Standing Committee

Lay

Julie Groce | Vestry Person and Verger at Christ Church, Macon

Church roles: Vestry (two terms); Junior Warden (two terms); Worship Committee Shepherd; Acolyte Coordinator; Sunday School and Youth Confirmation Team Teacher; Former Chairman of Worship, Christian Education, and Outreach Committees; Annual Council Representative (two terms); 4th Year participant, Education for Ministry. Professional and Vocational: Missioner, Appleton Episcopal Ministries. Vice President, Macon Campus Ministry Board for Episcopal-Lutheran Fellowship. Member, local history advisory board for Macon’s Beloved Community Symposium.

Patricia Holloway | Senior Warden at St. Teresa’s, Acworth

Deep desire to support the Diocese and expand the Episcopal church. Shared appreciation for the collaborative relationship between the Diocese & parish life as I am serving second term as Senior Warden; Served on pastoral care team for 20 years; Special interests include helping congregations to avoid conflict; better understanding of grief management; good self-care and small group ministry development.

Joseph Whidby | Vestry Person and Parish Life Chair at St. Francis, Macon

Joseph Whidby, received into TEC 2013, has been Youth Minister, Altar Guild member, is currently Chair of Parish Life, and member of the Vestry. He serves as Coordinator for Weekend Lunch which is focused on feeding the homeless and economically challenged in downtown Macon. Joseph has also served on the Diocesan Commission for LGBTQ Ministry and is a delegate to Annual Council. Joseph is a performer, director, and designer at Macon Little Theatre.

Cleric

Ben R. Wells | Rector at St. Francis, Macon

I have been at St. Francis for 10 years. Member of the Society of Catholic Priests. Chaplain for the Macon-Bibb County Sheriff’s Office. I served on the Standing Committee as a lay member in the mid-aughts. I enjoy working with middle and high school youth and just recently helped form an ecumenical youth group in Macon.

Jane M. Weston | Priest-in-Charge at St. Simon’s, Conyers

Priest-in-Charge of St. Simon’s in Conyers. Member of Diocesan Budget and Finance Committees. Member of the Diocesan Executive Board and its Executive Committee. Title IV Advisor on disciplinary matters. CAT interpreter. Chair of Community Ministries Committee at Council. Registered mediator in the state of Georgia; mediator for the Diocese. Member of the Georgia Bar. The breadth of my experience in the Diocese has prepared me to serve on the Standing Committee.

Board of Governors, Mikell Camp and Conference Center

Noah Brewer | St. Margaret’s, Carrollton

Noah has had a long-time involvement with Camp Mikell as a former Youth Camp camper and counselor himself. Even his 3 kids are dedicated Mikell campers. “Camp Mikell is probably my favorite place.” For the last two camp seasons he and his wife, Beth, have served on Dean Staff for Work Camp.

Emilie C. Crofford | St. Bartholomew’s, Atlanta

Former Summer Staff Leader @ Mikell. Former Counselor Coordinator @ Mikell. Mikell summer camp attendee since 6th grade. Formerly involved with Children’s Church @ St. Bartholomew’s. Former attendee of New Beginnings retreats @ Mikell. Former Dean’s Staff member @ Mikell (one summer) alongside Tripp Norris & Easton Davis. Practicing astrologer whose intention is to widen the scope of religion & who seeks to unite people under a loving, non-judgmental approach.

Tscharner Dickerson | Atlanta

Tscharner has loved Camp Mikell since the late ’70s. She has been a counselor, a summer staff member, has served on Dean’s staff and enjoys Guest weekends at Mikell. All of her children have also loved camp. Mikell creates family and community- a sense of belonging. Tscharner would like to be a part of keeping the Mikell vision alive.

Kristi Farner | Emmanuel Church, Athens

Mikell Experience. Current: Capitol Campaign committee member. Past: Summer Camp camper, counselor, and staff. DYC: youth participant, youth member running the program, adult member running the program. Happening: youth participant, youth member running the program. Folk School participant. Guest Camp participant. Other: Former Youth Director in Diocese, Former Fundraising Professional (outside Diocese).

Sarah High | St. Columba’s, Suwanee

Highly interested in joining the Camp Mikell Board. Former summer staffer, camper, and counselor. Also was a Happening kid (Prayer Team leader in 2011), and was very involved as an acolyte at St. Columba’s church in Suwanee, GA. I am currently seeking a new church here in Brooklyn, NY. In the meantime, I donate my time and money to social justice groups and community organizations I believe in.

Jere Stokely | St. David’s Church, Roswell

Jere developed a deep love of Camp Mikell since moving to Roswell in 1998. His initial connection was through Folk School. He helped create the stained glass windows in the chapel. He attended Kids’ Camp with his grandson and saw first-hand the profound experience that camp at Mikell can be for our children. At St. David’s, Jere leads two ministries, served as Scoutmaster, was part of the Building Committee, and is a graduate of EfM.

Lay Trustee of the University of the South, Sewanee

George B. Williamson | St. Martin in the Fields, Brookhaven

Since elected in 2012, George has participated in almost all Sewanee trustee meetings/events. For many years he and his wife, Angela have co-hosted the Sewanee-Atlanta dinner for advanced degree students from the Diocese of Atlanta. He attended the EFM 40th Anniversary event and Sewanee dinners at the 2015 and 2018 General Conventions. Parish: Senior Warden (3 terms), Endowment Fund Chair (6 years). Diocese: Executive Board (4 years), Finance Committee (6 years), Sewanee Lay Trustee (9 years).