People News, June 2023

It is with sadness for us, but joy for her that we announce that this coming July, Nancy Armstrong, our beloved Diocesan Administrator and Assistant Treasurer, will be retiring. Nancy has served our diocese since 1993 and will be missed not only for her tremendous gifts and abilities, but also for her institutional memory and the breadth of knowledge she has for the diocese. She has been responsible for overseeing the finances of the diocese, Camp Jubilee, and the former Trustees. She works with parish administrators and clergy on a variety of administrative matters, and enjoys making presentations to treasurers, parish administrators, and vestry members on managing the temporal affairs of the church. Following her retirement, she is looking forward to spending time with her husband, Bob, their son, daughter-in-law, and two granddaughters. She also plans to remain active in the life of the diocese, just less so! Nancy and Bob live in Summerville. They are members of St. Paul’s Anglican Church. “It has been the greatest honor and privilege to serve our diocese, including three wonderful Bishops, doing the work that God has called me to do.”

 

Christ Church Anglican, Mt. Pleasant, has called the Rev. Clifford J. Ausmus to serve as their new Associate Rector. CJ, as he prefers to be called, came to Christ Church, Mt. Pleasant from Christ Church of Atlanta, where he had been the Associate Rector. CJ grew up in Louisville, Kentucky, and has a BS in Psychology from Lincoln Memorial University (2014) and a Master in Divinity from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (2019). He’s married to Katherine, a Memphis, Tennessee native and graduate of the University of Tennessee. They have two children, Julia, who is 2½, and Samantha, who is 8 months. They have settled into their new home in Mt. Pleasant, and CJ began on June 1. The Rev. Ted Duvall wrote in his recent congregational letter, “CJ will share with me in all aspects of ministry to the whole parish, and be given particular responsibility for leadership and ministry among our young families. I am confident that CJ, Katherine, Julia, and Samantha will be a blessing to our church.”

 

The Cathedral of St. Luke & St. Paul in Charleston recently welcomed Jillian Barton as their Office Administrator and Events Coordinator. Jillian has experience with office administration and event coordination in both the marketplace as well as large church ministry settings. She and her husband, Zach, moved to the Charleston area this past June. They have four children.

 

Please keep the Rev. Ramsey Gilchrist, a member and adjunct clergy at Prince George Winyah in Georgetown in prayer. Ramsey is undergoing cancer treatment at the MD Anderson Hospital in Houston TX. He asks for prayers for himself, his wife, Judy, and the medical team that the treatment will be complete and for a speedy recovery from surgery, radiation and reconstructive surgery.

 

The Rev. Jeff Hoffman recently joined the diocese. He served for 22 years in the Air Force where he received his degree as a Physician’s Assistant, serving in that capacity for 40 years both while on active duty and within the civilian world. After retiring from the military Jeff went back to school, receiving his MDiv from the University of the South, School of Theology. He and his wife, Margaret, have eight children, the youngest of whom is a 14-year-old son with autism. Just before moving south, the family lived in Elmira, New York where Jeff had a ministry on YouTube during the pandemic serving with the Jurisdiction of the Armed Forces and Chaplaincy and as chaplain for the Sisters of Hope. For fun, Jeff picks up a hammer and nail. “I love handyman work,” he says. “It’s what I do to calm down and relax.” He is eager to take up supply work in the Diocese.

 

The Rev. Chip Holmes retired this past April following 21 years of service as a parish deacon. During his tenure, Chip served in a number of churches, including St. John’s Chapel and Holy Family, and, most recently, at Trinity, Pinopolis. He served on various Cursillo teams, attended Men’s Ministry conferences and has always been an active member of our Diocesan Diaconate. Moving forward, Chip will pursue more time with Nancy and their family and with his motorcycle club, The Sons of God. Not being one to sit quietly, Chip is also extremely interested in working with the newly organized Berkeley County Community Organizations Active in Disasters.

 

Amy Kaylor has been called to serve as the Director of Women’s Ministry at the Parish Church of St. Helena in Beaufort. Prior to taking that position she served as the church’s Nursery Coordinator. Amy had already been working with the church’s young moms’ Bible study and their women’s retreat team. “She brings a passion to see women of all generations connected to the Lord and to one another in the Body of Christ,” says Rector, the Rev. Shay Gaillard. “As we are renewing and energizing our Women’s Ministry, Amy will continue to oversee the nursery ministry, but will be more and more involved in making sure that all of the women of the parish are aware of the small groups, Bible studies, and quarterly gatherings, as well as our annual retreat coming up in September. I am so thankful that God always brings the right person at the right time for the work to which we are called. Amy is just that kind of person, and I look forward to the growth and energy of our Women’s Ministry under her leadership.”

 

The Venerable Dr. Kelly O’Lear has been called to St. Luke’s, Hilton Head, as their next Associate Rector, beginning August 1. He will come to St. Luke’s from Nashotah House where he served as the Associate Dean of Formation and Affiliate Professor of Pastoral Care. Prior to that, Kelly served for almost 30 years in the United States Army, as a Medic initially, and then primarily as Chaplain. His combat detail included tours in Afghanistan, Africa, and Iraq, as well as training deployments in 19 countries. He served as Chaplain for the following units: Special Operations Command Africa, 82nd Airborne Division, 173rd Airborne Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker), and Arlington National Cemetery. Kelly has a D.Min. from Wesley Theological Seminary, a Th.M. from Duke University, an M.Div. from the University of Dubuque, a B.S. from Lee University, plus other military school training. Kelly was ordained to the priesthood in the ACNA in 2010 and is canonically resident in the ACNA Jurisdiction of the Armed Forces and Chaplaincy. Kelly loves spending time with his family. He and his wife, Jennifer, have two adult children, two children at home, one daughter-in-law, and two granddaughters. In his spare time, Kelly enjoys sports and fitness.

 

Congratulations to the Rev. Drew and Jessie Miller on the birth of their son, Silas James Miller. Silas was born Tuesday, April 11 and weighed 8 lbs 12 oz. Mother and baby are both doing well. Drew serves as an Assistant Rector at St. John’s Church in Florence. Silas was born at Mcleod Hospital in Florence, SC, where Jessie serves as a labor and delivery nurse.

 

The Rev. Jacob Rogers has accepted a call to serve as the curate at Old St. Andrew’s, Charleston, beginning in July. Jacob was ordained a priest on May 15 at his seminary, Nashotah House in Wisconsin. Jacob will be joining OSA as their family minister. In a note to the congregation the Rector, the Rev. Marshall Huey, wrote, “He will lead the 9 o’clock Family Service, lead the 10 o’clock Parent Cafe class, will be involved in the lives of our young families, and will be responsible for the weekly programs for Youth Group and youth activities. He will go to most youth group meetings and teach often at youth group, working with our part-time youth ministers. Jacob is not coming to us limited to being a ‘youth minister,’ but will be coming to minister to all aspects of our younger families as our Church continues to grow.” He and his wife, April, have two daughters.

 

Noted theologian, the Rev. Dr. Christopher Seitz, is now serving as Theologian in Residence at the Parish Church at Habersham, Beaufort. Seitz is helping with ongoing teaching series, preaching and preparing confirmands. He is also working with Thad Bullock who is pursuing ordination. Seitz continues to supervise PhD students at Wycliffe College in the University of Toronto. His other occupation is running a French Travel and Culture business which he inherited from his late wife, Elizabeth. They were living in France before moving back to South Carolina. The Rev. Jamie Sosnowski, Vicar of the Parish Church at Habersham, says, “Dr. Seitz’s presence with us is a tremendous blessing to our young mission parish that allows us to press in towards God’s call in making disciples, and I am very glad to call him my friend and neighbor.”

 

Patrick Wieber has been called as the new Youth Minister for Saint Luke’s, Hilton Head. Patrick has been serving as the Youth Minister at Christ the King, Pawley’s Island, and will bring his considerable gifts and talents to Saint Luke’s as they continue to minister to youth and families. He, his wife Danielle, and their daughter Jane (3) moveddown in late May and started on June 5. Patrick recently wrote to the congregation of Saint Luke’s, “We’re so thrilled to be joining the Saint Luke’s family and we’re eager to spend quality time with you all in the coming weeks! We’re praising the Lord for this new, exciting door He’s opening for our family.”

 

Please keep the family and loved ones of Chris Wingard in your prayers. Chris, who served as the Parish Administrator of St. Timothy’s, Cane Bay, died on April 23, following a battle with cancer. As her obituary notes, “In recent years, she found her calling, serving the Lord as Parish Administrator to St. Timothy’s Church in Cane Bay. She had a passion for serving others in need, and fulfilled that passion by overseeing the church’s Food Distribution, to provide food to families in need. Her marriage to Steve of 41 years was that of which fairy tales were made. Their love, faithfulness, and devotion to one another was a true testament to what marriage is supposed to be.”