Rector
The Very Rev. Thomas Purdy
Tom began serving with Christ Church in May, 2013, after serving parishes in Poolesville, MD and Lancaster, PA. Tom is blessed to be the husband of Donna, and father of Eva and Calleigh, who make his life rich and beautiful. Together they enjoy exploring the southeast and getting outside as often as possible. Tom likes playing in the dirt, losing golf balls, taking journeys, and enjoying good food.
Tom graduated from Millersville University with a BA in Philosophy and Psychology, and The School of Theology at The University of the South at Sewanee with an M.Div. His vision for his ministry is to help people deepen their relationship with God and Christ and to equip people for their unique calling. He fancies himself a humorous guy, but most people try not to encourage him, especially his puns.
Associate Rector
The Rev. Ashton Williston
The Rev. Ashton Williston graduated from the School of Theology at Sewanee in May 2017 and is a fourth generation Episcopal priest in her family. Ashton was ordained as a priest at Christ Church on August 5, 2017 and brings extensive parish ministry experience to our congregation. For the eight years before she began her studies at Sewanee, Ashton served as Director of Family Ministry at St. James Episcopal Church and School in Ormond Beach, FL. Before that she served as Director of Youth Ministry at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Melbourne, FL. She is eager to engage in pastoral care, which is one of her ministry strengths, and to engage in the many ministries we offer at Christ Church. Ashton and her husband Joseph have been married for 22 years and they have two daughters, Isabella and Abigail.
Deacon
The Rev. Becky Dorrell
Becky Dorrell became a Lay Pastoral Care Associate in February 2022. Her work as a Lay Associate consists of helping the Clergy provide pastoral care to the greater needs of the Congregation. Becky is currently a Postulant for the Diaconate.
She enjoys, family, friends, walks, golf and pickleball.
Assisting Clergy
The Rev. Becky Rowell
Mtr. Becky has been a communicant at Christ Church since 1980. Following a secular career in speech pathology and county government, Mtr. Becky was ordained to the priesthood at Christ Church on April 23, 2015. A life-long learner, she holds Masters degrees from the University of Georgia and Georgia Southern University, as well as a MA in Theology from Virginia Theological Seminary. In addition to her work at Christ Church teaching, preaching and writing religious icons, she serves on several Diocesan committees. Called to a ministry of reconciliation, she trains clergy and vestries in conflict transformation skills and strategic planning, while assisting faith communities experiencing conflict. A native of Moultrie, Mother Becky and her husband, Uli Keller, live on St. Simons Island with their German Shepherd, Lexi.
Assisting Ecumenical Clergy
The Rev. Dr. Bob Brown (UMC)
The Rev. Dr. Robert W. “Bob” Brown is a native of Virginia but has resided in Georgia for more than 45 years. He holds a BA degree in Psychology from Emory & Henry College; a M Div. degree from Candler School of Theology at Emory University; and a Doctor of Ministry degree from McCormick Seminary at the University of Chicago. He likes to say that he is a “retired United Methodist Pastor (40 years of Service) who is now a happy Episcopalian.” He and his wife June have been an active part of Christ Church for more than seven years. He assists with worship; is a Docent; and is the facilitator and teacher for the Adult Sunday Morning Class and he occasionally preaches (his true love in ministry) at the worship services. He has also led book studies for a Sunday Evening group at CCF. Bob is married to his wife of 45 years, June and they have three sons and daughters-in-law and three grandchildren with a 4th on the way. Both Bob and June are very involved in the community through Rotary and Cassina Garden Club. They love St Simons and feel blessed by the wonderful family at Christ Church, Frederica. Bob feels that God is doing great things at CCF and he’s happy that he and June can be a part of it.
Father Bill
Fr. Bill is originally from the Diocese of Tennessee where he served 6 churches before moving to the Georgia coast. He has an M.Div. from the School of Theology at Sewanee and has divided his time between small and large congregations. He has a particular interest in the development of lay ministry, Christian formation, and intentional small group spiritual development. He and his wife Sara live in Darien where Bill also serves on the Darien Planning Commission and local historical society. They have two married sons of whom they could not be more proud. They like exploring the back roads of wherever they are and gardening. Bill also likes being on the water.
Meet Bishop Charles
Since Bp. Charles was ordained in 1968, he has served the church as a rector of parishes in the dioceses of Los Angeles and Atlanta, a professor at the Episcopal Divinity School, Cambridge, Massachusetts, and bishop of the Diocese of Pennsylvania. He earned an M.Div. and Th.M. from Harvard, an M.A. in New Testament Studies at Claremont Graduate School, an S.T.M. from Union Theological Seminary in New York City, and an M.A. in philosophy from the New School for Social Research. He and his wife Joan honeymooned at Sea Island in 1967, returned and worshipped with Christ Church numerous times over the decades, and now reside here eight months of the year, while spending their summers in Leland, Michigan, where he is vicar of St. Peter’s Episcopal Summer Chapel. Their two daughters with their husbands, and their six grandchildren, remain the center of their lives.
Lay Pastoral Care Associate
Beryl Blatchford
Perhaps the most familiar analogy in the scriptures for the role of a pastor is that of a shepherd – and the illustration is a good one. Almost everyone can imagine the image of a shepherd caring for sheep. Beryl has a heart for caring for Jesus’ flock. Beryl Blatchford has been a resident of St. Simons Island and a member of Christ Church Frederica since 2012. As a Lay Pastoral Care Associate, she has been the head of the lay pastoral care team for 10 years, however she has been an integral part of the church her entire adult life. Beryl is passionate for helping others and pastoral care is at the core of her being. As a Lay Pastoral Care Associate, Beryl is an extension of the clergy and is rewarded when sitting with and caring for other members of the congregation. One quote that is defining pastoral care for Beryl is, “To bear one another’s burdens is a privilege, as long as we remember that the Lord is the final person to carry the load.”
Sexton and Cemetery Superintendent
Harrison Branch
Harrison Branch came to Christ Church August 1, 2012. He has been married to Dorriann for 43 years, and has two daughters, Laura and Jennifer and one granddaughter, Amelia. Harry enjoys cooking, fishing, and outdoor activities.
Organist and Choirmaster
Jim Broussard
Jim was born in Port Arthur, Texas and grew up in Nederland, Texas. At an early age he found a talent for the piano and had his first organist position at the age of 12. In 1980, he began his studies at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas and graduated from New England Conservatory in Boston, Massachusetts in 1985, then went on to win several competitions, including the Metropolitan Opera audition of 1984 in Boston. The Metropolitan Opera brought him to New York City, where he sang for the next two years. In 1987, Jim ventured to Europe where he sang for the next nine years. He has over forty operas in his repertoire and is most noted for his portrayals of Mozart, Rossini and Donizetti characters. He has had leading roles at the Vienna State Opera, Zürich Opera and a host of opera houses in Belgium, Holland and Italy. He sang over 500 performances of Phantom of the Opera with Andrew Lloyd Webber, in Hamburg, Germany. High points in his career include singing under conductors Placido Domingo, James Levine, Nicholas Harnancourt, and baroque specialist Heinz Holliger. While in Switzerland, he studied with world-renowned tenor, Nicolai Gedda.
He has served on the voice faculties of Clemon University, North Greenville University, and Charleston Southern University. He has served as Assistant Director of Music at Trinity Church Copley Square in Boston, The International Protestant Church of Zürich, Switzerland, St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, Detmold, Germany and Pendelton Street Baptist Church in Greenville, South Carolina. Most recently, he was music director at Christ Episcopal Church in Greenville, and the founder and artistic director of the Greenville Opera.
He is thrilled to be the Organist and Choirmaster at historic Christ Church Frederica on beautiful St. Simons Island Georgia. He maintains a busy concert schedule, has a voice studio and is a sought-after tenor soloist, choral clinician and conductor.
Parish Administrator
Glenn Queener
Glenn rejoined the Christ Church team in January of 2019. He originally came to Christ Church in September 2012 and served as the Parish Administrator until December 2016. Glenn served as a Salvation Army officer for 11 years and worked with hospice. Following three years of study, Glenn recently became a Certified Church Administrator. Glenn is an amateur bladesmith who also enjoys listening to the blues, smoking meat, and relaxing with his family. The most important thing about Glenn is that he is Hope’s husband and Tori, Brandon, and Ava’s dad.
Bookkeeper
Ada Ramirez Joaquin
After 26 years of calling the Golden Isles home, I’ve developed a profound connection to its coastal charm. My journey led me to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting from the College of Coastal Georgia. Over the past six years, I’ve gained valuable experience in both governmental and public accounting. Recently, I’ve embarked on a new adventure as a real estate agent, driven by a passion for connecting people with their perfect homes in our charming corner of the world. Outside of work, you’ll find me exploring the outdoors with my son, Asaph Flores, soaking up the beauty and adventures that surround us.
Communications Associate
Annaliese Kondo
Annaliese was born in the Golden Isles but grew up near Charleston, West Virginia, in the little town of Poca. Before graduating high school she had seen her orginal characters for the children’s educational series, “Cloudy Cloud”, appear on international TV as well as in multiple, international Film Festivals.
Annaliese pursued her degree in Graphic Design in California, graduating at the top of her class from F.I.D.M., San Francisco, with her designs featured at the de Young Museum in the Golden Gate Park and at the Apple flagship store in the heart of San Francisco, Union Square.
Despite successes on the west coast, her first home, the Golden Isles, was still calling her. Annaliese’s paternal grandmother, Maxine, had lived here since the fifties and therefore the decision to move to the island was an easy one. “Even now living on St. Simons often seems surreal,” says Annaliese. “It’s as if a wave of peace and beauty washes over me wherever I look, a constant reminder of how blessed I am.”
In 2011, Annaliese welcomed her photography company, Studio Pixel Pop, into the world. Studio Pixel Pop focuses on wedding and event photography, as well as branding and lifestyle for editorials like Elegant Island Living and Sea Island Life Magazine.
Two years after the birth of her company came the birth of her greatest achievement, her daughter, Emilyn. With a perfect little great granddaughter as leverage, Annaliese finally talked her maternal grandmother, also named Emilyn, into moving from her longtime home in Tennessee, to St. Simons Island.
When she isn’t spending time with the two Emilyns, Annaliese enjoys cooking, creating, traveling and learning new things, from languages to woodworking! She has completed a second degree, a BS in Interdisciplinary Studies, and has lived & studied Art in Paris, France, and Environmental Psychology in Porto, Portugal. In 2020 Annaliese founded the Claus Cause, a non-profit organization with the goal of fostering compassion, selflessness and giving in the community.
If she ever has a moment to spare, you will likely find Annaliese and Emilyn at Gould’s Inlet relaxing on the beach or out on their paddle boards, taking in the invigorating south Georgia sunshine!
Youth Programming
Hawthorn Kirkbride
At 23 years old, I’ve been around the country quite a bit. After graduating from a small liberal arts college in southern Illinois, I went out to Seattle to work for a tech giant in software sales. The rush was exhilarating, but also exhausting, and I found that people didn’t really have the time of day for me, themselves, or anyone else. My family has been living in the Golden Isles for the past 5 years, and after moving here myself in early 2023, finding Christ Church and this exceptional community has been nothing short of miraculous! I graduated with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration and English Literature; I’m a huge fan of anime, video games, reading, and always curious to learn more and try new things! You can usually find me in my office in the back of the Parish Hall, and I’m always open for conversation or just to bounce ideas- come say hi!