Vestry Election & Annual Meeting
Sunday, January 26 at 10:05am in Legacy Hall
Please join us in gratitude for this year's slate of nominees: Lewis Agnew, Janie Berry, Robert Stewart, and Leslie Ann Wilson. Nominees for the vestry have been thoughtfully and prayerfully chosen by your vestry nominating committee and are presented to the church for election to a 3-year term beginning in 2025.
Committee members were Jan Callen (Committee Chair), Emily Walker (Senior Warden), Hudson Walker (Junior Warden), Louis Garrard, Amy Harwell, Kate Meriwether, Sterling Price, Charlotte Ward, and Breck Wheeler.
We invite you to learn more about the individuals below and to participate in the upcoming Annual Meeting, which includes a ratifying election for this slate of candidates.
Current Occupation: President of the Charles Hawkins Co., a local commercial real estate services company
What brought you to St. George’s? My wife, Katie, and I are lifelong Episcopalians, and after our wedding 17 years ago, we started visiting churches around town. We eventually stumbled into St. George’s—and then we never left.
What excites you about St. George’s today and in the future? First, I believe that St. George’s is one of the brightest stars within the greater Episcopal Church and that our lay and clergy leaders have a chance to positively impact the broader church body. Second, as a dad of three daughters, I’m encouraged and excited to see that the youth ministry seems to be thriving these days. Growing up in Mississippi, my youth group was not very good, so I’m excited to see that my own children actually want to attend youth events and Sunday School. Third, I’m impressed by the number of new members and visitors that continue to come to St. George’s.
How do you hope to serve as a leader on the vestry? I’m willing to serve wherever and whenever I’m needed. St. George’s is deeply important to our family, and I’m happy to give back in any way possible.
How do you model Christian leadership at St. George’s and in the greater Nashville community? I’m not sure if I live up to that standard, but I believe in grace and forgiveness and the gospel, and because of that belief, I’ll show up and work hard to do my part on the vestry.
Current Occupation: Full-time Mom & Volunteer
What brought you to St. George’s? Before moving to Nashville, my husband, John, and I were members of an Episcopal church in Franklin. When we moved to Nashville, we wanted to join a church closer to our new home. We attended St. George’s a few times and fell in love. Our two children were very small at the time, and I was excited about all the programs for children and families.
What excites you about St. George’s today and in the future? I am always excited to see the diverse opportunities for people of all ages and interests. There are so many ways to get involved and connect with other members. I think that is why so many people call St. George’s home. There are so many opportunities to form new relationships and feel closer to God. I especially think this is important for children and older kids to help them feel at home in their church. It is so special to cultivate friendships with peers while having the opportunity to laugh with God, to have fun with God, and to have a friendship with God.
How do you hope to serve as a leader on the vestry? I have really enjoyed getting involved with the Children’s and Family Ministries. I love meeting new families and helping welcome those who are new to St. George’s. I am excited to help create opportunities for people to make connections and for relationships to grow.
How do you model Christian leadership at St. George’s and in the greater Nashville community? This is a hard one for me. I definitely see myself modeling more of a service role than a leadership role. Hopefully, I am a leader by being a faithful servant of Christ—a welcoming face to newcomers, a kind friend, and a dependable volunteer. Maybe through these actions I can motivate others to trust in what God calls us to do. I want to encourage people to take the extra step when asked, to help others when needed, or to reach out and invite new friends to join. I want to inspire people to make sure that those around us feel cared about and welcomed anywhere they might be, and especially at St. George’s.
Current Occupation: Semi-retired business consultant
What brought you to St. George’s? My wife, Sarita, and I began attending St. George’s in 2020. We had been active at our previous church since before we married there in 1998, including service on the vestry. We were attracted to St. George’s because of its more open and robust approach during the pandemic. The warmth and welcome from clergy and a strong sense of cooperation amongst the congregation was compelling. We decided to join St. George’s on Christmas Eve 2020 when St. George’s added a fifth service to accommodate the demand. We took this to be the leading hand of God and are indeed grateful to be part of the St. George’s community.
What excites you about St. George’s today and in the future? There are many reasons to be excited about St. George’s, including the Essentials Bible Studies and the impact this program has on the congregation and larger community. We enjoy The Table and appreciate its impact on worship at St. George’s. We value the music ministry overall and support this via the In Excelsis Concert Series. The Bradford Gallery and its emphasis on artistry is indeed inspiring. I am also energized by my roles with the ROGUES and St. George’s Enterprise Ministry (SGEM).
How do you hope to serve as a leader on the vestry? In whatever way I am called. I have a desire to love and serve others. I have gained some wisdom over the past 71 years. Although young at heart, this will make me one of the oldest members of the vestry, and I look forward to sharing in any capacity that is needed.
How do you model Christian leadership at St. George’s and in the greater Nashville community? My best self emerges when thinking of others. I enjoy people. My college, Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, Alabama, is known as “The Friendliest Campus in the South.” And this motto has significantly influenced my approach to life.
Current Occupation: Full-time commercial interior designer at ESa
What brought you to St. George’s? My parents, Tommy and Carol Ann, joined friends at St. George’s and moved our memberships from St. Paul’s in Franklin to St. George’s while I was in college at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. We have always worshipped as a family, and it was a natural adjustment for me after returning to the Nashville area post-college. Over time, I really found my place here and am so grateful to be part of this parish.
What excites you about St. George’s today and in the future? St. George’s continues to be an active, growing, and vivacious community. Somehow our large parish still feels welcoming and personal, and most everyone can find their “place” within. The exciting part is the opportunities we have as a parish to connect, serve, and worship together, in traditional ways and new. My hope is that we will continue our lasting legacies within our community and find new ways to make important impacts on our parish and those we serve, and that we would continue to be a place that feels welcoming, safe, and available to all.
How do you hope to serve as a leader on the vestry? It is a true honor to be considered to serve our church as a vestry member. I hope to help St. George’s continue to be a place where we embody our mission statement to “receive, live, and share the abundant life of Jesus Christ.” My professional experience is of working on projects with teams with common objectives in mind, so I am well practiced in sharing ideas and finding the ones that work best for the end goal. I believe my passion for design, hospitality, and community will support this effort as I work with the clergy and vestry to serve our parish.
How do you model Christian leadership at St. George’s and in the greater Nashville community? In the community, I am a board member (2018-2023) and longtime volunteer at Ronald McDonald House Charities Nashville. Within St. George’s, I am most proud of my involvement with Our Little Roses, having traveled to Honduras with our church since 2016, and where I now serve on the leadership team for that missional community. On Sunday mornings, I volunteer as a greeter at the 8:45am service, as well as for special services throughout the year. In more recent years, I have served with the Building & Grounds Committee and as the Clerk of St. George’s Vestry. And like so many others at St. George’s, I joined an Essentials group in 2020 made up of fantastic women in our church, led by Laura Crawford, where I collect and lead our prayers.
Lewis Agnew
Janie Berry
Robert Stewart
Leslie Ann Wilson