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VESTRY
The Vestry is comprised of laypersons who have been elected by the membership of St. Benedict's to oversee the business of the parish.
Courtenay Wallace, Sr. Warden
Courtney grew up in South Carolina and is a lifelong Episcopalian. She found St. Benedict's in 2010 when she and husband, Rob were expecting their daughter, McKay, and wanted a church that was closer to home and had a youth presence. They have loved the welcoming community and the wonderful opportunities to serve God here. When Courtenay is not running McKay around, she enjoys playing bocce, reading, traveling, hiking, and watching movies.
Julie Savini, Jr. Warden
Julie was born and raised in South Florida, and baptized, confirmed and educated in the Roman Catholic faith. She has lived in Smyrna for more than 30 years and discovered the welcoming St. Benedict’s community in 2015. Since then, she walks her daily path with Jesus and the St. Benedict’s community, which deepens her faith and practice of spiritual formation through the love and learning ever present at the parish. Julie cherishes the time she spends with her adult daughters and enjoys traveling.
Jeff Cain
Jeff and husband Todd moved to Smyrna six years ago. After their first visit to St. Benedict’s, they looked at each other as they walked to their car and said, “This is where we are meant to be.” Jeff and Todd find St. Benedict’s to be a welcoming and affirming church. When not working in their home-building business, Jeff and Todd enjoy spending time with their dogs, Winston and Bentley, and traveling throughout the Caribbean.
Bill Frank
Bill, wife Jeanne, and son Ryan live in Vinings, and have been parishioners at St. Benedict's for 10 years. Their three older daughters live in Chicago, Dublin, Ireland, and Atlanta. Since retiring at the end of 2021, Bill spends most of his time volunteering and golfing. Since Jeanne’s recent retirement and Ryan’s looming departure for college, they will soon be empty nesters and plan to travel much more. Both Bill and Jeanne were received into the Episcopal Church in March 2023. Having both grown up Roman Catholic, they find the Episcopal Church and St. Benedict’s to be very welcoming.
Phyllis Seitz
Phyllis was introduced to the Christian faith as a child in Vacation Bible School and Sunday School. Surrounded by faithful adults, she gradually began to have a concept of the sovereignty of God and the saving grace of Christ. Bolstered by a rigorous confirmation class, an active youth group, a youth choir, and strong preaching, her commitment grew. In 2008, Phyllis and her husband became members in the life of St. Benedict’s. The embracing of faith has given infinite meaning to her life and demanded a responsive discipleship.
Kerry Thomas
Kerry was born and raised in the Midwest by Roman Catholic parents. As a lifelong Christian, she spent many years visiting various churches and denominations in the Atlanta area in search of her church home and community. In January 2019, Kerry and husband Joe were invited to join friends for a service at St. Benedict’s and they have attended ever since. As a gerontologist, Kerry has a passion for seeing older adults thrive with age, devoting much of her professional and personal life to providing social enrichment opportunities for elders in the Atlanta community. She loves spending free time with friends and her adult children.
Pat Engel
An Atlantan since 1966, Pat has been a member of several Episcopal churches, but since 2012 she has worshiped at St. Benedict’s Episcopal Church (by way of St. Benedict’s Episcopal School). Her faith has grown and been nurtured at St. Benedict’s by its warm and inclusive parishioners, as well as by EFM, adult formation, small group, bible study, and serving on the Flower Guild and Vestry. Since retiring from 35 years in education, Pat enjoys spending time with her family (trying to keep up with her grandchildren) and friends, traveling, and reading.
Daphne Gary
I am a widow with a daughter, a son-in-law, and a grandson. They live in Harrisonburg Virginia. I was born in Kingston, Jamaica, and attended St. Hugh’s High School, an all-girls Anglican school before migrating to the USA. I graduated from Georgia State University with a BA in Risk Management.
After working for General Reinsurance for thirty-three years, I retired as a Second Vice President Claim Executive. My responsibilities include performing analysis of major losses and determine the contractual obligation, as well as managing nine claim analysts. I was the primary liaison with clients and management concerning contract issues. I had the opportunity to be on the Advisory Board of the Southeastern Claim Executive Association for three years.
Before becoming a member of St. Benedict’s, I attended Christ Church Episcopal Norcross for thirty-two years. I served on the Vestry twice and was the Senior Warden for two years. My involvement includes being on several committees, such as Finance, Stewardship, Parish Life, and Outreach. As a member of Christ Church Outreach committee, I made numerous mission trips to Mexico and Haiti.
Since 1992, I have been the leader of a group of women (Sisters of Service) preforming community service throughout the city of Atlanta. We adopted Nicholas House Inc. a family shelter in downtown Atlanta, as our main focus. At Nicholas House we provide and serve dinner to the residents every Monday evening. I became a Board member of Nicholas House Inc. from 2009 to 2012. As a result of my community service involvement, during the 1996 Atlanta Olympic, I was selected as a torchbearer.
Fun facts about me; I still enjoy subbing here at St. Benedict’s Episcopal School after nine years. I am a big tennis and soccer fan. Over the years, I attended tennis matches at the US Open, Roland Garros, and Wimbledon. I have also attended World Cup soccer matches in Paris, South Africa, and Germany. I love to cook.
After working for General Reinsurance for thirty-three years, I retired as a Second Vice President Claim Executive. My responsibilities include performing analysis of major losses and determine the contractual obligation, as well as managing nine claim analysts. I was the primary liaison with clients and management concerning contract issues. I had the opportunity to be on the Advisory Board of the Southeastern Claim Executive Association for three years.
Before becoming a member of St. Benedict’s, I attended Christ Church Episcopal Norcross for thirty-two years. I served on the Vestry twice and was the Senior Warden for two years. My involvement includes being on several committees, such as Finance, Stewardship, Parish Life, and Outreach. As a member of Christ Church Outreach committee, I made numerous mission trips to Mexico and Haiti.
Since 1992, I have been the leader of a group of women (Sisters of Service) preforming community service throughout the city of Atlanta. We adopted Nicholas House Inc. a family shelter in downtown Atlanta, as our main focus. At Nicholas House we provide and serve dinner to the residents every Monday evening. I became a Board member of Nicholas House Inc. from 2009 to 2012. As a result of my community service involvement, during the 1996 Atlanta Olympic, I was selected as a torchbearer.
Fun facts about me; I still enjoy subbing here at St. Benedict’s Episcopal School after nine years. I am a big tennis and soccer fan. Over the years, I attended tennis matches at the US Open, Roland Garros, and Wimbledon. I have also attended World Cup soccer matches in Paris, South Africa, and Germany. I love to cook.
Bart Quisenberry
My wife, Mari-Lynn and I joined St. Benedict’s in 2022 after just a few visits and were confirmed at The Cathedral the next spring. We immediately felt we were home. Both of us were brought up in Baptist churches, and we embrace the Episcopal traditions we continue to discover. For me, at least, I have always found that a church family can provide deep foundational nurture and support, so I looked for the signs of a faith community when visiting new churches, and I certainly found it here.
Chris Wiley
My wife, Kate, and two sons Ethan and Jonathan, have been at St. Benedict’s since we started in the Campbell Jr. High gymnasium. My kids attended St. Benedict’s school from elementary through the 8th grade. Ethan graduated from the IB program at Campbell high school and is in his third year at the University of Florida. Jonathan is a senior in the Campbell IB program and is anxiously awaiting word from schools. I am from south Alabama and Kate is from Colorado...we met in a “20’s/30’s” group at the Cathedral of St. Philip’s. I work in engineering sales and Kate teaches nutrition at Georgia State University. We have both been active in St. Benedict’s throughout the years and are looking forward to what we can do in the future.
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