Leadership
Clergy & Staff
The Rev. Henrietta (Rhetta) Lovejoy Wiley, Ph.D.
Rector
You’ve got a lot of names. What do we call you?
I’m not that fussed about it, except with children who I prefer to call me Mother Rhetta. I was Dr. Wiley for a long time before becoming a rector. You can call me that if you like, or Mother Rhetta, Mother Wiley, Pastor Rhetta, Pastor Wiley, or Reverend Wiley. Not Reverend Rhetta, though, because it’s too hard to say, and no one calls me Henrietta unless I’m in trouble. Most grown-ups just call me Rhetta. You can do that, too.
Where are you from?
I grew up in the city of New York. My mother was from the deep south where I spent my childhood summers. I often felt like we were an immigrant household in the city. My father was from southern California, but after he and Mama married, he was all in with being southern. I’ve lived in a bunch of other places that shaped me—North Carolina, northern California, Massachusetts, Ohio, and Baltimore—but I am a New Yorker at heart.
How did you learn to be a minister?
Honestly, I am still learning. It’s mostly on-the-job training. Nothing can prepare you for dealing with a family of racoons entrenched under the parish house.
My “training” probably started with the felt board in my Georgia Sunday School when I was little. There I fell in love with Scripture and with Jesus, possibly in that order. Unless you count that and a lifetime of mistakes, though, I got my education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (BA), Pacific School of Religion (incomplete MA), and Harvard University (PhD).
I was a professor of Biblical History and Literature for a long time before I went into full-time parish ministry. While I was still teaching, I took some classes at the General Theological Seminary and Virgina Theological Seminary, and I went into the pastoral care training program at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center. Soon after, I was ordained a priest and learned a lot by filling in at many different churches in Maryland.
Why do you do this?
I do this because I love God and I really like people. I do my best to love all people like the Bible says, but even when that’s hard, I can always count on finding a person interesting. I’d love to meet you!
I enjoy doing things I’m pretty good at like preaching, teaching, leading worship, and pastoral care. There are things I am not good at like organization, office work, and remembering birthdays. No one gets all the gifts. I try to get better at the not-good things so I can keep doing the pretty-good things.
I also do this because for as long as I can remember God has been calling me to use my gifts to advance the Good News of Jesus Christ. I feel like I have a God-given responsibility to care for the souls of my congregation and bring healing to our broken world. I avoided it for a long time, but God won out in the end.
Why do you love Trinity?
I love the warmth and hospitality of the people. During the COVID lock-down I tried all kinds of cockamamie things to keep us together, like having Christmas Eve service outside under a tent in the cold and rain. Our people were totally game for it.
I appreciate the beauty of our campus and its history, even the ugly parts that give us reason to learn the importance of repentance and repair.
I am inspired by the endless possibilities for ministry here in the heart of Towson. There are so many different and interesting people around us, so much to learn and do, so many ways to grow in faith and service. You should check it out.
Do you do anything else?
I love to travel, especially by train. I love the ocean and the mountains and really good food of all kinds. I enjoy live theatre, music, dance, and comedy. I really love spending time with my friends, my wife Mary, and our two cats Kinky and Schmutz. All these things feed my soul and help me see God at work in the world.
The Rev. Dr. Henrietta L. Wiley
Rector
Mother Rhetta began her ministry at Trinity in 2019 and was elected Rector in 2021.
The Rev. Elizabeth Masterson
Priest Associate (Retired)
Mother Liz worked as a middle school and special education teacher until 2006 when she began her priestly ministry in the Diocese of Delaware. There she served as rector of St. Nicholas Church, Newark, until her retirement. Liz supports Trinity with her warmth in worship, preaching, and pastoral care.
The Rev. Cindy Christopher
Deacon
Deacon Cindy began her ministry with Trinity in 2021.
The Rev. Emily Holman
Assisting Deacon (Retired)
Deacon Emily began attending Trinity after she retired from Church of the Messiah in 2023. Later that year we were blessed to receive diocesan approval for her to serve as an assisting deacon. Emily preaches a few times a year and leads our pastoral care efforts at Oak Crest retirement community.
Debbie Barnes
Office Manager
Debbie joined Trinity as Parish Administrator in 2024. Originally from Pennsylvania, she resided in Los Angeles for a decade. When her daughters reached school age, she and her husband of 41 years, Jeff, relocated to Baltimore to be near family. Now empty nesters, they are adoptive parents to feline Kevin.
Tamara Daugherty
Interim Lay Associate
Tamara serves as Trinity’s Interim Lay Associate and a non-voting vestry member. Initially drawn to Trinity’s Blue Christmas Service in 2022, Tamara manages our marketing and communications, including website, social media, and events. She joyfully greets congregants each Sunday morning and shares Trinity’s story at the heart of Towson.
Jennifer Korczakowski
Business Manager
Jen is a Baltimore County native, graduate of Boston University, and experienced non-profit manager. In 2018, she joined Trinity as our Business Manager, actively helping us improve our finances and operations for long-term growth. Jen also enjoys tennis, golf, and time with her husband, three boys, and their dog Bella.
Hardwick Spencer
Organist & Choir Director
Hardwick has enjoyed serving Trinity Church since the Epiphany season 2016 as bass chorister and organist/choirmaster. He studied at William & Mary and the Peabody Institute, and his organ teachers have included Kenneth Whittington at Chatham Hall and Ed Godshall, Thomas Marshall, Jacques Darling, and Marcia Kohler at her Moller in Williamsburg, Virginia.
Mary Ann Brandli
Contemporary Music Director
Mary Ann completed her B.S. in Music Education in 1988 and moved to Baltimore for a career as a musician and church music director. Since 2022 she has led our contemporary worship service with her husband Brian Kooken and our Music Team. Mary Ann also maintains a studio of piano and flute students.
Mark Beatty
Facilities Manager
Mark started at Trinity in 2023, one week after retiring from a job he worked for 33 years! Mark cleans our offices and bathrooms, keeps up with the grounds, manages our vendors, and addresses needs like painting or making repairs. Mark is a treasure for both his skill and wisdom.
Brenda Jones
Interim Director of Trinity Episcopal Preschool
Brenda joined the preschool as Assistant Director in 2023 and began serving as Interim Director in 2025. Under her leadership, our preschool continues to be a place where children learn, grow, and feel loved. With our exceptional teachers, she helps our little learners value kindness, curiosity, and open-hearted faith.
Erin Kiely Beyland
Director of Volunteers for The Surprise Shop
In 2009, Erin joined the Surprise Shop, Trinity’s oldest and most beloved ministry. Since 1964, the shop has provided Towson with gently used clothing, books, jewelry, housewares, electronics, and giftware. Erin coordinates everything, especially volunteers and our donations to local service organizations and neighbors in need.
Brandon Smith
Manager of Digital Services
Brandon is a webcast producer who has collaborated with non-profits such as The March on Washington Film Festival and Jazz at Lincoln Center. Originally from Yonkers, New York, he enjoys exploring his new home in Baltimore, Maryland. In his free time, you’ll find him on a hiking trail, embracing the unknown.
Brian Kooken
Musician
Brian is a jazz guitarist, composer, and instructor based in Baltimore, MD. He has performed nationally and internationally, as well as playing in Trinity’s contemporary service since March of 2023. He has worked with Blues singers Marva Wright and E. C. Scott, Gospel artist William Becton, and jazz organist Greg Hatza, and has released three original albums.
Joshua Jones
Musician
Joshua grew up singing in the choir with his parents at the historic Saint Francis Xavier Church and Blessed Sacrament in Baltimore. At Archbishop Curley High School, he sang in the Choir, the Schola, and the Luminare Choir. He earned my BA in music at Morgan State University and performed internationally in the MSU Choir. He joined Trinity as cantor and chorister in 2017.
Kiya Wright
Musician
Kiya has served Trinity Church since 2017 as chorister and cantor. She started performing at age two in church and school in Sumter, SC. She earned a bachelor’s degree in music (BA) in vocal performance and master’s degree in teaching (MAT) at Morgan State University. She teaches high school music, theatre, and dance in Baltimore, and continues to sing professionally around the region.
Vestry
In Episcopal Parishes the board of lay leaders is called the vestry. The members of this board are collectively the legal representative of the parish regarding all matters pertaining to its corporate property. The basic responsibilities of the vestry are to help define and articulate the mission of the congregation, to support the church’s mission by word and deed, to select the rector, to ensure effective organization and planning, and to manage resources and finances.
While the number of vestry members and the term of office varies from parish to parish, Trinity’s vestry consists of nine members elected for three-year terms. Trinity parishioners elect vestry members in cohorts of three every year at our annual meeting, so we have a good balance of experience and fresh perspective.
The presiding officer of the vestry is the rector, but the rector may delegate the task of leading vestry meetings. Like most vestries, Trinity has two wardens, the senior warden and the junior warden. The senior warden leads the parish between rectors and is a support person for the rector. The junior warden often has responsibility for church property and buildings. At Trinity, the rector works with both wardens as a leadership team. Other officers of the vestry include a treasurer and a registrar who may or may not be elected vestry members.
Dara Lewis
Senior Warden
Dara is a soprano, a realtor, and a cradle Episcopalian. She had wonderful opportunities to explore other Christian denominations with her family as her father played organ and led the choir. This built the foundation of her acceptance of differences and inclusivity for all. She lives with her husband Dan, sons Thomas and Nicholas, and their fur babies.
Cathy Evans
Junior Warden
Cathy is a retired finance professional, and she and her husband have two adult daughters. She joined Trinity in 2017 after changing denominations and was received into the Episcopal Church in 2018. She joined the vestry in 2020 and began serving as junior warden in 2025. She has volunteered with several Trinity committees and community organizations and enjoys attending the 8:00 Sunday service.
Mary Beth Jorgensen
Registrar
Mary Beth grew up in Montana. After migrating East through various Episcopal churches, Trinity became her church home in 2015. Trinity’s welcoming spirit, liturgy, music, urban location, and outreach keep her here. She is thankful to be part of the vestry’s ministry of managing our resources today and preparing for the future.
Tracy Martin
Treasurer
Tracy and her family became members of Trinity Church Towson in 1984. Since then, she has participated in most activities Trinity offers including the vestry, which she rejoined in 2025. She has made life-long friends at Trinity and travelled the world with some of them. She and her husband Bill live in Timonium where they are “retired” but are still involved serving their community and their church any way God calls.
Peggy King
Class of 2027
Peggy and Dennis King joined Trinity in 2003. Their son attended Trinity Episcopal Children’s Center. Peggy taught Sunday School and volunteers at the Surprise Shop. She’s a member of the Altar Guild, Surprise Shop board, and the preschool board. She’s also a reader and greeter and has served on several committees. Peggy is a lifelong Towson resident and graduated from Parkville High School, Loyola College Maryland, and the University of Baltimore School of Law.
Tamara Daugherty
Class of 2028
Tamara’s faith journey led her from childhood baptism in Pittsburgh to reconfirming her faith in Syracuse, before finding her spiritual home at Trinity in 2022. She attends both services and serves on the outreach and communications committees, bringing 20+ years of marketing expertise. She also loves traveling and planning trips for others! She lives in Timonium with her dogs Mulligan and Finn.
Meg Gardner
Class of 2026
Meg is a Maryland native, raised and educated in the wilds of College Park in the midst of a vast extended family. She has six grown, scientifically artistic children and one very large grandchild. She writes entertaining books and manages offices when she has nothing else to do. She believes our love for all beings is our most valuable resource.
Joel Moore
Class of 2026
Joel teaches geology and environmental classes at a local university and does research on water and soil geochemistry. In addition to the vestry, he serves on the finance and endowment committees, attends the 10:15 service, and washes dishes after coffee hour. He enjoys reading, running, hiking, and travel.
Cindy Shure
Class of 2027
Cindy is a cradle to grave Baltimore Episcopalian and beyond thankful to have found her forever church here at Trinity. Retired after 40 years working in financial and credit insurance risk management, she currently serves on Trinity’s Altar Guild, finance committee, and the vestry. Her hobbies include exercising her First Amendment rights with a group of elderly “lunatics” on the streets of Parkville.
Jim Thierer
Class of 2027
Jim has been a member of Trinity Church for over 30 years and recently retired from BGE after 35. He co-led Trinity’s J2A youth group from 2018 through 2023 and served as Scoutmaster of Troop 729 in Towson for over 10 years. He is devoted to his wife of 25 years Amy with whom he has 3 children and 6 grandchildren.
