by Beth Fitz-Gibbon
Tristan Simpson, age 19, was elected to the Vestry of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Leavenworth at the 2024 Annual Meeting in January. Having studied at Kansas City Community College, Tristan works at the Fort Leavenworth U.S. Army base in Leavenworth as a certified HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) and EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) technician.
A lifelong member of St. Paul’s, and an occasional usher, Tristan felt a calling to become more involved in parish life. Participating in leadership as a member of the Vestry offered him the opportunity to give voice to the needs, interests, and concerns of Leavenworth-Lansing area youth and young adults.
Tristan’s goal for Vestry participation is two-fold: to keep church leaders aware of the importance of young people to the future of the parish, and to serve as a role model, inviting more youth and young adults to participate in parish life. His presence in Church and parish activities is a special inspiration for St. Paul’s young acolytes.
Tristan’s advice for attracting and retaining younger parish members is to embrace inclusion and be open to creating opportunities for young people to engage in activities and church leadership positions. Tristan is hopeful about the church and his parish, saying, “We have a beautiful future with contributions from young people.”When he’s not working at Ft. Leavenworth or volunteering at St. Paul’s, Tristan enjoys fishing, hunting, and playing sports.
835 SW Polk St.