Cathedral Staff

The Right Reverend James Waggoner, Bishop

James E. Waggoner, Jr. was consecrated eighth Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Spokane in October 2000.

A native of Ohio, Jim holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Marshall University and Master of Divinity, Doctor of Ministry, and Doctor of Divinity degrees from the Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, VA. Before entering seminary, he served in the U. S. Navy for six years and as Director of a Community Action Child Development program. Jim and his wife, Gloria, have two adult sons.

Prior to his election as bishop, Bishop Waggoner served 21 years in the Episcopal Diocese of West Virginia, 12 in parish ministry and nine on the Bishop’s staff as Canon to the Ordinary, Congregational and Community Consultant, and Deployment Officer.

The Very Reverend William Ellis, Dean of the Cathedral

Bill Ellis became Dean of the Cathedral in October 2006. Before coming to Spokane, he served as Rector of Trinity Church in Bend, OR for 14 years.

Bill was born and raised on the West side of the Cascades in Oregon, and upon graduating from high school in Ashland he began attending the University of Oregon in Eugene, graduating with a degree in History in 1976. He enrolled in Church Divinity School of the Pacific in 1978, and earned a Masters of Divinity degree in 1982. On October 8, 2009, the seminary awarded Bill the honorary Doctor of Divinity degree.

He started his ordained ministry on the Oregon coast where he worked as the curate at Emmanuel in Coos Bay and the vicar of St. Mary’s in Reedsport/ Gardiner. Following two years in that work he spent eight years as the vicar of St. Bede’s Episcopal church in Forest Grove, OR before being called to Bend.

Bill has been married to his wife, Beth, since 1978, and they have two grown children, Rachel and Karen.

The Reverend Margaret Fisher, Priest Associate

Margaret began serving the Cathedral in January 2008. Prior to Spokane, she served for five years as Rector of Grace Church in Ellensburg, WA.

Margaret says, "I grew up one of six children in western Pennsylvania. After graduating from college, I moved to Seattle where my husband and I began a decade of cooperative living, political activism, and rearing three small children. We moved to Ellensburg to give our children more room to roam, and miraculously, were able to return to Ellensburg after my seminary conversion to the Episcopal Church."

A graduate of Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta, GA, Margaret has a passion for ministry with young people and families with young children. Additionally, she and her dog Lucy enjoy offering hospitality to folks young and old and inbetween.

The Reverend John Hay, Assisting Priest

A very active retired priest, John contributes his services to the Cathedral in a number of ways. He leads the weekly Wednesday 10am Eucharist in All Saints Chapel, and the weekly Wednesday 10:45am Bible Study. John is our primary link with Cathedral members who are no longer easily able to leave their homes, visiting them often for conversation, prayer, and Eucharist.

I served in the Pacific Theater of WWII as an executive officer of PC-487. After graduation from Williams College and the Episcopal Theological Seminary of Cambridge, Mass, I served as as Vicar of Episcopal Churches in Madison County, Montana. Then served as Rector of St. James Dillon, MT. During that period I served as President of Standing Committee of the Diocese of Montana and was a staff member of Supervision and Leadership Training for the five northwestern dioceses. I served the National Church on the Town and Country Commission.

In the early sixties I entered the Peace Corps as Deputy Director for Kenya. Next I served as a regional director of Citizens Corps for Volunteers in Service to America.

I came to the Diocese of Spokane as rector of St. Stephen's Church in 1968 and served there until 1990. During this time; I served as President of the Commission on Ministry, was a founding member and president of Spokane County Alcoholic Council.I have also served as a board member of Hospice, Planned Parenthood, and on the editorial board of KREM TV.

Following retirement in 1990 I served as an interim priest at seven different parishes throughout the Diocese.I married Marj Youlden on June 9, 1958 and have 4 children, Michael, Jennifer, Martha and Julie.

The Reverend Jonathan Holloway, Deacon

The Reverend Barbara Novak, Deacon

The Reverend Christina Pollock, Deacon

The Reverend David Walker, Deacon

Dr. Janet Ahrend, Organist / Choirmaster

Janet Satre Ahrend began her organ studies in Spokane with Barbara Top Rockwood. She holds the Bachelor of Music Degree from the University of Idaho and the Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts Degrees from the University of Washington, with further training at the Royal School of Church Music in England.

She has been a member of the music faculty at Gonzaga University since 1984, teaching organ, class piano, and portions of the music theory program.

From 1990 to 1993 Janet served on the Hymnal Committee for the United Church of Christ, helping to produce the New Century Hymnal. She has been Organist / Choirmaster for the Cathedral since 1997, where she also directs a handbell choir and coordinates the afternoon concert series, Mostly Second Sundays. Janet maintains a private piano and organ studio in her home.

Janet's professional affiliations include: American Guild of Organists, Regional Education Coordinator; Association of Anglican Musicians; Royal School of Church Music; Music Teachers National Association; and Sigma Alpha Iota Music Honorary Alumni.

Billie Severtsen, Assisting Organist / Junior Choir Director

In addition to playing the piano at the weekly Saturday 5:30pm worship service, and directing the Junior Choir, Billie (PhD, RN) is Associate Professor of Nursing at the WSU Spokane College of Nursing. A graduate of Walla Walla, WA High School, Billie also enjoys singing in the Spokane Symphony Chorale.

Michelle Klippert, Youth Ministries Coordinator

Rosie Banta, Financial Secretary

I started working at the Cathedral in July of 1990 coming from a background in the banking industry. Born and raised back east, we moved here the year after Mt. St. Helens decided to blow her top.

My responsibilities at the Cathedral include managing the finances, database, computer system, and other various administrative duties.