DIOCESE OF GEORGIA NOMINATING/SEARCH COMMITTEE

The Very Rev. Robert D. Fain, Chairman
Robert Fain has been the Rector of the Church of the Good Shepherd in Augusta since 1993 and serves as Dean of the Augusta Convocation. Born in Hendersonville, NC, Robert graduated from The Citadel in 1977. After three years service in the U.S. Navy he entered the School of Theology at Suwanee, graduating in 1983.

Church of the Good Shepherd
2230 Walton Way
Augusta, GA 30904

Charles Hough, Standing Committee Representative
A former Corporate Officer & Group CEO in a Fortune 500 Company, Charlie retired in 1991 and has had additional careers as a Mediator, (Florida Licensed); provider of Medical Benefits Insurance for Colleges; Financial Turn-Around CEO and a Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Dealer. He is a cradle Episcopalian, senior warden, and chair of his parish’s search committee. At the diocesan level, he serves on the Board of Officers, Standing Committee, and Search/Nominating Committee for the 10th Bishop of the Diocese of Georgia.

St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church
4800 Old Dawson Road
Albany, GA 31721

The Rev. Nancy Mills, Chaplain
907 N. Dawson Street
Thomasville, GA 31792

The Rev. Canon Rick Callaway, Consultant
Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta

AUGUSTA CONVOCATION

The Rev. Cynthia N. Taylor
The Rev. Cindy Taylor graduated from Virginia Seminary in 1986 (ordained to the deaconate in 1986 and the priesthood in 1987), and in 2007 received her D. Min. from Sewanee with an emphasis in Congregational Development. She has served parishes in South Carolina, Georgia, and Paris, France. In 1999, on behalf of the Diocese of Georgia, she began the first new church start in the Augusta area in over 30 years, Church of the Holy Comforter. They completed thier first building a few months ago and are experiencing great growth. Her passion is church growth and mentoring others to do the same.

Church of the Holy Comforter
3504-A Professional Cir
Martinez, GA 30907

Pat Burau
Pat is a native Georgian and retired from the school system after 38 years, 15 as the Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources.  She currently works part time as Special Assistant to the Superintendent.  I have been married for 43 years with two grown children.  I am mother to my son’s nine year old daughter and grandmother to my daughter’s three children.  I have been a member of St. Augustine’s since its beginning where we will celebrate our 50th anniversary next year.  I am currently on the vestry and have served several terms as senior warden.  I am a Lay Eucharistic Minister and served on the search committee for our Rector.  I currently serve on the Ecclesiastical Trial Court for the diocese.

St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church
3321 Wheeler Rd
Augusta, GA 30909

CENTRAL CONVOCATION

The Rev. Lonnie Lacy
The Rev. Lonnie Lacy is a native of the Diocese of Georgia and was ordained to the priesthood in 2006. After his ordination, he served concurrently as the Assistant Rector at Trinity Statesboro and the Episcopal Chaplain to Georgia Southern University for three years. He recently accepted a call as Rector of St. Anne’s Tifton, a post which he assumed in May. Lonnie also serves as the current President of the Alumni/ae Executive Committee of the Virginia Seminary. Lonnie and his wife, Jay, have an eighteen month old dynamo, Mary Grace, and another child on the way. And two whippets to keep life interesting when Mary Grace is napping.

St. Anne’s Episcopal Church
P.O. Box 889
Tifton, GA 31794

Fred Richter
Fred Richter, a cradle Episcopalian, is a retired English professor (2001) and member of Trinity Episcopal Church, Statesboro, where he serves on the vestry and enjoys landscaping Trinity’s relatively new (2001) church property. He practices and teaches yoga, plays tennis and travels abroad with his partner (not yet retired) every chance they get. With their two cats and two dogs, they live in the countryside outside Statesboro.

1717 Lakeview Rd
Statesboro, GA 30461

SAVANNAH CONVOCATION

Deacon Geri Lee Nelson
The Rev. Deacon Geri Thacker Nelson serves as Deacon and Minister of Christian Education at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Isle of Hope, Savannah, Georgia. She is the Coordinator for the Diocesan Deacon School for Ministry and the Examining Chaplain for Liturgy.  As a former oncology nurse, Deacon Geri has conducted numerous grief support groups for those who have lost a loved one to death.  She is married to the Rev. Richard A. Nelson, who is Rector of St. Thomas, and they have 5 grown children.  For relaxation they enjoy kayaking the local rivers, walking, reading, movies and visiting their children and grandson (when time permits!)

7607 Lynes Court
Savannah, GA 31406

Mr. Richard C.E. (Skip) Jennings
Skip Jennings is a 53-year old bankruptcy lawyer in Savannah. A life-long Episcopalian, Skip currently serves as Senior Warden at St. John’s Church. He also serves on the Savannah Convocation’s Discernment Committee. Married with two teenaged daughters, Skip is very civically active in Savannah, particularly in the areas of music and politics.

306 Kensington Dr
Savannah, GA 31405

ALBANY CONVOCATION

The Very Rev. Mark Jones
The Very Reverend Mark Stephen Jones is the 18th rector of St. Paul’s Church, Albany.  Fr. Jones is a fourth generation clergyman.  He is a graduate of the Virginia Seminary and Florida State University.  Fr. Jones began his ministry in the diocese of Florida where he also served on the Commission on Ministry.  He currently serves on the Diocesan Council, the Standing Committee, the Nominating Search Committee for the tenth Bishop of Georgia, and as the Dean of the Albany Convocation.  Fr. Jones is married to the former Emily Wells.  They have two children – Davis and Hadley.

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
212 N. Jefferson St
Albany, GA 31701

Sammi Harewood
Sammi Harewood, Episcopalian by choice. Member St. Patrick’s, Albany, Georgia by way of St. Phillip’s parish New York. Member of Altar Guild, Order of Daughter of the King, and various parish outreach programs. Civic actvities and membership: International Kiwanis, Artist Guild. Retired AT&T North East Regional Manager of Presentations.

902 Jefferies Ave
Albany, GA 31701

SOUTHEASTERN CONVOCATION

The Rev. Ted H. Clarkson
Ted is a native Georgian, growing up in Diocese of Georgia where his father was the longtime rector of Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, Augusta (37 years).  He practiced law in Augusta for 20 years before hearing a call to the ordained ministry.  He left his practice in 2003, went to Sewanee for three years, and returned to the Diocese as the rector of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church and vicar of St. Cyprian’s Episcopal Church, both in Darien, Georgia.  He serves the diocese as the presiding judge of the Ecclesiastical Trial Court and the chairman of our camp and conference center commission.

St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church
P.O. Drawer 929
Darien, GA 31305

SOUTHWESTERN CONVOCATION

The Rev. Frederick A. “Rick” Buechner
The Rev. Frederick A. Buechner (Rick) (not the Presbyterian author, but possibly related) attended the University of Virginia (B.A. 1974) and Virginia Theological Seminary (M.Div. 1980), and was ordained deacon in 1980 and priest in 1981. Rick has spent his entire ordained ministry in the Diocese of Georgia, the last twenty years of which as Rector of All Saints, Thomasville, one of two parishes in the diocese using the 1928 BCP exclusively. Married for 33 years to Kathy Kaufmann, an elementary school music teacher, with two grown children, Rick enjoys music, reading, golf, red wine and their pet lab, Isabelle.

112 Parkway Dr
Thomasville, GA 31792

Walter Hobgood
Walter Hobgood is a member of Christ Church Valdosta, where he has served as a Member of the Vestry, Senior Warden, and Lay Reader and is currently Reading for Holy Orders.  He is a life long Episcopalian and has been an active member in churches in St. Louis, Singapore and Melbourne, Australia.  He is a graduate of Louisiana State University and has served as a business executive for 30+ years.  He currently owns and operates a staffing agency and serves as a business coach and organizational development consultant.  He is active in community activities: Rotary Club, Chairman of the local Red Cross Chapter and Chairman of the Valdosta/Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce.  He is married to the former Gail Riedie and they have 3 grown children and two grandchildren.

1036 Cherry Creek Dr
Valdosta, GA 31605

As of March 25, 2009