Three parishes have installed new priests so far this year — Winston Arthur at St. Paul’s in Newnan, Laura Masterson at St. Mary & St. Martha of Bethany in Buford, and Fabio Sotelo at St. Edward’s in Lawrenceville.
As each move forward from this milestone, they shared what they look forward to as they serve their parish. Here are their profiles.
Winston Arthur: “A holy longing for God”
Installed March 13, 2025
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Newnan
Father Winston was ordained to the diaconate in July 2016 in Tortola British Virgin Islands (Diocese of the Virgin Islands) and priesthood in November 2017 (Diocese of Atlanta).
“My calling to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church emerged through a deep sense of discernment, prayer, and a shared longing for spiritual renewal, relational depth, and faithful witness. I was drawn to St. Paul’s because of its rich liturgical tradition, its heart for community, and its desire to grow as a vibrant, Christ-centered parish.
“As a priest, I bring with me a passion for congregational development, pastoral care, and inclusive, sacramental worship that honors both tradition and innovation. My background in law and mediation equips me to navigate complex situations with wisdom and grace, while my experience as a trainer with the College for Congregational Development has strengthened my ability to nurture healthy systems and leadership within the Church.
“St. Paul’s is a community rooted in hope and poised for growth. What the parish seeks is strong pastoral leadership, vision for youth and family ministry, revitalized community engagement, and clarity in transition that aligns directly with my call and skillset. I am here not to impose a vision, but to walk with the people of St. Paul’s, to listen, pray, and lead collaboratively as we follow Christ together.
“I believe that God has called us into this mutual ministry for a holy purpose, and I am both honored and excited to be part of what God is unfolding in this beloved parish.”
What do you look forward to as you serve this parish?
“I look forward to walking alongside this parish as we deepen our relationships with God, with one another, and with our surrounding community. This can best be described as cultivating a ‘holy longing’ for God. I’m excited to help foster a spiritually grounded and mission-focused environment where all generations feel seen, heard, and empowered. I especially look forward to nurturing new leaders, revitalizing our ministries, and helping the parish discern where God is calling us next together.”
Laura Masterson: A House of Prayer and Service
Installed May 1, 2025
St. Mary & St. Martha of Bethany Episcopal Church, Buford
Laura was ordained in 2019 and served as a canonically resident priest in the area since that time. Before joining St. Mary & St. Martha of Bethany (SMMB), she was associate rector for outreach and welcome at Christ Church Cathedral in Lexington, Ky. She has served as priest-in-charge at SMMB since 2021.
Her connection to SMMB runs much deeper, however. Two decades ago, she was a parishioner discerning a call to ordained ministry. “I ultimately left because the church’s leadership at the time did not support the ordination of women. But God’s timing is always surprising.”
Her return was prompted during the pandemic, a period of upheaval when both clergy left the parish and many parishioners followed. When Bishop Robert C. Wright visited the struggling but hopeful congregation at Pentecost, one parishioner remembered Laura and suggested she might be the right leader “for such a time as this.” What followed has been a renewal of spirit and purpose for the parish.
Drawing on her experience in Lexington, Laura worked alongside parishioners to envision a new future — one grounded in inclusion, hospitality, and a radical reimagining of mission.
“All that I learned about outreach and welcome at the Cathedral in Lexington helped me come alongside this community to launch ‘a new thing’ and it has unequivocally been a new thing for both the parish and for me. God bestowed on this place the capacity for strong lay leadership, which is, I think, what Jesus would want.”
Under her leadership, SMMB has embraced new initiatives, clarified its mission and vision, and become a place known for authentic welcome and community connection. “Never have I witnessed a truer ‘God thing’ than this call,” she said.
What do you look forward to as you serve this parish?
“As we begin again, we are committed to holy listening and actionable concepts that can partner for good with the community, loving our neighbor as ourselves. We love blurring lines between outreach and pastoral care, between relationship and formation, and between stewardship and theology. God has entrusted to us this truly incredible house of prayer and service.”
Fabio Sotelo: A Multicultural Parish of Siblings in Christ
Installed June 19, 2025
St. Edward’s Episcopal Church, Lawrenceville
Father Sotelo was received as a priest in the Episcopal Church in May 2012. He came to Saint Edward’s in April 2014 to plant a Latino ministry service, then became a priest-in-charge of the church in January 2020.
“My mission has been to create a multilingual, multicultural parish here in St. Edward’s, inviting each parishioner to accept each other as siblings in Christ. This is happening already in this great parish. The Episcopal church needs more parishes like St. Eds., welcoming and inclusive in all the meanings of the word. God rejoices for what is happening here.”
What do you look forward to as you serve this parish?
“I want to make the parish community to grow in members, ministries, and resources, and together find new ways to serve God’s kingdom in Gwinnett County and in the world. I also want to renew in the church the sense of being missionaries of the Gospel, missionaries of peace, love, justice, mercy, and compassion.”