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.

Anna Best

Originally from Louisville, Ky., Anna is a cradle Roman Catholic who spent her work career in administrative offices of several religious denominations ― Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, and Episcopal. She has been married to husband Gary for the last 56 years. Meeting in high school and marrying at age 19, they have maintained a loving relationship over those years while raising three children and enjoying six grandchildren. Most of her family lives in metropolitan Atlanta, so she enjoys the usual fun grandkid activities. Anna and Gary have been members of St. Benedict's for more than 10 years and continue to enjoy what the parish has to offer. Now retired, Anna’s days are spent with travel, cards, golf, crafts, and volunteering at the local hospital.

Julie Savini

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.

Chris Gaffney

Living in Atlanta for more than 40 years and a member of St. Benedict's since 2016, Chris and wife Ellen value our sense of welcoming and community and our commitment to serving others in Smyrna and the Diocese. Chris has been active in the liturgy all his life as an acolyte, lector, and eucharistic minister, and sees it as an active way to deepens one’s faith. Outside church, Chris enjoys literature and running, reflecting his spiritual and physical journeys.

Bob Porter, Sr. Warden

An Atlanta native, Bob has been cradled in the arms of Jesus from the time he was baptized as an infant by his grandfather, a Congregationalist minister, and then throughout his years in the Presbyterian and Methodist churches. He and wife Jenny began attending St. Benedict’s in 2019 and were received into the Episcopal Church in 2021. When they’re not involved in parish life, they enjoy traveling and spending time with their two adult children and their families.

Courtenay Wallace, Jr. 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.