The Very Rev. Raymond "Ray" Hess

Priest-in-Charge/Rector

Q: Have you always been an Episcopalian?

A: I grew up near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and my family attended the local Presbyterian

congregation once or twice a year. I was baptized and confirmed in the Presbyterian

Church but was not active. When I went to college at Stanford University in California, I

met some students who were committed Christians. Through them, I made a

commitment to Jesus and started to attend a Bible church in Palo Alto. For two

summers, I taught tennis in the inner city of Pittsburgh, and was supervised by an

Episcopal priest. With his encouragement, I was confirmed in the Episcopal Church in

my senior year of college.

Q: How did you find St. George’s?

A: After I retired from full-time ministry as a priest at the end of 2012, I heard that St.

George’s was looking for a part-time priest. With the support of the assistant to the

bishop, I applied for the position. I was called to be the Priest in Charge at St. George’s

in February 2013.

Q: What is so special about St. George’s?

A: I find that this congregation is a very caring community. We don’t always agree on

every political or social issue, but we care about each other! I appreciate the way that

so many people contribute to the life and ministry of the parish; it is not up to me as the

priest to do everything. We pray for one another and help each other out. I have been

the priest at St. George’s for over ten years because it is a delightful community to be

with.

Q: How did you become a priest?

A: As I said above, I taught tennis for two summers in the inner city of Pittsburgh while I

was in college. This was part of a social outreach program by the Episcopal parish in

my hometown, and I was supervised by the assistant priest. He encouraged me to go

to Episcopal seminary to study to be a priest because he saw something special in the

way I related to the youth in the tennis program. I decided to try this, and was

sponsored by the bishop of the Diocese of Pittsburgh. I was confirmed in the Episcopal

Church in my senior year of college and then went to the seminary in Berkeley,

California the next fall! I was brand new to the Episcopal Church and came to

appreciate its combination of spiritual commitment and openness to questioning and

new ideas. I was ordained as a Deacon in 1974 and as a priest in February of 1975.

Q: What is most meaningful about your ministry as a priest?

A: I really enjoy several aspects of my ministry as a priest – preaching and teaching,

pastoral relationships with church members, working with church leaders to develop

creative ministries, and leading worship. I especially enjoy the close relationships with

so many people in our parish.

Rev. Robert "Bob" Olsen

Deacon

Q: Have you always been Episcopalian?

A: Although I’ve been an Episcopalian most of my life, like many I didn’t start out as one. I became an Episcopalian thanks to neighborhood friends, who invited my brother and me to attend their church as kids. 

Q: How did you find St. George’s? 

A: Moving back to the Sacramento area after retiring from the Army (besides U.S., I was stationed in Korea and Germany), we visited St. George’s one Sunday. My wife and I knew right there we’d found a church home. 

Q: What’s so special about St. George’s?

A: The congregation was friendly and inviting, within a year I was asked to serve on the vestry. 

Q: How did you become a deacon?

A: My journey to the diaconate was a bit longer. As an adult I’d always felt a call to ministry, serving at various times as a vestry member, or otherwise volunteering at the churches my wife and I attended while in the military. It was a combination of working with Heifer Project International as a member of the Sacramento Committee and learning of the ministry of the permanent Diaconate that I decided to pursue ordination. 

Q: How long have you been a deacon?

A: I was ordained a deacon in July 2001. Besides working with various projects at St George’s, such as the Community Garden, I served on the board of the Episcopal Community Services of the Diocese of Northern California for several years. Their mission of supporting churches in outreach ministries fit well with the ministry of deacons, being ready to help and serve those in need.

Q: As our Deacon, you have to wear many hats. For example, you restored and reinstalled the church bell that was previously stolen. What did it feel like to work on that project?

A: I’ve always found it satisfying to build things, whether working with wood or steel. The Bell Tower was the largest project I’d ever done and each Sunday I’m happy to hear the bell announce the beginning of the service.

Phone: 916-276-1059

Email: ROlsen8070@gmail.com

Tess Testeza

Music Director & Volunteer Social Media Coordinator

Q: Have you always been Episcopalian?

A: I was baptized and confirmed as Lutheran. The first time I visited a Episcopal church was around 2013. 

Q: How did you find St. George’s? 

A: I moved to the area and was looking for a small friendly church where everyone knows everyone else. St. George’s turned out to be just what I needed. I started to attend it as a parishioner first, but somehow found myself in a position of the music director in March 2016. 

Q: What’s so special about St. George’s?

A: Quite a few things! First, it’s a place where your initiative is welcome! You want to do something? Do it! No micromanagement, no clash of egos. You’ll feel both trust and support. Second, it’s a place where the individuals from both ends of the political spectrum not just coexist – they do beautiful things together! Here, you are a Christian first, an American second, and all the rest comes after that. And these are just two of many reasons.

Q: Why did you start doing the job of a social media coordinator? 

A: Personally, I’ve been on social media forever, but I noticed that St. George’s didn’t get any coverage of its events. The need for uniting our members through social media became really urgent during the 2020 lockdown. We had a Facebook page, but there was no local content as its creator had moved out of the area. In March 2020, Fr. Ray decided to switch to live broadcasting of Sunday service. We never skipped a Sunday! Live broadcasting attracted people to our official Facebook page as never before. It was crucial at that point to start using Facebook as a unifying platform which would keep reminding people that we were all in it together. The goal was to convert FB into our welcoming and inclusive community space. Later, I added an Instagram account, then a Twitter/X account, and finally, a YouTube channel. I encourage all our online and offline members to get involved in social media ministry!

Email:  st.georgemusic2020@gmail.com

Lana Engler

Volunteer Office Manager, Lay Preacher

I was born in Sacramento, raised here, educated here. I have units for a Master Degree in Christian Spirituality. Retired from California State Service in 2010. Have been part of St. George's for several years and I absolutely have loved it. Currently, I am the Volunteer Office Manager and the leader of our outreach committee, The Round Table.

Office Hours: Tuesdays, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Phone: 916-487-5600

Email: stgeorge@sgec.us

Bridget Engler

Assistant Volunteer Office Manager

Born and raised in the Sacramento area, Bridget went to American River College, and has three AA degrees, (AA in Fine Arts, Political Science, and Liberal Arts) and two certificates on the way (Business Information Worker and Office Technology). Bridget has also served on vestry as the clerk since 2020, as well as has served on Altar Guild since 2022. Bridget enjoys art, video games, and down time with the family pets.

Office Hours: Tuesdays, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Phone: 916-487-5600

Email: stgeorge@sgec.us

Jan Fazekas

The Junior Warden

Jan's bio will be added here soon.

Some very preliminary information:

Jan is a professional accountant with a large experience.

She has been with St. George's for many years and is liked by everyone.

Jan adopted Mel's dog after Mel passed away (If you don't know how much it means to us, just ask anyone!)

Jan is one of the first to run to the kitchen and help with cleaning after any event.

In short, Jan is a warrior who defeats any hardships through her faith and prayers.

Email: stgeorge@sgec.us

Nick Wilcox

The Senior Warden

Q: Have you always been an Episcopalian?

A: I have not. I grew up in the Seventh Day Adventist Church, then moved to Bayside Church of Granite Bay, before joining my home here at St. George’s.

Q: How did you find St. George’s?

A: When I grew up, I lived just down the street from St. George’s

Q: What is so special about St. George’s?

A: St. George’s is an extremely loving community where any and all are welcome.

Q: What is meaningful about your ministry at St. George’s?

A: Being able to continue in the rich tradition of our Episcopalian Church.

Email: stgeorge@sgec.us