Our Staff
WE ARE HERE TO SERVE
St. Martin’s Church Staff
St. Martin’s Ev Lutheran Church staff is here to help guide you along your journey. We have been blessed by a team of pastoral and ministry staff that reflect a heart for Christ and others. Our team shows excellence in ministry and collectively seeks to live out and implement St. Martin’s Church vision and mission to love, share, and serve boldly.
Rev. Ellen Williams, Senior Pastor
pastorellen@saintmartins.org | (512) 537-8706
Pr. Ellen grew up in Denison, Texas and graduated from Texas A&M in 1993 with a degree in computer science and minor in genetics. After working on the Human Genome Project as a bioinformatician and database architect, she migrated to California to work in a genomics start-up. During her time in CA, she completed masters degrees in Molecular & Cell Biology and Organizational Psychology, led a bioinformatics group studying the genetics of addiction, and owned a knitting studio and yarn shop. After completing seminary at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, she worked in South Central Los Angeles and Compton, CA in Spanish-language Lutheran churches. Sticking to her promise to come back to Texas when she could get to Austin, she comes to us after serving Saint John-San Juan Lutheran in South Austin. She is passionate about serving our neighbors, especially those who are struggling to find justice, mercy and kindness in this world and invites your help to do this work.
Janet Brehm Taylor- Intern Pastor
jtaylor@saintmartins.org
Janet Brehm Taylor is a second-year student at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Originally from the mountains of western North Carolina, she relocated to Texas in 2023 from Toledo, Ohio. Beyond her coursework, Janet is deeply engaged in an in-depth study of the Pauline epistles and a research project exploring Christopher Columbus’s theological imagination. She has a passion for social justice, enjoys hiking, and loves spending time with her dog, Izzy. She is also eager to learn all she can about the vibrant city of Austin.
Fay Jones – Office Administrator/ Volunteer Coordinator
fjones@saintmartins.org (512) 476-6757 ext. 1022
Born in Nacogdoches, this native Texan lived in many other locations before returning to Texas in 2000. As a “cradle Episcopalian”, she has volunteered in the church since childhood – choir, junior altar guild, office volunteer, Sunday School teacher, altar guild director – a real church nerd! After her husband’s death in 2007, Fay was asked to be the Lay Ministries Coordinator for Calvary Episcopal Church in Bastrop. In 2009, she moved to Austin to be the Growth and Discipleship Director at St. John’s Episcopal Church on Braker Ln. 13 years, and many hats, later, Fay retired from St. John’s. After failing retirement, she accepted the position of Office Administrator / Volunteer Coordinator here at St. Martin’s. She is very happy to be part of the St. Martin’s staff and community!
Austin Shortes- Youth Minister
ashortes@saintmartins.org/512-537-8724
Austin is a 2023 Texas State University graduate with a bachelor’s degree in music. He grew up in Seminole, TX. He has extensive experience as a church summer camp counselor, working with elementary, middle school and high school students and felt his call to ministry through that work. Austin joins us as a graduate student of the Center for Youth Ministry Training through Austin Presbyterian Seminary. He is enjoying working with the St. Martin’s high school youth.
Kathy Edgar – Communication Coordinator
kedgar@saintmartins.org
Kathy Edgar is a retired educator. Her education experience includes classroom teacher, librarian and instructional technology director. Kathy graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a BS in Education and Masters of Library Science. Kathy and family located to Austin in 1984 when her husband, a career Air Force officer retired. Kathy actively participated in Bergstrom AFB chapel program for 9 years before the base closure. Kathy has three adult children and 4 grandchildren. She enjoys traveling in her Casita trailer, reading, gardening, walking and meditating in nature. She has been a member of St. Martin’s since 2014.
Tim O’Brien – Director of Music
tobrien@saintmartins.org
Tim O’Brien has sung with Austin Opera, the Minnesota Opera, the Dale Warland Singers, the National Lutheran Choir, and the Rose Ensemble. Recently he performed Bach’s B Minor Mass with Portland Oregon’s The Ensemble, where his “vibrant and subtle” singing was praised by Oregon Artswatch. Dr. O’Brien’s performances can be heard on eleven commercial recordings, including the Grammy-nominated Walden Pond. Tim is an alumnus of Gustavus Adolphus College, where he taught and conducted before relocating to Austin. He currently on the faculty at St. Edward’s University and is artistic director of Living Paper Song Project.
Austin Haller- Associate Music Director
ahaller@saintmartins.org
Hailed as “always remarkable” (Austin Chronicle), Austin Haller serves as organist for the Austin Symphony, and he performs regularly with the Grammy®-winning choir Conspirare and with many choral ensembles in Central Texas. He has led hymn festivals and presented solo organ concerts throughout the southern United States, and has previously served as organist at St. David’s Episcopal Church and Northwest Hills United Methodist Church in Austin. His musical theatre music direction “produces a gloriously rich choral sound full of exquisite harmonies” (Broadway World), and he is the grateful recipient of Austin Critics’ Table and B. Iden Payne Awards for Music Direction. He is frequently heard performing with Broadway performers at Austin Cabaret Theatre and at Austin Shakespeare’s cabaret series at Parker Jazz Club. He is an avid runner and a passionate advocate for refugees. Learn more about Austin at austinhallermusic.com.
Essic Williams Jr.-Facilities Manager
essic@saintmartins.org
Essic is our facilities manager and works closely with Mop and Hammer to meet the challenges of our building maintenance. As a loving parent of two and a proud grandparent to a beautiful granddaughter, Essic embodies the spirit of family that is at the heart of our faith. Raised in the Creedmoor area, he has deep roots in our community. Essic’s journey led him to Sul Ross St. University in Alpine, Texas, where he laid the groundwork for a fulfilling career as a Heavy Duty equipment operator and truck driver, dedicating 30 years to his craft. His hard work and commitment serve as an inspiration to us all. Beyond his professional life, Essic is a man of many interests; he enjoys football, fishing, and hunting, but what he cherishes most is the time spent with his family.
St. Martin’s Preschool Leadership
Calla Woodall- Preschool Director
cwoodall@stmartinsaustin.org | (512) 476-4037
Calla Woodall, began working at St. Martin’s Lutheran Preschool in the spring of 2012. She has taken on many of the roles with in the school, and is very proud to take the reins as the Director. Calla has lived in Austin since 2005, where she enjoys live music and spending time with her family. She has a seven year old Shih Tzu named Benny which keeps her pretty busy. Calla is looking forward to many more years at St. Martin’s, helping shape young minds and encouraging teachers from all walks of life.
Alexis Redondo, Assistant Preschool Director
aredondo@stmartinsaustin.org | (512) 476-4037
Alexis has worked at St. Martin’s Lutheran Preschool since 2010. In her time at St. Martin’s, she has has worked in the classroom, as support staff and now in an Administration role alongside Calla for their ninth school year. With 14 years in the education profession, she offers support to teachers, students and parents alike. She is a native Texan and has lived in Austin since 2003.
