St. Benedict's Vestry

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.

Phyllis Seitz

1. What should your parish family know about you?

My introduction to faith and to the church began when I first attended Vacation Bible School at Hamilton Presbyterian Church in Baltimore, Maryland, where I did much of my growing up. Sunday School and Youth Choir followed, and at the end of a serious Confirmation Class, I was baptized by immersion and confirmed as a Christian and church member shortly before I was twelve. I remained Presbyterian for what passes as the first half of my life, but, after my move to Atlanta in 1981, the church nearby was Holy Innocents Episcopal, and, since Bill Seitz had both Presbyterian and Episcopal roots, he introduced me to the Episcopal Church, and it seemed a good fit.

Bill and I married late and had no children together, but we shared the ones we already had and were happy to enlarge our family so instantly. I am a teacher by profession and taught about five years in Florida and then about twenty-two years here in Atlanta before retirement.

2. What are your hopes for St. Benedict’s?

My hopes for St. Benedict’s are that we continue to be the household of God here in Smyrna—a beacon on the hill, a light to the community. My prayer would be that we continue to offer inspiring worship, empathic pastoral care, enriching Christian education at all levels, and that, as the Body of Christ, we grow in grace, service, and sacrificial giving.

3. What gift do you bring to the Vestry service?

I offer to the Vestry my Christian commitment, as well as fairly unstructured time, and whatever skills and talents are mine. I am freer now to give away what has been given to me, so I relish the opportunity. Perhaps I also bring the gift of years and a veteran’s status, for I have been seriously engaged in various roles in the church for decades.

4. Tell us about Jesus in this season in your life.

I am grateful that it was as a child that I met Christ and that, by belonging to Him, the years of my earthbound life were somehow hallowed or made whole. Now, in this season of my life, I am very aware of my mortality, and my faith in my Lord, who overcame death, is a great comfort.

Bill Frank

1. What should your parish family know about you?

I’m recently retired from a 35 year medical business career. During this time I’ve moved from Chicago to New Jersey and ended up in Atlanta 20 years ago. I have four children (3 girls and 1 boy). My wife, Jeanne has also just retired from a 30 year medical device career and we are both looking forward to travel and giving our time to helping others through volunteering.

2. What are your hopes for St. Benedict’s?

My hopes for St. Benedict’s is that we continue to transition and grow as a parish by having a larger presence in the smyrna community in order to attract those seeking a new spiritual home.

3. What gift do you bring to the Vestry service?

First of all, I am flattered at the invitation! I’m hoping that my professional background in sales and operations management can contribute to my role on the vestry.

4. Tell us about Jesus in this season in your life.

Jesus continues to be very present in my life as well as my family by reminding us that there are no coincidences. We have experienced the love of Jesus through family members passing (both parents and pets), professional transition, and the spiritual growth of our children.

Kerry Thomas

1. What should your parish family know about you?

My husband and I have been members of St. Benedict’s Church since 2018. Since that time, I have been active in many areas of church life. I have chaired and co-chaired the Pastoral Care committee, became a Daughter of the King, participated in Women’s Bible Study and facilitated a Life Story Workshop for some of our older parishioners. Recently, I have become involved in the Newcomer’s Committee. I was raised Catholic in the Midwest (Wisconsin), but have lived in the Atlanta area for 35 years. I spent over 30 years in Corporate/Business before earning a Masters in Gerontology and transitioning my career 5 years ago. I have my own business and also sit on a Board of Directors that supports and encourages the social and psychological side of positive aging. Joe and I have four grown children, and a 10-year old black lab mix.

2. What are your hopes for St. Benedict’s?

I am full of hope and optimism for our parish in 2023! I’m excited to see so many new faces each week and believe God is blessing us with a contagious energy and promising momentum. I look forward to seeing the many ways our church can effectively expand both inreach and outreach programs by bringing together the unique gifts of individual parishioners.

3. What gift do you bring to the vestry service?

I bring the vestry at St. Benedict’s a well-trained head and heart that I have developed along a personal, professional and faith journey that definitely has not been a straight line! I commit to using my strengths and God-given talents to help St. Benedict’s grow and prosper during my term on the Vestry.

4. Tell us about Jesus in this season of your life.

Trying to live in a way that pleases Jesus, and prioritizing a close relationship has become a strong priority for me in the past 15-20 years of my life. My faith no longer feels shaky in the Valley’s, but rather, creates an opportunity to give up control and grow even stronger and closer to Jesus. I practice my faith through daily devotionals and peaceful moments with Jesus, sharing inspirational Bible lessons and scriptures with my fellow Women’s Bible Study and DOK members, and being intentional to fulfill God’s will and purpose for my life.

Greg Stevens , Sr. Warden

Greg Stevens has been a member of St. Benedict’s since 2012. Greg and his wife, Christie, were drawn to St. Benedict’s by the sense of community that exists in the church. At St. Benedict’s, Greg has assisted with the Angel Tree and School Backpack programs and especially enjoys the wide-ranging discussions in Adult Formation.

Originally from Ohio, Greg has lived in Smyrna since 2008. Professionally, Greg has worked in the area of Training and Development for over 35 years. After serving in management at Accenture and Home Depot for over 20 years, Greg started his own company, Performance Based Learning, which provides training delivery to a variety of businesses throughout the United States. Greg has a B.S. in Business Management from Ohio State University, a Master of Science from Georgia State University, and Ph.D. from Florida State University. In his free time, Greg and Christie enjoy spending time at a second home in Pensacola Beach, Florida and traveling throughout the world.

Phil King, Clerk

Phil first visited St. Benedict’s in 2015 and was genuinely surprised at how quickly he found himself feeling connected with the church community. He enjoys the quiet of the 8:00 AM service on Sunday mornings where he is a lay reader and Eucharistic Minister. A regular in Adult Formation, Phil also participates in Men’s Bible Study, a thriving St. Benedict’s Small Group, helps coordinate St. B’s Outreach efforts, and was recently on St. Benedict’s Nominating Committee. Phil serves on the board for the Episcopal Community Foundation as chair of the Communications Committee.

Phil met Amy during his first year in EFM class at St. Benedict’s. In time, they fell in love and married. They live in Smyrna along with their daughter, Isabel, a senior at Campbell High School. Phil and Amy enjoy long walks together in the park, sitting on their front porch, watching the birds, and eating too much Mexican food. In his spare time, you can find Phil in his home studio making art in hopeful and insistent pursuit of meaning.

A graduate of Auburn University, Phil has over 20 years' experience as a creative services manager directing creative strategy and execution in corporate digital and print retail space. He is a patient manager of people and a natural cross-functional collaborator who builds focused consensus in complex structures. Before college, he served in the United States Air Force as an Administrative Assistant.

Victoria Patrick

I am a life-long Episcopalian and my daughter, Lucinda, and I have attended St. B’s for 11 years. Currently, I am on the Task-Force for Reopening committee, a lay reader, a member of the Daughters of the King, and coordinator of the acolytes. Since COVID, I have enjoyed virtual Compline and Adult Formation. Previous activities have included teaching Sunday School, participating on the Children’s Ministry committee, and chairing various St. B retreats.

My professional life has involved 30 years as a School Psychologist in the Cobb County School District. Personally, I love to read, garden, and hike or camp. I attend St. B’s because it provides my family a community full of love and spiritual grace.

Katie Loadholtes

My name is Katie Loadholtes and I have been a member of St. Benedict's since Day 1. I was born in England and moved to San Francisco as a child. When I was a teenager, my parents "discovered" the Episcopal Church and it was a perfect fit for us. I was so happy that Nick was on-board with attending a local Episcopal Church when we met. We have been married for 16 years and we have 2 amazing children - Allison and Cooper. We moved to Smyrna 8 years ago and love the community so much. I work part time from home and if this were a normal year, I would be an assistant Pre-K teacher at a local preschool.

I have always been very involved in Children's Ministries at our Church - helping with and leading Children's Chapel, assisting with Sunday School and Spirit Week. I really enjoy working with the children. I enjoy hanging out with my family and friends, crafting, and watching movies.

Pat Engel

Shortly after I moved to Atlanta in 1966, I attended St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church in Dunwoody. We later became members of Holy Innocents’ when my three sons attended HIES where I served on the Board of Trustees for six years. I taught at The Westminster Schools for twenty-four years, retired for one month, joined the faculty at St. Benedict’s Episcopal School, and soon after I joined St. B.’s Church where one of my four grandchildren was later baptized.

While at St. B.’s, I had the pleasure of participating in EFM for four years. I have served as a Eucharistic Minister, on the Flower Guild, as a temporary usher, and on the Pastoral Care Team. I have particularly enjoyed my Small Group which meets twice a month.

St. Benedict’s members are warm and friendly, and I have observed visitors commenting on the welcoming atmosphere they found at our church. Also, during the past few years, I have been amazed at the endless hours some of our members, particularly our vestry, have contributed to guiding us through many transitions, including COVID. I admire their commitment! I have heard similar stories about dedicated parishioners who were founding members of this church. That dedication and commitment is what makes St. B.’s the special place of worship it is today!

Chris Gaffney

I grew up in Washington, DC and went to a Catholic military school there. I came to Atlanta to attend Georgia Tech where I studied Industrial and Systems Engineering. I met Ellen during college and we married shortly thereafter. We raised 4 children who now live and work around the Eastern US and we are blessed with two granddaughters.

The majority of my professional career, I worked at Coca-Cola where I recently retired. I continue to work as an independent Supply Chain advisor, so I have been very busy this past year.

We spent much of our Atlanta church life at St James’ Episcopal Church in Marietta. We moved to Vinings in 2015 and in St. Benedict’s, we are blessed to have a church within a mile of our house for the first time in our marriage. We were immediately welcomed and felt at home on day one. At St B’s, I have served as a lector and chalicist, I’ve been on the Stewardship Committee, and actively support Path To Shine. Over my church life, I have served as a lector and Eucharistic minister and I have prior Vestry experience.

I am blessed and honored to be considered to serve and believe I have more to offer to St Benedict’s.

Bob Porter, Jr. Warden

Bob Porter is an Atlanta native, having lived in a variety of places in metro Atlanta and ultimately landing in Smyrna in 2013. He is a 1983 graduate of Presbyterian College, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in modern foreign languages. For more than 40 years, Bob has worked in the areas of marketing, communication and public relations for organizations such as AT&T, Equifax, BellSouth and UPS. He is currently director of communication, training & safety for Georgia System Operations Corporation, where he is about to celebrate his 25th year. Bob has been married to wife Jenny since 1987 and they have two grown children, Matthew and Rebecca, who live in Costa Rica and work in the travel industry. Raised primarily in the Methodist church, Bob and Jenny came to St. Benedict’s in 2019 in search of a church whose beliefs and values more closely reflected their own. Since then, Bob has been involved in St. Benedict’s Reopening Task Force, the Auction/Low Country Boil and Sons of Benedict.

Courtenay Wallace

I am originally from Florence, SC and am a lifelong Episcopalian. Prior to moving to Smyrna in 2006, I was a member of the Church of the Epiphany in Druid Hills where my husband, Rob, and I were married. When we were expecting our daughter in 2010, I wanted to move to a church that was closer to our home and had a youth presence. I visited St. Benedict’s and immediately knew I was in the right place. I’ve enjoyed getting to know other St. B members and participating in the Mom’s Bible Study group. Professionally I am a risk manager at Cox Enterprises, Inc., where I have worked for over 25 years. Rob and I have one daughter, McKay who enjoys serving as an acolyte and singing in Trinity Choir. We have 2 dogs and cat. In my free time, I love reading, traveling, cycling, hiking, and watching movies.