Meet the Call Committee!
The Call Committee is a six-member group that will unanimously and wholeheartedly recommend a pastor candidate to the Congregation Council for their consideration.
The Committee will do this by seeking God’s will for the congregation through prayer, input from the congregation, interviews with pastor candidates, reference verification, and conversation with one another.
Mel Tuckfield, Chair
Heather and Mel moved to Annapolis in 1991 and joined St. Martin’s in 1994. We have been active members of the church participating in numerous committees and positions of responsibility. We have three children and five grandchildren. Mel was born and raised in Southern California and attended Catholic school for twelve years. After college Mel started his professional career supporting the Navy and Air Force in various DoD Program Management positions in Ridgecrest, CA; Dayton, OH; and Bedford, MA. While in Bedford, MA, Mel became involved in Military Intelligence and then in 1987 he began a 25 year career working for Hewlett Packard’s Federal Division supporting various Intelligence Community Agencies in the Washington DC area. After retiring from HP in 2012, Mel started a successful consulting business and retired again in 2018. He has been a Tour Guide at the USNA for the past 8 years. Mel served on St. Martin’s Call Committee as Chairman when we called Pastor Dave Oravec in 2013. Led by the Holy Spirit, Mel is honored to serve in this capacity once again with an amazing group of volunteers.
Tori Johnson
After admiring Bo the Bulldog’s seasonal costumes for several years on their way to Forest Drive, Tori Johnson and her husband Michael attended a service at St. Martin’s in 2019 and the rest is history. Since joining the church, they have welcomed two daughters, Jeannette (4) and Vivianne (1), who both were baptized at St. Martin’s and sometimes cause a little bit of chaos at the 10am service. The Johnsons have loved being a part of the St. Martin’s family – from Camp S.E.E.D.S. to Sunday School to Christmas Eve Children’s services. Jeannette is also a proud “Bulldog” as a member of St. Martin’s School’s Pre-K3 class. Outside of church, Tori is an Associate Professor in the Ocean Engineering Department at the U.S. Naval Academy. Her research and classes focus on coastal resilience and flood hazard mitigation through nature-based solutions like living shorelines. Tori is so grateful to be called to serve in this way, praising God for all that Pastor Dave has done for this community while looking ahead to a bright future at St. Martin’s.
Jessica Roberts
Jessica and her husband Eric began attending St. Martin’s in 2008 with a brief absence from 2011 – 2015. Their oldest son Easton (8) was baptized in Saltworks Creek off the Severn River by Pastor Dave, and recently received his First Holy Communion in February. Their youngest son Davis (4), was baptized in the church and enjoys attending Sunday School (although mainly for the snacks). Jessica is an Annapolis native and attended St. Martin’s for elementary school. Over the years, she has chaperoned multiple Youth Group Missions with her most memorable trip being with her niece and nephew through Christ Church Parish Kent Island to McDowell County, West Virginia. She also served as a Confirmation Teacher for 3 years here at St. Martin's. Jessica recently left Hyatt Commercial Property Management after 16 years and is looking forward to moving into her new professional position with Anne Arundel County Detention Facilities. Outside of church Jessica enjoys spending time with her family where they can be found camping, boating on the Severn River or hanging out in the garden with their chickens. Jessica is thrilled to serve on the Call Committee as we move forward for the next generation of St. Martin’s.
Kim Rosekrans
Kim has been a member of St. Martin's since 1977 (with a hiatus away for several years 2006-2014). Her former husband is Roman Catholic and her 2 daughters Julie (36) and Mary Grace (32) were raised in St. Martin's. She is proud Mimi to Benjamin Edward (9). Kim has served in many ministries throughout the years: Church council several times, Synod delegate, Worship and Music chairman and committee member, Sunday School teacher, kids worship leader, Youth committee, member of the chancel choir, bell choir, and children's choir director, interim Director of Music and Director of Music several times, organist, pianist, accompanist, founding member of the Peace Garden committee and current project manager, member of Joyful Hearts, Bible study, Soup group, Lighthouse volunteer, Fellowship committee, and substitute teacher in St. Martin's School. Kim retired in 2019 after a 44-year career as a registered dental hygienist. She feels most blessed to be serving on this Call Committee as we look toward the future of St. Martin's and rejoice and give thanks for the ministry of Pastor Dave these last 10 years.
Grant Searfoss
Grant and his wife Katie began attending services at St. Martin’s in 2022 and officially joined in January of 2023. Their son, Grant, Jr. “Gait” (1) was baptized by Pastor Dave in 2023. They moved to Edgewater in 2019 upon Katie finishing her schooling. Originally from Nazareth, PA, Grant attended Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church while growing up and Katie, an Annapolis native is proud to have attended St. Martin’s elementary school. Outside of church, Grant is an Affordable Housing Developer based in Eastport and Katie is a Physician Assistant in Arnold. They enjoy spending time with family and friends, and love boating on the South River and Chesapeake Bay. Grant feels honored to serve on the Call Committee as we navigate through this important transitional period for St. Martin’s.
Kelly Shenk
Kelly and her family – husband Gary and boys Jack and Eli – are Annapolis residents who joined Saint Martin’s church over ten years ago because it felt like “Cheers” – where everyone knows your name! The Shenk family has a strong connection to both the church and school. Jack (18) and Eli (14) attended Saint Martin’s school. Jack serves as the Youth representative on the Church Council and you may have seen him jamming with Pastor Dave on guitar at the services. Eli can be found most Sundays working the cameras and livestreaming the services and loves the Youth Group activities. Gary served on the School Board and the Search Committee to hire our wonderful new Director of Music Ministries. Kelly served as St. Martin’s representative on the Light House Board. Kelly has a 30-year career at the Environmental Protection Agency and currently works with farmers to achieve well-managed farms and clean local streams and Chesapeake Bay. Kelly is thrilled to serve on the Call Committee and give back to the church and school that has given so much to the Shenk family.
