Staff Bios
The Rev. Benedict Varnum Priest and Rector
The Reverend Benedict Varnum is our priest, who joined us in July 2015. Fr Ben is committed to beautiful worship and steady preaching focused on Jesus and our own lives. His work at St Augustine's is to help build a church culture that lets us get to know each other and work together in ministries and fellowship, and creates opportunities for each person to grow into their gifts. Fr Ben grew up in the Catholic Church before being confirmed in the Episcopal Church in the eighth grade, and he spent time preparing to become a history or philosophy professor before feeling called to ordained ministry. Ben, his wife Megan and two kittens have a home in Millard. Ben enjoys biking, fancy board games, reading, and keeping up with the latest comic book movies – he can probably tell you which of your favorite comic characters makes a better Christian!
The Reverend Benedict Varnum is our priest, who joined us in July 2015. Fr Ben is committed to beautiful worship and steady preaching focused on Jesus and our own lives. His work at St Augustine's is to help build a church culture that lets us get to know each other and work together in ministries and fellowship, and creates opportunities for each person to grow into their gifts. Fr Ben grew up in the Catholic Church before being confirmed in the Episcopal Church in the eighth grade, and he spent time preparing to become a history or philosophy professor before feeling called to ordained ministry. Ben, his wife Megan and two kittens have a home in Millard. Ben enjoys biking, fancy board games, reading, and keeping up with the latest comic book movies – he can probably tell you which of your favorite comic characters makes a better Christian!
The Rev. Ruth Tomlinson, Retired Priest
Mother Ruth retired in 2010 and has been at St. Augustine’s since 2013 including five months at St. A’s as an interim. She was ordained in the Diocese of Los Angeles in 2000 and moved to Norfolk, NE in 2004 to be the rector of Trinity, Norfolk. Before retirement she served in many diocesan positions including the Executive Commission, co-chair of the Bishop’s Search Committee, Fresh Start coordinator, and as a priest on various Cursillo weekends. She is currently a chaplain at Methodist Hospital, a spiritual director, a Daughter of the King, and the intake officer for clergy misconduct in the diocese. When she is not playing mandolin in the praise group at the 9:00 service, she fills in as a supply priest around the diocese. She has two adult children and one granddaughter. Her interests include her family, reading,attending plays and concerts, and traveling both in the U.S. and elsewhere. She is honored and delighted to be part of the St. A’s family.
Mother Ruth retired in 2010 and has been at St. Augustine’s since 2013 including five months at St. A’s as an interim. She was ordained in the Diocese of Los Angeles in 2000 and moved to Norfolk, NE in 2004 to be the rector of Trinity, Norfolk. Before retirement she served in many diocesan positions including the Executive Commission, co-chair of the Bishop’s Search Committee, Fresh Start coordinator, and as a priest on various Cursillo weekends. She is currently a chaplain at Methodist Hospital, a spiritual director, a Daughter of the King, and the intake officer for clergy misconduct in the diocese. When she is not playing mandolin in the praise group at the 9:00 service, she fills in as a supply priest around the diocese. She has two adult children and one granddaughter. Her interests include her family, reading,attending plays and concerts, and traveling both in the U.S. and elsewhere. She is honored and delighted to be part of the St. A’s family.
Dn. Dave Holmquist, Deacon
The Rev. Deacon David Holmquist was ordained to the permanent diaconate in October 2012 after joining St. Augustine's in November 2008. Deacon Dave is now retired from full time employment and uses much of his extra available time working on social justice concerns and issues surrounding senior citizens, and those in society living at the margins. Deacon Dave is a lifelong Episcopalian who grew up in the Chicago suburbs. He completed his undergraduate studies at Indiana University and Parsons College, and then did graduate work at the School of Visual Arts in New York City, the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, and theology studies by extension through the University of the South. Working in ministry at St. A's has brought him great joy as he's been able to be a part of the tremendous growth of the parish over the past ten years and continues to find an abundance of the Holy Spirit alive in our parish.
The Rev. Deacon David Holmquist was ordained to the permanent diaconate in October 2012 after joining St. Augustine's in November 2008. Deacon Dave is now retired from full time employment and uses much of his extra available time working on social justice concerns and issues surrounding senior citizens, and those in society living at the margins. Deacon Dave is a lifelong Episcopalian who grew up in the Chicago suburbs. He completed his undergraduate studies at Indiana University and Parsons College, and then did graduate work at the School of Visual Arts in New York City, the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, and theology studies by extension through the University of the South. Working in ministry at St. A's has brought him great joy as he's been able to be a part of the tremendous growth of the parish over the past ten years and continues to find an abundance of the Holy Spirit alive in our parish.
Dn. Pat Sheldon, Deacon
Deacon Pat Sheldon joined St. Augustine in 1990 and was ordained to the diaconate in 1997. Her main ministry has been pastoral care, it has her heart. She has also served for the Dean Fricke Memorial Episcopal Food Pantry for about 10 years and well as the Diocesan Women's Ministry Board for about 10 years. She is a certified Spiritual Companion in our diocese. She loves the people of our church, she appreciates that they are friendly and loving and especially that they are there for you in times of need. She finds that St. Augustine is a joyful place to be and is confident The Holy Spirit is alive in our church!
Deacon Pat Sheldon joined St. Augustine in 1990 and was ordained to the diaconate in 1997. Her main ministry has been pastoral care, it has her heart. She has also served for the Dean Fricke Memorial Episcopal Food Pantry for about 10 years and well as the Diocesan Women's Ministry Board for about 10 years. She is a certified Spiritual Companion in our diocese. She loves the people of our church, she appreciates that they are friendly and loving and especially that they are there for you in times of need. She finds that St. Augustine is a joyful place to be and is confident The Holy Spirit is alive in our church!
Chris Mattson, Director of Teen Ministries/Youth Group
Chris Mattson is the Youth Minister here at St. Augustine. He grew up in Omaha. He wears many hats for Cutco as an Independent Sales Rep, as well as Sales and Service Manager. Chris is married with 4 children ranging from elementary to high school ages. He volunteered with the youth program for 2 years before taking the position of Youth Minister in 2014. You can find Chris and his family here helping out on Sundays and Chris leads Youth Group Wednesday evenings.
Chris Mattson is the Youth Minister here at St. Augustine. He grew up in Omaha. He wears many hats for Cutco as an Independent Sales Rep, as well as Sales and Service Manager. Chris is married with 4 children ranging from elementary to high school ages. He volunteered with the youth program for 2 years before taking the position of Youth Minister in 2014. You can find Chris and his family here helping out on Sundays and Chris leads Youth Group Wednesday evenings.
Kate Kielion, Director of Ministries
Kate Kielion is the Director of Ministries at St. Augustine. She graduated from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 2004 with a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art. She has worked as a photographer for the last 10 Years, and continues as a family photographer part time. She was raised in the Catholic Church and visited St. Augustine in 2015 because she felt that our values and beliefs were more in line with the way she and her husband Chad wanted to raise their two children Joseph and Luciana. They felt completely welcomed from the very first service and coffee hour, and they were happy to have found a new church family! Kate taught Preschool Sunday School for two years and served on vestry before being hired as our Director of Ministries. She has enjoyed learning more about all of the ministries of our parish and is excited to be a part of such an exciting time of growth! In her spare time she loves activities with her family, especially traveling. She also enjoys weight lifting and in 2018 completed her first Sprint Triathalon! You can contact Kate if you have questions about any of our ministries or for all communications needs, her email is ministries@sainta.net
Kate Kielion is the Director of Ministries at St. Augustine. She graduated from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 2004 with a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art. She has worked as a photographer for the last 10 Years, and continues as a family photographer part time. She was raised in the Catholic Church and visited St. Augustine in 2015 because she felt that our values and beliefs were more in line with the way she and her husband Chad wanted to raise their two children Joseph and Luciana. They felt completely welcomed from the very first service and coffee hour, and they were happy to have found a new church family! Kate taught Preschool Sunday School for two years and served on vestry before being hired as our Director of Ministries. She has enjoyed learning more about all of the ministries of our parish and is excited to be a part of such an exciting time of growth! In her spare time she loves activities with her family, especially traveling. She also enjoys weight lifting and in 2018 completed her first Sprint Triathalon! You can contact Kate if you have questions about any of our ministries or for all communications needs, her email is ministries@sainta.net
Paige Wilder, Choir Director
Paige Wilder is the Choir Director for St. Augustine. She graduated from the University of Nebraska Omaha in 2017 with a Bachelor of Arts in Music Technology. She has been playing piano for 16 years and was raised in the Episcopal Church. Paige was involved with the All Saints Episcopal Church Choir and the UNO Choir while in college. She currently works for iHeartMedia as a Sales Assistant. Paige is married and in her free time, goes to martial arts classes with her husband, writes, and plays video games.
Paige Wilder is the Choir Director for St. Augustine. She graduated from the University of Nebraska Omaha in 2017 with a Bachelor of Arts in Music Technology. She has been playing piano for 16 years and was raised in the Episcopal Church. Paige was involved with the All Saints Episcopal Church Choir and the UNO Choir while in college. She currently works for iHeartMedia as a Sales Assistant. Paige is married and in her free time, goes to martial arts classes with her husband, writes, and plays video games.
Pam Hession, Administrative Assistant
Pam Hession is St. Augustine’s Administrative Assistant. She is responsible for the weekly bulletins, tracking events on the calendar, assisting the treasurer, and providing various kinds of administrative support to Fr. Ben, the church staff, and parishioners. Pam is happy to visit with parishioners and is excited to become a part of this church community. Pam is married and has three sons. Her greatest joy is spending time with family. She takes advantage of her part-time work schedule to travel with her husband and spend time with her sons. You can contact Pam (parish@sainta.net) for any questions you may have regarding membership, contributions, contact information, directory changes, calendar events, etc.
Pam Hession is St. Augustine’s Administrative Assistant. She is responsible for the weekly bulletins, tracking events on the calendar, assisting the treasurer, and providing various kinds of administrative support to Fr. Ben, the church staff, and parishioners. Pam is happy to visit with parishioners and is excited to become a part of this church community. Pam is married and has three sons. Her greatest joy is spending time with family. She takes advantage of her part-time work schedule to travel with her husband and spend time with her sons. You can contact Pam (parish@sainta.net) for any questions you may have regarding membership, contributions, contact information, directory changes, calendar events, etc.
SERVICES: 7:45 AM │ 9:00 AM │ 10:30 AM │ Sunday School 10:15-11:00 AM
For a description of the style of service, please visit our worship page
For a description of the style of service, please visit our worship page
285 So. 208th Street, Omaha NE 68022 │ 402-289-4058