Staff

Helen and her husband Shawn are both native Kansans. She grew up in Chapman, Kansas, a town of about 1,800 residents. Helen graduated with double BAs in Psychology and Human Development from the University of Kansas. After several years working in the financial sector for Sallie Mae (student loans) and American Century (mutual funds), Helen moved to Austin, TX to attend the Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest (ETSS). She returned to Kansas as Canon of Grace Cathedral in Topeka, and later worked at Holy Cross Lutheran Church (ELCA) in the Kansas City area. She and Shawn have two sons, Charlie and Luke.

Helen and Harcourt Parish were awarded a Clergy Renewal Program Grant from the Lilly Endowment.  This grant funded her family sabbatical in France and Scotland during the summer of 2011.  She has begun working on a Doctorate of Ministry in Church Life from the Austin Presbyterian Seminary. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Sharon earned a B.A. in music (piano) from Kalamazoo College, an M.A.L.S. (arts) from Wesleyan University and an M.M. in vocal performance from Boston Conservatory. She has taught voice and the related areas of acting and stagecraft, lyric diction and vocal pedagogy for Kenyon College in Ohio; New York University; the College of Saint Rose in Albany, New York; and Newberry College and Anderson University in South Carolina. Sharon has led workshops on overcoming performance anxiety for several schools and organizations and her book, The Singer’s Companion, was published by Routledge Press in 2006.

Sharon has worked as cantor and soloist for Episcopal and Roman Catholic parishes and as organist, choir director and children’s choir director for a variety of denominations. Relishing the role of equipping-musician, she enjoys helping congregations to grow musically, from starting new or ad hoc ensembles, to discovering anthems that involve children and adults and congregational singing, to inviting instrumentalists to share their gifts as solos or anthem accompaniments.

Sharon believes in that singing is prayer and encourages congregational singing at all times. You can view Sharon’s website by clicking here.
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• Susan Givens, Senior Warden
• Richard Hood, Junior Warden & Property Manager
• John Elliott, Treasurer
• Bob Heasley, Assistant Treasurer
• Alicia Misarti, Children & Youth
• Sly Lewis
• Jim Hendrickx
• Kachen Kimmell
• Carol Schumacher
• Ben Neuhaus K'14
• Janie Simonton K'15
• Anna Berger K'15

• Helen Svoboda-Barber, Rector This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
• Sharon Stohrer, Music Director  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
• H Logan, Parish Administrator This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it