St. John’s Staff & Leadership

The Rev. Sarah Phelps

Rector

The Rev. Sarah Phelps has served as an ordained minister for more than 20 years in a variety of settings and two denominations – from a solo clergy appointment in a small United Methodist church, to an Associate position in a mid-sized congregation with responsibility for missions and liturgical development, to directing a faith-based community organizing effort in Los Angles, to Rector of a vibrant, multi-staff Episcopal parish of nearly 300 households in Palos Verdes Estates, California.

In each setting, Mother Sarah helped lay leaders, community organizations, and congregations navigate significant transitions that have enabled them to do ministry more effectively, and with greater unity and joy.

Mother Sarah is married to Michael Phelps – no, not the Olympic swimmer, but a pretty great guy all the same. Mike is founder and Executive Director of the Early Manuscript Electronic Library (www.emelibrary.org) which works to make ancient biblical and classical manuscripts accessible to scholars and the general public through digital technologies. Mother Sarah and Mike have a young son, Sam, who is the light of their lives.

The Rev. Mawethu Ncaca

Associate Rector

The Rev. Mawethu Ncaca comes to us as Associate Rector from the Reimagining Curacies program after having served at St. John’s, Wake Forest during the Covid pandemic, St. Titus’, Durham, and The Chapel of the Cross, Chapel Hill. Born and raised in South Africa, he received a Master’s of Philosophy (Religion and Culture) at  Stellenbosch University. After years in campus ministry and some NGO work forging church partnerships across racial and economic lines, Mawethu relocated to the US eight years ago with his wife and two sons. Mawethu enjoys running and soccer.

As an Associate Rector at St John’s, Mawethu looks forward to serving in a place for more than a year. Futhermore, he is encouraged by St. John’s love of outreach ministries, deliberately making space for intergenerational ministries, and creating healthy systems for growing the church. St. John’s leadership is creative and collaborative, traits that are rare to find. He is excited about St. John’s potential to be a flagship parish for the Diocese in its outreach, creativity, and willingness to be adaptive in engaging the evolving challenges of growing churches.

Karole Badgley

Director of Music Ministry

From performing on concert stages throughout the United States, Europe, Scandinavia and Asia; to teaching on faculties at West Coast colleges and universities; to serving in music ministry at churches in the Midwest, West and East Coasts; Karole Badgley is one diverse, eclectic lady. With multiple undergraduate and graduate performance degrees, she is thrilled to share her lifetime commitment to worship and music with the congregation of St. John’s Episcopal Church!

Barbara Kwiatek

Parish Administrator

Barbara Kwiatek joined our staff at St. John’s in April 2011 after relocating with her family from New Jersey. She graduated from William Paterson University with a B.A. Degree in Psychology with a concentration in Human Resources, and an A.A. Degree in Sociology.

Barbara lives in Wake Forest, NC with her husband Walter and her two cats, Mr. Dapper & Sampson. Barbara loves reading mystery books, watching movies, cooking and eating popcorn! She has two adult children, Paige and Justin. Barbara’s family feels blessed to be active members of St. John’s Church.