Clergy & Staff

The Rev. Philip DeVaul

When and how did you know it was your calling to become a priest? This was something with which I wrestled for a several years. But the actual “moment”? I was on the phone with my dad, driving through the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. He had called because he said the last time he saw me I had been more overtly conflicted than I usually am – which is a lot. During the conversation he asked me why the turmoil, and I responded “Because I’m afraid.” Before he could answer I lost my signal and the call dropped. And it hit me: I’m not afraid because I don’t know what to do - I’m afraid because I do know what to do. A few minutes later I got a signal and had a voicemail from my dad. He said, “Son, we got cut off, but I heard you say you’re afraid. And it seems to me that you’re afraid because you know exactly what you need to do.” Boom. Priest.

Anything you would like people to know about your family? I have been married to Krista since July 19, 2008. She is patient, kind, tender, and a phenomenal mother to our three children.

Where did you go to school? I received an M.Div. from Virginia Theological Seminary in 2010, and a B.A. in Drama from Tufts University in 2001.

How did you become a Christian? I became a Christian when I was baptized as an infant, and there has not been a time in my life when I have not known Jesus. At the same time, I feel like I am still becoming a Christian, am still learning what this means, and I hope I never stop becoming a Christian.

How did you come to be at Redeemer? By the Grace of God.

What’s the best thing about being a Christian? Living into the knowledge that we are all being loved no matter what, that we are born out of God’s love, and born for love.

What’s your favorite movie? Pulp Fiction, The Lord of the Rings, Inside Llewyn Davis, Searching For Bobby Fischer, Fearless – these are a few of my favorite things.

What are your favorite restaurants in Cincinnati? The Echo and Mazunte.

What’s your favorite place in the world? A Movie theater or a Bob Dylan concert right when the lights go down.

Any pets? Django the dog. He is named after Django Reinhardt, my favorite guitarist. He is a mutt and he rocks.

How do you spend your days off? Hanging with my family, playing the ukelele, cooking, watching as much TV as humanly possible.

What’s a personal project you can’t wait to finish/start? My wife and I are watching the AFI Top 100 movies in ascending order. As of this writing we are somewhere in the 80s. We stalled out for a few years, but I think I can talk her into starting back up. Also I want to learn the drums.

What was your first job? I sold sheds and patio furniture one summer in New Hampshire. I was exceptionally bad at it.

What’s the most powerful book you have ever read (not the bible) and why? Franny & Zooey by J.D. Salinger makes me believe in God. And True and False by David Mamet kept me out of grad school (until I ended up going to grad school, but that’s a different story.)

What will you ask Jesus when you meet? I’m looking forward to the embrace more than any specific conversation we might have.

What’s your prized possession? My wedding ring.

What’s a time when you felt close to God? Pretty much whenever I fail. So, yeah – a lot.

Who’s the person you’d most like to meet (living or dead)? Johnny Cash

What would you like to say to the people of Redeemer? Never underestimate the depth and the width and the breadth of the love that God has for you. It is the heart of this community, the center of the Church and the message of the Cross. If we are to be a center of Grace we must be rooted and grounded in that love. Love for our God, our neighbor and ourselves will pour out of us when we tap into the love that He has for us. But, really, I didn’t need to tell you that, did I? Because you can see it and feel it here on a Sunday morning and it can get you through your day, your week, your life.

The Rev. Melanie W. J. Slane

I am overjoyed at the opportunity to serve among you as pastor, priest, teacher, and friend beginning this December, as I join the Redeemer staff as Associate for Mission and Liturgy. On the surface one may think that these two things do not “go together,” but truly, they do!

Our Christian response is made manifest in two great commandments, Love God, and Love Neighbor. Liturgy, as it turns out, is our expression of our love for God, and mission, mission is how we show love to our neighbor. Together, with you, I hope to engage these two expressions of our faith that allow us to proclaim our Christian identity in a world that seriously needs some good Christians around.

I am so excited to get to know all of you and hear the stories of your lives too! I am a native Midwesterner with a nomadic heart and my family and I look forward to making Cincinnati our home while exploring with all of you the fringes and margins of our city, the kinds of places where Jesus would hang out.

I spent most of my life in St. Louis, but the cumulative decade that I spent away taught me a lot about God and God’s people from all walks of life. I love to preach and look forward to sharing the stories of my encounters with God with all of you.

The Rev. Joyce Keeshin

When and how did you know it was your calling to become a priest?

I first experienced the call to the priesthood in the mid-1980s. At that time, I had been in spiritual direction for a number of years and had been keeping a spiritual journal. I showed up for spiritual direction one day wanting to talk about a desire to explore a different path for my work than my corporate role in marketing. My spiritual director raised the question, had I ever considered the priesthood, and I said “no”. I had never conceived of that as even a possibility, and yet I felt such an intense joy at the very thought of it.

My spiritual director encouraged me to go back through my journals and see if there was any suggestion of that call in the writing I had been doing over recent years. When I did that, I saw a longing and sense of call on page after page. I did enter the discernment process for the priesthood at that time and later became a postulant, but after several years I stepped aside, feeling overwhelmed by a number of life circumstances. While I immediately regretted that decision, I was counseled to stay out of the process until a time I might be certain of my ability to move forward.

Over all the intervening years, I never lost that sense of call although at times it was difficult to discern any pathway. Decades later, while I was in supervision to become a spiritual director, that experience of call to the priesthood overwhelmed my resistance and feelings of failure over not moving forward initially. When a friend asked me, “What if this has always been about timing, and the time for you is now?” – I felt enormous relief. When she asked, “How would you feel if you simply said ‘Yes’?” – the pure joy was indescribable. I entered the discernment and ordination process anew, and was ordained as a priest in 2014.

Anything you would like people to know about your family?

My roots are in Cincinnati, yet my family is fairly widespread. My son Brooks (known by many at Redeemer as Ryan) lives in Utah with his wife Susana, six-year old daughter Elia, and dogs Zurich and Sosa. My devoted housemate here is SweetP, thought to be a dachshund/lab mix. My siblings live in Atlanta and Boca Raton, Fl.

Where did you go to school?

Locally, I attended Walnut Hills High School and graduated from The College Preparatory School, now part of Seven Hills. I received my Bachelor degree from Western College, a Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling from the Athenaeum, and a Master of Divinity from Bexley/Seabury Seminary.

How did you come to be at Redeemer?

My neighbors, Linda and Andrew Jergens invited me to their anniversary celebration and seated me next to Jim Hanisian, who was then the rector at Redeemer. After a very free flowing dinner conversation, I was curious as to what Jim might preach from the pulpit and asked Linda to let me know the next time he was scheduled. That first Sunday at Redeemer marked the beginning of a journey I might never have imagined and that would change the direction of my life.

What’s the best thing about being a Christian?

Being in community united by Christ’s love. Knowing we are loved and are called to love God and one-another. Knowing God is with us and we never walk alone.

What are your favorite restaurants in Cincinnati?

I enjoy small neighborhood restaurants offering good food and drink and a relaxing time for visits with friends. Café Mediterranean, Bangkok Bistro, Wild Ginger, Arthur’s, Bronte’s, and Dewey’s are some of my local favorites.

What’s your favorite place in the world?

My favorite place is the Isle of Iona, in the Inner Hebrides off the western coast of Scotland. I’ve only been there once but hope very much to return. Other favorites include Ireland, Italy, Peru and New Mexico. Salt Lake City has become a favorite because my family is there.

Any pets?

See Family

How do you spend your days off?

My schedule at Redeemer is halftime. I also work on contract for Christ Church Cathedral facilitating their Premarital Counseling program, and independently I offer spiritual direction and quiet days through the Cathedral Center for Spirituality. In my time off, I enjoy reading, writing, gardening, hiking, times of solitude at home with my dog, SweetP, and relaxing times with friends.

What’s a personal project you can’t wait to finish/start?

The project I want to start and finish is clearing space for an art studio at home.

What was your first job?

My first job was when I was in high school and taught “Tadpoles” how to swim at the YMCA. It was six back-to-back classes in an in-door pool. I still can almost smell the chlorine.

What’s your prized possession?

My prized possessions are anything my son or granddaughter have made for me.

What’s a time when you felt close to God?

I feel God’s presence very deeply when I’m sitting with someone in great difficulty and am able to know and share the comfort that God is with us and will guide us. I also feel the presence of the Holy Spirit very much during the Eucharist.

What would you like to say to the people of Redeemer?

I love being at Redeemer. I am so grateful to God to be able to serve as a priest in this wonderful place and do ministry along-side parishioners, lay-leaders, staff and clergy who I love and who inspire me everyday.

The Rev. Mitchell Bojarski

When and how did you know it was your calling to become a priest? In college I studied Religion and Philosophy and through that program I felt called to ordained ministry.

Anything you would like people to know about your family? I am married to Beth and have 2 sons. Eliot is 9 and in 4^th grade and James is 3 and thinks he should be going to school with his brother. We also have a dog, Petey, 2 corn snakes named Cavey and Elliott, a bearded dragon named Cactus, and a bunch of fish which have names that I forget.

Where did you go to school? For high school I attended Grand Island Senior High School in Grand Island, NY (just north of Buffalo). I received a Bachelor's of Arts in Religion and Philosophy from Roberts Wesleyan College in North Chili, NY (near Rochester, NY). I received my Master's of Divinity from Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, VA.

How did you become a Christian? I became a Christian through baptism when I was a baby.

How did you come to be at Redeemer? I’m friends with Fr. Phil from our time in seminary together and as he worked to develop the associate for youth and young adult ministries position I learned more and more about it and about the community here at Redeemer. The more I learned the more interested I became in interviewing for the position. Then I decided to interview and the rest, as they say, is history.

What’s your favorite movie? I think my favorites are the Lord of the Rings movies. Every time I move my television and or home theater system those are the movies I watch to test it out to be sure that everything is working correctly.

What are your favorite restaurants in Cincinnati? I don’t know yet, some folks will have to take me out to their favorites so I can learn all the best places to eat.

What’s your favorite place in the world? Sitting on my chair in my living room watching a movie.

Any pets? Yes. Lots. (See question about family above.)

How do you spend your days off? I like to sleep in. Once I get up I like to go on adventures with my boys.

What’s a personal project you can’t wait to finish/start? I’m looking forward to starting a new icon. I have started to learn to paint icons and have completed a couple, I have a couple at different stages if incompleteness and I’m about to start another one.

What was your first job? I had a paper route when I was in middle school.

What’s the most powerful book you have ever read (not the bible) and why? The Rule of St. Benedict. This is the guidebook for Benedictine monasteries. How life is to be lived and how worship is to be conducted and I have found that it is a really great guide for how to live a holy life in the world today as well.

What’s a time when you felt close to God? For the past several summers my family has been able to take some camping trips to Sequoia National Park. I feel that God is especially close among those trees.

Who’s the person you’d most like to meet (living or dead)? Given the choice I would much rather meet someone living than someone dead.

What would you like to say to the people of Redeemer? I’m excited to be here and look forward to working with you for God’s glory.

Anny Stevens-Gleason

Brad Gough

When and how did you come to Redeemer?

My wife, Maggie, had a connection with the prior Family Minister, Aaron Klinefelter, and we decided to attend a parenting workshop that he was putting on during formation hour over the course of 5 weeks. We started attending the banquet services during this time. When Aaron left for seminary, I felt called to do the work that had brought me to Redeemer.

Anything you would like people to know about your family?

My wife, Maggie, is a brilliant woman. I have three children: Ainsley, Everly, and Crosley.

Where did you go to school?

Eastern Kentucky University for undergrad, then Miami University for graduate school.

How did you become a Christian?

I was raised Catholic and attended a Catholic school for grades 1-12.

What’s the best thing about being a Christian?

Forgiveness and hope.

What’s your favorite movie?

During the Christmas season, its Elf. Other times I’m a sucker for a great sports movie. Remember the Titans, Goal, Miracle...

What are your favorite restaurants in Cincinnati?

Piper’s in Newport, Eli’s or Just Q’in, Jason’s Deli, Dewey’s

What’s your favorite place in the world?

On the soccer pitch on a beautiful day.

Any pets?

A black lab named Lucy and a Russian Blue cat named Delta.

How do you spend your days off?

Wait…. we get days off?!

What’s a personal project you can’t wait to finish/start?

Build a sweet compost bin, terrace our back yard, fix the screens in our windows at home.

What was your first job?

My first ever job was a bagger at Kroger. My first job out of college was as a new car salesman. My first job out of grad school was designing schools with the architecture firm SHP Leading Design.

What’s the most powerful book you have ever read (not the bible) and why?

Though leading candidates include Brenee Brown’s “Gifts of Imperfection” or Matthew Kelley’s “The Rhythm of Life,” I’d have to ultimately go with “The Energy Bus” by Jon Gordon because it put my life on a positive trajectory, brought the practice of gratitude into my daily routine, and ultimately changed how I interact with the world.

What’s a time when you felt close to God?

Rocking my children in the middle of the night.

Who’s the person you’d most like to meet (living or dead)?

Abraham Lincoln

What would you like to say to the people of Redeemer?

Tommy Kirk

When and how did you come to Redeemer?

Sometime in 1995. I was looking for a church that had friendly people with a worshipful environment with inspiring sermons and messages. Out of many visited, Redeemer was the top option.

Anything you would like people to know about your family?

I am in a house full of women (wife and two school aged daughters) that each make me proud and amaze me in their own, unique ways.

Where did you go to school?

High School in Georgia, College at Furman University in SC, and graduate school at Georgia Tech

How did you become a Christian?

I felt the movement of the Holy Spirit in me at a young age and my faith has been formed by my family and friends through this day.

What’s the best thing about being a Christian?

There is a feeling that I get when I experience God moving in the people and events around you that is hard to describe, but I know it deeply. I don’t feel it all the time, but when I do, it is powerful and grounds me. For me, that feeling, love, spirit, and connection between God and the people of God and among the people of God is the best thing about being a Christian.

What’s your favorite movie?

The Man from Snowy River-beautiful scenery, beautiful music, and a story of never giving up

What are your favorite restaurants in Cincinnati?

Ando, Teak, Dewey’s Pizza, Mazunte, Brown Dog Café…, but I am still waiting for a good shrimp and grits place

What’s your favorite place in the world?

Yosemite, Yellowstone, or a major league baseball stadium during a game

Any pets?

Not at present

How do you spend your days off?

I have two school aged girls. I will let you know when I get a day off.

What’s a personal project you can’t wait to finish/start?

My baseball memorabilia man cave

What was your first job?

Keeping scorebooks at little league baseball games when I was 14

What’s the most powerful book you have ever read (not the bible) and why?

The first book that I remember that I could not put down was the Count of Monte Cristo. More recently, Have a New Kid by Friday because it opened my eyes to so many parent mis-steps that we all do every day and how I could behave differently to help my children grow.

What will you ask Jesus when you meet?

Why couldn’t we all get along? Thanks for your patience with us and for trying to teach us.

What’s your prized possession?

Either something from my sports memorabilia collection and the stories that it tells or my camera and the stories that it captures.

What’s a time when you felt close to God?

I often feel close to God when I am in nature, on a hike, or just being, away from the busy-ness of daily life.

Who’s the person you’d most like to meet (living or dead)?

Ben Franklin or maybe Abraham Lincoln

What would you like to say to the people of Redeemer?

Thank you for welcoming me years ago. Thank you for letting me hang out with your kids!

Becca Morehous

Denise Hoefling

Brett Scott

When and how did you come to Redeemer?

I started at Redeemer on All Saints day in 2015. I knew people in the parish, and it seemed like a great fit for me to join the Redeemer family.

Anything you would like people to know about your family?

We are a family of (somewhat) crazy musicians, but don’t let that scare you. ☺

Where did you go to school?

I grew up in Canada, in Manitoba, and did my first schooling there and in Saskatchewan. I came to Cincinnati in 1999 to do my Doctorate in Choral Conducting.

How did you become a Christian?

On my mother’s knee, so young I can hardly remember it. Still going strong.

What’s the best thing about being a Christian?

Relationship, both with God and with my fellow Christians.

What’s your favorite movie?

I can’t narrow it down, sorry.

What are your favorite restaurants in Cincinnati?

My kids favorite is Skyline, of course. Our favorite right now is Mazunte.

What’s your favorite place in the world?

The family farm in Manitoba. And Lisbon, Portugal.

Any pets?

Not right now, although the kids are begging for a dog.

How do you spend your days off?

Days off? That’s family time, so often at the zoo.

What’s a personal project you can’t wait to finish/start?

I am writing a book, and want to get the thing done….

What was your first job?

Operating heavy farm equipment for my dad. And working construction.

What’s the most powerful book you have ever read (not the bible) and why?

I think it would be The Problem of Pain by C. S. Lewis.

What’s your prized possession?

My single malt scotch collection.

What’s a time when you felt close to God?

The birth of each of my children.

Who’s the person you’d most like to meet (living or dead)?

J. S. Bach

What would you like to say to the people of Redeemer?

Everyone can sing! My goal for Redeemer is that everyone will be confident and bold to sing in the services. Make a joyful noise unto the Lord!

Mary Jo Schottelkotte

Debbi Alsfelder

Missy Darling

When and how did you come to Redeemer? Around 1994 Ben Hanisian was in class with my daughter at Walnut Hills. He recruited her which began our move from Grace Church to Redeemer.

Anything you would like people to know about your family? My husband and I have been married 47 years this fall. We have 6 wonderful grandchildren.

Where did you go to school? IU South Bend and University of Cincinnati

How did you become a Christian? I was “saved” at an old fashioned Camp Meeting of the United Missionary Church as a child, but really came to faith after attending St. John’s Episcopal Church with my future husband and having the sense that “this is where I was meant to be.”

What’s the best thing about being a Christian? The gift of grace.

What’s your favorite movie? The Big Chill

What are your favorite restaurants in Cincinnati? Lemon Grass and any of Jean Robert’s

What’s/are your favorite places in the world? Siesta Key, Fl. and Paris

Any pets? Had Marge,a wonderful Westie for 17 years.

How do you spend your days off? Babysitting for grandchildren, reading, planning our next trip.

What’s a personal project you can’t wait to finish/start? Nothing exciting just some home repairs

What was your first job? babysitting

What’s the most powerful book you have ever read (not the bible) and why? Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson. It is a book for children that deals honestly with faith, family,and death. I read it several years to fifth grade classes and it made me cry every time I read it.

What will you ask Jesus when you meet? My grandmother Golden, the most Christian person I’ve ever known and a member of a conservative evangelical church once told me she felt there would be people of all faiths in Heaven. I hope to have Jesus tell me she was correct.

What’s your prized possession? One of our most prized possessions is a painting purchased from an artist in Rome on the day before we were to return home. He spoke no English. We speak minimal Italian. We were out of money and he didn’t take credit cards. We agreed to wire him money. He agreed to then ship it. The painting arrived at our house before our wired money transfer had even reached him. So much trust on both sides between strangers.

What’s a time when you felt close to God? Years ago I was walking a road along the Frying Pan River in CO. The only sounds were birds and the river on a gloriously beautiful day. It was a very “thin” place for me.

Who’s the person you’d most like to meet (living or dead)? I would like to meet again my Grandma May. She died right before my first child was born.I have so many things I want to tell her. I lived with her the first five years of my life. I miss her.

What would you like to say to the people of Redeemer? My daily contact with Redeemerites over the last 12 years as receptionist has brought me so much joy and satisfaction.

Nancy Schwartz

Kris Woolf

Robert Votapek