About Me

Ordination

Diaconate June 3rd, 2016, Bishop Andrew W. Waldo, Diocese of Upper South Carolina.

Priesthood June 28th, 2017, Bishop Morris K. Thompson, Jr., Diocese of Louisiana.

Canonical residence in the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana, Bishop Shannon Rogers Duckworth.

D.Min., School of Theology, Sewanee, TN, 2025

M.Div., School of Theology, Sewanee, TN, 2015

B.A., cum laude, English, Furman University, Greenville, SC, 2011

Historic Saint Luke’s Episcopal Church, Priest-in-Charge, Rector, New Orleans, LA 2022-2026

Responsible for trauma-informed pastoral care of a multicultural, multiethnic congregation, including first- and second-generation Afro-Latino immigrants and descendants of the African Diaspora.
Led pandemic and Hurricane Ida recovery by focusing on increasing cultural celebrations in liturgy, outreach in the immediate neighborhood and engaging young families.
Completed the Episcopal Latino Competency Course and engaged the diocese's pilot Latino Hispanic Discernment guide.
Expanded the repertoire of music and liturgical expressions in worship with various lay leaders and began to incorporate Spanish prayers and music for multiple feast days.
Skilled in preaching, newcomer incorporation, and community partnerships.
Despite 20+ deaths in the parish over this 4 year period, increased Average Sunday Attendance by 60%.
Expanded musical evangelism, including crafting the welcome liturgy for “Little Amal” on her US tour raising awareness for unaccompanied refugee children.
Extended diocesan-wide pilgrimage opportunities as the national Blessed Frances Joseph-Gaudet shrine.
Envisioned the Blessed Frances Joseph-Gaudet mural project and managed the creative team who made it possible.

Trinity Episcopal Church, Associate Rector for Youth and Families, New Orleans, LA 2018-2021

Developed and taught the curriculum for intergenerational Confirmation classes for 30+ people per year.
Responsible for pastoral care of families and Christian formation for youth.
Coordinated the first MLK Day of Service inviting neighboring churches and partner organizations including Rise Against Hunger.
Designed the racial justice liturgies for the intergenerational pilgrimages to the Legacy Museum and Whitney Plantation.
After Invite, Welcome, Connect training, led IWC volunteer teams in the return to in-person worship.
Trained acolytes and coordinated large teams of intergenerational liturgical servers.

Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana

Co-Chaired the diocesan-wide Gaudet Fund Committee, which provides scholarships to African-American students attending Episcopal schools and grants to nonprofits serving African-American students.
Previous member of the diocesan Executive Board, and Commission on Racial Healing.

Bard Early College New Orleans, Adjunct Professor, New Orleans, LA January 2025 - May 2026

Designed the elective Bible in Literature and Art: Reading the New Testament in New Ways Spring 2025.
Designed the English elective Greek Mythology Spring 2026.
Created a classroom culture of mutual respect, creativity, and connection.
Designed instruction and assessment to engage diverse learners both academically and religiously.
Taught with students’ differing traumatic backgrounds in mind.
Included multimedia variety with poetry, prose, iconography, music, and previous pilgrimage experiences.

Diocese of Louisiana, Diocesan Youth Ministry and Young Adults Coordinator, New Orleans, LA 2017-2023

Led the Diocesan Youth Leadership Committee, planned youth events, and mentored youth and adults.
Created nurturing retreat experiences and leadership opportunities for youth and young adults throughout the diocese, emphasizing the inclusion of People of Color and LGTBQ+ individuals.
Engaged Ministry Architects to reframe the diocesan youth ministry in response to the pandemic.
With the initial creative team, secured the $1.25 million Lilly Endowment Grant for Christian Parenting and Caregiving Initiative for the Diocese of Louisiana, and collaborated on The Little Box of Good News™.

Christ Episcopal School, Chaplain, Covington, LA 2016-2018

Led the liturgical life of the community by organizing and leading chapels for all divisions, monthly all-school Eucharists, and special services like St. Francis Day, Grandparents Day, and Lessons and Carols.
Introduced and expanded services focusing on BJEDI (belonging, justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion) such as student-led bilingual chapels for Hispanic Heritage Month and French chapels.
Provided pastoral care for students, families, faculty, and staff, especially in times of grief and anxiety.
Taught Old Testament, New Testament, Introduction to the Sacraments, and World Religions to grades 8-12.
Utilized the Living Compass Curriculum for Biblically grounded social emotional with grade 7.
Coordinated service learning opportunities on- and off-campus.
Initiated and led the first Camino de Santiago pilgrimage for grades 9-12.

Continuing Education, Trainings, and Pilgrimages

Safe Church, Safe Communities (up to date)
Oaxaca, Mexico Women’s Writing Retreat paticipant (2025)
Camino de Santiago French, English, and Portuguese routes completed (2010, 2016, 2023)
Thriving in Ministry, Diverse Parishes Cohort (2024-2025), School of Theology Cohort (2021-2023)
Episcopal Latino Ministry Competency Course (2023)
YogaMass, Meditation Leader (2021)
Absalom Jones Center for Racial Healing, Dismantling Racism Youth Curriculum Leader (2020)
Invite, Welcome, Connect Training (2019)
Living Compass for Teens and Parents, Certified Community Wellness Advocate (2019)
Education for Ministry, Mentor Training (2015)
Godly Play, Teacher Certification (2015)
People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond, Anti-Racism Training (2015)
Clinical Pastoral Education, Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital (2013)