OUR STAFF
The Rt. Rev. Samuel Rodman
XII Bishop Diocesan of North Carolina
The Rt. Rev. Samuel Rodman
XII Bishop Diocesan of North Carolina
EMAIL
The Rt. Rev. Samuel Rodman was ordained and consecrated as the XII Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina in Duke Chapel on the campus of Duke University in Durham on July 15, 2017. He was elected on March 4, 2017.
Prior to his election, Bishop Rodman served as the Special Projects Officer for the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts, a role he took on after spending five years as the diocesan project manager for campaign initiatives, where he engaged congregations, clergy and laity, in collaborative local and global mission through the Together Now campaign, helping to raise $20 million to fund these initiatives. Prior to that, he spent 16 years as the rector of St. Michael’s in Milton, Massachusetts, during which the parish established a seven-year plan that included a capital campaign for a major renovation of the church school building.
Since his ordination as bishop of the Diocese of North Carolina, Bishop Rodman was called to serve The Episcopal Church as the co-convener of the Presiding Officers’ Working Group on Truth-Telling, Reckoning and Healing following the 79th General Convention, and he currently services on the Standing Commission for Ecumenical and Inter-religious Relations. Within the diocese, he has engaged clergy and lay leaders across congregations on a number of initiatives, including the diocesan mission strategy, advocacy and public witness, reparations and restitution, and the sharing of proceeds from the sale of the former Diocesan House building to support congregations in their own ministry in the communities they serve.
Ordained in 1988, Bishop Rodman is a graduate of Bates College and Virginia Theological Seminary. He and his wife of 40 years, Deborah, live in Raleigh. They are the parents of two adult daughters. In his free time, Bishop Rodman enjoys basketball, golf, kayaking, crosswords and creative writing.
The Rt. Rev. Jennifer Brooke-Davidson
Assistant Bishop
The Rt. Rev. Jennifer Brooke-Davidson
Assistant Bishop
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A native of Texas and a graduate of Yale, the University of Texas School of Law and Fuller Theological Seminary, the Rt. Rev. Jennifer Brooke-Davidson’s early career was spent in the practice of commercial financial law. She was ordained in 2009. Following her ordination, she served first for two years as assistant rector at St. Stephen’s in Wimberley, Texas, and then as vicar of Saint Elizabeth in Buda, Texas, until her consecration as bishop suffragan of the Diocese of West Texas in 2017. Throughout her ordained career, Bishop Brooke-Davidson’s focus has been on congregational development, evangelism and formation, with a particular passion for developing adaptive leadership capacity in ordained and lay leaders.
Immediately prior to joining the Diocese of North Carolina as the assistant bishop on November 1, 2022, Bishop Brooke-Davidson served as the assistant bishop in the Diocese of Virginia, a position she held from 2019 until 2022. She is no stranger to transition, as part of her role there was working alongside the Rt. Rev. Susan Goff, bishop suffragan and the ecclesiastical authority of the Diocese of Virginia until the consecration of the Rt. Rev. E. Mark Stevenson, who was elected the 14th bishop diocesan on June 2022. As assistant bishop, Bishop Brooke-Davidson served in a full range of capacities, including Sunday and other visitations; oversight of the diocesan regional structures, including the deans; oversight of the Committee for Congregational Mission; support of persons in the ordination process; congregational development; conflict transformation; and work with other diocesan committees and commissions.
In her role as assistant bishop of the Diocese of North Carolina, Bishop Brooke-Davidson focuses on Christian formation, church redevelopment and leadership training.
Bishop Brooke-Davidson is joined in North Carolina by her husband, Carrick, an environmental attorney and sports enthusiast. They have two grown daughters, Emma and Kate.
The Rev. Canon Lindsey Ardrey
Canon Missioner Diocesan Restitution & Reparations
The Rev. Canon Lindsey Ardrey
Canon Missioner for Diocesan Restitution and Reparations Ministry
919-600-5303
EMAIL
Lindsey lives in Durham, but before landing in North Carolina, she served as a children’s and youth minister, school chaplain and co-chair for the Racial Reconciliation Commission in the Diocese of Louisiana. A deep believer in healing as a vital medium for issues stemming from race, Lindsey brings this perspective into every conversation and space she occupies, whether it’s on the parish or The Episcopal Church level. Creativity, artistic expressions and practices of embodiment infuse her approach to this work.
Lindsey is a lover of books, plants, hot tea and manifesting dreams her ancestors didn’t know they had. She is a writer, an auntie, a serious seeker of rest, a godparent and a human in deep need of laughter and silence in equal measure.
Lisa Aycock
Lead Youth
Missioner
Lisa Aycock
Lead Youth Missioner
919-600-5308
EMAIL
As of January 1, 2019, Lisa is the lead youth missioner in the Diocese of North Carolina.
She and her husband, Ricky, have four kids, three granddaughters, three dogs and a flock of chickens. In her free time, Lisa enjoys gardening, photography, and spending time outdoors and at the beach.
Jenny Beaumont
Missioner: Adult & Life-Long Formation
Jenny Beaumont
Missioner: Adult & Lifelong Formation
919-600-5299
EMAIL
Jenny is a cradle-born Episcopalian who has lived in the Diocese of North Carolina for most of her adult life.
Jenny is a race and reconciliation leader and a national trainer for Education on Ministry through the University of the South. She was the lead author of These Are Our Bodies: Talking Faith at Church and Home and co-author of These Are Our Bodies: Talking Faith at Church and Home: Foundation Book, all while running a learning center created to meet the needs of families and students with specific and expert support in learning.
Reimagining Christian formation for a 21st-century context is a focus and passion for Jenny. She uses both traditional in-person gatherings and online models to expand offerings and networks across our diverse diocese. Jenny collaborates in efforts, strategies and approaches in adult learning, emphasizing our mission priorities.
Jenny works closely with the diocesan youth missioners and other diocesan staff, the Racial Justice and Reconciliation Committee, the Commission for the Diaconate and the Diocesan Council department for Christian formation, all of whom work together to continue to build relationships and cooperative efforts with formation leaders across the diocese and the wider Church.
Jenny is a Deep Living Spiritual Life Coach, certified in the Enneagram and is currently working towards her a Masters in Religious Studies from UNC-Charlotte. She lives in Charlotte with her spouse, Michael, and her three grown children. Jenny loves to read just about anything and to have her hands in the dirt—weeding, planting and sowing seeds.
Lynn Buggage
Canon Missioner Congregational Vitality, East
Lynn Buggage
Canon Missioner for Congregational Vitality, East Region
984-263-5422
EMAIL
Lynn previously served as the canon for administration at the Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral in the Diocese of Pennsylvania. After years of active lay service in Louisiana and professional work in the nonprofit, public health and human services sectors, she brought her skills to the church as a full-time employee and servant leader.
Lynn partners with the congregations of this diocese to build the Beloved Community. She brings an advanced toolkit and a caring heart to this work. She enjoys traveling, listening to good music, discovering new restaurants and curling up with a good book in her leisure time.
The Rev. Steve Cheyney
The Rev. Steve Cheyney
Campus Minister, Charlotte Campus Ministry
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In addition to serving as the campus minister for Niner United, Steve also directs the Faith and Leadership Experience, funded by the Lilly Endowment. Steve graduated from Western Carolina University, received his master of divinity degree from Duke University and earned his doctorate from Emory University, where he studied theology and ecclesiology.
Leah Dail
Assistant Youth Missioner
Leah Dail
Assistant Youth Missioner
919-600-5309
EMAIL
Leah is a native North Carolinian, born and raised in Raleigh. She majored in English and American Studies at UNC-Chapel Hill and stayed there to work at the NC Jaycee Burn Center. She is married to Rick Schertz, and they have four children and two dogs. After a 15-year career at home with her kids, she was the youth minister at St. Paul’s, Cary, for six years. She enjoys reading, gardening and playing games with her family. Leah is based out of the Raleigh office.
Elizabeth Dawkins
Elizabeth Dawkins
Executive Assistant to the Bishop
919-600-5301
EMAIL
A native North Carolinian, Elizabeth was born in Raleigh and is a lifelong Episcopalian. Prior to joining the diocesan staff as executive assistant to the bishop diocesan, she enjoyed 15 years on staff at The Church of the Good Shepherd, Raleigh.
Elizabeth enjoys spending time with family, gardening and joining friends to see any play at the DPAC. Her addiction to modern fiction and classic literature, with a particular weakness for John Donne, is just the lingering after effect of having received an MA in English Languages and Literature from NCSU.
Lynn Hoke
Archivist
Lynn Hoke
Archivist
919-600-5306
EMAIL
A native of Oklahoma, Lynn majored in English at SMU and earned a M.A. in Soviet Studies from Harvard. Before moving to Raleigh in 2004, she helped raise two sons, played in a team tennis league, researched history for various Episcopal Church congregations, produced an 8-hour history documentary for the city of Amarillo, learned about archives “on the job” at several places and gained a wealth of knowledge about The Episcopal Church while on the bishop’s staff at the Diocese of New York.
Since beginning archival processing here in 2007, Lynn has also collaborated closely with our historiographer, the Rev. Brooks Graebner. They respond to various research requests and host annual diocesan History Days to highlight people or institutions from a particular historical era. They also offer history-focused exhibits at our diocesan conventions. Lynn particularly likes working with church members and clergy to promote “history keeper” teams around this diocese. She enjoys reading, quilting, watching PBS, gathering with family, being with friends and participating actively at Church of the Good Shepherd, Raleigh.
Dr. Sam Laurent
Dr. Sam Laurent
Campus Minister, The Episcopal Center at Duke University
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Dr. Sam Laurent has serves as The Episcopal Center at Duke’s campus minister A product of the youth and campus ministry programs in the Diocese of North Carolina, Sam received his Ph.D. in Theological and Philosophical Studies from Drew University in August, 2012.
He lives in Durham with his wife, Kim, and daughter, Maddie.
The Rev. Kevin Lloyd
The Rev. Kevin Lloyd
Campus Minister, Davidson College
401-580-4925
The Rev. Kevin Lloyd came to Davidson College and St. Alban’s, Davidson, in August 2018. Though not born in North Carolina, he was definitely raised in the Tarheel State, having arrived here as a three month old. He is a graduate of Wake Forest University and earned his Master in Divinity from Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria. Prior to coming to Saint Alban’s, Kevin served as research assistant to the Archbishop of Canterbury in London, England; associate rector at Church of the Ascension in Hickory, NC; and, most recently, as rector of Saint Matthew’s Church in Jamestown, Rhode Island.
Kevin, his wife Julia, and their two sons, Harry and Robert, live in Mooresville.
The Rev. Hershey Mallette Stephens
Dean-Chapel & Spiritual Life, Saint Augustine’s University
Hershey Mallette Stephens
Dean of the Chapel and Spiritual Life, Saint Augustine’s University
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Canon Catherine Massey
Canon to the Bishop
Canon Catherine Massey
Canon to the Bishop
919-600-5307
EMAIL
Catherine graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a degree in Mass Communications and has more than 15 years of experience in sales, marketing and association management. Prior to working at Diocesan House, she served as parish life coordinator for St. John’s, Wake Forest.
Catherine works with the congregational development team and the office of transition ministry, and she supports congregations and clergy in transition. She also helps support our diocesan staff, the Safe Church program, and the work of the Commission on Ministry, the Pastoral Response Team and the Disciplinary Board.
Catherine enjoys learning how people and organizations work together and says it is an honor and a privilege to serve the clergy and churches in our diocese.
Catherine is a native of Richmond, Virginia, and has lived in North Carolina with her family for 20 years. She and her husband, Robert, have three young adult daughters and two Scottish terriers. The Masseys live in Wake Forest and are members of Christ Church, Raleigh.
The Rev. Beth McKee-Huger
Regional Deacon
The Rev. Beth McKee-Huger
Regional Deacon
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Beth serves as the regional deacon for the Greensboro and Winston-Salem areas.
Christine McTaggart
Christine McTaggart
Communications Director
919-600-5314
EMAIL
While Christine has enjoyed the chance to work in several interesting industries throughout her career, the common thread for her has always been marketing and communications. She enjoys seeing how communications can bring people together to share ideas, news, conversations, thoughts, discoveries and more. In her work with the diocesan communications department, she’s worked to create those connection channels for all 120 worshipping communities through strategic planning, integrated communication and new opportunities to bring everyone together as a diocese.
When she’s not working, Christine enjoys spending time with family and friends, cheering on her favorite (usually underdog) sports teams, reading, doing just about anything outdoors and, above all, enjoying time with her dog, Bentley.
Lesley Peace
Lesley Peace
Founding Director, New Hope Collaborative
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Lesley is from Charlotte, NC, by way of New Rochelle, NY. Rooted in a deep passion for social justice and reconciliation, she is dedicated to nonprofit and volunteer work that centers on community education, racial reconciliation and faith-based activism. Her work consistently reflects a commitment to facilitating meaningful conversations, organizing impactful events and developing educational resources that inspire dialogue on critical social issues. She believes in the transformative power of bringing people together across differences to discover shared values, confront systemic injustices, and imagine a future rooted in equity, inclusion and mutual understanding.
Much of Lesley’s work is guided by the conviction that meaningful change happens when people are empowered to connect, learn and collaborate in ways that transcend traditional boundaries. Through this lens, she strives to create spaces where honest and compassionate conversations can flourish, fostering understanding and paving the way for collective action. These efforts are driven by the belief that communities are strongest when they actively engage with the complexities of justice, faith and reconciliation.
Lesly is particularly honored and excited to serve as the founding director of the New Hope Collaborative and to collaborate with the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina in creating a transformative community space. This initiative holds the promise of becoming a hub for healing, collaboration and innovation, designed to serve individuals, minority-led nonprofits and congregations across the diocese. The vision is to provide a dynamic and inclusive environment where resources, tools and inspiration converge to empower diverse communities. By addressing the unique challenges faced by these groups, we aim to equip them to advance their missions with renewed vigor and sustainability, while fostering deeper connections across the diocese. This endeavor aligns seamlessly with Lesley’s overarching commitment to social justice and reconciliation. By building a space that emphasizes healing and innovation, we are creating opportunities to address systemic inequities while inspiring collective transformation. Lesley is eager to contribute her experience in community organizing, educational program development and
advocacy to ensure this initiative becomes a model for collaborative impact within the diocese and beyond.
Lesley holds an accounting degree from South Carolina State University and a Master of Divinity from Union Presbyterian Seminary, and she is an ordained minister in the AME Zion Church. Prior to coming to The New Hope Collaborative, Lesley served for five years on the staff for Outreach and Missions at Christ Church, Charlotte.
The Rev. Kelly Ryan
The Rev. Kelly Ryan
Missioner for Discipleship
984-263-5423
EMAIL
Kelly serves diocesan congregations as the missioner for discipleship. The position was created as part of, and is made possible by, the $1.25 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. the diocese received in October 2024 to reconceive the way it supports congregations as they seek to form disciples of all ages. Instead of traditional programming, the project is designed to spark congregational imagination around intergenerational worship and its connection to holistic Christian formation, to support connections among congregations, and to equip and empower congregational leaders to design and lead inclusive, sensory-rich worship rooted in The Episcopal Church’s liturgical traditions.
Kelly previously served at Duke Divinity School as director of the Thriving Congregations Coordination Program and as senior director of Communications and executive editor for Leadership Education at Duke Divinity, as well as a communications coach for Lilly Endowment grantees. For more than two decades, she has served children and their families as a catechist, tutor, mentor and hospital volunteer.
Since ordination as a vocational deacon in 2024, Kelly has served as deacon and children’s minister at St. Joseph’s, Durham. She holds a Master of Divinity, a certificate in Christian Education, and an MA in Christian Practice from Duke Divinity School, as well as a BA in journalism and political science from the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill.
Patricia Sarazen
Executive Assistant to the Assistant Bishop
Patricia Sarazen
Executive Assistant to the Assistant Bishop
919-600-5304
EMAIL
A cradle Episcopalian, Sarazen served for many years in the Dioceses of Massachusetts, Northern Indiana and, most recently, North Carolina. Prior to joining the diocesan staff, she worked as the administrative assistant for spiritual growth and adult formation at Christ Church, Charlotte. There she was involved in creating and supporting transformative programming including Christian Essentials, Sacred Ground, The Good Book Beginning to End and The Space Between us, to name a few.
As a graduate of Duke University, Sarazen is an avid Blue Devils fan and looks forward to March Madness and cheering on the team. Her other interests include music, reading, travel and spending time with her family. One of her favorite things is going to church, especially visiting different churches and experiencing the Eucharist in unique and inviting ways.
Joy Shillingsburg
Joy Shillingsburg
Mission Strategy Coordinator
919-521-5927
EMAIL
Joy is a lifelong educator who served as the director of youth and outreach at St. John’s, Wake Forest, for more than a decade before joining diocesan staff. Prior to serving at St. John’s, Joy spent 15 years as a classroom history teacher outside of Philadelphia and in the Wake County Public School System. Her commitment to teaching historical truths and how these truths have the power to liberate and transform our lives and society has been a through line of her work. At St. John’s, Joy led vibrant intergenerational programs that linked formation rooted in Becoming Beloved Community to vibrant outreach ministries. As an extension of her work as director of youth and outreach, Joy founded Wake Forest Community Table. This thriving nonprofit served more than 25,000 meals from 2020 through 2022 while connecting diverse members of the community to each other through quarterly gatherings that explore the history, laws, personal stories, and systems that necessitate the twice-weekly meal distribution.
Joy lives her faith by serving her neighbors and is deeply committed to leading diverse stakeholders to do the work of Becoming Beloved Community. Joy earned her M.S. in History Education at Villanova University. She lives with her family in Wake Forest. Joy loves biking, hiking, traveling and podcasts almost as much as reading!
The Rev. Canon Marion Sprott
The Rev. Canon Marion Scott
Transition Ministry Officer
919-600-5319
EMAIL
A native of South Carolina, Marion earned a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Music degree from the University of South Carolina. She worked as a collaborative pianist with regional opera and theater companies prior to pursuing a call to ordained ministry.
She answered that call, graduating from The School of Theology at the University of the South, Sewanee, in 2019. Following her ordination that same year, she served as associate rector at St. Martin’s, Charlotte. From there, Marion became the second vicar of Church of the Advocate, Chapel Hill, before becoming its first rector when the Advocate moved from mission to parish status at the diocese’s 208th Annual Convention in November 2023.
Marion is married to the Rev. Sara Arnette, who is the associate rector at Emmanuel Church in Southern Pines, where the two make their home with a boisterous Labrador named Abraham.
Erin Sweeney
Erin Sweeney
Benefits & Finance Coordinator
919-600-5313
EMAIL
A native North Carolinian, Erin was born and raised in the Raleigh area. Prior to joining the team at the Diocesan House in Raleigh, she worked as an office manager and bookkeeper for several years. She finds great joy in welcoming all who visit the diocese, and she supports the diocesan office in countless administrative tasks.
In her free time, Erin enjoys cooking, traveling, cheering on her favorite sports teams and volunteering at her church in Wake Forest.
The Rev. Caleb Tabor
Young Adult Missioner, Episcopal Campus Ministry-Raleigh, & Co-chair, COM-D
The Rev. Caleb Tabor
Young Adult Missioner, Episcopal Campus Ministry-Raleigh, and Co-chair, COM-D
EMAIL
Caleb previously served as vicar of St. Cyprian’s Episcopal Church, a bilingual congregation in Oxford, North Carolina. He was educated at Elon University, Emory University and Virginia Theological Seminary.
Julie Tonneson
Julie Tonneson
Campus Minister at LEAF (Elon University)
EMAIL
Julie ministers with Lutherans, Episcopalians and Friends on the campus of Elon University.
The Rev. Kathy Walker
The Rev. Canon Kathy Walker
Canon Missioner for Black Ministries
919-600-5317
EMAIL
Kathy previously served as the associate rector for pastoral care and parish life at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Tallahassee, Florida, though her call to church leadership and ministry is one she has answered her entire life. Prior to becoming a member of the clergy, over her lifetime she has served as a licensed lay reader, lay Eucharistic minister, vestry member and church officer. She was instrumental in the founding of the David Henry Brooks chapter of the Union of Black Episcopalians in the Diocese of Florida, and while serving as its president organized multiple forums about the future of Black churches.
Kathy believes strongly in the honoring and continuity of Black churches and in her role works to help as many as possible not only survive, but flourish. She also works with congregations to deepen their churches’ roots in the communities they already serve so well and to build leadership opportunities in the church for future generations.
Summerlee Walter
Communications Coordinator
Summerlee Walter
Communications Coordinator
919-600-5312
EMAIL
Summerlee joined the diocesan staff in August 2011 as a youth ministry coach and assistant to the communications coordinator before assuming the communications coordinator position in 2013. Prior to her time at Diocesan House, she attended Davidson College, graduating with a BA in English, and served three years as a high school English teacher in Northampton County as a member of Teach for America. Summerlee was born in Toledo, Ohio, and raised in Cleveland, and she will gladly explain to anyone who will listen why her home state is an awesome place.
Summerlee is very involved with Episcopal Communicators, serving as the organization's treasurer and leading workshops at multiple annual conferences.
When she’s not working, Summerlee enjoys reading; crocheting; snuggling with her dogs, Cali and Vail, and her still-sorta-feral cat, Persephone; playing involved board games; and obsessing over her vegetable garden. She lives in Cary with her fiance, Jay, and attends St. Paul's in Cary, where she plays in the handbell choir.
The Ven. Sarah Woodard
Archdeacon
The Ven. Sarah Woodard
Archdeacon
EMAIL
Sarah serves as deacon at St. Stephen’s, Durham, and as a chaplain at Durham area hospitals. She was ordained to the diaconate in 2009 and previously served at St. Titus’ and the Episcopal Center at Duke. She retired from the Duke University and Health System where she most recently served in human resources.
Her community activities have been varied. She currently serves on the boards of the North Carolina Council of Churches and Johnson Service Corps.
Sarah’s hobbies include reading, walking and hiking. Sarah is married to Mike Woodard.
The Rev. Rebecca Yarbrough
The Rev. Rebecca Yarbrough
Jesse Ball DuPont Funds Grants Coordinator
EMAIL
Rebecca works with the bishops and ministry leaders throughout our diocese to develop proposals for funding through the Jessie Ball duPont Fund to support and promote our diocese’s mission. She’s always happy to discuss the types of projects and ministries the duPont Fund supports, and she encourages those with projects to contact her to discuss the possibilities.
The Rev. Mary Cat Young
The Rev. Mary Cat Young
Campus Minister, UNC-Chapel Hill
EMAIL
Mary Catherine “Mary Cat” is a lifelong Episcopalian who grew up in Arkansas and Minnesota. After graduating from Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa, with her B.A. in Religious and Social Studies, Mary Cat served as a youth minister in the Diocese of Minnesota, then attended Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Ordained to the transitional diaconate in June 2006, Mary Cat took her first call in the Diocese of Upper South Carolina, where she was ordained priest in January 2007. While there, she served as youth and campus minister and met her husband, Chad Young. In 2011 she was called to the Diocese of New York as the Episcopal chaplain to NYU. For eight years she has recruited, coached and organized city-wide young adult ministry while caring for a diverse and growing student community called Canterbury Downtown, based at Grace Church, Manhattan.
Mary Cat has been active in local, diocesan and church-wide ministry from the time she was a Vacation Bible School leader in 6th grade, an avid camp-goer and a diocesan youth leader in Minnesota. She has served as the Province II coordinator for Young Adult and Campus Ministry since 2015. And was on the General Convention Task-Force that created our rites for same-sex blessings, approved for church-wide use in 2018.
Mary Cat enjoys reading, playing guitar, knitting and spending time outdoors with her family. Following Buffy the Vampire Slayer and other horror comics and superhero pop-culture is also a favorite pastime.
