Leaders Nominated for Diocesan Service
This page will be updated shortly with nomination information for the current year. Please be patient with us.
The Nominating Committee, chaired by the Rev. Gary Beson is composed of clergy invited from every Deanery, laity serving in the major ministries of the Diocese, and the diocesan ministry staff. With the insights that breadth of experience in the Diocese brings, the following slate of candidates has been offered, with the goal of providing the strongest possible leadership for the Diocese at this time. Brief bios and photographs of each candidate may be found on the Diocesan website. We ask that the delegates to convention please give their qualifications prayerful consideration as they prepare for our annual synod. And we invite the rest of the Diocesan family to keep our gathering on March 11, 2023, in your daily prayers, that God’s will might be clearly discerned and faithfully accomplished on that day.
Standing Committee
Standing Committee – The Ecclesiastical Authority of the Diocese in the absence of the Bishop. The six presbyters and six laity have responsibilities including the areas of property, ordinations and corporation matters. They also serve as a council of advice to the bishop.
Clergy:
The Rev. Jonathan Bennett
Church of the Holy Cross, Daniel Island
The Rev. Jonathan Bennett has served in our Diocese since 2002 when he was called from the UK to serve as Youth Pastor at Holy Cross, Sullivan’s Island. After six years at Holy Cross, he was asked to serve as Director of Student Ministries at Camp St. Christopher, overseeing our Diocesan Summer Camp and Barrier Island schools program. During this time, Jonathan heard God’s call to ordination and was sent by the Church of Our Savior to Trinity School for Ministry in Ambridge, PA. After graduating seminary, he served for two years as Associate Rector at the Cathedral of St. Luke and St. Paul. Jonathan was then called back to Holy Cross in 2015 as Associate Rector and Campus Pastor for the Holy Cross Daniel Island campus. In 2022 the clergy and vestry of Holy Cross discerned it was time for Daniel Island to be launched as its own Parish. God willing, in 2024, Jonathan will become the first Rector of Holy Cross Daniel Island. At a Diocesan level, he has previously served on Diocesan Council and as chair of our Department of Student Ministries. Jonathan is married to Melissa and they have three children.
The Rev. David Booman
Church of the Holy Comforter, Sumter
A native Minnesotan, the Rev. David Booman is a 2005 graduate of Viterbo University and a 2010 graduate of Trinity School for Ministry. After graduation from seminary he moved to Charleston to complete a hospital chaplaincy residency at Roper St. Francis. Subsequently, he served 10 years at St. Michael’s Church in Charleston, first as the Assistant for Pastoral Care and Healing Prayer and then as the Assistant for Family Ministry. He recently completed his first year as the rector of The Church of the Holy Comforter in Sumter. David continues to find great joy in seeing the Gospel of Jesus Christ bring hope and healing to those in dark places. He has been married to Caity for 12 years and they have four young children.
The Rev. Rags Coxe
St. Matthew’s, Darlington
The Rev. Rags Coxe has been the Rector of St. Matthew’s, Darlington, since 2019 and he is grateful to God for calling him home to serve this faithful Parish. Rags left a corporate business career in 2011 after discerning a call to ordained ministry. The call came during a period in his life when motivation for temporal success gave way to eternal truths discovered in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Rags has a love for all aspects of ministry in the Anglican Church and believes every generation in every congregation must be engaged. He and his wife, Suiter, have been married for 37 years. They enjoy spending quality time with their two grown children and their spouses. They have three grandchildren.
The Rev. Mary Ellen Doran
Trinity Church, Pinopolis
The Rev. Mary Ellen Doran is the Rector of Trinity Church, Pinopolis where she has served for the past year. Mary Ellen has served as the Assistant Rector at the Church of Our Savior on Johns Island, the Children and Family Minister at Saint James Church, Charleston, and the Children’s Pastor at Holy Trinity Anglican in Charleston. She received her BA in Religious Studies and Christian Leadership from Charleston Southern University, and M.Div. from Trinity School for Ministry. Prior to entering ministry, she was a licensed stockbroker, working on a team with other stockbrokers. Mary Ellen has served as a member of Diocesan Council, a member of various Cursillo Teams, and Lay Rector of Cursillo #251. She also assisted with various Diocesan Family Ministry events and was a member of the most recent Bishop Search Committee. She was Chaplain for Camp St. Christopher Summer camp and is a member of the Diocesan Clergy Retreat leadership team. She and her husband, Keith, have been married for 28 years and have two grown daughters, Amanda (Jason) and Madalaine. They also have two grandchildren.
The Rev. Janet Echols
St. Matthew’s, Fort Motte
The Rev. Janet Echols, Rector of St. Matthew’s Parish, Ft. Motte and graduate of Trinity School for Ministry, was ordained in SC in 1995 and has served churches in South Carolina, Indonesia, Pittsburgh, England, and India. In 2000 she and her family moved to Cambridge, England where she served as a vicar in the Church of England and taught Pastoral Theology at Ridley Hall Theological College. From 2008 to 2013 she was an AFM missionary. Under her leadership, St. Matthew’s has increased from one child in Sunday School to 38 with a growing ministry to young families and children. She is the Director of the Deacons’ Training Course, a founding member of both the Anglican Leadership Institute and the ACNA’s International Student Ministry, and a graduate of Arrow Leadership. She is active in Cursillo and Kairos ministries, serves as Chaplain for the Daughters of the King as well as on the Diocesan Commission on Ministry, and served formerly on Diocesan Council. Janet has extensive background in development and teaches ESL. She is married to the Rev. Dr. Charles Echols and mom to Grace.
The Rev. James Gibson
Church of the Holy Trinity, Grahamville
The Rev. James Gibson is a graduate of Asbury Theological Seminary (M.Div.) and the Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies (D.W.S). He began ministry as a Methodist but was drawn to the Anglican faith because of its rich tradition of prayer, worship, and liturgy. Since February 2014, he has been serving as Vicar of the Church of the Holy Trinity, Grahamville. During his tenure, he has focused on enhancing the worship and prayer life of the parish, as well as more intensive Christian education ministries for children and adults. He has previously served the diocese on the Diocesan Council (2017-20) and the Bishop Search Committee (2020-21).
The Rev. Cindy Larsen
Grace Anglican Parish, North Myrtle Beach
The Rev. Cindy Larsen is the Vicar at Grace Anglican Parish in Little River. In 2019, she was elected to serve on the ADOSC delegation to the ACNA Provincial Assembly. More recently, she has served on Diocesan Council since 2020. Her term ends in 2023. Before coming to Grace Parish, she served for seven years as Principal at Bishop Ruhindi Theological College, Hoima, Uganda. During her time there, she used her background in architecture (B.S. Georgia Tech, 1975) to help design new buildings for the seminary; she also served as a delegate to GAFCON II, where she represented the Church of Uganda. Before heading to Africa, she was a Presbyterian pastor (ordained in 1989) and served as an instructor and counselor at Asbury Seminary in Kentucky. She has two grown children and four grandchildren.
Laity:
Rick Blanchard
St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Summerville
Rick Blanchard has been a member of St. Paul’s Summerville for over 20 years and has been an active member using his spiritual gifts of intercession, service, and administration in various roles. Most recently he was on the Vestry and served as Junior Warden and head of the Buildings and Grounds Committee for the last three years. Currently, he is on the Rise Up and Build Steering Committee. Rick looks forward to serving the Diocese in whatever capacity the Spirit leads. Outside of church, Rick is an educator with Berkeley County Schools. Rick and his wife, Laura, have raised their three adult children in the church and are blessed to have their first grandchild.
Bobby Kilgo
St. Matthew’s, Darlington
Bobby Kilgo is a retired attorney. He is a lay leader who has served on the Vestry at St. Matthew’s Darlington, as well as Junior and Senior Warden. He served as Diocesan Lay Coordinator for Cursillo and as national legal counsel for Faith Alive. He served on the Diocesan Trustees and Standing Committee. Bobby is presently an active Lector, Lay Eucharistic Minister and substitute Adult Sunday School teacher. He assists with the parish wheelchair ramp projects. He is active in the Darlington civic community. He is a Past Lieutenant Governor of Carolinas District of Kiwanis. Bobby and his wife Sue live in Darlington and enjoy reading, traveling, and spending quality time with their children and grandchildren.
Jim Ewing
The Well By The Sea, Myrtle Beach
Jim Ewing has been a life-long Episcopalian/Anglican. He was baptized and confirmed in the church. He is an active member of The Well By The Sea, and has served on the vestry multiple times, currently serving in that capacity. Jim has served as Senior Warden various times in two different parishes. He has also served on the A/V team as well as a Lay Reader and a Lay Eucharistic Minister. Jim is active in the Cursillo movement, having served as Cursillo rector and in other capacities as well. Jim was on the team that discerned the formation of The Well By The Sea as an independent Church and has served on multiple discernment committees for candidates seeking ordination.
Denise Hory
Holy Trinity, Grahamville
Denise Horry is a member of theChurch of the Holy Trinity, Grahamville where she is active with the Altar Guild and serves as a worship assistant, lector, and Lay Eucharistic Minister. She has previously served six years as a Diocesan Trustee (2016-22). Outside of church, Denise is a real estate broker with Berkshire Hathaway Home Services. With her husband John, she enjoys being a grandparent to their 13 grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Terry Jenkins
Christ-St. Paul’s Church, Yonges Island
Terry Jenkins grew up in Summerville, SC attending St. Paul’s Church. He joined Christ-St. Paul’s Church, Yonges Island, SC, in 2000 and is currently serving on vestry at Christ-St. Paul’s for a sixth term (five years as Senior Warden and two as Clerk). He has been a delegate to Diocesan Convention for past 17 years. Terry has also been an usher, Lay Reader, Vacation Bible School group leader and Lay Eucharistic Minister. He served on the Search Committee for Christ-St. Paul’s new Rector, which resulted in hiring the Rev. Kyle Holtzhower. Terry retired from Westvaco/Kapstone in 2018 after 44 years in international sales and marketing. He is currently a member of Summerville Town Council, having served 14 prior years including four years as Mayor Pro Tempore. He feels honored to be considered to serve the Diocese in this capacity. He is married to Helen Cuthbert Jenkins. They have two children: Terence T. Jenkins III (Ashley) and Callie Jenkins Lalich (Michael). They also have three grandchildren.
Diocesan Council
The Diocesan Council is responsible for administering the ministry of the Diocese and to receive and administer all funds raised. In addition to officers, department representatives and ministry leaders, the Council has six presbyters and six laity elected by Diocesan Convention. Further, each deanery shall elect one presbyter and one laity to represent that deanery.
Clergy:
The Rev. Kyle Holtzhower
Christ-St. Paul’s, Yonges Island
The Rev. Kyle Holtzhower spent six years in active duty service with the Air Force prior to answering the call to vocational ministry. Being raised in the Pentecostal traditions of the Church of God (Clevelend, TN) and The Assemblies of God, Kyle became a minister and church planter with the Assemblies of God. While living in Charlotte, NC, Kyle attended Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and found his ecclesial home with the Anglican Communion. He was ordained by Bp. Steve Wood of the Anglican Diocese of the Carolinas. After serving four years on staff at St. Andrew’s Church, Mt. Pleasant, Kyle was called in August of 2021 by Christ-St. Paul’s to serve as Rector. Kyle has been married to Kortney for 10 years and loves being daddy to Scotlyn (5) and Banner (2)
The Rev. Russell Reed
St. James, Blackville
The Rev. Russell Reed is the Vicar of St. James Anglican Church, Blackville. He has served on Diocesan Council previously. He attended seminary at St. Andrews Theological College and Seminary in Lexington, NC. Fr. Russell was ordained as a Deacon in 2008 and Priest in 2011 by the Most Rev’d. Dr. Scott McLaughlin of the Orthodox Anglican Church. In 2012 Russell was received into the Anglican Church of America and in 2015 he was received into the Anglican Diocese of South Carolina. Fr. Russell established St. James Anglican in Blackville as a church plant in September of 2008. The church was received into the diocese as a mission parish in 2015. He grew up in the Baptist Church and comes from a long line of Baptist ministers. Fr. Russell attended Greenville Technical College and Presbyterian College. Prior to his ordination, he worked as a Registered Nurse specializing in Emergency Trauma and Critical Care and then worked as a Poison Information and Toxicology Specialist, retiring from the University of South Carolina College Of Pharmacy Palmetto Poison Center in March of 2022. He is married to Teresa Ross Reed and they have three children: Collin (Shannon) Reed, who is currently attending Trinity School for Ministry, Whitney B. Reed, and John Martin Reed. They have three grandchildren.
The Rev. Jason Varnadore
St. David’s, Cheraw
The Rev. Jason Varnadore is a native South Carolinian raised in Powdersvile, SC. Jason met his wife, Jenna, in the Linguistics department of North Greenville University. Two years after graduating, they moved to Birmingham, AL so Jason could attend Beeson Divinity School. There he served a small-town parish for three years and worked on a farm every summer. He is currently the Rector of St. David’s Anglican Church in Cheraw. He and Jenna feel a special call to small-town, rural ministry in South Carolina. Both of their families have long histories in the state, and they hope to serve here as long as the Lord allows. Jason and Jenna have a daughter River (5), a son Jonas (2), and a third on the way. Jason would like everyone to remember that “Jesus himself was a small-town boy come to set the world free!”
The Rev. Greg Smith
St. Michael’s Church, Charleston
The Rev. Greg Smith is an associate priest at St. Michael’s Church and is the development manager for the American Anglican Council. Greg previously served as the ninth Rector of Trinity Church, Myrtle Beach. He was also Church of the Holy Cross’ college pastor to The Citadel’s St. Alban’s Chapel. While at the Citadel he also established a Fellowship of Christian Athletes chapter. Additionally, he established the I’On campus of Church of the Holy Cross. Greg Smith previously served as a church planter in Colorado where he led the formation of a new congregation which existed to reach seekers. The church grew from zero to 100 people eventually becoming a multi-site congregation of 350 people along the Front Range of Colorado. Simultaneously, he was the Vice President of Apartment Life, a Christian-based non-profit devoted to building community and transforming lives in apartment properties. He helped to mobilize supporters and more than 50 teams reaching over 60,000 people weekly with the Gospel and saw Christ bring over 300 people per year into the Kingdom. Greg graduated from Wheaton College with a Bachelor of Music and holds an M.Div. from Trinity School for Ministry. Greg has also worked as a paramedic/firefighter on Chicago’s near north side and learned the value of quick assessment of problems and teamwork solutions. But, no matter how good that resume looks… it’s just a pile of rubbish. The thing you need to know about Greg is that he is a great sinner who serves a great Savior.
Laity
Todd Barnum
St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Charleston
Todd Barnum was raised in West Ashley and confirmed by Bishop Fitz Allison at Old St. Andrew’s Church in Charleston. Following college he traveled the country with work and later settled in Beaufort. Todd worked for St. Helena’s, Beaufort for five years as their Director of Hospitality Ministry. He then began his own business and relocated to Charleston. He and his wife, Michelle, worship at St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Summerville.
Kelli Hample
Holy Trinity Anglican, Charleston
Kelli Hample and her family are members of Holy Trinity, Windermere, West Ashley and live on James Island. Kelli and her husband, Tom, a priest in the diocese, both met the Lord at Holy Cross on Sullivans Island. She worked at Holy Cross in faith formation, worked with the capital campaign team, and served on the worship team. Kelli then took a position at St. Christopher as the Director’s Assistant and served as Secretary at board meetings. She led bible studies for the Barrier Island staff and Summer Camp staff and led worship with her husband for the staff chapel once a week. She was then called to work as an assistant to the Rector of the Cathedral of St. Luke and St. Paul’s and served on the worship team. Over the course of six years, Kelli started an ecumenical prayer ministry, oversaw the Sunday and Inner Healing prayer teams, and oversaw the pastoral care for the church’s shut-ins. She assisted her husband with his ministry, Bridge Church, every Saturday evening for two years. She and her family then moved to Pittsburgh so Tom could attend Trinity School for Ministry. Kelli is the Director of Development for The Anglican Relief and Development Fund, where she has worked for the past four and a half years. Kelli and her husband Tom have been married for 26 years and have three amazing children.
James R. Felts, IV
Prince George Winyah, Georgetown
James Felts grew up in Myrtle Beach in the Methodist Church. He and his wife, Katey, moved to Georgetown once he graduated from law school. They joined Prince George in 2008 and have been members ever since. James is currently a Lay Reader and previously served on the Prince George vestry from 2009 to 2012. James and Katey have three children and currently live in Georgetown.
Cathy Jacobs
St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Summerville
Cathy Jacobs was 20 years old when she heard about having a personal relationship with the Lord and surrendered her life to Jesus Christ. Through the college ministry of Navigators, Cathy learned about walking with Jesus every day and how much He loved her. Since then, she has walked with Him for over 50 years. For 15 years, Cathy was the Director of the Family Ministry at St. Paul’s, Summerville, where she worked closely with Peter Rothermel and the Faith Formation Department. Following those years, she stepped into ministering to her generation, the grandparents. Since her retirement from St. Paul’s, Cathy has worked with leaders around the country in encouraging and equipping grandparents. For over five years, she led the ministry, Pass the Legacy. Today, Cathy works with KidZ at Heart International to develop their grandparenting ministry.
Dawn Schaeperkoetter
St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Summerville
Dawn Schaeperkoetter has been active in church her entire life. At St. Paul’s she is the president of the Daughters of the King chapter, serves on the Women’s Ministries Board, has led a book club, attends and leads the Women’s Bible Study, has served on Vestry and Alpha, and serves as a lay reader and Lay Eucharistic Minister. Dawn is now retired and feels the Lord urging her to become more involved in the diocese. She experienced His leading in her call to teach at Charleston Southern University and to be an active member at St. Paul’s, Summerville. She feels His prompting and wishes to accept His call.
Millard (Mill) Simmons
The Church of the Cross, Bluffton
Millard (Mill) Simmons, M.D., began his faith journey as a child in a Christian military family in America’s northeast. He married his college sweetheart, Rosalie, while in medical school. They, with their three children, lived in New York City and Montevideo, Uruguay, for advanced sub-specialty training in obstetrics and gynecology. Two years in Texas as a U.S. Army medical officer followed. A career in academic medicine ensued resulting in teaching and practicing medicine in association with six medical schools on four continents. After retirement, the Simmons’ found their way to South Carolina in 2005 to be near family. First, they made their spiritual home with the good folks at Christ Church in Mt. Pleasant; then after relocating to Bluffton in 2013, they joined the worship community at The Church of the Cross. Since that time, Mill has been active as a Lay Eucharistic Minister and in various Bible studies. While presently serving as Senior Warden of the parish and as a member of the Board of Trustees of Cross Schools, Mill’s walk with Christ epitomizes Hebrews 11:10 KJV.
Ecclesiastical Court
Ecclesiastical Court – A court of six clergy (priest or deacon) and five laity, elected by Diocesan Convention, to hear such complaints of misconduct as may be brought against clergy of the Diocese.
The Rev. Claudia Carucci
Parish Church of St. Helena, Beaufort
The Rev. Claudia Carucci, along with her husband, retired to Beaufort in 2010 from Long Island, NY. During their time in New York, Claudia served as a Lay Eucharistic Minister/Visitor for more than 20 years. She also served on the vestry of one of these parishes for two terms. Claudia’s husband passed away in 2013 and shortly afterwards, she began to look for ways to be of greater service to the Lord. She has been a Stephen Ministry member and Leader since 2015. She began assisting the Deacon at her church in local nursing homes. When this Deacon retired, Claudia began to take more responsibility helping to lead services and coordinate volunteers for this ministry. In 2018, having discerned a call to the Vocational Diaconate, Claudia began her studies and was ordained in October of 2020. Now, in addition to these ministries, she serves in rotation as part of the regular duties of a deacon in worship, leads GriefShare twice a year, and serves on the board of The Anglican Leadership Institute.
The Rev. Bill Christian
St. Philip’s Church, Charleston
The Rev. Bill Christian has been the assistant for Pastoral Care at St. Philip’s since 2021. Prior to that he served as Pastor and Executive Director of The Star Gospel Mission for 17 years. Upon graduating from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Bill served as a Lutheran Pastor in Denver, CO. After attending The Episcopal Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, TX., Bill was ordained as an Episcopal priest and has served churches in Denver, CO. and St. Louis, MO. He then served as Rector of Resurrection, Surfside Beach, SC. and as Rector of St. Luke’s Church and School in San Antonio, TX. Bill and his wife, Sarah, have been married for 38 years and live in Mt. Pleasant.
The Rev. Newman Lawrence
St. Jude’s, Walterboro
The Rev. Newman Lawrence has served as the Rector of St. Jude’s, Walterboro, since September 2020. Prior to being called to St. Jude’s, he served as the Assistant at Church of Our Saviour on Johns Island where his ministry focus was on families and children’s ministries. Newman is currently completing a three year term on Dioceasn Council and is an active member of the Diocesan Men’s Leadership Team. Prior to seminary, Newman was a member of St. Michael’s Church, Charleston, since 2002. While there, he volunteered in the areas of Youth Ministry, Men’s Ministry/Hikes, Alpha, and was a Lay Reader. In the midst of that time, Newman and Trish spent two years in Uganda working for One World Health as the Project Director for their Masindi-Kitara Clinic/Hospital. He graduated with a BS in Education from The Citadel in June of 2006 and received his M.Div. from Trinity School for Ministry in May of 2019. Newman is married to Trish Sosnowski Lawrence and they have twin sons, Hank and Huck, and a daughter Mary Margaret.
The Rev. Drew Miller
St. John’s, Florence
The Rev. Drew Miller grew up on John’s Island and was raised at St. John’s Parish. He first recognized the immense love of God at a diocesan youth event, Mondo Weekend, in middle school. He received his undergraduate degree from Furman University in Greenville, SC. After serving as an assistant/interim at a Charleston church plant for several years, he received his Masters of Divinity from Trinity School for Ministry in Ambridge, PA. Drew was ordained in the Diocese of the Carolinas and served for several years as the curate for church planting at Christ Church Anglican, Savannah (GAD) working in Statesboro, GA. In June, 2022, Drew joined the staff of St. John’s Anglican Church in Florence. Drew is married to Jessie.
Laity
Susan McDonald
Trinity, Myrtle Beach
Susan McDonald has been practicing law with Nelson Mullins since graduating from law school in 1986 with a primary focus in civil litigation. She has been an active member of Trinity, Myrtle Beach, since 1992. Susan has served on Vestry several terms. She has been the Chancellor for Trinity since 2010 and represented Trinity throughout the litigation with TEC and TECSC. As Chancellor, she has dealt with sensitive parish issues. Susan grew up in the Myrtle Beach area, graduated from Furman University with a BA in Politics and International Affairs and graduated from Duke University School of Law. Susan and her husband raised their two children at Trinity, Myrtle Beach.
Harry Oxner
Prince George Winyah, Georgetown
Harry Oxner has been a member of Prince George Winyah for over 25 years. Originally from Columbia he is a partner in Oxner and Stacey. He represented the parish and diocese in the recent litigation and has practiced law for over 30 years. He graduated from the University of South Carolina with a BS in Finance in 1989 and received his J.D. in 1992. Harry has served on the vestry of Prince George Winyah and is currently on their Master Plan Committee to explore ways to enlarge and improve the parish facilities. He also serves as one of the core leaders in the men’s ministry at Prince George Winyah and regularly gathers men for discipleship, meals and retreats. Harry is married to Stephanie and is father to Harry, Jr. and Ellison.
G.W. Parker
St. Paul’s Anglican Church
Born and raised in the Church of the Holy Comforter, Sumter, G.W. was a graduate of Presbyterian College and S.C. School of Law. He attended Saint James, James Island, for five years and has been a member of St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Summerville since 1971. He serves as a Lay Eucharistic Minister. He is a widower of Judy Gattshal