St. Mark's welcomes you! - Meet the Staff

Meet the Staff

Meet the Rector

The Rev. Susanne (Susie) Darnell Comer

Rev. Susie came to St. Mark's on October 1, 2018. Ordained to the Episcopal priesthood in 2010. Rev. Susie has been an Episcopalian since 2001. Rev. Susie grew up in the Presbyterian Church, and is the child of missionaries. Rev. Susie has served as a Presbyterian minister, worked in technical services of a theological library, and practiced as a therapist for foster children, and for adults. Rev. Susie has a B.A. from Rice University, an M.Div. from Columbia Theological Seminary, a Th.M. from Harvard Divinity School, and an M.S.W. from Simmons College School of Social Work, (with licensure as a Clinical Social Worker). Rev. Susie earned a Diploma of Anglicanization in 2010, from the Seminary of the Southwest and served as curate at St. James Episcopal Church, St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Austin, and priest in charge at St. Mary's in Lampasas, prior to coming to St. Mark's. Divorced, Rev. Susie has two young adult children.

Rev. Susie interests include fiction, both reading and writing, music of all kinds, especially classical and jazz, and visiting national and state parks. Rev. Susie priesthood is informed by her study of medieval history and theology, and training as a therapist. Rev. Susie especially enjoys teaching Confirmation Classes, preaching and pastoral care, and looks forward to feeding the hungry.

Phone: 281-545-1661
Email: scomer@stmarksfortbend.org

Meet the Executive Administrative Assistant

Kimberly Hart is a native Texan, born and raised in Houston, Texas. In September of 2002, Kimberly married her husband, Josh. They have three children Anthony, Alexis and Krystal. Kimberly received her Bachelor of Business Administration in 2009 minor in Accounting.

Kimberly has been with St. Mark’s since 2010. Kimberly makes the Sunday bulletins, newsletters, social media, up to date church membership and provides the most updated information on the church calendar and website. If you have any questions about your membership, want to be put on the email list for the newsletter or to add something to the church calendar email Kimberly at office@stmarksfortbend.org and she will be happy to assist you.

Phone: 281-545-1661
Email: office@stmarksfortbend.org

Meet the Director of Parish Life

Melissa Hamon is a native of Virginia, but grew up in North Carolina and Tennessee. She attended The University of Tennessee in Knoxville and graduated with a B.S. in Elementary Education in 1986. Melissa was hired by American Airlines, as a customer service representative, while still attending college. In February of 1989, she married her husband Rob. Melissa and Rob lived in several wonderful places during Rob’s final years in the Navy. They did tours in Connecticut, Rhode Island and Colorado. Because Melissa worked for an airline, she was able to transfer to the same cities as Rob and continue her career with American. She continued working for American until just before the birth of her son Christopher in 1995. That same year Melissa beat cancer and has been cancer free for 20 years.

Once Christopher started school, Melissa returned to her first career choice as a teacher. She taught in a local private preschool for a few years and at Calvary Episcopal School in Richmond, TX for seven years. In 2011, she decided to leave full time teaching and start tutoring. The Hamons also decided to start attending St. Marks in the summer of 2011.

Melissa was intrigued by the call for a newcomer coordinator and joined the St. Mark’s staff in February of 2013. She felt that her years as a customer service representative and as a teacher would help her make people feel more comfortable when visiting a new church. Because Melissa has been a member for only four , she understands what it is like to be new. You want to feel comfortable and welcomed. Please feel free to contact Melissa at mhamon@stmarksfortbend.org if you would like more information about our church.

Phone: 281-545-1661
Email: mhamon@stmarksfortbend.org

Meet the Financial Secretary

Sandra Barkerding was born and raised in Pennsylvania and graduated from Peirce College in Philadelphia. Sandy studied project management at Villanova University and earned her certification as a Project Management Professional in 2000. Sandy and her husband Roger moved to Northern Virginia in 1996, the same year they sent their only child, Kristin, off to college. Sandy worked as a government contractor in Virginia for 17 years serving several government agencies as an IT project manager. The tug of grandchildren brought Sandy and Roger to retire here in Richmond, Texas in 2013 and join St. Mark’s. Sandra Barkerding handles day-to-day financial operations and provides financial information to various church ministries. If you have any questions about your contributions to St. Mark’s email Sandra at sbarkerding@stmarksfortbend.org and she will be happy to assist you.

Phone: 281-545-1661
Email: sbarkerding@stmarksfortbend.org

Meet the Organist & Music Director

Tom Thompson has over 35 years of teaching experience in piano, organ, vocal coaching, theory, composition and literature. Tom has also served in various places of worship. He received two Bachelor of Music degrees (Piano Performance and Theory & Composition) from Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas, as well as a Master of Music degree (Music Performance & Pedagogy) from the University of Houston.

As a performance artist, he concertizes extensively both solo and collaboratively throughout Texas and other venues across the United States, Europe, and Asia. As an adjudicator, Tom has worked in such prestigious venues as Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and many other distinguished venues across the nation and in Asia. His choirs have been featured across the state, as well as in Europe and the United Kingdom. He has been featured on many recordings, both solo and collaborative. Currently, Tom is the Director of Music & Worship for the Servants of Christ United Methodist Parish in Houston, Texas. He also continues to maintain an active private studio, as well as serving as vice president for the Pasadena Area Music Teachers' Association (an affiliate of the Texas Music Teachers' Association and the Music Teachers' National Association). In February of 2008, the Pasadena Philharmonic Society bestowed upon him the honor of "Musician of the Year" at their annual fundraiser gala ball.

Tom is an active composer, arranger, orchestrator, and transcriber of music. His first completely original cantata - No Greater Love - was premiered by the choir and orchestra of the First United Methodist Church of Pasadena, Texas, in May of 2010; his current church's choir and orchestra has premiered his Unto Us, A Service of Lessons and Carols, and Gloria - three Advent cantatas, in addition to The Passion - an Easter oratorio, which were composed in honor of and in gratitude for the Servants of Christ UMP. His most recent work Magnificat was premiered in December of 2015.

pHONE: 281-545-1661
Email: tthompson@stmarksfortbend.org

Meet the Sexton

Reuben Luna supports the mission of the church by providing for the cleanliness, maintenance, and safety of our church buildings and grounds.