Staff
Reverend Eletha Buote-Greig
Vicar
On January 1, 2019, I became the Vicar of St. Ann’s by-the-Sea. I was ordained in 1986 after receiving my Master of Divinity from the Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, MA, and have served congregations in the Dioceses of Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Western Massachusetts.
Over the years I completed additional training: consultant/interim training program in 1989, Cluster Ministry training program in 1993, Trinity Wall Street’s 2-year Leadership program in 2006, and the Lombard Mennonite Mediation program in 2010. I have been a spinner, weaver, quilter and sewer for many years and enjoy baking and cooking. My two border collies and I enjoy walking through the ever-changing beauty of Block Island.
Bishop’s Committee
Michael Ballard
Junior Warden
I have had a longstanding relationship with St. Ann’s by the Sea. Initially in 1985 I was a member of the building committee developing and building the current facility. Subsequently, over the years I served as Senior Warden, Junior Warden and as Treasurer. My career has included 23 years in the U.S. Navy serving in both Destroyers and Mine Sweepers. After retiring from the Navy, my wife Becky and I owned and operated a 26 room in rural New Hampshire and later I spent 20 years as Business Manager and Facilities Director at two New England Boarding Schools. Becky and I currently live full time on Block Island. We have a son Charlie and two step children Katie Nelson and Chris Lischke. In retirement my passions include gardening and cooking.
Henry Hill
Treasurer
Henry Hill has been associated with St Ann’s since 1998 as Treasurer (twice) and a member of the Bishops Committee. A lifelong Episcopalian, Henry graduated from St Paul’s school in Garden City, the University of Rochester and Northwestern University (MBA) and had a 25 year career in commercial aviation with Pan Am and ended up running his family business with his wife Carol and 2 daughters, Jennifer and Betsey. The family lived in Wilton Ct until 2014 when they moved to Vero Beach, Florida and sold the Invisible Fencing business in 2021. Their home on Beach Ave is a lovingly restored 1886 Victorian where they have summered since 1996. Henry has been affiliated with the Maritime Institute on BI for most of the past 20 years.
Theresa Sisto
Member
Theresa Sisto came to Block Island for the very first time with her husband, Jack, young daughter, and other family members in 1956 for an overnight visit. Theresa and her family then returned to Block Island as summer residents from 1964-1998, and in 1998 they decided to build a house on the Island, becoming full-time residents. Theresa and Jack became members of the St. Ann’s church community in June, 2007. Shortly after joining St. Ann’s Theresa was appointed to a new transition team for the church, and became the Senior Warden from 2011-2016, and again from 2018-2020. Theresa also served as Junior Warden from 2016-2018.
Cheryl Moore
Clerk of the Bishop’s Committee
An architect by profession, and summer resident, Cheryl Moore has been an active part of the St. Ann’s community since 1994 along with her family. A Eucharistic Minister, Cheryl has served on the Bishop’s Committee since 2013 and has served as Clerk of the Bishop’s Committee since 2017.
Linda Spak
Member
Linda and Sam Spak have been year round residents of Block Island for 15 years after retiring. They have worshipped at St. Ann’s since the ‘90’s when they were summer people. Linda’s favorite task on the Bishop’s Committee is organizing social events when members and friends can enjoy being together on Block Island and sharing the blessings of St. Ann’s.
Leadership at St. Ann’s
Erica Tonner
Parish Administrator
As Parish Administrator, Erica’s foremost tasks are: creating the weekly bulletin and sending it out to the parishioners; maintaining church records; and other administrative duties. She has lived full-time on the Island since 1990 and has been a member of St. Ann’s since 2006. Married to Kurt Tonner, Erica has three children and 4 grandchildren.
Margie Comings
Member
A former teacher, and year-round resident since 2004, Margie Comings started coming to Block Island during the summer months since she was a teenager. She has had many years of experience in community affairs and is currently serving as chair of the New Shoreham Planning Board and the Old Harbor Task Force. She has served on the Bishop’s Committee for the past three years.
Webb Moore
Member
As a practicing attorney, and summer resident, Webb Moore has been an active part of the St. Ann’s community since 1994 along with his family. Webb has served on the Bishop’s Committee since 2022 and has served on the Finance Committee since 2022.
Carol Hill
Senior Warden
Henry Hill and I met in high school 64 years ago and got married after college. We’ve lived various places but mostly in Connecticut, Florida and Block Island. We bought our house on the island in 1996 and fell in love with the place. St. Ann’s has been a very important part of my life. It’s friendlyand spiritual. I am very honored to serve as Senior Warden.