Sean McGaughey–Bishop’s Warden

My families’ coracle landed at the shores of St. Brigit in August of 2018. I have been a confirmed member of the Diocese of Colorado since 2000. I am an insurance agent by vocation, and a father of a multi-generational household that includes my wife Chelli, our 29-year-old daughter, 14-year-old daughter, and 6-year-old granddaughter. My avocations include playing guitar, singing in the choir, graphite pencil drawing, and playing chess. I have been active in the diocese including taking kids up to Quest, vestry leadership in another parish, and participating in leadership in Cursillo. I am a cancer survivor of two rounds of stage 4 head and neck cancer in 2017 and 2019. I love the feeling of hospitality and outreach of our St. Brigit community, and feel called to help discern in community the direction in which the Holy Spirit calls us to live out our mission as a church family. [email protected]

Vicky Emerson–Member at Large

I was born in Austin, Tx and grew up in Burlington, CO. I have lived in both states for long periods of time as an adult. I was raised Methodist, spent my younger adult years in various more evangelical churches working as home missionary, Sunday school teacher, and musician. As I became painfully more and more aware that these teachings were not aligned with my evolving spiritual truth, I joined my lifelong friends in the Episcopal church in the early 2000’s, and have been home ever since. I also have Buddhist and Pagan spiritual practices.

I survived the Schism while in Texas and learned. Our church recovered and grew with the help of a wonderful Interim Priest and strong work by the remnant. 

By training, I am an LPN, a Reiki Master Teacher, and a Student of Healing Touch. I have worked in many fields as a nurse and am now the Quality Assurance Nurse with a large home health company. I own InSight Healing LLC.

I was blessed to be able to take several classes each semester at local colleges and the University of Texas Permian Basin during the 8 years I lived in Midland, Tx while I worked as nurse consultant and traveled. My major was Criminology with a Sociology and Anthropology focus. During these years, I helped develop a Patent, worked with several Sovereign Tribal Nations documenting health and safety concerns with tribal jails and was a participant in a presentation to the DOJ, BIA, OIG in DC. I also facilitated several large multi-jurisdictional workshops for the National Institute of Justice with CEUs provided. 

I think I have lived about 14 lifetimes this time around: I worked as a CTE teacher in a poor inner city high school, which might be my most satisfying work so far; was foster parent at an emergency shelter for teen girls in San Antonio; was in the coalition that started and developed The Rape Crisis Line and Advocacy in San Antonio, and was an advocate for a few years in TX and CO; volunteered as the area coordinator of the Very Special Arts Festival; worked as a tutor for teens through the courts; and worked with refugees from 14 countries through the years. I also taught piano and guitar for 24 years and was in musical groups in both states giving concerts to large audiences. My life has been so rewarding and I intend to continue to learn and grow. My next plan is to write. 

I am a widow, 10 years now, have a son and daughter and 5 grandchildren. I live with a dog, 2 cats, and a giant goldfish fish. Again, life is so good! 

Jeff Nieusma–Property Warden

Jeff Nieusma was a Vestry member of the parent church, St. Mary Magdalene. The Nieusmas were an anchor family and volunteered to move to Frederick to help launch the new mission church.  Jeff was appointed the first Junior Warden of the Bishop’s Committee in charge of facilities and maintenance of the property and buildings.  He designed and coordinated the construction of the original sanctuary in the 1000 square foot garage. He then helped design and construct the 2500 square foot (current) sanctuary east of the garage.  Afterward, he designed and built the Kildare room, bathrooms, and classrooms in the original space after the sanctuary was finished.  Following a few years off, Jeff was reappointed to the Bishop’s Committee as the Property Warden starting in 2020 and is working on multiple projects during the COVID “down time”. [email protected]

Tracy Platz–Altar Guild

I grew up in the Catholic Church.  I became involved in church services as soon as I was able to, but I was not allowed to serve at the altar (there were only altar boys back then), so I became a lector when I turned 13.  I was never comfortable with the role of women (or lack thereof) in the Catholic church.  When I was in graduate school, I attended the Episcopal Church with friends and found a Christian tradition that embraced women into all aspects of both the service and the clergy.  I joined the Episcopal Church in 2003, and when my husband and I started dating, brought him along for the ride.  He had also been raised in the Catholic Church. I have been a member of both a Vestry and a Bishop’s Committee back in Texas.  My husband and I were some of the earliest members of a mission church within the Diocese of Dallas.  Ultimately, the mission did not last, but I gained a lot of experience and understanding of the inner workings of the Diocese.  When we moved to Colorado in 2017, we began our search for a new Episcopal Church home.  We tried out several established churches in the area, but when we walked into St Brigit’s, we felt like we had found a new home.  We felt the hospitality that is one of St. Brigit’s core values as soon as we walked in the door.  They welcomed not only us, but our (at the time) 5-year-old son.  When we got home to talk about our impressions of St. Brigit, it was unanimous, we had found our new church home.  We have been attending ever since.  I have recently become a member of the Bishop’s Committee Community and the lead for the Altar Guild, as well as continuing to be a lector.  As for what keeps me busy, not only am I involved at church, but I am also a Systems Engineer at Ball Aerospace, the Cubmaster for Erie Pack 62 Cub Scouts, a wife, and the mom to a precocious 8-year-old.  Life is good!

Alicia Faith Florin–Social Media and Safety

I grew up in a large Roman Catholic family in Salt Lake City. I am the oldest of 7 kids and we all attended catholic grade and highschool. I graduated in Family Studies and Consumer Economics at the University of Utah where I was active with my Newman Center group. I started working at eBay.inc customer service on 9.11 and worked in internet safety and website  policing until 2013. I found passion in outreach especially volunteering with foster children and habitat builds. I married Dominic a long time family friend in 2012 and moved to Colorado and to the St. Brigit community at that time. We have three children, James (2007), Tressa (2013) , Helena (2016) . I retired from traditional work and volunteering  to manage a house of three kids and took on the task of homeschooling for the last few years. I have found when I talk about my St. Brigit community I become sentimental. Not just because of seeing the church grow but because it has been like a family for my family.

The Rev. Nancey JohnsonBookstein, Deacon

Nancey JohnsonBookstein “Bookie” grew up in Albany, New York, went to college in Boston, received her Master’s degree in Physical Therapy from the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond, and came to Colorado in 1976. She and her wife, Joan, discovered Holy Comforter in 1989 and were in the first group of Stephen Ministers. After moving to Colorado Bookie earned her Ph.D. at University of Northern Colorado in 1998. Bookie is very active locally, as well as at the state and national levels. She does outreach through her professional organization, is a retired Associate Professor and Director of Admissions for the Physical Therapy Program at the University of Colorado Medical School, and serves on the Admissions Committee for the Medical School and for the Master’s Program in Human Anatomy at Anschutz Medical Campus. She teaches medical students, Physician Assistant students, PT students, and Master’s in Anatomy students.

Bookie was admitted as a Postulant for Holy Orders in May 2008. Serving a term as President of the Board of Directors for St. Benedict Health and Healing Ministry, she continues to provide physical therapy to the homeless through that organization. She was the Worship Ministry leader at Holy Comforter for several years and is a Eucharistic Minister and a Eucharistic Visitor. A member of the Green Team, Bookie was on the ground floor of helping make the Farmers’ Market at Holy Comforter a reality. Phone: 303-918-9110, E-mail:  [email protected]

Jim Thoming–Treasurer

I was born and raised in Colorado and have spent my entire life living in the Front Range.  My family joined the St Brigit congregation around 2015 and we have really enjoyed our time here.  My wife Amy is the Sunday School Coordinator and I am also glad to be able to help the BCC as treasurer for the next few years.  I would encourage everyone to come experience our wonderful community of faith! [email protected]

Michelle Mrsan–Clerk

Michelle was born in Pontiac, Michigan, and lived her whole life on Michigan’s beautiful lakes. She enjoyed sailing, skiing, playing sports, reading and school. Most of her education was in public schools but she did attend Our Lady of Mercy Catholic High school. After high school she went to the University of Michigan, the only college she applied to, and graduated with degrees in Chemistry-BS and Neuro-Psychology-BA. After doing medical research for a couple years, Michelle returned to college at Wayne State University and earned her BS in Pharmacy. Growing up in a pharmacy retail family, she decided to work in community pharmacy where she spent years 21 years and retired in 2016. Next Michelle rode a stage coach out west to start a new life and found an old love, Jeff Nieusma. Since living in Colorado she has become an active member of St. Brigit and likes to find random projects to attack and conquer. Lately she has taken on being the clerk for the BCC, coordinating all the internet connected technology, and being the St Brigit and Brigit’s Village webmaster. Michelle has friends and family all over the country and travels frequently to visit, but is always available online at [email protected] via text or lastly through phone calls.

Jim Thoming–Treasurer

I was born and raised in Colorado and have spent my entire life living in the Front Range.  My family joined the St Brigit congregation around 2015 and we have really enjoyed our time here.  My wife Amy is the Sunday School Coordinator and I am also glad to be able to help the BCC as treasurer for the next few years.  I would encourage everyone to come experience our wonderful community of faith!

Jeff Nieusma–Property Warden

Jeff Nieusma was a Vestry member of the parent church, St. Mary Magdalene. The Nieusmas were an anchor family and volunteered to move to Frederick to help launch the new mission church.  Jeff was appointed the first Junior Warden of the Bishop’s Committee in charge of facilities and maintenance of the property and buildings.  He designed and coordinated the construction of the original sanctuary in the 1000 square foot garage. He then helped design and construct the 2500 square foot (current) sanctuary east of the garage.  Afterward, he designed and built the Kildare room, bathrooms, and classrooms in the original space after the sanctuary was finished.  Following a few years off, Jeff was reappointed to the Bishop’s Committee as the Property Warden starting in 2020 and is working on multiple projects during the COVID “down time”.

Laura Lewis–Congregation Representative, Finance Committee

Laura has lived in Firestone for almost 20 years, and has been a member of St. Brigit’s for almost 5 years. She enjoys working in the Brigit’s Bounty Giving Garden, has served on the Bishop’s Committee Community, sings in the choir, and is currently the congregational representative on the Finance Committee.

Fr. Tim Backus

A native of North Carolina, Fr. Tim graduated from Appalachian State University in Boone, NC, with undergraduate degrees in psychology and music therapy before heading off to Seminary. While attending App State (ASU), Tim used to hike and ski in the mountains of North Carolina. Now that he has been to Colorado, he understands why many people in the west call the Appalachian Mountains ‘hills.’

After graduating with an M.Div. from Virginia Theological Seminary in 2009, Fr. Tim first began his ordained career in the Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast as the Associate at Christ Church in downtown Pensacola for five years with a primary emphasis on youth ministry as well as young adult ministries. During that time, Tim was in charge of weekly junior and senior high groups as well as summer programs, mission trips, lock-ins and everything in between including ‘Worship on the Water,’ their summer youth paddle board ministry. There were multiple young adult groups under his helm including ‘Theology Pub Club,’ an informal spiritual conversation held at one of the local pubs in the downtown area. In 2015, Fr. Tim received the call to serve as rector of St. Francis of Assisi, Gulf Breeze, just outside of the Pensacola area where he served until his new call as vicar of St. Brigit in Frederick, beginning Aug 1st, 2021.

During his time in the Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast, Tim served on a variety of commissions including the Commission for Youth, Young Adults, Cursillo, and Commission on Ministry (COM). Across the greater church, Tim has attended CREDO, was invited and attended a Gathering of Leaders conference, was selected as a participant and convener of a peer preaching pilot program through the Episcopal Preaching Foundation, and did a month-long cultural immersion in Burma (Myanmar), which included co-leading an Anglican Conference for students in the Diocese of Toungoo.

Tim has grown up playing drums and percussion most of his life including the drum-line of the ASU marching band, percussion ensembles, and Steely-Pan Steel Drum Band. Tim also plays guitar, loves most sports, and any post-apocalyptic show or movie is right up his alley. Tim’s wife, Sarah, is a Pensacola native and middle school teacher. They have two talented children, Haven (15) and Simon (12) Slay. Email: [email protected]