Our Clergy and Staff

Clergy

• The Reverend Sandy Webb

  Rector

  swebb@holycommunion.org

  901-767-6987 x4012

  The Reverend Sandy Webb has served Church of the Holy Communion since August 2013. During Sandy’s tenure, Holy Communion has developed and implemented new models for forming disciples of Jesus Christ, communicating the Good News, serving the wider community, and having challenging conversations in a spirit of truth and love. The parish also completed a major capital campaign and construction project.

  As rector, Sandy is a permanent trustee of St. Mary’s Episcopal School, and he has made a priority of strengthening the relationship between the church and the school. Sandy also serves on the Diocese of West Tennessee’s Bishop & Council and on the Advisory Board for the Salvation Army of Memphis and the Mid-South.

  Before coming to Holy Communion, Sandy was associate to the rector at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Roanoke, Virginia, and founding chaplain to the Roanoke City Fire-EMS Department.

  A “cradle Episcopalian” from Massachusetts, Sandy always wanted to serve the Episcopal Church as a career. Before seminary, he worked in the Executive Office of the General Convention at denominational headquarters in New York. He was involved in coordinating General Convention worship services for fifteen years.

  Sandy earned his undergraduate degree from Hamilton College in Clinton, New York. He completed his seminary studies at Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, Virginia, and was ordained at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City in 2010. He has completed two courses at St. George’s College, Jerusalem, and is an alumnus of the New Memphis Institute’s program for senior executives. He contributes regularly to the Episcopal Church Foundation’s Vital Practices blog.

  Sandy met and married his wife, Jessica, in Memphis.

• The Reverend Jonathan Chesney

  Associate Rector

  jchesney@holycommunion.org

  901-767-6987 x4033

  The Reverend Jonathan Chesney has served Church of the Holy Communion since October 2018. He was called to Holy Communion especially to serve and lead in the pastoral care ministries of the parish after completing a Clinical Pastoral Education Residency in Chicago, an intensive course of study, while serving as a hospital ER chaplain, which meets the training requirements necessary for Board Certification. In addition to the canonical priestly roles, Jonathan has strong interests in and assists with liturgical planning and life, supporting the youth ministry, and taking part in some of the ecumenical and mission relationships CHC has with the larger community.

  Taking part in the councils of the larger Church, Jonathan serves the Diocese of West Tennessee as of the Commission on Ministry and Chaplain for the Happening Steering Committee and Chair. He is active in the Memphis Christian Pastors Network and holds a great love for Camp and Retreat ministries, such as those that take place at St. Columba Camp and Retreat Center.

  Jonathan first served the Church as a lay youth minister in the Diocese of Alabama and in ministry and programing at Camp McDowell, where he then discerned a call to ordained ministry. After studying at Virginia Theological Seminary, Jonathan served his first cure at Holy Trinity, Auburn, working especially closely with the college ministry, an area which he holds dear from being an active participant while in his own undergraduate studies at Trinity College, in Hartford, CT.

  Most importantly, Jonathan is married to Ali and they spend most of their time laughing and in awe of their young daughter, Georgi. Aside from sharing a love of the outdoors, traveling, cooking, and eating with Ali, Jonathan also loves reading fiction and poetry, games of all sorts, and trying to keep in touch with family and friends spread all over the country.

• The Reverend Sarah Cowan

  Associate Rector

  scowan@holycommunion.org

  901-767-6987
• The Reverend Dr. Randy McCloy

  Deacon

  rmccloy@holycommunion.org

  901-767-6987 x4014

  Randy is a life-long Memphian who attended college at Yale University and Rhodes College. He received his medical degree at University of Tennessee, and completed post-graduate training at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. He practiced gastroenterology in Memphis for more than 40 years.

  He has been a member of Holy Communion since 1980. He served twice on the Vestry, once as senior warden. Following his discernment process for the Diaconate, Randy earned a master's degree in the Arts of Religion at Memphis Theological Seminary. He was ordained at Holy Communion in 2009.

  Randy and his wife, Linda Kay, have four sons and six grandchildren. Before returning to Holy Communion, Randy served as deacon at St. Andrews Church, Collierville for a year.

  His hobbies include golf, skiing, hunting and travel with Linda Kay, especially to visit their grandchildren. In addition to his liturgical duties, Randy is interested in pastoral care, and especially the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of those near the end of their lives and those experiencing the journey with them.

• The Reverend Miranda Cully

  Chaplain to St. Mary’s Episcopal School

  Since graduating from seminary ten years ago, Miranda has worked for Episcopal churches in Atlanta and Memphis and is excited to add Episcopal school chaplaincy as the next chapter of her career.

  Miranda grew up in the Arkansas Ozarks. She is a graduate of the University of Central Arkansas and is also an alum of the University of Mississippi where she wrote her Master’s thesis entitled Hooray for Prohibition: The Women’s Christian Temperance Movement in Mississippi for her M.A. in Southern Studies. She completed her M. Div. at Emory University in 2012 and has been on staff at an Episcopal church ever since. She studied two years in the Alternate Clergy Training at Sewanee program where she fell in love with the Mountain and Anglican theology all over again.

  She enjoys reading classic novels (Anna Karenina being the latest) and caring for her flower and vegetable garden. A few of her favorite things include rollerskating, her cat Dolly, outdoor walks, the Enneagram, and her husband Brian.

Holy Communion Staff

• Teresa Boone

  Director of Administration

  tboone@holycommunion.org

  901-767-6987 x4029

  Teresa joined the Holy Communion staff as director of finance and human resources in 2006. Her background includes auditing, general and cost accounting, financial systems implementations, and project management.

  She holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and a Master of Business Administration (MBA). In 2020 she earned her certificate as a Certified Church Administrator (CCA) from The Church Network/National Association of Church Business Administrators.

• Laura Clausen

  Financial Assistant

  lclausen@holycommunion.org

  901-767-6987 x4017

  Laura joined the CHC staff as an Accounting Assistant in 2016.  Her background includes  accounts receivables and payables, payroll, and general accounting.  Before joining CHC, Laura spent several years in volunteer roles with PTA, Band Boosters and Boy Scouts.

   Laura holds a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree in Finance with an emphasis in Accounting from the University of Iowa.

• Mary Beth Darrow

  Director of Operations

  mdarrow@holycommunion.org

  901-767-6987 x4011

  Mary Beth has several decades of administrative experience.

  She was born and raised in Eaton, Ohio, and earned her bachelor of business administration degree from the University of Cincinnati. She worked in Washington, D.C. and after a few years, her sister and bother-in-law, Patty and Jerry Scruggs, convinced her to transfer to Memphis.

  Mary Beth loves ballroom dancing, and through it, she met her husband, Jacob Shiloah. He is a retired professor from the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry.

   

• Martha Earnest

  Housekeeping
• Jake Epperson

  Acting Assistant Minister to Youth

  jepperson@holycommunion.org
• Drew Massengale

  Minister to Children

  dmassengale@holycommunion.org

  Drew has served at Holy Communion since July 2021, and his ministry focuses primarily on children from pre-K through fifth grade and their families. Prior to this appointment, he spent twelve years as Youth Education Program Coordinator and My Big Backyard Manager at Memphis Botanic Garden where he was affectionately known as “Mister Drew.”

  Although only an official resident since 2002, Drew has called Memphis home his entire life. After his family settled in Meridian, MS, regular trips to visit grandparents and cousins established a deep love for this bruised, beautiful Bluff City, and that love has only grown over the last two decades. Drew is a member of St. Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral where he spent twenty years as the choir’s Tenor Section Leader before taking on the role of Minister to Children at Holy Communion. He married his wife, Angela, in 2009, and they have two incredible children.

  A lifelong devotee of theatre and music, Drew studied Theatre Performance at the University of Southern Mississippi, and Vocal Performance and Music History at the University of Memphis, where he obtained his Bachelor of Liberal Studies.  He is now doing post-graduate work in the fields of Divinity and Christian Ministry.

  Drew’s background in the performing arts is what drives his creative and ministerial aspirations. “Everyone has a gift that can be used to create beauty, and theatre is the most collaborative art form there is. It encompasses every artistic discipline: acting, singing, dancing, writing, music, painting, set design & construction, costuming, lighting, and sound design (to name a few). Even the audience contributes their energy to a performance!” It is Drew’s hope that his love of the theatrical arts may serve to connect people and communities to each other and to God.

   
• Michael McGuire

  Director of Recreation and Wellness

  mmcguire@holycommunion.org

  901-767-6987 x4022

  Michael organizes and coordinates the church athletic, fitness and wellness programs for children and adults. He also schedules and oversees the use of the athletic facilities (gym, baseball/soccer field, exercise room).

  After attending and playing soccer at Lambuth University for his first two years of undergraduate work, Michael graduated from the University of Memphis with a degree in Sports Management. With over 14 years of experience in youth sports, Michael comes to Church of the Holy Communion from Hope Church where he worked as assistant director of recreation.

  Since 2009, Michael has been married to Lydia, a teacher in the Collierville school district. Together, they enjoy walking their dog and spending time at Kentucky Lake. 

• Cindy McMillion

  Parish Photographer

  cmcmillion@holycommunion.org

  Cindy McMillion loves documenting parish life at Holy Communion through the lens of her camera. Her determination to recognize and honor the divine image inside every human being has been the foundation for a number of community-based photography projects, including one honoring Holy Communion’s senior parishioners (Hall of Faith, displayed on the lower level of Blaisdell). As parish photographer, she provides images for weekly and monthly parish communications and manages Holy Communion's Facebook page. 

  Cindy holds a master’s degree in instructional design and technology from the University of Memphis and served for many years as an elementary classroom teacher and an instructional technology specialist for Memphis-Shelby County Schools. 

  She is married to Phil, retired professor of Old Testament, and the two have enjoyed several trips to Jerusalem, where Phil delves into history and theology while Cindy records moments of daily life in the Old City. She also enjoys bluegrass gospel music, writing, playing Scrabble, visiting art galleries, and reading (especially C.S. Lewis and poet Billy Collins). 

  The broader body of Cindy’s photography work can be seen at cindymcmillionphotography.com 

   

• Beth Mitchell

  Assistant Minister of Communication

  bmitchell@holycommunion.org

  901-767-6987 x4016

  Beth came to Church of the Holy Communion in December 2015 as assistant minister of communication. In her role, she assists the Minister of Communications by updating the weekly e-Communicator and bulletin; creating event flyers, posters, postcards; helping update the church website and other work in design and production.

  Before coming to Holy Communion, Beth served as director of communication and outreach coordinator of St. Peter Catholic Church, where she produced the weekly bulletin, maintained the parish website, designed exterior signage and coordinated volunteers for its outreach ministries. As an extension of her work at St. Peter’s, Beth serves as a member of the parish social ministry subcommittee of the Board of Catholic Charities of West Tennessee.

  A cradle Catholic from Memphis, Beth is an involved parishioner of St. Peter’s, serving as a member of its RCIA and Adult Faith Formation teams. She is also a board member of the Women’s Guild, serving as publicity and communications chair.

  Beth is a graduate of the University of Memphis and serves on the university’s College of Communication and Fine Arts - Elizabeth and Harold Robinson Scholarship Committee. A fine arts enthusiast, Beth is an accomplished calligrapher and enjoys dabbling in watercolor painting. She enjoys spending time with her extended family and friends, especially while exploring the many excellent restaurants, museums and cultural events Memphis has to offer.

• Ann Morehead

  Housekeeping
• Dr. David Ouzts

  Minister of Music and Liturgy

  douzts@holycommunion.org

  901-767-6987 x4013

  As Minister of Music and Liturgy, David Ouzts serves as director of music and organist for the parish and conducts the Parish Choir and Holy Communion Ringers. As the parish liturgist, he works closely with the clergy in planning all worship. He also serves as chapel organist for St. Mary's Episcopal School.

  A native of South Carolina, Dr. Ouzts began his organ study as a high school student at Converse College and holds organ performance degrees from Furman University and the Yale School of Music. He holds diplomas in sacred music and Anglican studies from the Yale Institute of Sacred Music and the Berkeley Divinity School at Yale. He studied organ with Walter Lindsay Smith and Robert S. Baker and organ improvisation with Gerre Hancock.

  As a post-graduate student at the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University, he studied organ and church music with Marilyn Keiser, choral conducting with Jan Harrington and Michael Schwarzkopf, and served as a graduate assistant to organ department chair Larry Smith. In 2008 he earned the Doctor of Sacred Music degree from the Graduate Theological Foundation in South Bend, Indiana, and was named an Oxford Foundation Fellow to study systematic theology at the University of Oxford (U.K.).

  He is involved in numerous professional organizations He is a past dean of the Huntington (WVa) and Memphis chapters of the American Guild of Organists (AGO) and presently serves as the AGO Tennessee District Convener. He has also served in a number of capacities as officer or board member for the Association of Anglican Musicians (AAM), Royal School of Church Music in America (RSCM), American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), Handbell Musicians of America, and Choristers Guild.

  In 2022 Dr. Ouzts celebrates his 20th year as parish musician of Church of the Holy Communion.

• Jim Sawicki

  Sexton
• Jamie Shaw

  Sexton
• Kyle Taubken

  Parish Videographer

  ktaubken@holycommunion.org

  Kyle Taubken is a videographer, editor, and filmmaker from Memphis, TN. He has enjoyed working in video production for nearly a decade with clients across the Mid-South and beyond. Kyle deeply values the partnership between Church of the Holy Communion and his boutique video production company, Taubken Film & Video, and says he is "honored to be working regularly with such a special congregation!"

   

• Carter Webster

  Head of Program Staff and Minister of Hospitality

  cwebster@holycommunion.org

  767-6987 x4019

  Carter was born and raised in Memphis. After graduating from White Station High School, she went to Middle Tennessee State University where she studied child development/family studies and social work.  She worked at Camp Gailor-Maxon for six years and served as the camp's assistant director in 2017. In summer 2018, Carter joined our staff as our Minister to youth. Carter loved every minute of working with the youth in our church and formed meaningful and unique relationships.  In the spring of 2022, Carter moved into the role of Head of Programs and Minister of Hospitality. When she is not greeting parishioners and newcomers, Carter is likely out to eat, cheering on the Grizzlies (or Vols or Titans), or at a concert.  Carter is an enneagram 2/ESFJ and loves to "be where the people are." Carter's main priority is helping you to feel welcome and connected at Church of the Holy Communion! 

• Sarah Wilkinson

  Receptionist

  swilkinson@holycommunion.org

  901-767-6987
• Cynthia Williams

  Receptionist

  receptionist@holycommunion.org

  901-767-6987

• Thomas Carlisle

  Thomas is a native of Holly Springs, Mississippi and graduated from Ole Miss in 2009. He currently works as a Commercial Lender at FirstBank. Thomas and his wife Meade have two daughters, Caroline (3.5) and Mary Miller (5 months).  The Carlisles have been attending Holy Communion since 2017. Thomas enjoys serving the church by ushering during the 10:30 AM service and was elected to the vestry in 2021. 

• Tay Chafin

  Tay Chafin has been involved in Holy Communion for many years and fondly remember the Sunday morning bible study classes from former rector Reynolds Cheney as well as the way that her spiritual beliefs have been strengthened through Education for Ministry (EfM) and her children’s confirmation classes. Tay has been active most recently at the 5:30 Sunday evening service, helping with set-up and clean-up.  

  With a M.A. from the University of Memphis in Learning Disabilities, Tay taught for many years at Presbyterian Day School, kindergarten through fourth grade. She also worked for 21 years at the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art in the education department.  

• Liz Crowder

  Liz has been a member of Church of the Holy Communion for 20 years. She was elected to  the vestry in 2020, served as Junior Warden in 2021 and is currently Senior Warden. She serves as a lay eucharistic minister, is the longest tenured member of the Holy Communion Ringers bell choir, is active in the church’s cooking ministries and serves as one of the parish wedding coordinators. She recently completed a term on the Endowment Committee.   

  Liz spent her early years in the United Methodist Church and joined the Episcopal Church while attending the University of Illinois. After graduation, she spent 18 years at Illinois Power Company in a variety of roles in finance and human resources. She was married and her two children were baptized at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Decatur, Illinois where she was a member of the altar guild. She moved to the Memphis area in 1998 when she accepted a position in the Strategic Finance Department of FedEx Corporation. While attending St. George’s Episcopal Church in Germantown, she began serving as a lay eucharistic minister.   

  In 2020, Liz retired from her role as Director – Corporate Finance in the FedEx Treasury Department where her team was responsible for global debt and equity capital markets access, long-term cash flow and balance sheet forecasting and managing a portfolio of leveraged aircraft leases. She is a three-time winner of FedEx’s Five Star Award. Recently, she started an encore career with Organized Advantage as a professional organizer for both residential and small business clients. She is an active member of LeBonheur Club, currently serving as their Parliamentarian.   

   

• Michael Faber

  Michael has been a member of Holy Communion since 2010. He has served as Chair of the Stewardship Committee and was recently elected assistant treasurer in 2022. 

  Growing up in Memphis, Michael was confirmed in the Methodist church as a child and was introduced to the Episcopal Church upon meeting his wife, Alexis, in 2005. Michael and Alexis have two grade school aged boys, who were both baptized at Holy Communion. The family has been active in the church, participating in youth sports and many other activities offered by Holy Communion. 

  Michael is currently employed at Royal Furniture Company where he serves as President. Prior to his work at Royal Furniture Company, Michael was employed at the investment bank Credit Suisse in New York and London until 2003. He is a graduate of Washington and Lee University and is active in the community, having served on both for-profit and non-profit boards, such as Presbyterian Day School, the Porter Leath Foundation, and National Guard Products. 

• Bradley Fogelman

  Bradley Fogelman has been a member of Holy Communion since 2008. She grew up in Huntsville, AL, and attended Vanderbilt University, living in Nashville until she married Robert Fogelman II and moved to Memphis. Bradley and Robert have two children, son Foster and daughter Eliza.  

  As a lifelong Episcopalian, Bradley notes that church has helped support her through many stages and events in life. Now as a part of this leadership team, she says, “I am excited about the growing energy here and proud to call Holy Communion my home of faith. The construction projects and Covid have shown me the enthusiasm, vision, confidence, and determination that this congregation has for the church. I look forward to seeing the current vision of the church being fulfilled with the same determination and enthusiasm.”  

  In addition to serving on the Vestry, Bradley has assisted with the Pastoral Care Committee, Celebration Sunday, Nave Design Committee, Shrimp Dinner Committee, Flower Guild, and numerous hunger outreach efforts. Her children have participated in Children’s Choir, Holy Communion’s recreational sports, and the acolyte program. From this involvement, Bradley has learned different skills and assessed the different needs of the congregation. “I feel that I bring an open mind and heart to my role on Vestry,” says Bradley, “and bring positive energy and ideas to any task at hand.”  

  Heavily involved in the Memphis community, Bradley volunteers and serves on the boards of Junior League of Memphis, Iris Orchestra, Presbyterial Day School, St. Mary’s Episcopal School, Memphis University School, Salvation Army, and the Children’s Museum of Memphis. She notes that her volunteer experiences have allowed her to collaborate with others, navigate tough decisions, and explore new ideas and solutions.  

• Janice Hall

  Janice Hall was confirmed at Holy Communion in 1986 and was a member until 1993. She rejoined Holy Communion in 2019 upon returning to Memphis, after living in New York City for 20 years and attending St. Thomas Episcopal Church. Janice is actively involved in the food ministries at Holy Communion and co-leads the gleaning program. She is a member of the pastoral care team and a newly elected member of the vestry. She played a key leadership role in the design, development and implementation of Holy Communion’s new website, mobile app, and the integration of the new church management system. 

  After a 28-year career at the Estée Lauder Cosmetic Companies, Inc., Janice retired in 2019. Her last position was Sr. Vice President Global Sales Capability and Fast-To-Action. Prior to this role she was the first Senior Vice President of Global Employee Engagement and Organization Effectiveness. While in this role she also led the development and execution of the Global HR Strategy and played a leadership role on the Global HR Transformation team. Other roles included Vice President Global Talent Management and various sales leadership roles.  

  After retiring, Janice launched Kinderhill Consulting, which focuses on business strategy and transformation and leadership and talent development. She serves on the Mercy Hospital Systems Co-Worker Experience Committee of the Board and on the Talent Plus, Inc. Advisory Board. 

  She serves on the Theater Memphis Board of Directors and is a member of the marketing committee. She was Vice-Chair of the American Heart Association Board, NYC and was the Corporate Chair for Go Red for Women, NYC, where she led the first ever $2 million campaign and was the recipient of the Leadership from the Heart Award. She served on the Advisory Board for the Young Women’s Leadership School of Harlem and was a job coach and mentor for the First Step Program/New Your Coalition for the Homeless.

• Lisa Holt

  Born and raised a Roman Catholic, Lisa was received into the Episcopal church in 1992. As a member of Church of the Holy Communion since 2001, she has served as a eucharist minister and visitor; in pastoral care especially enjoying flower delivery, and on the vestry both in the past and currently. She has taught high school formation and participated in small group ministry. In the diocese, she has served on the Commission for Ministry and the Board of St. Columba.  
   
  Hugh and Lisa have been married for 33 years. They moved to Memphis in 1990, and are the proud parents of two wonderful young adults. Lizzy lives in Nashville and works in development for Vanderbilt. Patrick lives in Austin, TX and works in sales and marketing for Venture. Lisa works part time as an Infusion Nurse. She enjoys anything outside, especially tennis, walking/hiking and golf. She is an avid reader, needle pointer, and cook.  
• Barton Lynch

  Born and raised in Chattanooga, TN where her family attended the Church of the Good Shepherd on Lookout Mountain, TN, Barton attended Girls’ Preparatory School and Hollins College, graduating with a marketing degree from the University of Tennessee. She moved to Memphis as an assistant buyer for Goldsmiths’ Department Store. Her career path was filled with different companies, but always in the role of “salesperson.”  Whether “selling “for Goldsmiths, United Cerebral Palsy, The Principal Financial Group, Risk Assessment Laboratory, or her own floral design busines, she learned that most careers are about relationships.  

  As a young girl, Barton was part of the Junior Altar Guild of her parish because girls were not allowed to be acolytes! In Memphis, she initially attended Saint John’s Episcopal Church, serving on the flower guild and as Sunday School teacher. She and her sons, Alexander and Webster Canale, moved to Holy Communion in 1986. While working full time during weekdays, she enjoyed working with the Flower Guild on Saturdays. Barton married Mike Lynch in 1999. Soon, Mike and Barton were asked to help lead the Acolyte Program. “I am still carrying the torch for this ministry that we both loved,” says Barton. In addition to serving as vestry member and acolyte mentor, Barton participates in the Floral Festival Ministry, More than a Meal, and Supper Clubs.   

  Barton’s hobbies include golf, gardening (anywhere), Mah Jong, flower arranging, Pilates, walking, dogs, reading historical fiction and mysteries, and being involved with ladies’ organizations and friends. She also holds a judging position with the Garden Club of America. But Barton says her real passion is her children, Alex and Webster, daughter-in-law Lyndal, grandchildren, Mae and Kain, and her dog, Beau (as well as the six other dogs she has loved).   

• Shannon Mattern

  Shannon has been a member of Holy Communion since 2010. She enjoys serving Holy Communion through her work on the vestry, as Lay Eucharist Minister, volunteer for children’s activities, and the newly formed Floral Festival Ministry 

  Shannon was born in Alameda, CA but raised in Memphis, TN. After graduating from Briarcrest High School, she attended Auburn University where she received a Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology. Upon graduation, she returned to Memphis. She has been happily married to Richard for almost 20 years. They have two wonderful boys, Beckett and Hudson.  

  After a distinguished 20-year career at Regional One Health, she joined LeBonheur Children’s Hospital where she works with premature and medically fragile infants in the neonatal intensive care unit and outpatient areas.  

  In her free time, Shannon enjoys spending time with her family, being outside, reading, and playing with her three goldendoodles, who tend to run the house.  

• Jean McGhee

  Jean Vaughan McGhee is a lifelong Episcopalian who has spent much of her life at the corner of Perkins and Walnut Grove. She started attending Holy Communion in the second grade, and attended St. Mary’s Episcopal School for 12 years. There were many years that Jean attended worship services six days a week. While at St. Mary’s, Jean served as Chapel Committee Chairman, assisting with daily chapel for the student body. After graduating from St. Mary’s Episcopal School, Jean received a B.S. in physics from Georgia Tech and then returned to Memphis to work for NexAir.  
   

  In 2006, Jean and her husband, Shawn McGhee, founded Hollywood Feed. Jean’s passion for both the pets and people of her community has played an instrumental role in turning three local stores into an expanding regional chain with nearly 180 stores in 19 states. Not surprisingly her favorite yearly celebration is the Blessing of the Animals held on the church steps. She has three dogs, three cats, and an occasional foster pet who knows a soft heart when it encounters Jean. 

  For several years at Holy Communion Jean was the chair of the Mary and Martha Guild, a group founded for continued faith and fellowship of young parents. Most recently she chaired the annual Shrimp Dinner, helped to cook and deliver food to Constance Abbey, and has served on the vestry since 2020. 
   

  Jean is the mother of Tess, Ellie, Davis, and Carmen McGhee.  

• Jack Nelson

  Originally from Iowa, Jack and Debbie have lived in Memphis for over 40 years. Jack is a veteran who served in the U.S. Army as an Air Defense Artillery platoon leader and Motor Pool Officer. He earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Iowa and completed his M.B.A. in 2010 at Union University.  

  Jack spent 26 years as General Manager of Cook & Love Shoes before joining AutoZone in 2005. He retired from AutoZone in 2018 where he had been the Supply Chain Manager responsible for inventory control of the Undercar, Minor Repair, Commodities, Tune-Up, and Wash & Wax teams.  

  He is an “L.L.E.” (Life-long Episcopalian) and remembers first using the proposed 1978 prayer book as an acolyte in the mid-1960s. He and Debbie were active members at St. Elisabeth’s Episcopal Church in Raleigh, then Bartlett, where he served on several vestries and occasionally held the roles of Senior Warden, Junior Warden, and Treasurer. He was involved with numerous ministries, including teaching church school for elementary, middle, and high school students, adult formation, R.A.I.N. (Regional AIDS Interfaith Network), Outreach Committee, Stewardship Committee, Capital Fundraising, and Eucharistic Minister.  He was elected to the vestry at Holy Communion in 2021 and has been involved with the Good Neighbor Team and the Constance Abbey lunch ministry. He also sings in the Parish Choir. He and Debbie have one son, Matthew, who lives with his husband, Jason, in Nashville. 

• Judy Phillips

  Holy Communion has been Judy’s spiritual home for most of her adult life. Raised in another tradition, she chose to be baptized and confirmed in the Episcopal church as a young adult. Judy’s children were nurtured, baptized and confirmed at Holy Communion, the youth pilgrimages being high points in their faith journeys.  

  Throughout the years, Judy has found opportunities to learn and give back, from teaching Sunday school, VBS and Catechesis of the Good Shepherd to food drives, food preparation, tutoring and Habitat builds.  

  Professionally, Judy’s focus has always been on children, from Children’s social services and Mother’s Day Out to children’s ministry at Holy Communion and at other local Episcopal churches. While the latter required her attendance on Sunday mornings, Holy Communion always remained her spiritual base.  

  With our newly renovated campus and the waning pandemic, Judy believes Holy Communion is poised to build on a strong foundation of learning and community involvement and launch new initiatives moving forward. It is truly “a good time to be at Holy Communion” and she feels blessed to be a part of it.  

• Dan Poag

  Dan was confirmed at Church of the Holy Communion in 1996. He was elected to the vestry in 2001, and has also served as a member of the endowment committee and the outreach committee. He was a member of the building committee from 2019 until the completion of construction and reopening of the sanctuary. Dan was elected to the vestry again in 2020. He actively supports the hunger ministries at Holy Communion.  

  Having grown up in the Methodist Church, Dan discovered the Unitarian Universalist Church while attending Princeton University and continued to be involved with the UU Fellowship in Atlanta while obtaining an M.B.A. at Emory University. He attended the Church of the River in Memphis until joining the Church of the Holy Communion.   

  With the development of Saddle Creek in Germantown, TN Dan is credited with being the co-creator of the Lifestyle Center concept, which significantly changed the shopping center industry. He formed a series of companies with different partners that developed and managed Lifestyle Centers around the United States. Dan retired as President and CEO of Poag Shopping Centers, LLC, and his son, Joshua Poag, took over leadership of the company. He currently serves as Chairman. 

  Dan has served as President of Theatre Memphis and Chairman of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra. He was a co-founder of the Memphis chapter of the Urban Land Institute and was elected to the Society of Entrepreneurs of Memphis in 2007. He has also been an active member of several other civic and cultural organizations in Memphis. 

• Romaine Scott
• Kyle Smith

  Kyle is a lifelong Memphian and grew up in the Church of Christ tradition. Kyle and his wife, Elizabeth, have two sons, Steven and Edward. Since 1995, Kyle and Elizabeth have been deeply involved at Holy Communion. Kyle was baptized as an adult and confirmed at Holy Communion. Throughout his years of church service, Kyle has been a previous vestry member, usher, acolyte master, teen Sunday school leader, youth group chaperone, outreach committee member, and diocesan finance committee member. 

  Kyle attended Memphis University School and earned a B.A. in economics and an MBA from Vanderbilt University. He has run his family’s local swimming pool business since 1994, managing a staff of 40 employees currently. He continues to grow the business using new customer contact technology and updated human resource strategies.   

• Jack Straton

  Jack Straton has served as Treasurer of Church of the Holy Communion since January 2019. He also serves as an Usher, Eucharist Minister, and Lector.  During the week, he is the Chief Financial Officer of Stratas Foods. His primary responsibilities include the finance, accounting, IT and legal operations of Stratas.  

  The Stratons moved to Memphis from Dallas in 1998, when Jack joined ACH Food Companies, Inc.  While at ACH, he created and led the company’s Program Management Office, which led M&A initiatives, strategic projects, and new product development programs. Following completion of his education, he began his career with Trammell Crow Company, a diversified real estate development and management company. He holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Vanderbilt University and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.  

  In addition to his service at church, Jack helps coach seventh and eighth grade lacrosse at Memphis University School and has served in several volunteer leadership roles for the Boy Scouts as well as President of the Board of the Pink Palace Family of Museums (now the Museum of Science & History).  He is married to Cindy and they have three adult children—John (living in Memphis), Rebekah (living in Houston, TX), and Susannah (living in Dallas, TX). 

• Richard Williamson

  Richard has been attending Church of the Holy Communion for ten years. After joining in 2015, Richard started teaching the Junior High Formation Class. He later served on the 2018-2020 Vestry as Secretary (2019) and Junior Warden. (2020). In 2022, Richard was elected to the Vestry for a second term and was asked to serve as the Junior Warden. His involvement with the youth program continues as he is now teaching the Senior High Formation Class. He also participated in the 2022 Youth Pilgrimage.   

  Richard grew up attending Highland Heights United Methodist Church in Memphis, TN. He spent numerous weekdays and weekends at HHUMC while his mother played the organ and his father led various committee meetings. Richard returned to Memphis after graduating from Mississippi State University and worked for 15 years with International Paper and RANK Group (Evergreen Packaging & UCI-FRAM). Richard went on to obtain his Executive Master of Business Administration from the University of Memphis in 2013.  He is now the Executive Vice President at Bryce Corporation.   

  Richard and his wife, Allison, married at Church of the Holy Communion in 2015.  They have two boys who are actively involved in the children’s ministries at Holy Communion.  Recognizing the value of community, Richard serves as the Chairman of the Board of Directors for Volunteer Odyssey.  He is also an alumnus and board member of the Memphis Boychoir.