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About the Snowmass Chapel
staff bios | board leadership | leadership expectations | book of discipline | bylaws | financials
Our Mission
“To love the Lord our God with all we are, all we have, and all we will become, and to love others as ourselves.”
Our Vision
“To experience the challenge and adventure of knowing and serving Jesus Christ.”
Our Motto
“Live the adventure.”
Chapel Leadership
The Rev. Dr. Robert de Wetter – Senior Pastor
Robert grew up in El Paso, Texas with his parents and two brothers. At age 11 his family moved to Los Angeles where he attended the San Marino Schools, Pasadena City College, and UCLA where he received his BA, MA, and Ph.D. in psychology. Robert practiced as a psychologist for a number of years before attending seminary at the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee. At Sewanee, Robert received his M.Div.
Robert served at Epiphany Sherwood, Tennessee, St. Paul’s, Concord, New Hampshire, and St. James’ in Skaneateles, New York, all Episcopal parishes. Robert is canonically resident in the Diocese of Central New York.
Robert now serves as our senior pastor and is joined in Snowmass by his wife of 20 years, Regina, and their three children, Elizabeth, Catherine, and Peter, who all attend Aspen Schools. Robert and his family are thrilled to be in the Rocky Mountain west, are avid skiers and are passionate about fly-fishing and the great outdoors.
Miss Caroline Gibson – Administrative Director
Caroline grew up in a small coastal town, Eliot, Maine, with her parents and older brother, Chris. From an early age, she enjoyed being involved in her community. Some of her favorite experiences were volunteering at Rotary events such as the Thanksgiving Dinner, the annual Auction and the Chicken BBQ with her dad, who has been a Rotarian since 1993. She also was very involved with the Salvation Army soup kitchen as an active monthly volunteer and co-chair with her mother for more than 9 years. Caroline also was a committed member of her church as a senior altar server throughout her school years before attending college.
She studied Engineering and Math at Lafayette College for one year before taking a year to explore the working place. Caroline worked at Bretton Woods Ski Area as the Assistant Manager of the Ticket and Season Pass office where she was challenged and taught about the many aspects of the business and ski operations. Upon finding her niche in business, customer service and interaction within a ski community, she transferred to Saint Michael’s College in Colchester, Vermont to study Business Administration and Marketing with a concentration in Finance. Caroline continued to stay connected to Bretton Woods by working long weekends and vacations while in college to expand her knowledge and love for working with people. On campus, Caroline participated in LEAP and Emmaus retreats, was an Orientation Leader for two years, a member of the Wilderness Program, a representative for the Student Association and an officer of the Ski and Snowboard Club.
Caroline moved to Snowmass Village in June and joined the Chapel staff in August. In the warmer weather, Caroline loves exploring the surrounding trails and activities outdoors, whether it is on her mountain bike or own two feet. She enjoys swimming and playing tennis as well. Even though she enjoys Colorado summers, Caroline lives for the snow. It is what initially lured her to Snowmass Village. In her mind, there is nothing better than flying down the mountain on her skis!
In her spare time, Caroline volunteers at many local events and charities. She is very happy to be a member of the Snowmass Village Rotary Club. She finds these great ways to not only meet people but become acclimated with the culture of the Roaring Fork Valley.
From first learning about the Snowmass Chapel and how much it does for the community, Caroline has been enthusiastic and anxious to actively participate. She believes as Administrative Director, it will be the perfect way for her to be involved with and give back to the community, challenge herself each day and to bring new ideas to life.
Mr. Paul Dankers
Paul Dankers received his High School diploma from Valley Christian School in St. Croix Falls, WI, where he grew up. The next 4 years were spent doing informal training and volunteer work in computers and music in organizations such as Bill Gothard’s headquarters for the Institute in Basic Life Principles; Intervarsity Christian Fellowship’s summer Camp, Cedar Campus; Whitecap Mountains in Iron Belt, WI; and Unity Public Schools in Balsam Lake, WI. Feeling a call to music and public education, Paul decided to go back to school and received his Bachelor’s Degree in Choral Music Education from the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire. Immediately out of college, he accepted his first professional job teaching 6-12 grade vocal music in Lomira, WI. While teaching Lomira, Paul founded the Lomira Community Theatre and directed four shows for them. During this time, he went back to school and received his Master’s Degree in Vocal Music Education from the University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg. After teaching in Lomira for 6 years, he accepted a job teaching Vocal Music as well as Theory and Composition at Aspen Middle and High school, Grades 5-12. It was the fall of 2005 when Paul began working part time at the Snowmass Chapel, filling in when Marty Pickett could not be there to play the organ and directing the Christmas and Easter Choirs. In the fall of 2006, he was hired full time as the Music Director. Since coming to Aspen, Paul has appeared with Aspen Community Theatre in the pit orchestra for Sound of Music and Music Man. He was the vocal director for She Loves Me and played the roles of Pippin in Pippin and Nachum in Fiddler on the Roof. He has soloed for Susan Nicholson at the Aspen Chapel, sung in Andrew Todd’s choir at Christ Church, played and sung with Symphony In The Valley, played in the pit, and held performing roles with Theatre Aspen, and soloed with the Aspen Choral Society under Ray Adams. Paul’s major instruments are Piano, Voice and Flute, and he plays a little bit of guitar. At the Snowmass Chapel, Paul’s major roles are to accompany Sunday Services, Organize and Direct the Christmas and Easter Choirs and Orchestra, Creative Director of the Snowmass Chapel’s Winter Concert Series, provide IT support to the Staff of the Chapel, and keep all of the technology at the Chapel current and functioning.
For fun, Paul enjoys hiking and camping in the mountains, keeping up with his friends on Facebook, and all of the usual reading, food, red wine, movies and music.
Mrs. Sue de Campo - Volunteer and Event Coordinator
Sue Kohak de Campo grew up in Hingham, Massachusetts (south of Boston) with her parents and two sisters. Summers were spent sailing and working at Girl Scout camps. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in English Language and Literature from Boston University before going on to earn an M.Ed. with certification to teach high school English. In 1990 Sue moved to Aspen to be with (now her husband) Richard. She worked in banking for thirteen years before becoming a full time Mom to Chris. Her favorite things to do in her few spare minutes are reading, singing, helping others, playing the piano and travelling. Sue is thrilled to be working at the Chapel and getting to know the community and all of you!
At Snowmass Chapel, we have a group of dedicated people who have answered God’s call to help lead the Chapel.
We have an Executive Committee which is made up of five members. The Executive Committee meets quarterly along with the Board of Trustees, but is in frequent and as needed consultation with the Senior Pastor.
The Board of Trustees meets at least quarterly and establishes the budget along with discerning God’s direction for the Chapel. Both the Executive Committee and the Board of Trustees are voting members as guided by our bylaws and book of discipline.
As our Friends of the Chapel are from all over the country, we have established a National Advisory Board whose non-voting role is to offer guidance, wisdom and support to the leadership of the Chapel.
Below are our current board members.
The Executive Committee
Jim Light, Chip Schorr IV, Dirk Gosda, Heather Beach, Open Position.
The Board of Trustees
Heather Beach, Joe Farrell, Nancy Ferguson, Marion Garrett, Dirk Gosda, Melanie Humphrey, Beth Hunter, Jim Light (Chair), Judi Loubier, Chuck Maker, Howard Rudge, Lois Sando, Chip Schorr IV, Frank Shelden, Ellie Striegler.
The National Advisory Board
Kathy Arnold, Joan Bemis, Barbara Burwell, Jody Fail Kathryn Finley, Greg Lykins, Barbara Mandrell, Jim Raaf, Guy Rutland, Linda Rutland, Paul Schorr III, Debbie Shore, Jeanene Stephens, Jim Toffey, J.W. Vandeveer, Jeff Wandell, Nan Williamson, Tom Wood, Charles Wyly, Martha Yocum, Robert McNamara, Emeritus, 1916-2009..
The following is a work in progress and under discussion for the expectations we have for those who hold positions of leadership at the Chapel.
We uphold the leadership qualifications prescribed in 1 Peter 5:2-3, 1 Timothy 3:2-7 and Titus 1:6-9.* In addition, we believe leaders should:
• Have a committed and devoted relationship with Jesus Christ.
• Be open to new vision and the dynamic changing nature of prevailing churches and embrace the inherent adventure of following Jesus.
• Strive to lead people into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ.
• Be prayerful people who have daily personal prayer time with the Lord.
• Be committed to being good stewards of Church resources and personally strive towards tithing.
• Be active and committed to the mission, vision, and values of the Chapel.
• Seek to live out the love of Jesus in all areas of life and service.
• Be team players, willing to work together to bring glory to God and to mutually encourage and support one another.
• Be humble and fundamentally understand that all glory and honor belongs to God.
• Seek to study, engage, and live by the Holy Scriptures.
• Understand that a church is called to be fundamentally outward not inward looking.
• Be willing to step boldly out in faith, make tough calls, and to do what it takes to move the mission of the Chapel forward.
• Engage in self-care and the care of other leaders.
• Embrace the fundamentals of honesty, integrity, and the ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Commit to study leadership and the principles and practices of those who lead effectively.
• Understand and respect differing views, perspectives, and opinions.
• Appreciate the importance of humor.
• Acknowledge the unique gifts, strengths, and efforts of others.
• Endorse out of the box and creative thinking and ideas.
* 1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:6: The language in these verses is gender exclusive and assumes a man married to a woman, reflecting the spirit of the times in which it was written. At Snowmass Chapel, in accordance with Scripture, we wholly affirm the equal role of women at all levels of leadership in the church, both lay and ordained. We also accept those into leadership positions who are single or in committed, monogamous, loving, long-term relationships. There are times when marriage is not possible (e.g., widowed persons in a loving, committed relationship, but to marry would cause the loss of health insurance, social security, or other benefits.).
1 Timothy 3:4-5; Titus 1:6: The intent of these passages is not to suggest that all leaders must have children or be parents. What is clear is that if one does have children, that a leader will be a loving, committed, and attentive parent meeting the needs of the child as God would have the parent meet those needs.
Book of Discipline
The included document, our Book of Discipline, and its contents are used to inform and guide the Christian Ministry of the Snowmass Chapel.
Bylaws adopted on December 30, 2002
Bylaws adopted on December 30, 2002 with Admendments adopted on December 27, 2005
Resolution from July 7, 2008
Our Monthly financials are public record. Please contact Caroline at caroline@snowmasschapel.org if you have any questions.
