Wardens, Officers, and Vestry

St. Michael’s Executive Committee and Vestry by Class.

Executive Committee

Wardens: Denise Butwill – Senior Warden, Michael LaHart – Junior Warden

Officers: Megan Lynn – Clerk, Anne Yanaway – Treasurer

Vestry

Terms ending 2023: Anne Bowen, Ann McKinney, Rosamond Quay

Terms ending 2024: Melissa Kneuer, Susie Pollock

Terms ending 2025: David Peiffer, Peg Sullivan

Diocesan Delegates: John Cox, Denise Butwill, Alternate: Paul Kneuer

Denise Butwill, Senior Warden & Michael LaHart, Junior Warden

Anne Yanaway, Treasurer

Megan Lynn, Clerk

Ann McKinney

Rosamond Quay

Anne Bowen

Melissa Kneuer

Susie Pollock

David Peiffer

Peggy Sullivan

Denise Butwill, Senior Warden

I discovered St. Michael’s and the Episcopal church in 2013. The Bible Study and sermons captured by Christian heart and I’ve stayed since. My involvement currently includes managing the prayer chain, website management, streaming Sunday morning services, and organizing and supporting opportunities for outreach and community involvement. I’m a former public library Librarian and enjoy connecting with people of all ages. My husband of 33 years and I have two adult children that we raised here in beautiful Litchfield. When I’m not at church you are likely to find me enjoying the great outdoors or in the kitchen.

Michael LaHart, Junior Warden

St. Michael’s became the church home for me and my family in 2016 when we moved to Litchfield. I was raised Roman Catholic and was introduced to the Episcopal Church 20 years ago by my partner (now spouse). We have a 9 year old daughter who keeps us busy(!). I’d love to welcome more families to St. Michael’s.

I am always looking for opportunities to reach out to the community – I think there are many people who don’t know about St. Michael’s and that the Episcopal Church is a welcoming place for all. I enjoy gardening and can often be found wandering in the Memorial Garden. As a small business owner, I bring a business/ management perspective to my role as Junior Warden.

Megan Lynn, Clerk

Meghan started attending St. Michael’s in 2015, finding a new home church home in the Episcopal church. Since that time Meghan has become a bride and a mother. In addition to serving as clerk Meghan is a frequent lector at the 8am service.

Anne Yanaway, Treasurer

I have been a member of St. Michael’s since 2005. Over the years, I have served on the vestry, taught church school, assisted with our Epiphany pageant, and helped to drive shut-ins to church. I am a widow, and have two children in their early twenties. I am a physical therapist, but my bachelors degree is in Classical Archaeology.

Ann McKinney

I was born, grew up, was educated, married and worked in New York City with a partial transplant to Litchfield and St. Michael’s 49 years ago. In the city I ran a youth orchestra program(5 graded orchestras, a symphonic band, chamber music @ outreach) for 300 young musicians 5 to 19, for 25 years; played cello, and sang in St. M’s choir and in other choral groups. I moved to Litchfield full-time in 2006 & continued to play in canine Agility, and with my love of gardening. My dogs are an important part of my life! This is my second time on the Vestry. I have “counted” regularly for years & still happily sing with the choir.

Rosamond Quay

I came to Litchfield in retirement with my husband Richard who was born here and attended church at St. Michael’s. I am originally from a small Louisiana farming community. We bought our Litchfield house in 2009, then moved here full-time from Houston, TX in 2016. We raised our children in Houston, attending a large cathedral there for over 30 years. My work background is in corporate finance. At St. Michael’s I serve on the Altar Guild, have volunteered at the Food Pantry since its inception in 2017, help with coffee hours and hospitality, and serve on the vestry. I have enjoyed singing with the choir on occasion.

Anne Bowen

My path to St. Michael’s was rather circuitous but in the end it was the then current organist/choirmaster who drew me here. Now I’m here to stay! When I moved to the Northwest corner in 1958 as a young bride I became an Episcopalian at St. John’s, Salisbury. My late husband was Clerk of the Vestry there for many years. l was head of the Altar Guild and served on the Vestry there and our children were baptized there and acolytes. My son is now Senior Warden at his church in Massachusetts.
My late husband taught at The Hotchkiss School for many years and the School was a major part of my life for 31 years. I worked in several departments there but found my niche working in the library. Before the School went coed, I even spent some time on the Hotchkiss Stage!
Travel has always been a large part of my life. I’ve lived in London and Florence. I have been to all seven continents. My favorite trip was to the Geographic North Pole aboard a Russian nuclear powered Ice breaker!
I love water: being in it (I am an avid snorkeler), being on it in any type and size of craft and living next to it. People are also “my thing” and I have been blessed with many friends.

In addition to being a Vestry member, Anne is a liturgical assistant, intercessor and lector.

Melissa Kneuer

Melissa is a trained mentor for Education for Ministry and has used her talents to keep this group going even after our rector’s retirement. She is a half-timer at Michael’s, and participates in service when she is at her home in Warren. She serves as a lector, intercessor and Morning Prayer Officiant. She was formerly a Warden and vestry member at her other parish in northern NJ. She describes herself as a bookworm, and perpetual student. We were thrilled to have her daughter married at St. Michael’s in September, 2021.

Susie Pollock

I came to St Michael’s in the 1970’s as a young widow with two small children. Originally drawn in by the beauty of the building and the Anglican musical tradition, this church has been my rock ever since.

I have served on the vestry several times – as a member, as Clerk and as Senior Warden and was also chair of a previous search committee and involved with stewardship. I am a total choral junkie and have sung in the choir for 34 years and sing with the Hartford Chorale. I also act as lector, intercessor, counter and sometime proofreader.
My family has lived in Litchfield for many generations so I have deep roots in the community. I am a Realtor with Wm Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty. My very amusing miniature dachshund, Nugget, keeps me going on my daily walks.

David Peiffer

I am a manager of nuclear oversight at Constellation Energy Corporation. I earned a Master of Science Degree in Management at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. I served our country in the U.S. Navy for eight years as a submariner. My wife, Patricia, and I married in an Episcopal church in 1978 and raised our family in the Episcopal faith. We have three adult, married children, and three grandchildren, with another grandson due in February. In addition to Vestry, I serve on the Property Commission at St. Michael’s.

Peg Sullivan

Having arrived here via Rochester NY, Minneapolis MN and Waterbury CT, I met my husband. We bought a 1902 carpenter gothic home and discovered St. Michael’s. It has been my pleasure to be able to serve as a liturgical assistant, member of the altar guild, lay visitor, seamstress for our Colossal Puppets and as a dragon lady. When not puttering around the church I enjoy singing with The Waterbury Chorale, spending time with family and friends and our neighbor’s dogs, being outside and lazing in our hammock. Our porch is always open to visitors, human and canine.