Calvary’s nomination committee, comprised of 2021 Sr. Warden, James Aldinger, and the four third-year vestry members (Will Hayley, John Owen, Laura Trott, and Anna Kathryn Word), presents the following slate for election to the 2021 vestry: Jessica Flynn, Clay Woemmel, Franklin Barton, Terri Dulaney, and Kate Connell.
Additional nominations may be made until 24 hours before the election on Sunday, Nov. 20. If you know someone you wish to nominate, please contact Sr. Warden Anna Kathryn Word (901-409-4362) no later than 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 19. Please be sure to obtain that person’s permission first, and then find two other parishioners with whom to make the nomination. Five members will be elected Sunday, Nov. 20, to serve a three-year term.
Franklin Barton (39) 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 with meaningful outreach programs and ministry. As a vestry member, he will focus on the youth program and other opportunities as they present themselves.
Kate Gilliland Connell (56) 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 Brothers University 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 Purvis Dulaney (58) 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 relationships 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.
Jessica Flynn (37) 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 (3) and Huey (9 months) 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. As a vestry member, Jessica wants to focus on being a voice for our congregation’s past, present, and future as we transition into the capital campaign and reimagine our future.
Clay Woemmel (51) 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 of 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 serves 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.
Identifying candidates to serve on the vestry, the governing board of the parish, is one of the most important tasks of our parish community. Members of the vestry act as agents of the parish in all matters involving parish property and assets and assist the parish in its planning and in leadership. A candidate for the vestry should exhibit personal maturity, broad vision, strategic thinking, deep faith, and a can-do attitude.
Candidates for vestry must meet the following criteria:
In order to nominate someone, you must find two others with which to nominate that person, and you need first to be sure to obtain that person’s permission. In accordance with Calvary’s bylaws, the nomination committee, comprised of 2021 Sr. Warden, James Aldinger, and the four third-year vestry members (Will Hayley, John Owen, Laura Trott, and Anna Kathryn Word), will review all names submitted to ensure they meet required criteria.
If you know someone you wish to nominate, or if you feel called to this ministry of leadership, please contact James Aldinger (901-831-8564 or JAPCORDOVA@aol.com) by Friday, Nov. 4.
Five members will be elected on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022, to serve a three-year term. The Diocesan Canons state that each communicant 16 years old or older and in good standing (see #2 above) may vote. There is no requirement that voters be confirmed.