---

You are here:  About >> Our Staff & Vestry

 
Connect with Us On:

---

Our Staff

---

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 us all progress in our spiritual journeys through his commitment to pastoral care, enlightening sermons, and warm liturgical services.

​Gregory Thompson, Choir Director

​Gregory Thompson was born on the tiny 37 square mile Caribbean island of St. Maarten, Gregory’s talent as a pianist was identified at an early age and he began receiving formal piano lessons at the age of 8. Although he developed an appreciation for various genres of music, Gregory’s earliest performances were at his church where he played both the piano and organ for various services. In 2003, Gregory moved to the United States to further his studies. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Music Technology at Lagrange College in 2007. During his
time at Lagrange he also completed an internship with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra as a productions assistant. After completing his undergraduate work he went on to complete a Masters in Music at Florida Atlantic University, with a focus on Jazz piano performance.
Gregory has a passion for Church Music but also is an educator at heart. Before completing his Masters degree, Gregory spent a year teaching piano lessons and worked with small groups and young learners at the Community Music Centers of Atlanta. He further developed his teaching skills as a Teaching Assistant and Instructor of several undergraduate courses at Florida Atlantic University. After
completing his work at FAU, Gregory returned to school to attend Mercer University in 2011 where he studied Church music with an emphasis in Organ performance. Gregory currently serves as the Organist/Choirmaster of St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church in Oakwood, GA and as the music teacher of Saint Anne’s Day school. His other interests include writing music, recording music and occasionally playing sports. As a lifelong learner Gregory is committed to
improving his skills both as an educator and performer.

---

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.

---

---

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 seven 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.

---

---

---

Paul Swanson, Senior Warden

Diana Rosen, Junior Warden

Jennifer Pulliam

Fred Ollinger

John Lutumba

Debbie Swanson

We are also blessed to have Ron Petrey as our Treasurer! 

---