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Clergy & Staff

Home Connect Clergy & Staff

Clergy & Staff

Robyn Banks
Director of Communications
901.525.6602

Robyn Banks joined the Calvary staff in 2005 and is currently the director of communications. In this role, she enjoys overseeing all of the internal and external communication efforts of Calvary, including the website, the Chronicle newsletter, worship service sheets, posters, press releases, social media, and more. She always tells people that she has “the best job ever” because she gets to “tell Calvary's story and share with the world how Calvary is ‘making God’s love visible in downtown Memphis.’” Robyn earned her Bachelor of Business Administration in management information systems from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and worked as a web developer for ALLTEL and Fidelity Information Services in Little Rock, AR, before moving to Memphis to work at Calvary. In her free time, Robyn enjoys riding bikes, reading, and spending time with friends. She also is an active member of the Episcopal Communicators group. Robyn was married to Bill for eight years before his death from pancreatic cancer in late 2022; she and her daughter Emma live in midtown Memphis with their cat Sophie.

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Cassandra Booker
Nursery Staff

Cassandra Booker has served as part of the nursery staff at Calvary since 2010. She is a graduate of America National University with degrees in medical office professional and medical assistant. Cassandra's passion is reading and she loves to write poetry.

Jocelyn Busby
Director of Children & Family Ministries
901.525.6602

Jocelyn joined the Calvary staff in 2022. She is a native of North Carolina and a graduate of Davidson College. She and her husband, Greg, have two grown sons, Henry and Max. They also have a daughter-in-law, Marlayna. Jocelyn has taught lower, middle, and high school Math and French in the Memphis area for 20 years. Most recently, she has acted as a private tutor for those with special needs. She is a lifelong Episcopalian and has been active in lay ministry as an adult via healing ministry, catechesis, pastoral care, and women’s ministry. She considers serving others as the highest form of worship. Her passions include creating opportunities for fellowship and spiritual growth among children and families and sharing the joy that Episcopal life brings. Jocelyn is an avowed dog person and has three furry companions named Mary, Arthur, and Percy.

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The Rev. Katherine Bush
Associate Rector
901-312-5208

Katherine joined the Calvary Church community in the Fall of 2021. A life-long Memphian, Katherine has served at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Church of the Holy Communion, and most recently as Chaplain at St. Mary’s Episcopal School. She brings her love of learning to our formation and education programs. She is a graduate of Rhodes College with a Bachelor of Arts in English and of Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, Virginia, with her Masters of Divinity. Katherine and her husband Stephen married at Calvary (a long time ago) and are the parents of twins Henry and John. Katherine is a poetry-evangelist and enjoys walking through the Old Forest in Overton Park. She doesn’t believe that everything happens for a reason, but she does believe that God and beauty are always present.

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Jeremy Demarest
Director of Youth Ministries
901-312-5203

Jeremy joined the Calvary staff in 2021. He is a born and raised Texan but is very excited to be living in Memphis. Through school and youth productions at church, Jeremy developed a real love of theatre and making other people smile through stand-up comedy, which he still does today, just not as often. Jeremy also found a love of service during his time as a boy scout where he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout only a few hours before his 18th birthday. Jeremy attended Columbia College Chicago. Jeremy is a self-proclaimed mountain man and loves exploring nature through hiking, bouldering, or white water rafting. He is an avid movie buff, with his favorite genre being Comic Book Movies (Specifically the MCU). Jeremy can often be found cooking in the kitchen, as creating a meal is his favorite way to relax and gather people around the table. Jeremy’s greatest desire for our young people is for each and every one to know that they are loved, by God, and by this beloved community, just the way they are.

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The Rev. Audrey Gonzalez
Assisting Priest

Audrey Taylor Gonzalez spends most of her time working with the poorest of the poor and with foster children. She works hard and plays hard. And she prays hard. Audrey received her Bachelor of Arts degree in creative writing and literature from Hollins University in Virginia. Upon graduation in 1961, wrote for The Commercial Appeal (interviewing Elvis Presley twice). Also during the ’70s, Gonzalez worked for the Memphis Press-Scimitar, interviewing the likes of Rosalyn Carter, Telly Savalas, Halston, Calvin Klein, an unknown designer named Ralph Lauren, and many others. She continued to freelance, including a 1976 article for Memphis Magazine in which Gonzalez visited 60 barbecue pits and rated their barbecue. Her well-received article spawned the first Memphis in May (MIM) International Barbecue Championship in 1978. Gonzalez was asked to judge the inaugural MIM championship and continues to this day judging barbecue at MIM and many other festivals throughout the region. In 1995, after obtaining her certificate in theology from St. John’s College in Nottingham, England, Gonzalez became the first woman in the Southern Cone of South America to be ordained to Holy Orders. Gonzalez moved back to Memphis in 2004 and found no shortage of needy and destitute in her hometown. She attached her diaconate to Calvary and soon joined the board of directors of the Calvary Street Ministry. She started healing services and a spiritual support group for those with AIDs. Mother to two daughters and one son, Gonzalez has seven grandchildren, all residing in Tennessee. During her free time, she enjoys traveling, mountain climbing, repelling down waterfalls and mountainsides, zip-lining, knitting and needlepoint (she donated 125 needlepoint bears to St. Jude Grizzlies House); aerial yoga, Gyrotonic, Pilates, reading theology, and cooking.

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Jackson Hearn
Associate Organist
901-525-6602

A native West Tennessean, Jackson served as director of music at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Kingwood (Houston), Texas for 26 years before returning back to Memphis in 2023. He is a graduate of Lambuth College in Jackson, Tennessee (BMus) and Southern Methodist University in Dallas (MSM) with degrees in Sacred Music. Jackson has been active in the Diocese of Texas as a member of the Diocesan Music Commission, the Committee on Liturgy, and the faculty of the Diocesan Music Camp. He has been active in the American Guild of Organists, serving as dean of both the Memphis and Houston chapters, and on the planning committees of two regional conventions and one national convention. As a member of the Association of Anglican Musicians, he has written articles for the AAM Journal and served on the Houston Conference committee as Hospitality Chair, drawing on his interest in good food and party planning. When he’s not at church, he enjoys cooking and biking. Jackson has a daughter, Margaret, a son, Paul, and four grandchildren.

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Richard Hendricks
Facilities Manager
901.525.6602

Richard was born in Virginia and grew up in the small town of Chickamauga, GA. In 1996, Richard moved to Memphis via Chattanooga, TN, to take the position of operations analyst with FedEx. For the last 13 years, Richard has been self-employed, doing things for his clients that they didn’t have time to do or just didn’t want to do. This included cleaning, organizing, doing repairs, painting, and working with contractors to bring harmony to the home. Richard began attending Calvary in 2008 and was confirmed in 2010. As a greeter and an usher, he takes great pride in welcoming parishioners to Calvary. He’s involved with Room in the Inn and volunteers on Sundays with Basement Church. He graduated from Education for Ministry in 2015 and has been a mentor since 2017. Richard lives in Central gardens with his rescue dog Molly.

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Mary Honey
Information Officer
901.525.6602

Mary Honey joined the Calvary staff as the information officer in May 2021. Most weekdays she will be the welcoming face of Calvary on the telephone and at the information desk located in the first-floor entryway. She enjoys staying busy and assisting others. She earned her Bachelor of Education degree from Carson Newman in Human Services and her Masters from Arkansas State in Special Education. She comes to us after a long career in Special Education, both in public schools and in addiction recovery facilities. In her last job, she was principal for the education of students/patients at Memphis Recovery Centers. Mary is a dedicated parishioner who sings in the Calvary Choir, and those who already know her find her to be a rare combination of “super organized” and easygoing. When Mary is not at work, she spends some time each week looking after her mother, Elizabeth. The rest of the time she enjoys reading, jigsaw puzzles, getting her daily walking in, and singing with Rhodes College Master Singers. She enjoys her friendships and especially “hanging out” and traveling with her partner, Bruce Watson, and his crew.

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Kristin Lensch
Organist-Choirmaster
901.525.6602

Kristin Lensch is a national prize-winning organist who currently serves as organist-choirmaster at Calvary Episcopal Church, Memphis. She oversees a vibrant music program consisting of four choirs, a Friends of Music concert series, monthly Evensong services, and tri-annual residencies at English cathedrals. One of her greatest joys is bringing people together to create something beautiful for the glory of God. She holds degrees from The University of Iowa (BM, Delbert Disselhorst), Indiana University (MM, Marilyn Keiser & Larry Smith), and The University of Memphis (DMA, John Peterson). She coaches several organ students, is active in the American Guild of Organists, the Royal School of Church Music America, and the Association of Anglican Musicians. When she’s not thinking about all things musical, Kristin likes to run, eat (which causes her to run more), garden, read interesting books with her book group, and spend time with her husband Tim Huebner, daughter Sloan, son Charlie, and Scout the Cat.

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Katy Leopard
Lenten Preaching Series Coordinator
901-525-6602

Katy Leopard began coordinating the Lenten Preaching Series at Calvary in 2023. Katy Leopard is a native Floridian who has made Memphis her home for the last 25 years. As a change management consultant for Andersen Consulting, LLC, now ACCENTURE, she spent the first decade of her career implementing large scale business change projects including customer service improvement, billing and revenue management, inventory management, and organization capacity building projects. After joining the Memphis Center for Reproductive Health in 2011, Katy worked to transform the 40-year-old single service women’s health clinic into a visible, valuable, community health asset now known as CHOICES. Over her more than 10 years at CHOICES, she worked with the executive team to expand services, grow patient revenue, and grow grant revenue. Katy lives in midtown and is the proud mother of three children. She holds a Master’s Degree in Organizational and Industrial Psychology.

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Monica Marshall
Sexton and Director of Security
901-525-6602

Monica Marshall is new to Calvary, but she is not new to providing cleanliness and security in the Memphis area. She started at Calvary in June 2021 as our sexton, and she is a dedicated worker. Her dedicated work entails opening and securing our buildings, scheduling and training security guards, and keeping our facilities clean and safe for worship. Monica's hands are always helping, wherever she is needed, adding grace, intelligence, and kindness. She is an entrepreneur of her own Royal security company and Monica's Elite Cleaning Services businesses since 2019. Monica has four children and five grandchildren that keep her busy and young.

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Margaret McLean
Finance Manager
901.525.6602

Margaret McLean is Calvary's part-time finance manager. She is a lifelong Episcopalian and Calvary-ite. She was baptized, married, and raised all four of her children at our Church. She graduated from The University of Virginia with a degree in finance and began her career in Investment Banking and Private Equity. For the past 20 years Margaret has been busy shuttling her children around and volunteering with many non profits organizations in Memphis including MIFA, The Diocese of West Tennessee, Grace St. Luke's School, Memphis University School, Overton Park, The Children’s Foundation of Memphis, The Memphis Library System and, of course, Calvary. Margaret and her husband Alec are the parents of Duncan, Meriwether, Virginia and Campbell. Margaret is happiest entertaining in her home or outdoors exercising with family, friends, and her three very large dogs.

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The Rev. Paul K. McLain III
Associate Rector
901.525.6602

Paul joined the Calvary staff in September of 2015 and he guides and supports our pastoral care ministries. A native of Monticello, Mississippi, he received his Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Mississippi before pursuing careers in construction and community development. Reared a Southern Baptist, Paul embraced the Episcopal Church in his forties and began a journey toward ordination as a priest. He received a Master of Liberal Arts in the “Great Books” program of St. John’s College in Santa Fe, New Mexico, before pursuing a Master of Divinity at Yale University and a Diploma in Anglican Studies from Berkeley Divinity School at Yale. Paul was ordained to the priesthood in the Diocese of Kansas. He served as a chaplain resident at Wesley Medical Center, Wichita; curate at Trinity Episcopal Church in Lawrence, Kansas; and as sub-dean and canon at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, Little Rock. Paul completed a two-year Certificate in Spiritual Direction program with Southern Methodist University-Perkins School of Theology and enjoys being a spiritual companion to Calvary parishioners and community members. Ruthie, Paul’s wife, is an attorney. She was confirmed at Holy Cross Episcopal Church, West Memphis. Ruthie served as director of volunteers at LeBonheur Children’s Hospital in Memphis and program director for the West Memphis Chamber of Commerce. Paul and Ruthie enjoy reading, playing chess, and sampling good food and wine.

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Mary O'Brien
Parish Chef
901.525.6602

Mary O'Brien began working at Calvary in July 2012. In her role as parish chef, Mary creates menus and prepares food for Koinonia and all of Calvary's various receptions and meals throughout the year. She also coordinates food for Calvary's Waffle Shop and Emmanuel Meal. Mary was baptized as a baby here at Calvary, where her mother worked in the Waffle Shop. Mary began her career in business then decided to turn to her creative side and attended culinary school here in Memphis, eventually opening a restaurant herself. She is married with two sons, a granddaughter, six rescued dogs and six rescued cats. When she finds the time, she enjoys beading, painting, and hiking.

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Ebet Carriere Peeples
Coordinator for Welcome & Community
901.525.6602

Ebet Peeples joined the Calvary staff in 1999 and currently serves as the coordinator for welcome and community. Her great joy is greeting visitors and welcoming newcomers into the life of the parish. Ebet also coordinates parish sacraments and services including baptisms, weddings, and funerals. In her over 21 years of parish ministry, she has organized lay ministry, parish communications, parish life events and programs, and adult confirmation. Ebet began serving as a faculty member for CREDO conferences in 2010 and has presented on the topic of evangelism and new member incorporation at CEEP conferences, at an Evangelism Matters conference, and at Mary Parmer’s Invite ∙ Welcome ∙ Connect Summit. Outside of church, she helps to corral 50 boys as assistant cubmaster of Cub Scout Pack 34. Ebet has a Bachelor of Arts in Justice from The American University in Washington, DC. She and her husband Clayton met and married at Calvary, and are the parents of Ella and Jack.

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Robbie Phillips
Nursery Coordinator

Robbie Phillips has served as Calvary's nursery coordinator since 2011. She is a graduate of Shelby State Community College in Memphis, with an associate degree in early childhood education. She retired from being a paraprofessional in preschool special needs from Shelby County Schools. Robbie says, Being a part of Calvary has been one of the most amazing journeys in my life".

Joseph Powell
Handbell Choir Director

Originally from Mobile, AL, Joseph Powell is a conductor and tenor in Memphis, TN. He holds degrees from the University of Southern Mississippi in music education and choral conducting. Currently, Powell is in his eighth year as director of choirs at White Station High School. In addition to his teaching career, Powell is an active performer, appearing with Opera Memphis and the Memphis Symphony Chorus, where he is a rehearsal assistant. He resides in East Memphis with his wife, Samantha, and daughter, Ellis.

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Steve Smith
Director of Finance & Operations
901.312.5612

Steve joined the Calvary staff in March 2019 as director of finance and operations, overseeing the finance office, building & grounds, and human resource functions. Steve is a native of Collierville but moved here from a 17-year stint in New Orleans, where he was finance director of two historic house museums in the French Quarter. Also while in New Orleans, he was principal verger and served on the vestry at Christ Church Episcopal Cathedral. He is a graduate of Davidson College and the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law (Memphis). His interests include gardening, especially heirloom gardening, history, historic architecture, theology, and anything that is a good read. He has made his home in La Grange, TN.

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Christine Todd
Director of Outreach Ministries
901.525.6602

Christine Todd, a parishioner at Calvary for over 20 years, joined the Calvary staff part-time in 2015 serving as outreach director. She has previously served as outreach committee chair for three years, served on the vestry, revived Children’s Chapel after a ten-year hiatus, participated in Community Breakfast almost every Sunday morning for 15 years, and started the Clothes Closet. As community ministries coordinator, Christine works with parishioners to identify service opportunities and works with service agencies to assure their needs are communicated with the parish. Her contention is, “Doing shapes believing.” Christine earned her Master’s in Education from the University of Memphis and her Bachelor of Arts from Stephens, a women’s college in Columbia, Missouri. She also studied art at Memphis College of Art while serving as their director of admissions. For fun, she and her sculptor husband, Carroll, spend time in their cabin at Snow Lake, Mississippi, with their dog, Ruby, and cat, Toast. Their children, twins, May and Caroline, grew up at Calvary. Christine loves the “action” part of Calvary's mission statement, ‘making God’s love visible in downtown Memphis.’ She looks forward to your call to discuss service opportunities with you.

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The Rev. Scott Walters
Rector
901.312.5201

Scott joined Calvary’s staff as the 22nd rector in 2017. Previously, he was the rector of Christ Episcopal Church in Little Rock, Arkansas, where he served since 2005. Before seminary, Scott worked as a carpenter and contractor, which began a curiosity about the way the "built environment" impacts Christian discipleship, especially with regard to stewardship of creation and Jesus's charge to welcome the stranger. A native of Arkansas, Scott received his Bachelor of Arts in English from John Brown University and a Master of Divinity from Virginia Theological Seminary. Scott enjoys playing guitar (and a little mandolin), riding bikes, carpentry, poems, and walking, whether on a path in the woods or a sidewalk in the city. He is married to Ardelle, who is a counselor and faculty member for CREDO, a clergy wellness program of the Church Pension Group. Ardelle and Scott have two children, Alden and Kate.

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Melissa Warwel
St. Cecilia Choir Director

Melissa Warwel has been a music educator for the past twenty years and presently serves as an Orff Music Specialist at Grahamwood Elementary School. Melissa holds a degree in music education from Western Michigan University and a degree in Educational Leadership from Union University. Melissa’s hobbies include running, lifting weights, and healthy cooking. Melissa’s Oma (grandmother) was her first musical influence and encouraged her to play and sing at church as a child. Melissa says “I look forward to being a positive spiritual and musical influence on our young musicians. Music offers an unspoken level of worship to the service.” As a music educator, Melissa believes that as there are several styles of learning, there are countless means of experiencing God. “Our youngest worshippers should be allowed to participate in our service in a meaningful way. Having a child of my own reminds me daily that she has something to communicate and contribute to the world.”

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