Staff (Alphabetical)

 

Andrew Suitter: Podcast Coordinator

Andrew Suitter is a graduate of Vanderbilt's Divinity School and has served at the chapel since 2010. Currently, Andrew helps coordinate Sunday morning worship podcasts for those listening near and far. Andrew was ordained to the priesthood in June 2017.

Becca Stevens: Chaplain and Pastoral Leadership

Becca Stevens has served as the chaplain for more than 20 years.  Her passion is healing communities and she hopes to foster that spirit among the wonderful and diverse folks that gather.  Becca Stevens is an author, speaker, priest, social entrepreneur, founder and president of Thistle Farms. Her newest book, "Love Heals," was released in September 2017.
Becca lives in Nashville with her husband, Grammy-winning songwriter Marcus Hummon, and their three sons.  For Becca's more extensive bio and to learn about her work through Thistle Farms, please click Becca Stevens.

Chris Roberts: MUsic Leadership

Chris is the musical director for St. Augustine's Chapel.  He is responsible for coordinating the hymns and  musicians for services. He is also a father of two awesome girls; husband to an awesome wife; singer/Songwriter with songs recorded for films/tv/artists; Golfer; Fly fisherman. From Montana. 

Christy Beesley: Director of Communications and Liturgical logistics

Christy coordinates communications, website, social media, assists with liturgical duties, coordinates liturgies, and other areas at St. A's. Christy is a cradle Episcopalian and native Nashvillian. She is involved with youth ministry through the Diocese of Tennessee, and Province IV. She has been selected to serve as a deputy of the diocese to the 2024 General Convention of The Episcopal Church. She loves pizza, live music, and being an aunt.

Dave RAgland: Music Leadership

Dave Ragland (daveragland.com) is the founder and Artistic Director of Inversion Vocal Ensemble. Dave made his theatre directorial debut in Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill (Regional). Dave made his Nashville Opera debut in David Lang’s The Difficulty of Crossing a Field. Dave is an active composer who most recently published his first book Spirituals & Art Songs Vol. 1. Orchestrations have been performed by Jonathan Blanchard and the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, Intersection Contemporary Ensemble, and Diaspora Orchestra. Dave is a native of Chattanooga, TN and proud member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.

Don Welch: President of the Advisory Board, Volunteer, and CCJ & Larkspur Liaison

Don received his Ph.D. in Religion from Vanderbilt.  After working for the University for 35 years, he retired from the Law School faculty and now fills his days volunteering in a variety of administrative areas at the Chapel.  He is the liaison from CCJ and Larkspur Conservation to the staff.  He is married to Celeste Reed, with whom he shares seven children.

Emily Berry: Director of Youth Ministry and Chapel Life

Emily has attended St. A's for more than 15 years with her husband Dave and loves hanging out with teenagers. When she isn’t leading youth Sunday school or planning youth and chapel fun, Emily works as an occasional part-time tutor. She loves walking in the woods and playing with their own four kiddos in their free time.

Greg Bieck: MUsic LeaderShip

Greg Bieck is a multi-talented musician, producer, composer, and engineer.  He is the Chapel's organist, primary piano accompanist, and a regular with the St. Augustine Ramblers. He is married to Alisa Bieck and has two girls,Genevieve and Marjorie.

Hannah Meyers: Music LEadership

Hannah Meyers is the Children and Youth Choir Director at St. Augustine's Episcopal Chapel. She is also a founding member and lead vocalist for The Bittersweets (Compass Records). Hannah studied music and vocal performance at Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington and later earned her Masters and Montessori Certification at Belmont University. Prior to joining the staff, Hannah served as a teacher at a local Montessori school. She is married to Chris Meyers. They have two boys, Milo and Zeke.

Ian Cron: author in residence

Ian is a bestselling author, speaker, psychotherapist, and priest. His books include The Road Back to You: An Enneagram Journey to Self-Discovery, the novel Chasing Francis, and the spiritual memoir Jesus, My Father, the CIA, and Me. Ian draws on an array of disciplines—from psychology to the arts, Christian spirituality to theology—to help people enter more deeply into conversation with God and the mystery of their own lives. Ian and his wife Anne have three children and live in Franklin.

Kate Fields: Associate Chaplain for Community Life and Justice Ministry

Kate Fields serves on the pastoral staff nurturing the life of the community as well as serving with the Justice Salon. Kate is a biologist turned pastor and holds a Doctorate of Ministry in Land, Food and Faith Formation from Memphis Theological Seminary, a Masters of Divinity from Vanderbilt Divinity School, a MS in Biology from Austin Peay State University and a BS in Biology from Cumberland University. Kate was born and raised in Nashville and loves country music dearly, especially the tunes of Johnny Cash and Dolly Parton. She loves cooking and growing food, her hounds and deepening community around the table.

Kristin McWilliams: Executive Assistant to Becca Stevens

Kristin is the Executive Assistant to The Rev. Becca Stevens. Kristin is a 2015 Thistle Farms residential graduate and grateful Thistle farmer. Kristin has 3 beautiful girls and a loving husband.

Michael Kelsh: Music Leadership

Steve Earle once said that "Michael Kelsh sings in a whisper that makes you want to listen more closely, so you can divine the secret - his songs." For more than a decade, Michael and the Ramblers have provided the  soundtrack for worship at St. Augustine's.

Peggy McMurray: Director of Finance

Peggy serves as Staff Director of Finance.  She recently completed a 4 year term on the Bishop and Council for the Diocese of TN.  Peggy has 2 children and 3 beautiful grandchildren - Anna, Coleman and Dudley.

sarah stell: DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION

Sarah oversees children’s programming, including Catechesis for the Good Shepherd, Creation Care Camp, and children’s church. Additionally, Sarah works with St. Augustine’s college student ministry, Canterbury. Prior to joining the staff, Sarah obtained her Master of Divinity from Vanderbilt University and a Master of Social Work from the University of Tennessee. Sarah is married to Jay Ragsdale, and she loves eating ice cream and being an aunt to her six nieces.

Sarah Yandell: Children's Nursery Coordinator

Sarah has been a member of St. Augustine's Chapel for 20 years and has been taking care of St. A's kids just as long. Along with being the children's nursery coordinator, Sarah service as the head catchiest in the Level I classroom. During the day, she is a lawyer who works in risk management at a law firm.  Her hobbies include taking her daughter Bella places, picking Bella up from places, and running errands for....Bella. 

Scott Owings: Associate Chaplain and Pastoral Leadership

Scott was ordained to the priesthood in 2015 and has been serving at St. A's since that time. His areas of involvement include spiritual direction, preaching, pastoral care, leading the contemplative Eucharist, chairing the CCJ, overseeing our graduate interns, and is the point person for our efforts in Botswana. (And anything else Becca doesn't want to do!) Prior to Scott's coming to St. A's, he worked as a Hospice Chaplain, Missionary in Eastern Europe, and Professor of Missions and Ministry at Lipscomb University. He is married to Lisa and they have three adult children: Alex, Eric, and Joy. For fun, Scott loves to explore the mystery of dreams, drink coffee, and talk football and contemplation.