Clergy & Staff

Please see our church website for a full biographies and a complete list of the wonderful people who serve St. John’s professionally. Some of the faces you’ll see on Sunday morning follow.

The Rev. Sarah D. Máto, Associate Rector

Sarah has served St. John’s as Associate Rector since June, 2022, and as Bridge Priest between Fr. Tim’s departure and the arrival of our interim rector. Previously, she served as the rector of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in North Andover, Mass., and as the Assistant Rector of the Church of the Holy Spirit in Orleans, Mass.

Sarah was ordained to the diaconate and to the priesthood in the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts. She is also an associate of the Society of St. Margaret. Sarah received a Master of Divinity, a Certificate in Spirituality, an advanced Masters in Sacred Theology, and is currently working on a Doctor of Ministry Degree from Sewanee School of Theology in Tennessee.

Prior to seminary, she received a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Capital University in Columbus, Ohio, and taught in the public school system for several years. A trained soprano, Sarah studied voice at the Capital University Conservatory of Music and has sung and soloed in many choirs. Sarah loves being a mom to her two young children, Aidan and Anna.

Elisabeth “Buffy” Gray, Organist/Choirmaster

Buffy Gray has been serving as the Organist and Choirmaster at St. John’s since 2015. Originally from New Jersey, Buffy is the daughter of a church organist and has had a lifelong vocation in church music. She has a degree in Church Music and Organ from Westminster Choir College and has been serving in Episcopal churches in the Boston area since 1996.

Buffy is a skilled liturgist and outstanding choral director who focuses on enabling volunteer singers to perform music of the Anglican choral repertoire to a high standard. She is also passionate about teaching children to sing and has led several successful youth choirs including St. John’s Choristers.

Rev. Robert Edson, Rector Emeritus

The Rev. Robert Edson graduated with a B.A. from Tusculum College, Greeneville, Tenn., in 1963, and earned his Master of Divinity from the Episcopal Theological School in Cambridge, Mass., in 1966. He was ordained to the diaconate in 1966 and to the priesthood in 1967 in the Washington National Cathedral. He served in parishes around Washington D.C. and New York state, and was the rector of Saint John’s from 1981 until he retired in 2007.

Fr. Robert continues to serve St. John’s as Rector Emeritus and Pastoral Associate, having assumed these roles at the invitation of our prior Rector.

Alexis MacElhiney, Sunday School Director & Youth Coordinator

St. John’s robust church school program grew under Alexis’ leadership from 2015–2000, and we were delighted to welcome her back to the position in 2022. She has lived in Hingham for the past 17 years with her husband and two boys. She grew up in Knoxville, Tenn., and received her Bachelor’s degree in Finance from the University of Tennessee. Alexis has also served St. John’s as Treasurer and a member of the Vestry.