Lay and ordained members of Buck Mountain provide dynamic leadership. All members have a voice in the life of the congregation. Our Vestry (governing body) is composed of church members elected by the congregation annually.
Clergy
The Rev. Mary L. Staley
The Rev. Mary L. Staley became our Interim Priest in Charge on December 3, 2025, following interim an position at Trinity, Fredericksburg. She also served as Interim at Christ Episcopal Church, Kent, Ohio. Prior to serviing interim she served St. Paul’s Put-in-Bay OH, Church of our Saviour, Charlottesville and St. Patrick’s Annandale VA.
In addition to serving parishes in Ohio, she served as a parish search consultant for four Ohio parishes. She has attended the Interim Ministry Network (IMN) training. The preparation for Interims and Search Consultants is similar, bringing Buck Mountain Episcopal Church a lot of experience.
She sees the position of interim as a time to help the congregation prepare to welcome their next priest.
She has a Master of Divinity from Virginia Theological Seminary and another in Management from Webster University. Prior to seminary, she spent 22 years in Air Force Satellite Systems, Everywhere the Air Force sent her, she connected with the nearby Episcopal church, experiencing the depth and breadth of the Episcopal Church. She used her undergraduate degree in nonprofit leadership to serve as a Girl Scout executive and directing a summer camp in her home state, Iowa. She was involved in many aspects of parish life before entering seminary, including serving as Stephen Ministry leader, folk choir, youth leader, search committee member, vestry member, and parish mission activities in Central America.
Abby and Sadie, her two very spoiled miniature schnauzers, live with her in Locust Grove, Virginia. She enjoys reading, the outdoors, riding roller coasters, and traveling. Since 2003, she has only missed one Episcopal General Convention, where she serves as a page in the House of Bishops. She’s been in a hot-air balloon over three continents. The fire from the balloon burners is like the Holy Spirit, lifting you up and carrying you on the journey.
One of her favorite bible verses is Micah 6:6-8.
Staff
Administrative Assistant
Wanted Buck Mountain seeks a part time Administrative Assistant to be part of a team caring for this congregation and its facilities. If you are organized and self-motivated administrative professional with a proven ability to work independently while delivering exceptional results, contact us for more information. Document creation, data management, and reporting. Adept at updating social media accounts. Strong problem-solving skills desired, along with attention to detail.
J. Tara Scott,
Coordinator of Music Ministries
Tara has been part of the Music Ministry in churches her entire life. She began singing and playing the piano professionally at the age of 15. She began directing high school and church choirs (and teaching piano and voice lessons) professionally at the age of 17.
Tara moved to Earlysville, VA in May of 2000, after earning her degree in Business Administration and Music from a liberal arts college in Missouri. While living in Earlysville, Charlottesville, and surrounding communities, she has continuously taught music and theatre classes in both the Charlottesville City and Albemarle County Public School Systems, as well as in area private schools. She is a frequent Musical Director for schools and theaters in our surrounding communities, as well. Some of her favorite directorships were Jekyll & Hyde at Play On!, Black Broadway at Live Arts, and Bye, Bye, Birdie at Four County Players. She currently lives with her family in Earlysville, and spends her free time playing with her 7-year-old daughter (Laila), traveling, and adding to her shoe collection.
Vestry
The vestry is a group of lay people elected by the parish to work with the rector to oversee the temporal health of the congregation. A new group of vestry members is elected at each annual congregational meeting (in January), and all communicants of Buck Mountain are eligible to vote.
Buck Mountain is blessed with an active, working vestry made up of parishioners who give generously of their time and talents. Our vestry includes people with a variety of skills and backgrounds, ages, and length of time as parishioners at Buck Mountain. Some are lifelong Episcopalians. Others are relatively new to the Episcopal Church.