Extravagant Generosity for 2025
Lay Witnesses

It takes courage and vulnerability to speak to others about the connection between faith and money in our life, and our four lay witnesses did a beautiful job. We invite you to watch one or more of these amazing reflections on extravagant generosity as you consider whether to make a financial commitment to St. Michael’s for 2025.

Meet Hilary Bellm
Hilary Bellm and her family, husband Brent and children Aaron (17) and Scarlett (13) have been members of St. Michael's since 2010 when they moved to Austin and saw the "Preschool Now Enrolling" sign up on the hill. It was a gift to find both a church and a preschool at the same time. Hilary served on the Board of the Day School for a number of years and has been involved in various ministries and leadership positions at the church, including serving on the Vestry, and as Senior Warden in 2019 and 2024 and on the Finance Commission. She is also a part-time member of the St. Michael's staff as Community Engagement Coordinator. Hilary is also an active volunteer at St. Stephen’s Episcopal School and enjoys walks with her dogs and friends and trying to grow things in her garden.

Meet John Boehm

Growing up comfortably in Houston, going to St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, and benefitting from great public schools and Scouting, I attended the University of Virginia. A junior year in Spain inspired me to live abroad. I joined the Foreign Service. Diann and I started our marriage in DC, but soon moved to the Philippines, where our daughter Rachel was born. The Foreign Service was a whipping boy for Congress, and we worried about the future. With no science, finance, or other marketable skills, what to do?

Off to UT Law! Again fortunate, I joined Fulbright & Jaworski in Austin and, after 21 years here, helped open its new offices in Dubai and Riyadh, where we stayed for 14 years. My last flight home was March 2, 2000—Covid time. Until 2021 we lived in Kingwood, then moved back to our Austin home and, blessing of blessings, found St. Michael’s.

Meet Mike Beasley

Mike Beasley, and his wife Agnes, have been members of St. Michael’s since 2003, shortly after the church moved from the Bee Caves location. They are enjoying the empty-nester phase of life with three adult children happily out on their own along with two grandsons. Mike served as treasurer for seven years and for several years following that, on the Finance Commission. He has also served on the Greeters team and is currently co-chair of the Columbarium Commission. The Beasleys moved to Williamson County, west of Georgetown, when their youngest son, Nathan, graduated from high school. After a brief period of “church shopping,” they realized that their church home had not really changed, it was now just an 80-mile round trip.

Meet Mary-Margaret Matranga

Mary-Margaret, a native of Tyler, Texas, holds degrees from the University of Texas at Austin and Rice University. She, her husband Daniel, and their two children, Eleanor (6) and Raymond (4), relocated from Houston to Austin in December 2020. In the spring of 2021, the family visited St. Michael’s and immediately felt drawn to its generous, welcoming community. In early 2024, Mary-Margaret joined the vestry, eager to contribute further to the church. After moving to Austin, she founded her own consulting firm, offering outsourced CFO and COO services to alternative asset managers. Outside of work, Mary-Margaret enjoys volunteering, reading, decorating for the holidays, and spending quality time with her children.