My name is Reverend Deacon Florence Cooper Mitchell. I was ordained in 2022 as deacon in the Dioceses of Atlanta. Prior to becoming a deacon I taught science in the following Georgia counties and city school districts: Dooly, Crisp, Dougherty and Atlanta Public Schools. During my tenure as an educator I taught: chemistry, biology, physical science, mathematics, forensic science and environmental sciences. I was born in Brooks County Georgia and reared on my maternal grandparents’ farm in Quitman, Georgia. Upon graduation from Brooks County High School, I enrolled in Fort Valley State College where I earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Chemistry. I continued my education by earning a Master of Science in Biology from Albany State University.
I augmented my studies by earning a Specialist Degree in Education Supervision and Administration and becoming a certified Student Teacher Support Specialist. I acquired readings endorsement and gifted endorsement to better meet the needs of the students assigned to my classes. In addition to being a public school teacher I served as coach to my school’s Academic Decathlon Team and we excelled to state completion 16 years out 18. To better prepare my high school students, I worked as an adjutant professor at Albany State University and Atlanta Metropolitan College to gather data on the skills college students needed to be successful.
While I was in college, I met my husband of 47 years and we raised two children, Reginald and Vikki. Upon the birth of our son we were drawn to the Episcopal Church as a compromise to the faith we were reared Pentecostal and Baptist. We joined St John Episcopal Church in Albany Georgia which was in the Dioceses of Georgia until the 500 year flood of 1994. Before the flood destroyed the foundation of the church, I served as the Coordinator of Christian Education. We merged with St Mark Episcopal Church and became St. John St. Mark Episcopal Church. Upon our migration to Atlanta, we joined the Episcopal Church of the Incarnation where I became active with the Altar Guild, organize and directed Clarence HANDS (a Food Pantry to support students attending schools in the Atlanta University Center who cannot afford a meal plan). I joined Education for Ministry (EFM) at St. Luke Episcopal Church downtown Atlanta and completed it during the pandemic thanks to Zoom. I learned about Daughters of the King (DOK) and re –activated the Incarnation’s St. Margaret Chapter and became the president. After retirement from the state of Georgia’s classroom, I became a volunteer at Pruitt Health Home (PHH) in South Fulton City, Georgia. Shortly after working at PHH I realized I needed further training to meet the needs of the clients at. PHH. I earned a Master of Christian Counseling from Atlanta Bible School and a license General Chaplain in the state of Georgia. After a year of service this was not meeting the needs of the patients my church sponsored me to be a candidate for deacon in the Diocese of Atlanta making it possible to serve the patient full religious needs such as communion, grief care, pastoral counseling, etc.
My free time is spent in several ways. First self care I exercise three days a week and substitute for teachers who have medical or family emergency. During my substitute time I lend an ear to students who needs one. Also, my beloved sorority, Zeta Phi Beta is where I serve as Chaplain and help to identify needs in the community where we focus our energy to bring God’s love to those in need.
Karen Dickey was born and raised in Greenville, South Carolina and has called Atlanta home for the last 28 years. She received her bachelor’s degree in accounting from North Carolina A&T State University and her master’s degree in accounting from Keller Graduate School of Business. Karen has been involved in church accounting for the last 10 years. She considers church accounting “her ministry” where her skill, working with God’s people, and passion for social justice intersects. Her hope is to use her gifts to enhance St. Bartholomew’s community centered mission.
Karen is the mother of a son and loves all things sports, listening to all genres of music, and spending time with family/friends.
“Life is too short not to gladden it with your presence.”
Maquita is a published storyteller with a deeply rooted dedication to truth-seeking and narrative change work in overlooked communities. Maquita has seven years of experience in marketing and content communications for the financial, higher education, and government sectors. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts in English with an emphasis in Journalism. She was the editor-in-chief of two teen magazines, the author of three books, and now ghostwrites and documents some of life’s precious moments through video, podcast, and an online journal.
She’s mom to a remarkable teenager and enjoys hiking, spending time with family/friends, and frequenting the beach.
Some scriptures that guide her are John 15:5, Revelation 1:19, and Romans 12:2.
My name is Rev. Shirley Porter. I am a Priest Associate at St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church at the invite of the Rector, Rev. Dr. Angela Shepherd, and I look forward to meeting with you!
I have been assisting within St. Bartholomew’s for about a year and think you may want to know some background information about me. I was born in Hartford, Connecticut, and raised in Seattle, Washington. I graduated from Washington State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Asian Studies. I worked in East Asia, teaching English as a Foreign/Second Language, for nine years.
Upon return to the United States, I was a missionary for the Episcopal Church in New York City, and in 1991 came to Atlanta, Georgia, and St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church. At St. Bartholomew’s Church, I served as the Children’s Christian Education Coordinator for approximately nine months. At the end of my term as Christian Education Coordinator, I began attending the Church of the Epiphany and went through Discernment of the Priesthood. After attending Virginia Theological Seminary in 2013, I became an ordained Priest and shepherded St. James in Macon, Georgia, and St. Christopher’s at the Crossroads in Perry, Georgia. In 2023, I graduated from Emory’s Chaplain training program. In August 2023, I was invited to be a Compassion-Centered Spiritual Health [CCSH] Fellow . I will be assigned to Peachford Behavioral Hospital in Dunwoody to work with children and youth [ages 5-13] in Mental Health.
Hello, I’m Kristi Painter is St. Bartholomew’s Parish Administrator. Kristi has a Master of Divinity from Candler School of Theology and a degree in Industrial Engineering from The Georgia Institute of Technology. She recently moved back to Atlanta after spending several years in Philadelphia working as a United Methodist young adult missionary with a homeless services organization. Her calling is assisting congregations in living out their faith through both service and advocacy.
Kristi is an avid reader, runner, and crafter. She and her husband, Juan, are parents to three rescue animals (two dogs and a cat) and enjoy exploring new restaurants together and new walking trails with their dogs.
Hello, I’m Djalia Uwimana, a second-year international student in the Master of Divinity program at Candler School of Theology. A little bit about me, I’m from Rwanda, the land of a thousand hills and mountains. I love to travel, and I have a deep love for languages, music, arts, and learning about different cultures. I enjoy hiking, and I appreciate the beauty and power of silence. Before joining Candler, I had a career in the pharmaceutical industry, where I worked as a pharmacist in a community/retail pharmacy and hospital pharmacy. A fun fact about me: I left my professional life, my family, and my friends and moved to Lambeth Palace in the heart of London to join the community of St Anselm, an ecumenical religious order of young people devoted to prayer, theological study, and service to the poor started by the Archbishop of Canterbury to become a monk for a year. I served as a hospital chaplain while living in the UK.
I’m passionate about the intersection of mental health/trauma, gender, and sexuality in the Hebrew Bible. I believe that the love of God in the person of Jesus Christ brings us together by creating safety, inclusion, healing, and purpose. That love empowers the marginalized and stigmatized populations and us. I am thrilled to get to know you and be with you at St Bart’s Episcopal Church. I hope to learn and nurture what makes our faith flourish, and I’m looking forward to seeing how the Spirit of the Lord moves in this community.
The Rev. Alex Sherrill is the Assistant to the Rector in ministry to Children, Youth and Families. Alex received his Master of Divinity degree from Candler School of Theology at Emory University and was ordained a Priest in 2020. Alex was brought up in the Episcopal Church in North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia.
While engaged as a parishioner at St. Luke’s Atlanta, Alex felt drawn to ministering to youth and children’s communities in a number of programs, and much of his work in the parish led to his exploration of a deeper call to ministry. Alex is committed to exploring ways to engage community members of all ages into conversation with faith and he feels drawn to exploring the work of Christ through the work of inclusion & accessibility, healing and living into the Baptismal Covenant of “loving our neighbors as ourselves” and “respecting the dignity of every human being.”
Alex completed a one-year clinical pastoral education (CPE) Chaplain residency with Emory Healthcare in 2021 providing spiritual support to patients, their families and staff. Alex lives in the Decatur area with his wife, Anna, their two children, and their two dogs. Alex enjoys spending his free time outdoors and reading some good fiction.
The Rev. Canon Dr. Angela F. Shepherd is the seventh rector of St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church, a congregation deeply committed to radical hospitality, social justice, Christian formation, worship, and music. Mother Angela’s tenure began in March of 2018 making her the first woman and African American to be called as rector. She is a contemplative, Gospel based strategist who enjoys bringing people closer to God and working with others for the common good.
Mother Angela was ordained deacon and priest in 1996. Prior to moving to Atlanta, she enjoyed a rich and wide-ranging ministry in the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland where she served on the Bishop’s staff for seven years as Canon for Mission (2010 – 2018) and rector of St. Philip’s, Annapolis (1999-2010). Her first call was to St. Augustine’s, Youngstown, Ohio where she was vicar (1996-1999).
In addition to leading congregations her ordained ministry has included: programs that supported children and youth, chief operation officer for Sutton Scholars High School Enrichment Program, chairperson Truth and Reconciliation Commission, ministries that dismantled racism, cared for the environment, and public policy; working with vestries by leading retreats, workshops and making presentations covering various topics.
Angela’s commitment to the Episcopal Church extends beyond the nave. Her gifts and skills have been shared in three dioceses and the broader church: Commission on Ministry, Standing Committee, General Convention Deputy in 2003, 2006, 2009, Diocesan Chaplain to Daughters of the King, Diocesan Council, Budget and Finance, Disciplinary Board for Bishops, and the Executive Council Committee on Antiracism. As a public theologian she has given time to a variety of civic boards, marched in rallies, and testified before the state legislature, putting her faith in action.
Dr. Shepherd is a lifelong learner, who earned a Doctor of Ministry degree with a concentration in Becoming Beloved Community from McCormick Theological Seminary, Chicago, Master of Divinity degree from the former Seabury Theological Seminary, Evanston, IL where she received the Field Prize for homiletics. A curiosity for money and faith led to the completion of an Executive Certificate in Religious Fundraising from Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. She also holds degrees in human resources development and business administration, and marketing.
Angela enjoys exploring the intersection between contemporary Christianity and culture, travel, smooth jazz, houseplants, the outdoors, fine arts, Bikram yoga, and sporting events. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Daughters of the King, Union of Black Episcopalians, and Episcopal Preaching Foundation faculty member.
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:4-7
Debbie Kerr was born in Atlanta, Georgia, but as a teenager moved to South Africa with her parents. During the 29 years in Johannesburg, Debbie spent 17 years in typesetting, proofreading, and graphic design for local printing companies. Since her return to Atlanta in 1999, she has been providing organizational support and graphic design to small businesses.
The Rev. Peter Wallace is executive producer and host of the “Day1” radio program/podcast/internet ministry (Day1.org), which airs on over 200 radio stations (in Atlanta on WSB AM 750 and 95.5 FM Sundays at 7:05 a.m.). He is the author of 10 books, including Getting to Know Jesus (Again): Meditations for Lent; The Passionate Jesus: What We Can Learn from Jesus About Love, Fear, Grief, Joy, and Living Authentically; and Connected: You and God in the Psalms. He is the editor of a church formation resource, Faith and Science in the 21st Century: A Postmodern Primer, as well as Heart and Soul: The Emotions of Jesus and the forthcoming Bread Enough for All: A Day1 Guide to Life. Ordained in 2014, he has served in several parishes in the Diocese of Atlanta. His website is www.PeterMWallace.com. He and his spouse, Dan Le, live in Midtown.
The Rev. Dr. Stefanie Taylor is an Episcopal priest with a Master of Divinity degree from The General Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Educational Ministry degree from The Columbia Theological Seminary. She serves as chaplain of St. Martin’s Episcopal School in Atlanta. She also works alongside her husband, a psychologist, speaking and facilitating groups. The Taylors have been working together in the field of integrative spirituality and positive psychology since they were married ten years ago. In that time, they have discovered that interacting with people on strictly a spiritual or psychological level is lacking. Human beings, whether they believe in God or not, are more than just physical or mental species; there is a soul to be accounted for and it needs to be nourished, healed and given attention. This work has led them to study the “wisdom path” under The Reverend Cynthia Bourgeault where they have completed several wisdom schools and began a contemplative path. Stefanie is passionate about the education and formation of children and adults, paying close attention to the gifts and challenges of each life stage.
Audry Gagnon serves as the Parish Administrator. A lifelong Episcopalian, she grew up in the Atlanta area and graduated from UGA with degrees in International Affairs and Religious Studies. Before joining the staff Audry served as an intern in the Episcopal Service Corps in Maryland as the Intern for Mission at the Diocese of Maryland.
Stephen Frketic is passionate about the power of sacred music to bring people of all ages and backgrounds together. He seeks to expose people to a diverse musical repertoire drawn not only from our superb Anglican choral tradition, but also from the great body of spirituals and the music of living composers.
Stephen is a native of Jacksonville, Florida. He obtained his Bachelors degree in Organ Performance from Indiana University’s prestigious Jacobs School of Music, and completed his Masters degree in Choral Conducting at the University of Toronto in 2013.
During his musical tenure in Toronto, Stephen worked with multiple choirs, and led his church choir on tours to Montréal, Québec City, Dublin, Ireland, and Oxford, England. He is also a recent Past-President of the Toronto Centre of the Royal Canadian College of Organists. Before pursuing his graduate studies, Stephen worked as a high school choir director in Houston, Texas, and also as an English Language Instructor in Tokyo. His husband Anson is a research scientist at Emory University in the department of human genetics.
Kenneth Hilson serves as Kitchen Manager and Sexton where he handles building maintenance and repairs, while also preparing meals for weekly church functions. Kenny joined the staff in 2005, part-time as Kitchen Manager. In 2007, he became the church Sexton, as well, serving the Parish on a full-time basis. Kenny is married and has 3 children.
Deacon Katharine Hilliard-Yntema joined the staff of St. Bartholomew in December 2018. She was ordained in the Diocese of Atlanta in 2011. She has served at Holy Comforter Episcopal Church, Atlanta from 2011 to 2014 and St. Timothy’s, Decatur from 2014 to 2018. She had practiced psychiatry in a number of settings (private practice, care of mentally retarded patients, children in foster care, community mental health centers, correctional detention centers, Army Behavioral Health Center) until her retirement from the practice of medicine in 2011.
She has been active in leading worship and singing in skilled nursing homes since 2005. She continues volunteer activity in the Arts Program of the Holy Comforter Friendship Center (http://www.friendshipcenter-atlanta.org), helping with weaving and other textile crafts. She is a life vowed member of the Society of Saint Anna the Prophet (annasisters.org) following vows of Simplicity, Creativity and Balance.
She welcomes others joining her in giving a voice to those who have been marginalized in our society by poverty, illness, racial bias, and lack of competent representation in the criminal justice system. She very much enjoys reading to students as part of the Everybody Wins Power Lunch Program (http://www.everybodywinsatlanta.org/power-lunch/).
The Rev. Bill Deneke, is Assisting Priest at St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church. A native of Texas, has served churches in North Carolina, Virginia and Georgia. He came to Atlanta in 2000 as rector of Holy Trinity Parish in Decatur and served in that position for ten years until his retirement. Since then he has been an interim rector in the diocese on several occasions and also serves as a church transition consultant.
Among Bill’s interests is the development of clean water sources in communities where they do not exist. He serves on the board of Water, Life, Hope, which provides clean water to people in Haiti. In addition, he has led numerous mission trips to Honduras. Bill is married to the Rev. Dr. Deborah Silver. They live in Decatur with their Tibetan Terrier, Toby. They have two grandchildren.
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