2024 Nominations

The 203rd Convention of the Diocese of Georgia will elect persons to serve on the Board of the Corporation, Church Disciplinary Board, Diocesan Council, the Standing Committee, and a Trustee for the University of the South. Check here on the Nominations Page for complete information on elections at that time. Announcement of nominations will also be made through our weekly enewsletter From the Field.

Form for nominations

Form for nominees

Board of Officers of the Corporation – 1 lay person
The Board of Officers is charged with the oversight of the investments and disbursements of those funds entrusted to it through wills, deeds, and other trust instruments. The board meets quarterly. The person elected to it at Convention 2024 will serve through the Convention in 2031.

Bardin Hooks seeks election to the Board of Officers of the Corporation to bring his experience in managing and safeguarding assets to the funds entrusted to the Diocese of Georgia. Bardin knows that sound fiscal management is essential to the financial health of the Diocese and its member parishes. As a Financial Advisor with Edward Jones, LLP, Bardin’s skills in developing financial strategies and managing wealth perfectly align with the Board’s responsibilities.

Bardin earned a  Bachelor of Arts in History from The University of South in 2003. At Sewanee, he began his journey from his Southern Baptist roots to the Episcopal Church. He then graduated from the Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University in 2007. His legal career focused on estate planning, small business planning and real estate transactions. In 2023, Bardin became a Financial Advisor with Edward Jones, LLP and utilizes his legal background to develop wealth management and estate planning services for his clients.

Beyond his professional qualifications, Bardin is deeply committed to serving the Diocese, his parish, and his local community. Since joining Calvary Episcopal Church in 2015, he has served six years on the Vestry, including four years as Senior Warden and two as Stewardship Chair. He also contributed to the Diocese as a member of the Search Committee for the 11th Bishop of Georgia. Bardin’s community involvement extends to serving on the boards of Phoebe Sumter Medical Center, the Phoebe Sumter Foundation, and the Americus Housing Authority. These experiences have equipped him to effectively contribute to the Board of the Corporation in service of the Diocese and its mission. 

Peter Kastner retired as COO of a technology analyst firm after a 45-year tech career. He is a sophisticated investor. For 5 years he led the investment committee at the oldest investment club in America, and for 3 years at an angel investment group. He has served as trustee and on several endowment boards. He is presently a lay member of the Church Disciplinary Board. Peter is a cradle Episcopalian who has served on four Vestries in three Dioceses. He has been a member of St. Peter’s Savannah for eight years, serving on the endowment board, as treasurer, and two terms as senior warden. He believes the Board plays a critical role in the future of the Diocese.

Church Disciplinary Board – 2 lay persons & 2 clergy persons
Previously known and “The Ecclesiastical Trial Court,” the Disciplinary Board of the Diocese of Georgia is vested with jurisdiction to hear and determine all proceedings in which a priest or deacon has been charged with one or more offenses specified in the canons of the Episcopal Church. It meets only when necessary. The 2 lay persons and 2 clergy persons elected will serve a three-year term through Convention 2027. 

Clergy

The Rev. Jim Pace, also a PhD prepared nurse, has served at the bedside within inpatient/outpatient settings, community/residential hospices, and have held numerous faculty/administrative positions in both private and state university settings. As a priest (ordained in 1989, Diocese of TN), he has supplied and been priest-in-charge in parishes/missions across several states (GA, TN, NY). Having supplied at Christ the King in Valdosta for the past 3 years, he now serves as their rector. He is recently retired from the profession of nursing and look forward to serving the church in a larger context.

The Rev. Jim Strickland would like to serve on the Church Disciplinary Board because he believes in fairness and equity. He does hope that he will not have to be used at all in this role, but if he must Jim believes that he is a good fit for the position. Jim has been trained as an ombudsman to help mediate problems as they arise from time to time. It is important to him that all people be treated fairly and with dignity and respect during disputes.

Jim has been an Episcopalian since his birth. He was a member of St Paul’s Episcopal Church in Akron, OH, Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Woodstock, VA, St Paul’s Episcopal Church in Macon, GA and currently serving as Deacon in St Luke’s Episcopal Church in Hawkinsville, GA.

Jim has served on the Diocesan Council for the Diocese of Georgia and has run a mentorship program for K – 5 Students called Path to Shine. He has served as the Junior Warden at St. Lukes in Hawkinsville until he went into the process for the Diaconate, and he has sat on several Convocational Discernment Committees.

The Rev. David Wantland is honored to be nominated to serve on the Disciplinary Board of the Diocese of Georgia. Since coming to the diocese in 2021, David has appreciated the collegiality and mission of this diocese and, born of that appreciation, he is enthusiastic to serve the diocese however he can. David is passionate about ministerial discernment and currently exercises that passion as chair of the Savannah Convocational Discernment Committee and as an Examining Chaplain on the Commission on Ministry. Ordained in 2017, David served for four years in Houston, Texas, before moving with his husband, Colby, to work as Associate Rector at Saint Peter’s, Savannah. David is a 2015 graduate of Duke Divinity School and a 2017 graduate of Seminary of the Southwest. His early years of ministry were shaped by his work with Jerusalem Peacebuilders, a non-profit interfaith educational program bringing together Israeli, Palestinian, and American teens in pursuit of friendship & understanding for peace. Outside of his church work, David serves on the board of Emmaus House, a non-profit soup kitchen focused on feeding the hungry and providing dignity to those in need in downtown Savannah, GA.

Lay

Madison Cook is honored to be nominated to serve on the Church Disciplinary Board. A lifelong member of the Episcopal Church, Madison has been actively involved from a young age, particularly in youth programs. Baptized at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, she attended there regularly until her family took a brief hiatus from the Episcopal Church. In middle school, Madison chose to return to the Episcopal Church independently, where she soon became engaged in youth ministry. She attended events at Honey Creek and gradually took on leadership roles, both at Honey Creek gatherings and within her home parish. Madison graduated from the University of Georgia in 2022 with a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism. During her time at UGA, she served as chaplain for her sorority, leading weekly Bible studies. Currently, she is a lay minister and a member of her church’s vestry. Madison is eager to serve on the Church Disciplinary Board, seeing it as an opportunity to become more involved with the diocese and broaden her experience. She brings a fresh, youthful perspective and hopes to be a valuable asset to the diocese.

Joe Wingard is honored to be nominated for the Church Disciplinary Board. Joe graduated from Clemson Univserity and began serving in the Marine Corps as the result of his successful completion of the USMC Platoon Leaders Class program while at Clemson. Joe served as a USM Supply/Logistics Officer for 30 years to include three command tours and three overseas tours. When he retired in 2007, he returned to Albany to work for BAE as a contractor, eventually becoming a Civil Servant working in supply aboard the Marine Corps Logistics Base. His church involvement includes Church Council member, Sunday School teacher, Vestry Member, Senior Warden, and additional leadership roles for church community events.

Diocesan Council – 1 lay person or clergy
Council’s responsibilities are to carry out the polices, programs, and directions of Convention; to deal with contingencies as they arise; and to assist the bishop in developing the ministry of the diocese. It carries out the duties of Convention between Conventions. Council generally has four meetings a year, two in person and two online including one or two overnight meetings a year in various parts of the diocese. The person elected will serve a three-year term through Convention 2027.

The Rev. Kimberly E. Dunn is seeking election to the Diocesan Council to serve the diocese through assisting the Bishop with continuing to move our diocese forward with hope through varied societal and cultural change. She is a servant leader with a passion for people and a call to bridge build across diverse communities to reconcile, develop, and/or create new relationships. Kimberly has been an Episcopalian for eight years and was ordained to the priesthood in 2023. Currently, she is the Associate Rector for Pastoral Care and Bridge Building and oversees the Outreach Ministries at Saint Paul’s Church Augusta. She is an active board member for the Byllesby Center, The Augusta Museum of History, the Chaplain for the St. Ruth Byllesby Chapter of The Daughters of the King, a member of RJGA, and launched the first Women’s Ministry at Saint Paul’s. Her Episcopal experiences prior to ordination includes serving on various diocesan committees in the Diocese of NC., a member of the Dean’s Task Force and Formation Facilitator at Virginia Theological Seminary, and an active Life Member of UBE (Union of Black Episcopalians). Kimberly is a Professional Life Coach Strategist, a former military spouse, collegiate professor, and is a member of women’s organizations in the CSRA. Her strong interpersonal skills, creativity, and transformational leadership lends to her being a strong candidate to assist with carrying out the duties and responsibilities needed to serve the Bishop and the Diocese of Georgia as a member of the Diocesan Council.

Jody Grant is a member of Our Savior, Martinez and lifelong Episcopalian He is currently the Minister for Youth and Young Adults there. Previously at Christ Church, Augusta, he was youth group advisor, Sunday School teacher, Acolyte Master, Lay Eucharistic Minister, and Senior Warden. He retired as the Diocesan Coordinator of the Happening program after many years working with this ministry. He served on the Transition committee for the 10th Bishop of Georgia, and was a deputy to the 2012, 2015, 2018, 2022, 2024(alternate) General Conventions. For General Convention, he served on the Credentials Committee in 2015 and 2018 and was the Chair of this Committee in 2022. Jody also served on the Diocesan Commission on Worship and is currently on the Strategic Planning Committee. At the national level, Jody served on the Happening National Committee and completed a 4 year term as the Vice-President/Secretary of Happening National Incorporated which is the executive committee of the Happening National Committee. Professionally, he has been teaching high school science for 24 years, is the coach of the swimming and diving team, and is the athletic director, and was recently promoted to assistant principal. He wants to continue to represent the Diocese of Georgia and be a part of the exciting change that is occurring in the church as it proclaims the Gospel.

The Rev. Jim Pace, also a PhD prepared nurse, has served at the bedside within inpatient/outpatient settings, community/residential hospices, and have held numerous faculty/administrative positions in both private and state university settings. As a priest (ordained in 1989, Diocese of TN), he has supplied and been priest-in-charge in parishes/missions across several states (GA, TN, NY). Having supplied at Christ the King in Valdosta for the past 3 years, he now serves as their rector. He is recently retired from the profession of nursing and look forward to serving the church in a larger context.

Standing Committee – 1 lay person & 1 priest
The Standing Committee is the bishop’s Council of Advice. In the absence of a bishop, the Standing Committee would act as the Ecclesiastical Authority for those purposes declared by General Convention. The Standing Committee must approve all ordinations and any financial indebtedness of parishes. It usually meets four times a year at the same time as the Commission on Ministry and in various locations throughout the diocese. The persons elected will serve a four-year term through Convention 2028.

Lay

Mills Fleming is a lifelong Episcopalian and an attorney at HunterMaclean in Savannah where he has practiced corporate, healthcare and immigration law since 1990. He and his wife Marianne Fleming, M.D. attend Christ Church, Savannah. He served as Christ Church’s senior warden from 2007-2011 and serves as the Diocese of Georgia’s vice chancellor from 2010-present. Originally from Lakeland, Florida, he was baptized and confirmed at St. David’s where his father was the rector. He received his B.A and J.D. from the University of Florida in 1986 and 1989, respectively. In addition to his law practice, Mills serves (1) on the State of Georgia’s Judicial Nominating Commission (having been appointed by Gov. Brian Kemp) and the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals’ Committee on Lawyer Qualifications and Conduct (having been appointed by Chief Judge William Pryor) and (2) as an appointed Special Assistant Attorney General for certain legal matters involving the State. As a member of the State Bar of Georgia, Mills chairs the Audit Committee and serves on the Finance Committee. In 2016 the Chief Justice’s Commission on Professionalism honored him with the Justice Robert Benham Award for Community Service. In 1996 the Flemings and their home were featured on the popular PBS television series “This Old House.” The Flemings have a 28-year-old son Alexander (Georgia Tech – BSME 2019 and MSME 2020) who works for Deloitte in Atlanta.

David Johnson would be honored to serve on The Standing Committee. Following his baptism in 1967, he has been a lifelong member of St Luke’s, Hawkinsville. He has lived in Hawkinsville his whole life, where he and his wife, Ellie, have four children who grew up active in Diocesan programs.

He is committed to the welfare of St Luke’s: has served on vestry many times, acted as Senior Warden, Junior Warden, attended many a convention, worked as the treasurer for the past sixteen years, and served on Diocesan Council. He is a passionate fundraiser, having co-chaired for St Luke’s most successful annual fundraising events. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Valdosta State University, and spent the first half of his life running the family business, McCranie Tractor and Implement Co.

Currently, he cares for and operates his family’s pecan farm, J&J Farms while also managing the retail business, Ocmulgee Orchards.

Paul Kline is honored to be nominated to serve on the Standing Committee of the Diocese of Georgia. He has been an Episcopalian for more than 45 years, and currently attends Christ Church in Savannah. With degrees in studio art and art history, he taught for more than 10 years. Paul was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to Poland, where he completed his research for his doctoral dissertation. Upon returning to the U.S., Paul held senior management positions at the Department of Justice and the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts in Washington, DC.

Priest

The Rev. Teri Hunter would like to serve on the Standing Committee in order to assist the Bishop in any clerical and/or ecclesiastical situations that may arise. We, as the Episcopal Church, strive to fulfill the Gospel of Jesus Christ in community helping one another on our journey into the future. She would like to be a part of that journey.
Teri has been an Episcopal Priest for 17 years and have served in churches in New York, Florida, as well as Georgia. She has been a priest at St. John’s and St. Mark’s in Albany since April of 2024. Teri is active in Bible and book studies within the Parish as well as community activities such as Teacher Breakfast, Trunk or Treat, and the St. Nick Block Party.

The Very Rev. Richard Nelson was ordained to the Diaconate and Priesthood in the Diocese of Chicago in 1983. He has served parishes in Chicago, Southwest Florida, and Western North Carolina, before accepting a call to St. Thomas, Savannah in 2004. He retired from fulltime ministry in 2017 and did supply and interim ministry, including a six month interim in 2018 at Calvary, Americus. In 2019 Richard accepted the call to serve as Priest in Charge at Calvary.

During his ministry in Americus he has concentrated on extensive renovations to the buildings and grounds, supporting existing ministries in the community and supporting new outreach efforts, building personal relationships with area clergy and laity of traditionally black churches, and being a pastor to the people of Calvary. In former dioceses Richard served on Liturgy and Music Commissions, Cursillo commision, and as Convocation Dean. In the Diocese of Georgia he has served on the Cursillo Commission, Savannah Convocation Discernment Committee, Convocation clergy representative to Diocesan Council, and is currently Dean of the Albany Convocation. Community involvement has included 5 years as a volunteer Sheriff’s Dept. Chaplain, 4 years on a prison ministry board and volunteer chaplain, active involvement in ministerial associations, serving on several helping agency boards, volunteering at a utility grant organization, and on the board of the Sumter Area Ministerial Association.

“Ministry on the Standing Committee is crucial to the continued life of our Diocese, especially as part of the discernment process for potential Deacons and Priests. I believe my 41 years of ordained ministry in diverse parishes in four Dioceses will be of some use to those perceiving a call to ordained life.”

The Rev. Kelly Steele is honored to accept the nomination to the Standing Committee because she is energized by God’s work in Georgia and loves meetings with Episcopalians. She feels we need to meet our numerical decline with bravery, creativity and trust in each other and the Holy Spirit as we look toward renewal in our Church. As a member of the Diocesan Strategic Planning Committee, Kelly believes the Episcopal church in Georgia is well poised to make such bold moves with the continuation of our Strategic Planning process. She hopes that she can help us meet our future with courage and cleverness. Kelly joined the Episcopal Church in 2013, came to Georgia as a Duke Divinity intern in 2014, accepted sponsorship to the priesthood that year from St. George’s, Savannah. She was ordained a priest in 2016 and served as a church planter for what became Church of the Epiphany until August 2018. She now serves as Rector of St. Peter’s, Skidaway Island, in a very similar capacity: helping to grow that congregation by trusting God’s providence and sharing leadership. In a similar vein, she delights in seeing God at work in Diocesan Council as an at-large representative, at Diocesan Conventions, at General Conventions (‘15 as an Aide, and as Deputy in ’18, ’22 and ’24 as Chair of the Deputation and an officer in the Ministry, Evangelism, Church Vitality committees, respectively), as a member of the House of Deputies State of the Church Committee (’22-’24) as a trainer in CDI (now “Leading With Grace”), as a Clergy Coach and in the Commission on Ministry (a GOE Chaplain since 2015). She initiated the passage of a resolution in 2022 to endow Episcopal evangelism initiatives for future generations at General Convention 80. She loves using the material from Kaleidoscope Institute in parish work and, for that reason, she is an associate-in-training for Kaleidoscope Institute as well. Outside of church, she roller skates around Savannah and is studying for a doctorate in organizational leadership at Valdosta State University.

The Rev. Hal Weidman is the Rector of Christ Church, Valdosta since February 2022. His service to the church and Christ on many levels lends itself to be an asset in order to execute the duties of the bishop’s Council of Advice. Hal believes his being new to the diocese brings a fresh pair of eyes and ears to diocesan leadership. He is excited at the possibility of being a part of a dedicated group of colleagues in ministry called the Standing Committee.
Since his ordination to the priesthood in 2002 Hal has served parishes in the Dioceses of Alabama, Atlanta, South Dakota, and North Dakota.

In North Dakota Hal was a Deputy to General Convention, Baltimore; Faculty member, Episcopal Church’s Native Youth Event, Standing Rock Lakota Reservation; Member, Province VI Council; Canon Missioner; President, Western Region; members of the Congregational Development Committee, the Commission on Ministry, the Diocesan Ministry Support Team and the New Season of Ministry Task Force; assisted in planning four Diocesan Conventions—two livestreamed, and one of the Ordination Officers and the Benefits Manager while serving as Rector, St George’s Episcopal Memorial Church, Bismarck. In South Dakota he was Convener, Black Hills Deanery; members of the Diocesan Standing and Environmental Committees; and faculty member, Niobrara School of Ministry while Rector, St Andrew’s, Rapid City. While in Atlanta he served as Rector, St Paul’s, Macon while being on the Board of Appleton Episcopal Ministries. Hal has earned a MDiv, from The University of the South; a MPH(Environmental Sciences), from UAB; and a BS(Environmental Health) from Auburn University.

The Rev. Nathan Wilson has been a member of the Episcopal Church for eight years and has served in the Diocese of Georgia for the past six years. He served for two years as a layperson, deacon, and priest at St. Michael and All Angels in Savannah, for four years as the Priest in Charge at St. Paul’s in Jesup, and recently began as the Rector of St. Anne’s in Tifton.

Nathan has also served on the Creation Care Commission and as a Spiritual Director at New Beginnings and summer camp. He is honored to be nominated for this opportunity to serve God and the Diocese of Georgia.

Trustee of the University of the South – 1 lay person
The board meets in Sewanee, TN, early in October each year. The two laypersons and one priest who serve on the board from the Diocese of Georgia are to represent the university to the diocese. One clergy person will be elected for a three-year term to serve through Convention 2027.

Cam Mathis honored to be considered for the position of Trustee to Sewanee. She graduated from Sewanee in 1985 and would love to have the opportunity to help the University build on its strong educational tradition as it prepares students for 21st century challenges and responsibilities.

Cam’s Sewanee education prepared me well in my professional career by teaching me to assimilate and evaluate disparate data, and to communicate complex information. She served for 27 years in the City of Savannah government with increasingly responsible roles, serving as the Director of Information Technology for her last seven years.

Cam is a cradle Episcopalian and grew up in Holy Trinity Parish in Decatur, GA. She moved to Savannah in 1990 and attended Christ Church before moving to St George’s in 2010 where she currently serves as Sr Warden and as the Assistant Treasurer. She also serves as LEM, Lector, Usher and on the Altar Guild. Cam currently serves on the Diocesan Finance Committee and the Diocesan Strategic Planning Committee, and has served on Diocesan Council and the EYCS Board.