Our Staff

Our staff are a wonderful, gifted group of faithful Christians dedicated to involving and ministering to the church community. Please feel free to contact any of us with questions.


	Cathy Dunn Parish Administrator cathy@stelisabeths.org What do you do at work? I am responsible for the publication of the service bulletins for all church services, the monthly newsletter and general office duties. I also maintain and order/purchase the church and office supplies (we must not let the toilet paper or paper towels run out!); assist the treasurer by preparing checks to pay bills, doing payroll; and assist the rector as needed. What is your favorite candy and why? Chocolate Turtles because I love the combination of chocolate, caramel and pecans. They run a close second to Caramello, but caramello's don't have pecans. If you had one free hour and no other responsibilities, what would you do? I'd “transport” myself to a Caribbean island beach and sit under an umbrella reading a good mystery novel, sipping on my favorite beverage of choice. Tell us three things about you. 1) I am married with two children. 2) I have a degree in social work and retired from State service. 3) I enjoy traveling. (that may be 5 things) What is your favorite thing about St. Elisabeth's? I love the friendliness of the people and their willingness to help others, both within the parish and in our community.

	Gretchen Gintz Director of Youth Ministries gretchen@stelisabeths.org What do you do at work? I work with the 6th-12th grade youth. I plan events and activities for them. As a group we practice being in a Christian community: play, eat, travel, minister, and play. What is your favorite candy and why? Reeses Peanut Butter Cups because they are yummy. What could be better than peanut butter and chocolate? If you had one free hour and no other responsibilities, what would you do? My passion changes seasonally. Right now I would probably work on a painting that will hang in my living room when it is finished. Tell us three things about you. 1) I have been married to Trip a funny man and Tiger fan for 12 years. 2) I have two young children who also keep me laughing. 3) I have 4 cats and two dogs who are an important part of the family. What is your favorite thing about St. Elisabeth's? I came to St. Elisabeth's in August of 2002 when I was hired as Youth Director. At the time I planned to split time between St. Elisabeth's and the parish where my husband worked. Instead I fell in love with the strong, loving and supportive people who make up the St. Elisabeth's community. I never split time with the other parish. I found my home at St. Elisabeth's. My favorite thing about St. Elisabeth's is the warm loving community.

	Bill Murray Rector bill@stelisabeths.org What do you do at work? On one level, I pray, teach, preach and proclaim the gospel. On another level, I try to keep up with an amazingly gifted staff, to support and care for a growing, thriving community in Christ, and to find ways to creatively point to God eternally in our midst. What is your favorite candy and why? I love almost all candy- just not black jelly beans or other varieties of licorice! If you had one free hour and no other responsibilities, what would you do? Try to make something. The only problem is that it would invariably take more than an hour! Tell us three things about you. 1) I have a beautiful and much younger wife, Jessie. 2) We are expecting our first child in March of 2009. 3) I love finding ways to creatively work with people and solve problems What is your favorite thing about St. Elisabeth's? St. Elisabeth's is a welcoming, loving parish that is truly willing to try almost anything once. I cherish that open-hearted desire to be foolish and joyful about loving Christ!

	Jennifer Smith Director of Children and Family Ministries Jennifer@stelisabeths.org What do you do at work? I oversee the Sunday school programming for children ages 4 through 12th grade. I head up our EpiscoPALS (grades SK-5th) fellowship group. I also plan fun, spiritually full events for our Parish Family like: Vacation Bible School, All Hallows Eve, Advent Event, Breakfast with St Nicholas, Easter Egg Hunt and so much more! What is your favorite candy and why? I love candy...so to narrow it down to one is quite a task for me... hard candy: chewy sweet tarts and sprees chocolate: any delicious dark chocolate, snickers, charleston chew If you had one free hour and no other responsibilities, what would you do? What a treat this would be!! The real truth is that I would be so excited to have an hour that I might use it up by thinking of what I could do to be the most productive!! Tell us three things about you. 1) I really enjoy a good laugh! 2) My kids Conor and Molly make me laugh harder and smile more than anyone! 3) I love theatre and delight in working in creative, collaborative settings! What is your favorite thing about St. Elisabeth's? I love that when my kids and I are driving home from St E's, one of them usually says something like "That was a fun Sunday!" or "We had so much fun in Sunday school today!". I appreciate that I worship and work in an environment where our parish and staff are inviting, warm and sharing the life of Christ!

	Jim Walsmith Director of Music and Organist jim@stelisabeths.org What do you do at work? I plan music to support the liturgical life of the parish and to expand folks' awareness of the depth and breadth of Anglican tradition. I enjoy the mix of traditional and contemporary, ancient and new, gospel, high-church, and world music that is expected at St. Elisabeth's. Besides that, I try to keep choir members engaged, the rector amazed, and the people wanting more! What is your favorite candy and why? Please don't make me choose. When I can find them, I eat sour Starburst by the handful. When that's over, I'm all about the darkest chocolate I can find. Why? I'm a fat man at heart. If you had one free hour and no other responsibilities, what would you do? I have no idea. Talk about shock and awe. I'd probably sit in stunned silence. Tell us three things about you. 1) I am a runner. Right now I'm doing about 25 - 30 miles a week, four to six miles at a time. If I had time, I'd enjoy doing more. 2) I hope you won't believe this one: I am off-the-charts introverted. So, if I disappear for a few minutes, please don't take it personally. 3) My day job is teaching middle school. I teach the best, most amazing students in Memphis, and I enjoy being with them. Usually. What is your favorite thing about St. Elisabeth's? St. E's is a diverse congregation where you'll find loving, accepting, gentle and kind people who try to live out the promise of Galatians 3:26: You are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ . . . You are all one in Christ Jesus. . . . Besides that, it's a fun crowd.