Meet The Staff

Pennie DeGroot - Director

How long have you been a parishioner of St. Laurence? Since 1999 (21 years)
 
Tell us about your family. Husband-Tom  Son-Wes  Daughter-Jacci  Granddaughters – Scarlett and Piper and Grandson – Auggie
 
What is your title?  My title is Director and my responsibilities are to: develop, enhance, coordinate, and maintain ministry programs that serve the needs of our community while offering parishioners opportunities to live their faith through service to others.
 
What draws you to the Social Concerns Ministry?  I’ve always had the heart to want to help others in need. I was inspired by my grandmother at a young age and then by my step-father who had 3 children of his own and then adopted all 5 of us. 
 
What unique gifts do you bring to your job here at St. Laurence? Compassion, understanding, and a passion for serving all of God’s people. 
 
What’s one thing you’ve discovered about SCM that you wish more people knew about? The overwhelming support and love from the parishioners which enable us to help so many people in need in our area. 
 
Anything else?  We have the best volunteers in the world – we couldn’t do our job without them!!

Nikki Agner - Outreach Coordinator

How long have you been a parishioner of St. Laurence?  25 years
 
Tell us about your family.  I grew up in Rosenberg and moved to Sugar Land when I married my husband Chris 24 years ago!  We have two daughters, Hannah (21) and Maddy (19).
 
What is your title?   My title is the Outreach Coordinator in the Social Concerns Ministry Office.  Currently, I take daily incoming requests for assistance, explain the many service opportunities that we offer, and try to help Pennie and Sylvia keep the office running as smoothly as possible.
 
What draws you to the Social Concerns Ministry?  My passion is helping people in any way I can.  I just love to hear people's stories and fill the gap, whether it's a listening ear, a meal, or just a smile and a hug.  I constantly think back on the Ladies Guild motto, taken from the Gospel of Matthew - 'To serve, not to be served.'
 
What unique gifts do you bring to your job here at St. Laurence?  After working in a High School for 8 years I just love teens so getting to see them as they begin to truly understand what it means to serve others is wonderful! I have great sensitivity and compassion towards others because we never truly know what could be weighing on someone's heart.
 
What’s one thing you’ve discovered about SCM that you wish more people knew about?  The amount of people and agencies that are served monthly due to the overwhelming generosity of our parishioners is truly unbelievable!  There is a way for everyone to serve and I am honored and privileged to witness this daily.
 
Anything else?  My family and I have made some of our very best friends by being parishioners at St. Laurence.  I encourage everyone to join a group or volunteer your time in some capacity as you just never know who God may place in your life here!

Sylvia Gutierrez - Workroom Coordinator
How long have you been a parishioner at St. Laurence? Over 15 years

Tell us about your family.  I was born and raised in Houston and moved to Sugar Land 18 years ago.  JD and I were married in October 2004 and we have a beautiful blended family with five amazing kids, Danielle (27), Anthony (26), Christian (24), Kyra (19), Caleb (14), and one grandson, Zachariah (2).

What is your title?  I am the Workroom Coordinator.  I maintain workroom organization, process donations for the various drives and outreach ministries, assist the weekly volunteer groups, and organize and prepare service hour projects. 

What draws you to the Social Concerns Ministry?  I have always been a giving and compassionate person, always willing and ready to help and give to others.  Yet it wasn't until I became involved with Social Concerns that I felt a true desire to serve and love others as Jesus did.  There are many aspects of this beautiful ministry that draw me in, but most of all it's the blessings and the impact Social Concerns has on so many lives that have captured my heart.

What unique gifts do you bring to your job here at St. Laurence?  I truly believe this is where the Lord has called me to use the gifts He has given me - patience, kindness, compassion, understanding, creativity, leadership, and the desire to always have a servant's heart.

What's one thing you've discovered about SCM that you wish more people knew about?  It is because of the amazing generosity and support of the St. Laurence parishioners and volunteers that SCM can help numerous agencies and people in crisis on a daily basis.

Anything Else?  There is always an opportunity to serve others as Jesus calls us to do.  Please take a few minutes to browse the SCM page and see what event and/or need calls to you.