The Rev. Bernard J. (BJ) Owens, Rector: BJ Owens is thrilled to return to Greensboro to serve as the Rector of St. Andrew's. BJ was born in Charlotte and lived in Virginia Beach, San Diego and Greensboro before attending UNC-Chapel Hill and Yale Divinity School. Between college and seminary he worked in film production in New York City. BJ returned to North Carolina to serve for a year as a Chaplain Resident at UNC Hospitals, where he focused much of his training in the Pediatric hospital. In 2006 he began work at St. Paul's in Cary, NC, where he served for four years as Associate Rector for Children's and Family Ministries. His wife Jo is an ordained Presbyterian minister and his one-year-old daughter Amelia is, as far as he can tell, the center of the known universe.

To contact BJ, you can call him at 336-275-1651 or email at bowens@standrewsgreensboro.com

The Rev. Robert Hamilton, Assistant to the Rector: Bob Hamilton has been the Assisting Priest at St. Andrew's for the past 20 years. Bob describes his relationship with St. Andrew's as one "in which they allow me to show up on Sundays and other occasions and act like a priest. It is a role and relationship which is deeply important to me and allows me to live out my priesthood in the context of a wonderful parish family".

Bob's "real" full-time work is as Director of Pastoral Care and Education Services for the Moses Cone Health System. He has been in this role for over 30 years. Ordained in 1971 as a priest, in the Diocese of Southern Virginia, he did his undergraduate work at High Point University, High Point, N.C.; most of his Master of Divinity work at Duke University Divinity School and finished at the Virginia Theological Seminary. Bob has served as an Assistant at St. John's, Hampton, Va.; and as Rector of St. Barnabas, Richmond, Va. He completed two years of Clinical Pastoral Education, and worked as a Hospital Chaplain in Detroit, where he also served as a part-time pastoral Associate at Christ Church , Grosse Pointe, before accepting the position with the Moses Cone Health System. In addition to his work with St. Andrew's and the Health System, Bob has served on the Commission on Ministry for the Diocese of North Carolina and other committees.

Bob and his wife, Janet have three children and two grandchildren. They enjoy traveling, especially to the beach, and love "beach dancing."

To contact Bob, you can email him at bob.hamilton@conehealth.com.

The Rev. Audra Abt, Assistant to the Rector for Children's Ministry:

To contact Audra, you can call her at 336-275-1651 or email at aabt@standrewsgreensboro.com.

Debbie Dowd, Pastoral Associate: Debbie serves in the volunteer role as Pastoral Care Associate here at St. Andrew's, a ministry that began in May 2004 and has grown steadily since that time. After being raised in the Baptist church, Debbie began attending St. Andrew's in 1990 and was confirmed a year later. She is a graduate of Guilford College and completed her graduate work at Ohio State University. With her clinical training and background in counseling, Debbie works closely with the clergy in helping meet pastoral care needs within the parish family. Her work with parishioners involves a lot of confidentiality and includes helping them face a wide variety of issues including personal and family concerns, serious health issues, grief and loss, depression, life transitions, or situations related to their relationship with God and their faith journey. More recently, Debbie has been encouraging and involving more laity of the church to share in the meeting of pastoral care needs, when appropriate. Some of her other areas of service at St. Andrew's includes: Chairperson of Pastoral Care Commission, Lay Eucharistic Minister, Lay Reader, Stephen Ministry, Confidential Prayer Chain, and planning St. Andrew's Annual Service of Remembrance.

In her secular work outside of St. Andrew's, Debbie has a part-time private practice, and is employed with Guilford County Schools, working primarily with challenging at-risk high school students.

To contact Debbie, you can call her at 336-601-7201 or email at debbiedowd@mindspring.com

Duana Cisney, Youth Minister: Duana Cisney is the Youth Minister at St. Andrew's. In this capacity, she is responsible for the oversight of the Episcopal Youth Community (EYC) program development and volunteer supervision. In addition, she plans and manages the annual calendar of events providing for a variety of experiences to keep the youth engaged in the community, both outside and inside the church, while making sure the mission of the Gospel is at the forefront.

Prior to coming to St. Andrew's (and currently still on staff), Duana is the Regional Youth Missioner for the Diocese.  Duana studied youth ministry at the Seminary of the Southwest and has been involved in youth ministry in this area since 2004.

Duana is married to Rich and has three children: Michael 11 (currently a member of the EYC), Alexandra and Samantha, both 7 (Yes, they're twins!). The Cisney family experiences a lot of joy by living fully into the life of the church and ministering together.

To contact Duana, you can call her at 336-275-1651 or email at dcisney@standrewsgreensboro.com.

Marilyn Zarka, Parish Administrator: Marilyn joined the staff in August 2009. She grew up in Niles, Ohio and earned a B.A. degree from Hiram College and an M.B.A. from Kent State University. She met her husband, Jeff, in Columbus, Ohio, and after their wedding they relocated to St. Louis, Missouri - her husband's hometown. Her husband's career as a manufacturing manager kept them on the move - back to Ohio, then to New Jersey and eventually to North Carolina in 2004. Marilyn and Jeff have two children, Madelynn and Jeffrey Jr. They live in Eden and attend St. Pius the Tenth in Greensboro.

To contact Marilyn, you can call her at 336-275-1651 or email at parishadministrator@standrewsgreensboro.com.

Michelle Pierce, CPA, Business Manager:   

To contact Michelle, you can call her at 336-275-1651 or email at business@standrewsgreensboro.com.

Ann Herman, Administrative Assistant: Ann came back to St. Andrew's in June 2001 and joined the staff in May of 2002. Being the daughter of The Rev. Carl Herman, rector of St. Andrew's for 32 years, Ann was born and brought up at St. Andrew's so this is indeed home for her.

Ann received her degree in Special Education from Greensboro College and taught at McIver School in Greensboro. After teaching for ten years, Ann made a career change and became a travel agent. Eleven years later, Ann along with a partner opened her own travel agency, Travel Directions Inc., which was open for ten years. With the travel industry facing uncertain times, the decision was made to close the agency before being forced to close. Ann continues to travel and lives with her dog, Andy. She is involved in many areas of the St. Andrew's community and is so happy to have come back "home". During 2009, Ann took many disaster courses and is now active with the American Red Cross Emergency Services Program.

To contact Ann, you can call her at 336-275-1651 or email at aherman@standrewsgreensboro.com.

Karen Russell, Lay Ministry Coordinator: Mother of two grown sons. Wife of Keith and stepmother to his grown son. Grandmother to six beautiful grandchildren. Native of Greensboro. Retired from BB&T with 37 years of service. I spend my time being a grandmother, reading and being a staff volunteer at St. Andrew's.

I first visited St. Andrew's in 1996 while searching for a new church home. I searched no further as I felt right at home even though it was quite different from my Baptist roots. When you get right down to it, it was the people and the liturgy that kept me here. Warmth, friendliness, and inclusiveness are words that come to mind when I think of my first days at St. Andrew's.

As is life, mine has had peaks and valleys. The people of St. Andrew's have always added joy to the peaks and the congregation and clergy have been my rock in the valleys. The people of St. Andrew's have truly become a part of my extended family.

As I anticipated retirement, I wandered what I would do with all my free time. I pondered these questions: What do I have to give? How can I make a difference in someone's life? I felt a desire to give back to St. Andrew's as the people and clergy had given to me. With discernment and help from our previous Rector, the answer came. A new position evolved and I became the Lay Ministry Coordinator, I know how important it is to be involved with the mission and life of the church. It is my desire to help you find your place at St. Andrew's by connecting you with existing or new opportunities to serve.

To contact Karen, you can call her at 336-275-1651 or email at karenrussell@triad.rr.com.