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Our Staff

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Our Rector, Fr. Bill Combs

Fr. Bill was ordained to the priesthood on January 18, 2004 following his graduation from The Virginia Theological Seminary in May, 2003 with his Masters of Divinity in hand.  Fr. Bill has blessed St. Gabriel's with his leadership, knowledge, strength and compassion since 2007.  He is also known for his sense of humor, and theological brilliance which converge in his wonderful sermons.  If you spend a bit of time with Fr. Bill in any setting, you will always learn something and have a lot of fun doing so.  We are so thankful to have him here at St. Gabe's along with his wife, Jennifer, his son, Sam, and his daughter, Emily.

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Fr. Robert Fessler, Retired

Fr. Fessler was ordained a priest on May 29, 1965.  He served his last parish, St. Timothy's Episcopal Church in Milwaukee, WI, for 22 years when his retirement was required by the Canons of the Episcopal Church.  He and his wife, Pat, moved to the Village of Deaton Creek in Hoschton, Ga. in July, 2012 and was licensed as a priest in the Atlanta Diocese on December 5, 2012.  They were warmly adopted by God's people at St. Gabriel's just prior to that and now is happy to help Fr. Bill whenever he can.

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Our Deacon, Sue Huff

Deacon Sue was an attendee of the University of Georgia and the University of West Virginia.  She is a cradle Episcopalian and absolutely loves to nurture our parish and serve at the altar with Fr. Bill.  She is a frequent visitor of the sick and those who may be challenged by present circumstances.  Sue also has a gifted sense of humor and a genuine love for people.  After Sue was ordained in August, 2006, following her completion of the four year Education for Ministry (EfM) Program and the Diaconal Formation Program (three years), she accepted her first assignment here at St. Gabriel's. in October, 2006. During regular business hours, Sue is a licensed independent insurance agent and certified long term care specialist at Georgia Benefits, Inc.  She specializes in individual health insurance and life insurance lines.  Her favorite things to do involve pastoral care, worship, and taking care of her best friends, Mr. Cooper and Mr. Connor (miniature schnauzers). 

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Our Parish Administrator, Tricia Parker

Tricia keeps St. Gabe's organized, efficient, and running at full speed.  Her talents shine through in everything she touches and we are so blessed to have her skills.  Tricia is the primary contact at St. Gabe's for calendar or event scheduling, parish communications, member questions, organizational functions, and everything in between!  Thank you, Tricia, for being a part of our parish family and such a treasure.

Our Patron, Saint Gabriel

According to the Bible, there are seven archangels who "stand in the presence of God". (Tobit 12:15).  Four of these are named at various placed in the Bible or Apocrypha: Michael, Uriel, Raphael, and Gabriel.  Gabriel first appears in the book of Daniel when he explains to Daniel the vision of the ram and the he-goat and the prophecy of the Seventy Weeks.

In the book of Revelation, the seven angels in turn blow their trumpets.  When the last trumpet sounds, voices from heaven proclaim, "The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ.  And he shall reign for ever and ever."  Although not directly stated in the Bible, according to legend, it is Gabriel's trumpet that will announce the end of time.

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Our Vestry

The Vestry of any Episcopal Church is the lay governing body of the church.  The 'vestry' is named for the room in which vestments were stored in English churches long ago.  The governing body used to meet in that room; hence the group became known as the "vestry."  Because the Episcopal Church practices a representative governance (much like our congress), vestry members are elected for three year terms.  At St. Gabriel's, we have nine vestry members.  Each year, three members rotate off of the vestry and three new members are elected.  The election of new members happens every year at our Annual Meeting in December.

The work of a vestry member is manifold.  They oversee the financial administration and health of the parish.  Each member serves as a liaison to a particular aspect of the church's life and they communicate with the parish about the ongoing joys and challenges of the parish.  The Senior Warden is often called the "rector's warden" and serves as a confidant for the rector. The Senior Warden also serves as a liaison between the rector and the rest of the vestry.  The Junior Warden is the "people's warden" and serves as a liaison between the congregation, the rector, and the rest of the vestry.

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Fred Skey, Sr. Warden, Worship

Gabe Loggins, Christian Formation

Wink Porterfield, Stewardship

Debbie Ollinger, Congregational Growth & Development

Lee Ann Spires, Outreach

Sandy Kiddie, Finance and Administration

Mark Guido, Communications

Nenion Conley, Building & Grounds

Erika Knopp, Parish Life

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