St. John's Staff

Melissa Newsome, Parish Administrator

A native Dallasite, Melissa began her ministry at St. John's in February 1997. She brings a cheerful spirit and terrific administrative gifts to the parish office. She doesn't let it go to her head, but she is the veritable hub of the St. John's wheel. Should a parishioner, priest, or member of the staff have a question about the church, Melissa is the one who knows the answer. Just don't call her at home!

Mary Preston, Organist and Choirmaster

Besides being our wonderful and inspiring Organist and Choirmaster, Mary Preston is also the Resident Organist with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and a concert organist of considerable reputation. (Go to marypreston.net to learn more about her live and recorded performances.) Her virtuosity aside, Mary's deepest love is to glorify Jesus Christ through music, and she brings this heart to her minsitry with the choir. She is joined here at St. John's by Joe, her husband of forty-some years, and "Mom," May Preston, all of whom are originally from California.

Jeanne Webber, Christian Education Director

Jeanne has lived in the Lake Highlands area since 1968. She earned her BS from Lamar University and has done graduate studies in education and theology. She is also a member of the National Association of Episcopal Christian Education Directors and serves on the Diocesan Christian Formation Commission. Jeanne came to St. John's in October 2005, after almost fourteen years of C.E. ministry at Church of the Incarnation. She has a passion for Godly Play, children and creating Ukrainian eggs. Jeanne has been married to Duane for 22 years and they have two teens, Veronika and Sergei.

Michael Mills, Youth Minister and Administrative Assistant

Michael first came to Dallas in 2000 from Kansas to attend Dallas Theological Seminary, where he earned his Master of Theology degree (Th.M.) in Historical Theology. After seminary, he and his family served with Greater Europe Mission for nearly two years as missionaries in Stockholm, Sweden, assisting local churches with theological education and discipleship. Comiing from a Baptist background, Michael and his family came to St. John’s in 2010, after nearly eight years of walking the “Canterbury Trail.” He came on staff in 2011, and also serves as the Chaplain for St. John's Episcopal School. Michael has been married for over 17 years to Renee, with whom he has been blessed with three beautiful girls: Abigail, Caroline, and Emma Kate. Michael is passionate about many things, but primarily with instilling a Christian worldview in the minds and hearts of God’s people that is grounded in Holy Scripture, relational in nature, and intentional in mission, both here in Dallas and beyond. His other passions include chanting “Rock Chalk, Jayhawk” and cheering on his beloved Boston Red Sox.