Learn about our Vestry and Governance.
The Reverend Lauren R. Holder, Rector (she/her)
The Rev. Lauren R. Holder answered St. Martin’s-in-the-Field’s call for a new rector and started October 2024. Lauren previously served as the Canon for Community and Education at the Cathedral of St. Philip in Atlanta, Georgia. She also served at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Atlanta and Trinity Church Wall Street in New York City. She grew up in Lexington, Virginia. She attended Washington & Lee University, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Politics with a concentration in Environmental Studies. She later earned a Master’s degree in Liberal Arts at St. John’s College in Annapolis, and then a Master of Divinity at The General Theological Seminary in New York.
Lauren is deeply committed to building community—both within and beyond the church. She has twice represented the Diocese of Atlanta as a Deputy to General Convention, has served on the Legislative Committee of Congregational Vitality & Data-Driven Initiatives, is a past-president of the Diocesan Standing Committee, and has served on the boards of The Boyce L. Ansley School, Ahava Early Learning Center, Crossroads Community Ministries and Buckhead Community Ministries.
Lauren loves church, loves to share the love of Jesus, loves to be outside, and loves learning. She is eager to put down roots in Severna Park with her husband, Jay, and their two children, Charlie and Lucy Rae.
The Reverend Nathan Erdman, Associate Rector and School Chaplain (he/him)
Dr. HyeSung Hwang, Director of Music Ministries (she/her)
HyeSung directs all music related ministries at St. Martin’s-in-the-Field, as well as serving as organist and pianist. She plans and conducts the weekly and special services, leading the adult and hand bell choirs. Prior to joining St. Martin’s in 2017, she served as the Music Director at Church of the Holy Nativity in Baltimore City. Born in Seoul, South Korea, HyeSung earned a Bachelor of Music degree from Seoul National University. After moving to Baltimore in 2005, she received a Master of Music, Graduate Performance Diploma, as well as the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University. In addition to her ministry at St. Martin’s she teaches at York College of Pennsylvania in both the college and preparatory divisions.
HyeSung enjoys spending time with her husband, as well as cooking, eating and traveling.
Amber Kaltz, Communications Coordinator (she/her)
Amber handles St. Martin’s-in-the-Field marketing and communication needs, such as the newsletter, website, livestream worship services, and social media. She also produces the worship bulletins, annual report and ministries booklet. A Maryland native, Amber received a degree in Corporate Communications from the University of Baltimore. She has over 25 years of professional experience in marketing, advertising and graphic design.
Amber likes to crochet, read, and scrapbook. She and her husband, Justin, have two sons.
Katrina Schultz, Parish Administrator and Volunteer Coordinator (she/her)
Jory Bender, Director of Finance (she/her)
Jory records St. Martin’s-in-the-Field financial transactions, processes payments, conducts banking activities and produces various financial reports. She comes from a background in both for profit and non-profit business. Jory joined her family business, which was started in 1898 by her great-grandfather, in 1990. She then went on to own the business until 2013. From then Jory has devoted her time in the non-profit world working for the Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter, Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, Arundel Lodge, and The Light House Shelter.
Jory is a native of the area, growing up in Arnold and attending Severna Park High School many years ago. She is a mother of four children, triplets plus one. They attended nursery school at the pre-school at St. Martin’s-in-the-field and her mother-in-law was a devoted parishioner.
Jory is very involved fostering animals for the local shelters, loves to be on the water or hiking the local trails and hanging out with her grandsons.
Mike Fridy, Facilities Manager (he/him)
Responsible for keeping St. Martin’s-in-the-Field Church and School buildings and grounds clean and orderly in addition to performing routine maintenance and repairs as needed.
Reita Turro, Nursery Director (she/her)
Our Nursery is staffed by Ms. Reita Turro who, as nationally accredited with the National Association of Family Child Care and licensed by the Maryland State Department of Education, serves our youngest children and their parents on Sundays.