The Rev. Andrew Downs, M.Div
Rector/Pastor
The Rev. Andrew (Drew) Downs was ordained to the priesthood in the Diocese of Eastern Michigan in May 2008 by the Rt. Rev. S. Todd Ousley.
Drew, a life-long Episcopalian and PK (priest’s kid), was called to holy orders after a brief career in retail management and community service. He attended Huron University College and was ordained a transitional deacon in 2007. He served congregations in Eastern Michigan, Western Michigan, and Atlanta. He and his spouse, Rose, have two children.
He believes that creativity is an underutilized spiritual discipline and is a necessary complement to commitment for those seeking a mature faith. Drew enjoys blogging, listening to podcasts, and pub theology.
The Rev. Deborah J. “Deby” Veach
Deacon
A cradle Episcopalian, the Rev. Deborah (Deby) Veach grew up north of West Terre Haute. She attended St. George’s in West Terre Haute until she was called to serve St. Stephen’s.
A nurse since 1976, Deby specialized in oncology nursing since the early 2000s, passing the national oncology certification exam in 2011. She began discerning her call to the diaconate in 2001, was ordained October 26, 2008, and has served St. Stephen’s ever since. With her husband, Alan, she has six children—Jennifer, Stacey, Mike, Angie, Josh and Justin — and seventeen wonderful grandchildren, and a menagerie that includes two dogs, four cats, two horses, and fifteen chickens. Her hobbies include riding four-wheelers with the family, geocaching, crafts, gardening, hunting for fossils. She especially enjoys taking her grandkids to the woods to teach them about nature.