Leadership

Clergy and Staff

Alison Desiderio Peterson – Deacon

The Rev. Alison Desiderio Peterson was ordained in February 2020 to the Sacred Order of Deacons after completing local formation at UMFP (Utah Ministry Formation Program) and continuing her education at CDSP (Church Divinity School of the Pacific). She was assigned to All Saints Episcopal Church in Salt Lake City for her first call.

In 2021, she answered a call to serve at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Provo. Then, the rector retired. She and the lay leadership guided the congregation through the transition period and the beginnings of the new rector’s ministry in January 2023. In November 2023, Alison, the Bishop, and Rev. Kurt discerned a next chapter of ministry for her at St. Paul’s SLC.

Alison also currently serves as the head chaplain at The INN Between, where deacons are called to serve beyond the walls of the parish.

She has been serving there for almost seven years, the last four as a chaplain. She has been married to Michael C. Peterson for 31 years, has one son and two stepchildren, and has five grandchildren. She is a second-generation Italian raised by her immigrant grandparents in Brooklyn, New York.

To contact Deacon Alison, please reach out to her at deacon@stpauls-slc.org or give her a visit during parish office hours (10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday and Wednesdays.)

George W. Henry Jr. – Principal Organist and Director of Music

George Henry brings a wealth of experience to our music program. With 16 years as Director of Music at St. Mark's Cathedral, he has a proven track record of excellence in choral and organ performance.

After a brief retirement, George Henry is excited to return to the organ regularly and share his passion for music with St. Paul's and its congregation.

Heidi J. Alley – Assistant Organist

Heidi is a beloved member of our musical community. She has served as our organist for an impressive 23 years. Her dedication and talent have enriched countless worship services.

In addition to her role as organist, Heidi is also a skilled private music instructor. She shares her passion for music with students of all ages.

We are fortunate to have Heidi continue her musical contributions to St. Paul's.

Henrique Souza Gosney – Assistant Organist

Henrique is a dedicated musician and a valuable member of our music team. As our Assistant Organist, he contributes to the rich musical tapestry of our worship services.

Working alongside our talented musicians and choir, Henrique helps to create a spiritually uplifting atmosphere through the power of music.

With a passion for choral singing and a bright future ahead, Henrique is excited to continue his musical journey while studying at the University of Utah.

Sofia St. Mark – Parish Administrator

Originally from Boise, Idaho, Sofia moved to Salt Lake City in 2021 to pursue her education at the University of Utah. She was baptized at St. Mark’s Cathedral on the Feast of All Saints in 2023, having found the Episcopal Church a few months earlier. Sofia loves to travel (San Francisco is her happy place) and spends a good deal too much time plotting out road trips on Google Maps. In her spare time, she enjoys annoying her neighbors by clacking away on her typewriter, hiking, biking, thrifting, creating videos, looking for good deals on vinyl, and exploring Salt Lake City.

Sofia currently has a second position as Communications Coordinator and Young Adult Missioner at St. Mark’s. She is passionate about making church work better and helping young people find their place and voice in the Church of Christ.

You can reach Sofia in the office at admin@stpauls-slc.org or by calling St. Paul’s at (801) 322-5869. She is also in the office from 10-2 on Mondays and Wednesdays for weekly parish office hours.

Vestry

The Vestry is the parish's governing body, consisting of 12 elected members: the Senior Warden, the Junior Warden, the Treasurer, and the Rector. This governing body is responsible for all fiscal and temporal parish matters and provides general guidance for the parish family.

The congregation elects vestry members to three-year terms at the Annual Meeting each January. Vestry meetings are open to the parish and meet on the second Tuesday of each month in the Parish Hall at 6:30 p.m.

The Rector chairs the Vestry and appoints the Senior Warden. At its first gathering, the Vestry appoints the Junior Warden, also elected at the parish's Annual Meeting.

Senior Warden: