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NEW VESTRY CLASS OF 2024
The Vestry is comprised of laypersons who have been elected by the membership of St. Benedict's to oversee the business of the parish.
Bob Porter
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.
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!
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.
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.
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