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Vestry

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Vestry

Calvary’s vestry, the governing body of the parish, shares the leadership of the parish with the rector and consists of 15 members, who are nominated and elected by the congregation for three-year terms. They meet to oversee the temporal affairs of the parish, as well as to support the rector and staff in promoting the spiritual welfare of the parish. In addition, the vestry, in conjunction with the finance committee, is accountable for the fiscal responsibility of Calvary Church. Vestry members also share leadership responsibility for the ministry groups of the church.

 

Five vestry members are elected annually, so there are five “new” members each year, five who have served one year already, and five who have served two years. The by-laws of Calvary provide that a retiring vestry member is ineligible for re-election to the vestry until three years have lapsed. Once in place, a senior warden and a junior warden are chosen to serve as vestry leaders. Also selected is a clerk that supports the vestry and the warden’s committee. The warden’s committee, which meets monthly with the rector, is comprised of the senior warden, junior warden, treasurer, clerk, and an at-large member.

 

Vestry meetings are open to all interested in attending. The meetings take place the third Tuesday of the month, at 6 p.m., in Crook Auditorium, unless listed otherwise on the calendar.

 

Ben Boeving
Senior Warden

Ben Boeving graduated from the University of Tennessee. He works primarily at Rhodes College as a Certified ADHD Coach advising students who struggle with learning differences. Ben and his wife Alison began attending Calvary in 1998. Although Ben grew up Catholic, his aunt, Lisa DiScenza, attended Calvary at the time they married and played a big part in leading them downtown. Ben and Alison are raising three active children at Calvary: Davis, Sophie, and Cooper. In his over twenty years at Calvary, Ben has served in the Shepherd Ministry and as a Wednesday night Formation leader, has participated on a discernment committee, and served as an EYC leader and Sunday School teacher.

Jessica Flynn
Junior Warden

Jessica and her husband Mike first began attending Calvary in 2014 and were drawn to Calvary’s involvement in the downtown community. They were confirmed in 2015 and married the next year. Both of their children, Olivia and Huey, were baptized at Calvary and Jessica and Mike look forward to raising them in the Episcopal church. Jessica has a degree in Journalism and Psychology from Washington and Lee University, and a master's degree in Psychology from the University of Memphis. For the past decade, she has worked in clinical research, coordinating Psychology studies, at St. Jude. She has served for years on the Washington and Lee Mid-south chapter board and considers her current civic involvement as focusing on raising kind, Christian citizens. She feels drawn to vestry service as an opportunity to give back to the church that has given so much to her family over the past 8 years.

Madge Deacon
Clerk

Madge Logan Deacon was baptized at Calvary at age six weeks. Although over the years she tried short stints at other Episcopal churches closer to home, she has “always come ‘home’ to Calvary.” She and her husband Whit have a blended family of four children and five grandchildren. Madge retired from FedEx in 2013 following a 36-year career which honed her project management, project development, and training and facilitation skills. At Calvary, Madge is a member of the Daughters of the King, Holy Spirit Guild, Wedding Guild, Ushers, Eucharistic Ministers, and Lectors. She volunteers with Waffle Shop, the Lenten Preaching Series, and the Salvation Army Bell Ringers. A majority of Madge’s volunteer time is spent supporting the work of Lives Worth Saving and Thistle & Bee.

Clay Woemmel
Warden-At-Large

Clay has been very involved at Calvary in his 15 years of membership. In his second round as a vestry member, he hopes to focus on strategic planning, reimagining and maintaining our buildings, continuing our community outreach, and supporting LPS, Waffle Shop, and our music program. Clay has over 25 years’ experience in higher education, including counseling, career counseling, advising, administration, and adjunct faculty roles. He currently serves as a counselor at the UTHSC with a focus on the well-being of medical residents and fellows. He previously worked at the University of Memphis, where he received his master’s degree and EdD in counseling. At Calvary, Clay serves as an usher, greeter, and Eucharistic minister. He currently is serving on a committee to plan events to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Diocese of West Tennessee. Clay is married to Brooks Terry, and they spoil their two dogs Gracie and Georgia.

Cathy Awsumb
Term Ending 2024

Cathy Awsumb was baptized and confirmed at Calvary. Over her many years in the parish, she has served as a Stephen Minister, a member of a Pastoral Care Team, and on the Adult Christian Education committee. She also sends birthday cards to parishioners as a part of that ministry team. Cathy was raised in the public schools in Memphis – Snowden and Central. She later graduated from Rhodes College (then Southwestern at Memphis) with a BA degree and from the University of Tennessee School of Social Work with a Master's degree. After retiring from The University of Memphis, she has volunteered at Baptist Memorial Hospital and the Church Health Center. She considers herself honored to serve the Calvary Church vestry.

Bill Bangham
Term Ending 2026

Bill Bangham and his wife Dianne met Carrington & Alex Wise and Madge & Whit Deacon at the downtown farmer’s market. Alex invited them to Calvary, where “we found a community, the liturgy comforting, music that touched chords deep within us, and all three priests thoughtful with something to say and carry home with us. Calvary is a place where we can exhale, relax, consider life around us and our place in it.” Bill worked as a critically acclaimed photojournalist, writer, and magazine editor for nearly 40 years, focusing on the interpretation of culture and the influence of religion, peacemaking, hunger, and the environment. His work and travel have taken him to 70-some countries. Bill’s photographic and writing talents have been featured in the Chronicle. He volunteers on Sundays and Wednesdays with our youth and is involved in Baguette Brothers, EfM, and Sacred Ground. Bill enjoyed ushering during the past Lenten Preaching Series.

Franklin Barton
Term Ending 2025

Franklin lives across the river in Marion, Arkansas and was raised at Holy Cross Episcopal Church in West Memphis. He and his wife Tara were married at Calvary in 2008 and baptized their son Franklin (10) here in 2012. Franklin attended the University of Mississippi and has worked in his family-owned farm equipment dealership for the past 18 years. Currently he manages day-to-day operations. At Calvary, Franklin has served on a children's committee and helped organize the clothes closet on Wednesday evenings. He is called to serve the vestry as a way of helping Calvary continue to grow as a strong and vibrant church that has meaningful outreach programs and ministry. As a vestry member, he will focus on the youth program and other opportunities as they present themselves.

Kate Connell
Term Ending 2025

Kate was introduced to Calvary in 2006 by her mother-in-law Anne Connell when Kate married Anne’s son Coleman. She transferred to Calvary, along with her two sons Gil (25) and Alex (23) Humphreys. Coleman and Kate are the parents of Kate Connell (16). Kate did her undergraduate work at Rhodes College and received her MBA from the University of Memphis. She received her Certified Financial Planner certification from Christian Brother’s and is the Managing Partner at Gilliland Investments. Kate serves on the Capital Campaign committee to plan the January 6 kick-off event. Over the years, she has participated in the Calvary book club, and volunteered with community breakfast, Room in the Inn, and the Emmanuel Meal. In the community, Kate serves on the ArtsMemphis board and endowment committee, the Community Foundation board and audit committee, and the Monteagle Sunday School Assembly outreach committee. As a vestry member, she looks forward to learning more about Calvary’s work in downtown Memphis and supporting our outreach ministries.

Terri Dulaney
Term Ending 2025

Terri was a preschool teacher for 29 years, with almost 15 of those spent as the Sr. preschool teacher and assistant director of Calvary Place. Terri also coordinated the nursery at Calvary for years, which brought her into relationship with dozens of Calvary families and eventually drew her to become a member. She met her family, wife Betty Jo and son Will (18), while working and playing in the Orgill Room. Terri is an avid community volunteer for such organizations as the Muscular Dystrophy Association, the Memphis Zoo, and Room in the Inn-Memphis, where she currently works as the volunteer coordinator. At Calvary, Terri has ushered and greeted, served on the Altar Guild, worked the Emmanuel Meal, and taught Godly Play. Terri is excited to serve the vestry as we embark on the renovation of our block to make our community more welcoming and accessible. She is proud that Calvary makes caring for our neighbors a high priority and hopes to help ensure the planned work is completed to continue welcoming parishioners and visitors in the future.

Bill Etnyre
Term Ending 2026

Bill Etnyre is a lifelong learner with a Bachelor’s in Economics, a Master’s and PhD in Social Work, and a Certificate in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) from Cornell University. He served in the US Air Force and worked as a clinical social worker in agencies and private practice until 2017, when he became a clinical professor at the University of Washington. Bill uses his skills, knowledge, and experience “to improve lives, making the world just a bit better.” He recognizes that Calvary, “as a large community of people, has leverage and power to do this.” Bill does his part by serving at Basement Church, Room in the Inn/Welcome Inn, as a Friend of the Mental Health Court, and participating in EfM and Sacred Ground. In addition, he occasionally fills in as an organist or pianist at Sunday services. Bill was led to Calvary by “a persistent nagging to return to a community of faith following a 40-year hiatus. I checked out a couple of other parishes before stopping by Calvary almost four years ago and got hooked.” Bill and his husband, Michael Lonesome-Etnyre, live downtown.

Len Grice
Term Ending 2024

Len Grice, a retired healthcare marking professional and former adjunct professor of marketing, was introduced to Calvary by his wife Nina when they married in 1995. Over the years, Len has served as a member of the vestry and the communications committee and is a graduate of the Education for Ministry program. He currently serves as a Eucharistic Minister, lay reader, and Emmanuel Meal volunteer. Additionally, he supports Paul McLain as the co-chair of the Pastoral Care Committee with Martin Jellinek. In the community, Len has supported the Samaritan Counseling Center as VP of the board of directors and served on the Diocesan Finance Committee. Currently, he serves on the board of the Pickwick Yacht Club and as an officer of the Delta Amateur Radio Club.

Allison Wellford Parker
Term Ending 2026

Allison Wellford Parker first visited Calvary in 1992 with her then-boyfriend, now husband, Tommy. Over the past 30 years, Allison has participated in EfM and has served on the vestry, as a Sunday school teacher, on a rector search committee, and on adult and children’s formation committees. She has a Bachelor of Arts from Vanderbilt and an M.Ed. in Human Development Counseling. Allison worked as a teacher, upper school counselor, and the director of counseling at St. Mary’s Episcopal School from 1992 – 2022. Now that Allison is retired, she wants to return her energy and focus to Calvary. She is excited about the building renovation and the opportunities we will have for both in-reach and outreach to our community. Allison and Tommy are the parents of three daughters (Katherine, Annie, and Ellen) and live in midtown.

Christina DuBose Ross
Term Ending 2026

Christina DuBose Ross, a lifelong Episcopalian, grew up at St. Luke’s in Jackson, TN. She graduated from Rhodes in 1994 and from the University of Miami School of Architecture in 2000. In college and graduate school, she visited many other Episcopal churches but felt drawn to Calvary when she returned to Memphis in 2001. “First it was for lunch with friends at Waffle Shop, then to attend music performances, and then it occurred to me that maybe this church was calling me inside!” She and her husband David Hanson joined Calvary at the time of their son Lucian’s baptism in 2011. Christina appreciates Calvary’s community involvement, our intergenerational congregation, and the parish’s years of history in downtown Memphis. For the past 13 years, she and Nina Sublette have hand-crafted the banners given to every child baptized at Calvary. In addition, she volunteers at Emmanuel Meal, makes waffles at Waffle Shop, sorts clothing in the clothing closet, works basement church and Room in the Inn, and is participating in the Sacred Ground course. Christina is involved with MidtownMemphis.org (a non-profit group with a mission to promote a vibrant and sustainable Midtown) and serves as a neighborhood representative for Binghampton and Lea’s Woods where her family lives.

Shannon Tucker

Shannon Tucker graduated from the University of Mississippi with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing. For the past 17 years, he has worked in regulatory compliance in the financial services industry. Shannon grew up at St. Elisabeth’s. He was confirmed at Calvary with his family in a Diocesan confirmation in 1981. As soon as he joined Calvary, Shannon began singing as a tenor in the Calvary Choir. In the last few years, his mother Judy has also joined the choir. Shannon has been a team leader on the Pastoral Care Committee for many years and has served on the Search Committees for both Kristin Lensch and Scott Walters. Shannon has served on the national board of Recovery Ministries of the Episcopal Church for 6 years, the last year as the board president. He also is the co-chair of the West Tennessee Diocesan Recovery Commission. Shannon and his husband Eric Milner were married at Calvary in 2019.

Mary Jane Viar
Term Ending 2026

Mary Jane Viar was born and raised in Memphis. She has a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee and a Master’s degree from the University of Memphis. After many rewarding years as a research associate at St. Jude and in the Department of Physiology at UTCHS, Mary Jane retired in 2015 to a full and busy life. Calvary has been a big part of that life for the last 25 years. The initial lure of Calvary for Mary Jane was Integrity-Memphis and the genuine, inclusive love shown by the Calvary community. Since then, Mary Jane has participated in many of Calvary’s ministries including Room in the Inn, Soup Sunday, Diocesan Convention as a delegate, Education for Ministry, Emmanuel Meal, the Sacred Ground course, and others. For many years she has served as an acolyte mentor, eucharistic minister, and verger. In addition, her volunteer activities in the community have included Habitat for Humanity, Meals on Wheels, and science fair judge in the Memphis City Schools. She and her wife, Debbie Kinard, have a home in midtown that they share with their Corgi, Hemi, and their orange cat, Powder.

Brie Wallace
Term Ending 2024

Brie Wallace grew up attending the Episcopal Church of the Good Samaritan in Knoxville and was introduced to Calvary by previous youth ministers Ellen Coleman and Heather Anderson. Brie serves as a lector, Eucharistic Minister, and volunteer teacher for confirmation classes. She has participated in a Honduras mission trip at the Lamb Institute and is active in Calvary’s young adult group. Brie is passionate about the Dubose Conference Center, having served on their board of directors, led Winterfest (high school winter retreats), and led music at Camp Gailor-Maxon mini-camps there. Brie has a BA in Political Science from the University of South Carolina (2005), a JD from the University of Memphis (2009). She presently works at Eskins, King, & Marney, PC as a senior associate attorney. Brie and her wife Barbara are the parents of 18-month old son Beckett who was baptized at Calvary last year and attends Calvary Place.