St. Simons Presbyterian Staff
The staff team at St. Simons Presbyterian Church is comprised of pastors, teachers, musicians, stewards, artists, counselors, and organizers who are entrusted to help lead the daily activity of the congregation. Led by the Holy Spirit, this imperfect, creative, caring group of people use their unique skills to glorify God, model grace, and serve those in need. If you do not know our staff, please stop by the church and introduce yourself. We will be happy to meet you, give you a tour of the church, and help you discover how you may want to connect and serve with SSPC.
Rev. Bob Brearley
Co-Pastor bob@sspres.org St. Simons Presbyterian Since 1998 Presbyterian College, B.A. University of South Carolina, M.A. Union Presbyterian Seminary, M.Div. |
"Patience with God is faith, patience with self is hope, and patience with others is love." -Adel Bestavros
What is your favorite thing about your ministry at SSPC?
"My favorite thing is being with members as we care for each other, encourage one another, and make a difference in the life of this community beyond the walls of our church." How has God prepared you for the work before you today? "God’s Holy Spirit is at work in my life seeking to give me patience, stamina, and love in ministry for Jesus Christ with all people." When you have free time, what are your favorite things to do? I love to get outdoors and enjoy the beauty of God’s creation with my family. I have always played sports and particularly look forward to golf, fishing, and hiking with my friends. What is an embarrassing, humbling, or funny moment? "Most of my life is funny, and I am thankful. I have always delighted in the fresh perspectives and surprising comments of the children in my life. They see all and speak truth." |
Rev. Alan Dyer
Co-Pastor alan@sspres.org St. Simons Presbyterian Since 2013 Vanderbilt University, B.A. Columbia Theological Seminary, M.Div. |
"So, friends, every day do something that won't compute ... Give your approval to all you cannot understand ... Ask the questions that have no answers...Laugh. Be joyful though you have considered all the facts ... Practice resurrection." -Wendell Berry
What is your favorite thing about your particular ministry at SSPC?
"I love the fact that no one day is ever the same. It is truly a sacred privilege to have the opportunity to walk with people through the highs, lows, and in-betweens of life." How has God prepared you for the work before you today? "As a life-long Presbyterian who has worked in roles from retail to Capitol Hill to consulting, God has given me a wide array of life experiences that I find helps me connect my ministry and preaching to everyday life in unique ways." When you have free time, what are your favorite things to do? "You can usually find me one of four places in my free time: hanging out with Sam and Erin at home, on the golf course, at Wake Up Coffee, or out for a run somewhere on the island." What is an embarrassing, humbling, or funny moment? "I once borrowed a leisure suit to attend a 70's themed dance during high school. Suffice it to say that the outfit was very snug on my frame. Fast forward to the middle of the dance when I managed to literally split my pants while showing off my moves. Mercifully, I had an extra pair of pants in the trunk of my car which allowed me to avoid any further embarrassment." |
Rev. Jann Briscoe
Parish Associate for Stephen Ministry jannbriscoe@gmail.com St. Simons Presbyterian Since 2006 Vanderbilt University, B.A. Georgia State, MEd Columbia Theological Seminary, MDiv University of NC-Greensboro, EdS |
“Above all, trust in the slow work of God.” - Teilhard de Chardin
“Live the questions now. Perhaps you will then gradually, without noticing it, live along some distant day into the answer.” - Rainer Maria Rilke What is your favorite thing about your particular ministry at SSPC?
"I delight in providing opportunities for persons who want to “go deeper” in their spiritual/faith/life journey: spiritual practices such as lectio divina and centering prayer, sharing life-stories and exploring challenging questions, studies tied to the church liturgical year, services of wholeness and healing, contemplative worship, accompanying people on their journey; spiritual direction How has God prepared you for the work before you today? “In God’s economy, nothing is wasted.” I keep discovering how God continues to use my whole history - experiences good and bad, faithful and unfaithful - to shape me and compassionately connect me to others. God continues to create me as a person awed and humbled by God’s amazing love, passionate about wanting others to know themselves as God’s beloved children, open to the Spirit’s leading into an ever-larger fullness of life in Christ, able to cry and to laugh at myself and find humor almost always." What is your favorite book? "I do not have a single all-time favorite book. I thrive on discovering new authors who invite me into a larger world, a greater love, a growing faith - sometimes this even happens in mystery novels! Perennial favorites are Dag Hammarskjold’s Markings and Michael Quoist’s Prayers; anything by Richard Rohr and Joan Chittister, Ann Voskamp’s One Thousand Gifts…" How has God amazed you? "God amazes me continually! Recently, God has amazed me by opening up a new grounding in contemplative theology, a new calling in spiritual direction, and great excitement about the possibilities of the labyrinth for individual and communal healing." |
Nat Scott
Director of Congregational Life nat@sspres.org St. Simons Presbyterian Since 2005 University of Tennessee, BFA |
"Treat people as if they were what they ought to be, and you help them to become what they are capable of being."- Johann W. von Goethe
What brought you into ministry at SSPC?
"God’s timing and a friendly phone call from Bob Brearley on behalf of the search committee." What is your favorite thing about your particular ministry at SSPC? "The energy, passion and fun that comes with helping folks grow in faith." How has God prepared you for the work before you today? "God has given me a deep love for people, His people, ALL people." When you have free time, what are your favorite things to do? "I love enjoying God’s creation, so you can find me cycling, kayaking, sailing, hiking, swimming, climbing and exploring." What is an embarrassing, humbling, or funny moment? "While paddling out to my sailboat in the evening, I was swept off my kayak by a rogue wave and forced to spend a cold night struggling to survive hypothermic conditions on the isolated south tip of Jekyll Island. I can laugh about it now!" How has God amazed you? "God has amazed me by always sending the right people, with the right words, at the right time, to sustain, strengthen and equip my ministry." |
Frieda Warner
Director of Christian Education & Children's Ministry frieda@sspres.org St. Simons Presbyterian Since 2006 Vanderbilt University, B.S. Peabody College at Vanderbilt, M.Ed. |
"My favorite quote used to be 'Jesus Loves Me, This I Know.....' but I have grown up a bit and now it is, 'Be Still and Know that I am God.'" - Psalm 46:10
What is your favorite thing about your particular ministry at SSPC?
"I love working with children.... After 24 years (yikes!), it keeps me young at heart!" How has God prepared you for the work before you today? "God has blessed me with a happy spirit... He helps me be creative, open-minded and easygoing." What is your favorite book? "I am a book lover and collector. I love classics....anything by Louisa May Alcott or Jane Austen. My fave children's books are the Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name and the books by Marie Helene Delval (Images of God, Psalms for Young Children)." How has God amazed you? "God amazes me everyday with something in nature.... I am also amazed by the three children God has given me to watch grow and mature into Christ centered young adults." |
Rhonda Hambright
Director of Music rhonda@sspres.org St. Simons Presbyterian Since 2008 Wesleyan College, B.M. |
"Soli Deo Gloria" (Glory to God Alone) -Johann Sebastian Bach
What is your favorite thing about your particular ministry at SSPC?
"Working with the people" How has God prepared you for the work before you today? "In the beautiful setting of our island, I am humbled before nature and reminded that I am a child of God." When you have free time, what are your favorite things to do? "Watch old movies, hike in the mountains, and create art" What is an embarrassing, humbling, or funny moment? "Getting so involved in the prayer concerns during Sunday worship that I forget to direct the choir in the preparation for prayer song" How has God amazed you? "God has a different way of looking at the carefully laid plans I make, and the results are often surprising in a good way." |
Jeannine Torbert
Church Administrator jeannine@sspres.org St. Simons Presbyterian Since 2015 Valdosta State University, B.B.A. |
“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” -Acts 20:35
What brought you into ministry at SSPC?
"After many years spent at home raising children and managing a household, I felt a desire to return to the world of paid employment! I had many years of experience in the field of accounting and management, but I also had a desire to use those skills in a way that would help others and honor God. God’s timing is amazing, as the perfect opportunity to fulfill my heart’s desire was here at St. Simons Presbyterian Church!" What is your favorite thing about your particular ministry at SSPC? "Watching how the members of St. Simon’s Presbyterian show the love of God not only by their generous financial gifts, but by stepping out in the community with open arms, ready and willing to assist those in need." What is an embarrassing, humbling, or funny moment? "Fluffing pillows is my obsession or maybe compulsion? I can’t pass a pillow on a sofa, chair, or bed without noting if it is perfectly “fluffed”. I am still training my family to “fluff” the pillows perfectly, and will soon have all the staff at SSPC trained as well!" How has God amazed you? "God amazes me every day! From the beautiful sunshine, to the pouring rain, every event and moment in our lives has a purpose. We may not always understand but things always do work together for the good of those of who love HIM!!" |
Caroline Kittle
Communications Coordinator caroline@sspres.org St. Simons Presbyterian Since 2016 Savannah College of Art & Design, B.F.A. |
“You are asking yourself, as all of us must: 'Who am I?'...'Where am I?'...'Whence do I go?' The process of enlightenment is usually slow. But, in the end, our seeking always brings a finding. These great mysteries are, after all, enshrined in complete simplicity.” -Bill Wilson
What is your favorite thing about your particular ministry at SSPC?
"I love working so closely with my coworkers and the people in our congregation. It is really rewarding to be a part of how everything comes to fruition and to see the creative process throughout each ministry." How has God prepared you for the work before you today? "God has blessed me with so many opportunities to learn and grow through art. I truly believe that every experience of my life thus far has led to this specific place in the present. I trust that God has equipped me with the talents and skills I will need to begin and that through my time here I will continue to grow creatively and spiritually." How has God amazed you? "I am continually amazed at His presence in my life and how His work unfolds before me. As a new believer, I am now able to look back and see how God has been walking beside me through it all; even in the moments I didn't recognize Him. It fills me with such a distinctive feeling of peace to know I will never be alone and that God has a plan for my life that is specifically designed for me." |
Walter Lynn
Facilities Maintenance Coordinator walter@sspres.org St. Simons Presbyterian Since 2015 University of Georgia United States Marine Corp |
"Stop whining and do it." - Flaubert
What is your favorite thing about your particular ministry at SSPC?
"There is a good balance between problem solving and monotonous tasks which keeps the job light, but enjoyable." How has God prepared you for the work before you today? 'By giving me the patience to interact with numerous people, who all have different opinions, personalities, priorities, and thoughts on how my job should be done." When you have free time, what are your favorite things to do? "I don’t have any free time." What is the name of your all-time favorite book? "The Hobbit. My parents gave me the book for Christmas when I was about 6 years old and my mother read it to me at bedtime. I also really loved To Kill A Mockingbird. It reminded me of the small town I am from, while living in Atlanta at the time I read it." How has God amazed you? "I have been amazed at the generosity I have seen displayed while working here. It has inspired me to give more of myself." |
Amy Bishop
Organist St. Simons Presbyterian Since 2008 Georgia College, BME |
"Music is the universal language" - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
"Kind words are the music of the world."- -Frederick William Faber How has God prepared you for the work before you today?
"Everyday is a new challenge. Life has ups and downs at every turn. Having a strong faith, daily prayer and trust that I will listen to what God's plan is for me." When you have free time, what are your favorite things to do? "I love to sit at the organ and just sight-read. I love to walk the beach. Bridge is my favorite game, and of course, my children and grandchildren are God's special gifts to me." What is an embarrassing, humbling, or funny moment? "I was once playing for a fashion show and the pedals fell off the piano." What is the name of your all-time favorite book? The Girl of the Limberlost by Jean Stratton Porter - a book given to me by my grandmother when I was in the 6th grade. How has God amazed you? "God amazes me everyday. Just look around. Take in the world. Take in the beauty of family and friends." |
Suzanne Morrison
Handbell Director St. Simons Presbyterian Since 2004 Auburn University, BS |
"Love justice, seek mercy, and walk humbly with your God." - Micah 6:8
What brought you into ministry at SSPC?
"I was the founding director for a five-octave bell choir in Jacksonville. As a member of SSPC, I have worked in the music and worship area to help create immersive, God-filled worship." What is your favorite thing about your particular ministry at SSPC? "I love the teamwork and camaraderie of the bell choir. I also love the creativity of our congregation." How has God prepared you for the work before you today? "I started ringing bells in 5th grade at Mountain Brook Presbyterian in Birmingham. I continued ringing thru college. My church in Jacksonville encouraged me to found their five-octave choir and to attend bell workshops. SSPC has supported my attendance at Montreat and even hosted a bell workshop at our church." How has God amazed you? "God amazes me with the intricate and amazing genius of creation. His infinite capacity for love and grace humbles and encourages me." |
Judy Cauley
Director of Preschool judy@sspres.org St. Simons Presbyterian Since 1993 Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, B.A. Armstrong State University |
"Make the most of yourself, for that is all there is of you."
-Ralph Waldo Emerson What brought you into ministry at SSPC?
"I was interested in learning about the program for my own child. They were actually looking for a part-time teacher so I said "Yes"!!!! That was over 20 years ago." What is your favorite thing about your particular ministry at SSPC? "The people. The children, the parents and the awesome staff of the preschool and the Church." What is the name of your all-time favorite book? "The Velveteen Rabbit - a wonderful story about the meaning of life and how a child's love makes us real." How has God amazed you? "God amazes me everyday through these beautiful children!" |
