Meet Our Staff

Pastor Eric Dull edull@stmarks-spokane.org

Pastor Dull was born in Minnesota. He is a graduate of Concordia College and Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Pastor Eric has a degree in Social Studies Education and a minor in English Education. He has taught school, been involved in music ministry, VBS, camping ministries and Global Concerns.

Eric met Beth Jarrett in seminary and they were married in their senior year. They have a daughter, Naomi, born in February, '96 and a son, Joel, born June, '00. They both served as pastors for three years at Ocean Park Lutheran Church on the Washington coast before accepting a call to St. Mark's.

Pastor Richard Finch dfinch@stmarks-spokane.org

Pastor Finch has served St. Mark's for twenty two years.  He has a background in psychology as well as theology.  He claims he is getting wiser with age.  His favorite activities are: laughing, solving the world's problems, living life with his big dogs, travelling the world, and hearing the stories of St. Mark's members.

Pastor Beth Jarrett bjarrett@stmarks-spokane.org

Pastor Jarrett was raised in Missoula, Montana and is a graduate of Pacific Lutheran University and Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota.

While attending Pacific Lutheran University, Beth was actively involved in athletics including volleyball and rowing. She graduated with a degree in Physical Education. Beth then worked in camping ministry for several years before her calls to parish ministry.

Beth met Eric Dull in seminary and they were married in their senior year. They have a daughter, Naomi, born in February, '96 and a son, Joel, born June, '00. They both served as pastors for three years at Ocean Park Lutheran Church on the Washington coast before accepting a call to St. Mark's.

Martha Arneson office@stmarks-spokane.org

Martha was born in Indianapolis, Indiana and raised in Claremont, California. She attended California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, and Pomona.

Martha and her family have been members of St. Mark's since 1988. She enjoys quilting, singing, reading, computers and sports.

Pat Sowder, Parish Administrator parishadministrator@stmarks-spokane.org

Nancy Barker, Volunteer Coordinator volunteers@stmarks-spokane.org

Nancy is a native of Wisconsin and a graduate of St. Olaf College. She held many positions, including teacher and travel agent, while accompanying her husband Paul in his assignments around the country with the U.S. Forest Service.

They have two grown children and two grandchildren. Nancy and Paul have been members of St. Mark's since 1994.

Elaine Orness, Parish Visitation office@stmarks-spokane.org

Elaine is a native of Spokane. She is a graduate of Kinman Business University and has attended classes at Gonzaga University in counseling and caregiving. She worked for 45 years as secretary/manager and bookkeeper in the retail and wholesale fields.

She and her husband Lyle have been members of St. Mark's since 1963. Their daughter, Cathy, is a member of St. Mark's and their daughter Cheryl and son-in-law Kevin are members of Sacred Heart.

Dennis Mower, Parish Counselor DPMower@aol.com

M.Div., M.A. Pastoral Counseling, Member American Counseling Association, Ordained Clergy ELCA

Dennis moved to Spokane in February, 2006.  He was born and raised in Southern California and lived and worked in Northern California until his move to Spokane.  Dennis is an ELCA pastor on leave from call and works as a Pastoral Counselor.  Dennis loves the outdoors and natural beauty – he likes that Spokane has a lot of both!  He also enjoys reading (non-fiction).  Over the past 15 years or so, Dennis has been involved in breeding and raising Golden Retrievers.  Dennis loves visiting with people and hearing the stories of their lives.  Dennis says, “It is amazing to me that God created each of us so unique, and yet as an indispensable part of Creation.”

Verna Eucker

Verna and her family moved from Nebraska to Spokane is 1963 and joined St. Mark's in 1976. She has four married children and eight grandchildren which are her pride and joy. She enjoys her part-time job as Pastoral Visitation Assistant and hopes to get better acquainted with more St. Mark's members.

Carol Miyamoto, Director of Music/Organist

Carol is a Spokane native. She graduated from Lewis and Clark High School and attended Eastern Washington University. She studied with Dorothy Sinnitt, Sigrid Grinius, and Dr. James Edmonds.

She was an organist at Park Heights Baptist, Unitarian Church, First Church of Christ Scientist and Central United Methodist before coming to St. Marks's in January, 1988.

Carol teaches piano privately to 40 students, is a staff accompanist at Whitworth College, and is also a frequent accompanist (sometimes music director ) for the Spokane Civic Theater, Spokane Theatrical Companies, and Couer d'Alene Summer Theater.

Deborah Hansen, Director of Music/Choral

Debbie was born and raised in California.

She received a Bachelor of Arts; Music/Psychology degree from Occidental College, Los Angeles, California. In 1980 she completed a Master of Arts in Choral Conducting at California State University at Fullerton. Debbie graduated from Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, with a Doctor of Musical Arts: Choral Music; Dissertation: The Choral Music of Dominick Argento.

Debbie is married to Tim and is the Assistant Professor of Music at Whitworth College, Spokane, WA.

Peggy Patterson, Publications Director publications@stmarks-spokane.org

John Viveiros, Financial Secretary finance@stmarks-spokane.org

John grew up in "Lutheran Home Central" - the Twin Cities area of Minnesota. He has bachelor's degrees in Geology and Geophysics from the University of Minnesota, and a master's degree in Geophysics from the University of Utah. He spent 16 enjoyable years in the petroleum industry, but decided to change pace and move to Spokane in 2001 and give up his petroleum career.

John has been married to Amy for nearly 17 years, and they have two children: Christine (a sophomore at Ferris) and Michael (an 8th grader at Libby/Odyssey).

John enjoys playing and coaching soccer, taking advantage of the outdoor opportunities Spokane affords, and does volunteer income tax preparation in the winter when these two activities are seriously curtailed.

Katie Girsberger, Sunday School Director SundaySchool@stmarks-spokane.org

Evelyn Nyholm, Preschool Instructor

Evelyn was born and raised in Kalispell, Montana, where she was the pianist and organist for the Baptist church.

She graduated from Cottey College in Nevada, Missouri, and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education from the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley. She taught elementary music in Huron, South Dakota, where she met her husband, Will.

The Nyholms have three daughters: Megan, Mia, and Alissa. Evelyn started the Children's Choir at St. Mark's in 1979, directing it for 22 years.

In 1982, she began teaching at St. Mark's Preschool. She also sings in the Chancel Choir. She and her husband started the Choir School in 1992.