2013 Vestry Candidates

ALLYSON ALDRICH- Allyson is a North Carolina native, but has been in Macon for 37 years. Formerly a Presbyterian, Allyson joined the Episcopal Church 24 years ago and has been a member of St. Francis for 19 years. She is married to Hap Aldrich and has a daughter, son in law, and one grandson. She is a retired Georgia Educator and serves on the Hutchings Career Center Advisory Board. Allyson has served on the Vestry once before and on several teams and committees in the past, including being a delegate to Diocesan Council. Presently Allyson is a member of DOK, the choir, Bread Guild, and the St. Francis Book Club. She also serves as greeter, volunteers with Building and Grounds, and is a member of the Creative Spirits Ministry and Team Leader for Hospitality and Evangelism. At this time she is actively involved with the Search Committee and their quest for a new Rector. Allyson also volunteered for the past year and a half with the Path to Shine Ministry. She enjoys reading, walking (hiking), cooking and painting. She is also actively involved in the Historic Macon Foundation and helps her husband with his Kiwanis service.

ALTON Z. ATTAWAY Alton and Sandra have three adult children with only one granddaughter. Alton grew up in Macon as a Baptist, but a few years ago, he and Sandra moved to the mountains and became a Methodist and then Anglican. Upon returning to Macon four years ago, they felt led to St. Francis Church. Alton has acquired multiple skills in a variety of fields, i.e.: Law Enforcement, Event Planning, Residential Construction, Real Estate Brokerage, Deli Lunch Business and 24 years of Banking. He has been active with the Fellowship Committee and currently serving the third year as Building and Grounds Chair, serves as Lector and Usher and recently agreed to Chair the newly formed Finance Committee. Altons Spiritual inspiration is based on the following quote by Thomas Merton: My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I can not know for certain where it will end. The fact that I believe that I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But, I believe that my desire to please you, does in fact, please you. I HOPE THAT I HAVE THAT DESIRE IN ALL THAT I DO.

GEORGE HAYHOEBorn and raised in the Roman Catholic tradition, I had not been a churchgoer for a long time when some changes in my life made me realize that somethingSomeone was missing. Two and a half years ago, St. Francis greeted me with open arms, and last December, I was officially received into the Episcopal Church. Im especially thankful for the combination of reverence, familiarity, and beauty of our weekly Eucharist. I currently serve as a verger and also volunteer regularly with Weekend Lunch. Since 2006, Ive been a professor of technical communication in the Mercer University School of Engineering, and also serve as director of graduate studies for my department. I live in north Macon with my partner of 36 years.

JASON HOBBS- Drawn to St. Francis because of its diverse people and blend of grounded spirituality and an emphasis on social justice, Jason and his family has been attending St. Francis since 2005. After growing up Southern Baptist in Dublin, Jason completed degrees in divinity and social work. Just before moving back to Middle Georgia, Jason and his spouse Dena were both serving United Methodist congregations in Coastal Georgia. In 2007, Jason decided to join the Episcopal church. Jason currently works as a clinical social worker in a private practice in Warner Robins, although his social work roots began in services to homeless adults and families. While at St. Francis, Jason has co-led the youth group, continuing to teach the youth Sunday School class, was on the last search team, pastoral care team, and most recently assisting in worship as a cantor. Jason and Dena have the privilege of parenting two wonderful children, Libby and Eli.

JANE SALTER - I and my family (husband Jim and our two daughters, Blaine Rankin and Rebecca Youngblood) have been members of St. Francis for nearly 30 years. Coming to St. Francis in 1983 from a different Protestant tradition, St. Francis immediately felt like home. I found the Episcopal Church to be so real, so integrated into daily life. I love the liturgy, the change of seasons, the way we include Old Testament, New Testament and gospel readings every Sunday and that the homily is based on them! I love the way phrases of liturgy come to mind during the day. I love that we treasure our diversity and celebrate all the individuals of our parish. I have served on the Altar Guild for many years and have served as its directress. I have served on the Vestry, the Finance Team, the long-term Vision/Space Task Force, been involved with the Shawl Ministry, been Clerk of the Vestry through many Vestry and Rectors tenures. I serve presently as clerk, as counter and on the Altar and Flower Guilds. I am a bookkeeper, run my own pottery studio, and am one proud grandmother of Austin Youngblood. My hope for St. Francis is that we retain our celebration of our diversity and our welcome of all who seek a spiritual home and that we make sure our communication is open, honest and straightforward on every level.

DEREK STOKES - is a native of Macon. He attended the University of Alabama. Derek worked in the fashion industry for 14 years before returning to Macon in 1996. Derek attended St. Francis for several years before being received into the Episcopal Church in March 2007. Derek has taught Childrens Sunday school, lead Childrens Church, been a bookstore volunteer and served as a team member and team leader of the Fellowship Team. He has served on the Vestry Nominating Committee. Derek is in his second year of EfM. He is currently the Outreach Team Leader and serves as Co-Director of the Path to Shine program, Weekend Lunch Coordinator, Founder and Director of Lynmore Estates VBS, member of Haitian Hope and serves on the Loaves and Fishes Board of Directors and represents the parish on the Diocesan Episcopal Relief and Development Council. Dereks current worship responsibilities include Altar Guild, licensed Eucharistic Visitor, Lector, Usher, and Oblation Bearer. He serves on the Creation Keepers and Pastoral Care Teams. Derek says that he is doing what he loves doing most; serving the Lord through service to the folks at St. Francis.

JESS TANNER -- I have been a member of St. Francis since coming here with my family when I was a teenager. Though I was raised in the Episcopal tradition, I did not truly understand what my faith meant to me until we came to this parish. Though I moved away for many years, St. Francis remained my spiritual home. Since returning to Georgia three years ago, I have had the distinct pleasure of becoming involved in Children's Ministry, working with the amazing younger members of St. Francis in both Sunday School and Children's Church. This year I also have the honor of representing St. Francis at Diocesan Council. The opportunity to become actively involved as an adult in the ministry of the parish that first fostered my own spiritual growth has been one of the richest blessings of my life.