have 40 years of experience in natural gas, marketing, and utilities. Following my retirement, my wife Amy and I relocated to Ouray on a permanent basis, where we acquired Buckskin Booksellers, subsequently remodeled it, and renamed it Ouray Bookshop. After owning the business for six years, we sold it in March 2024. My upbringing was within the Methodist Church, however, after marriage, we began attending the Presbyterian Church. Upon moving to Ouray, we opted to attend the Episcopal Church as it aligned more closely with our beliefs. We have thirty-year-old twins, Charlie and Olivia.
Lynn Kircher, Assistant Treasurer ~ I grew up in the Hudson River Valley in the vicinity of the small village of Rhinebeck, New York where my parents ran a successful Aberdeen Angus cattle operation. My family was a member of the Church of the Messiah, a lovely Episcopal Church first built in the 1850’s.
After attending college where I studied sociology and anthropology, I spent some time in Australia on a cattle station as a governess for seven children. I attended church services on the station at a small Chapel which was part of the Church of England.
It was in 1971 that I moved to this area, purchasing a building across the street from City Hall in which I ran a small gift shop for several years. I began attending St. John’s soon after arriving and was married in the Church to my husband Kurt in 1975. On and off over the years I have been an active member. Since 1987 I have been an architectural designer of homes, mostly in this area.
My faith has always been my foundation but at this stage in life I am eager to learn more, to deepen my practice of faith and to worship with fellow Christians.