Rescheduled: Feb 1

Annual Parish Meeting has been rescheduled and will take place on Sunday, February 1, 2026. Beginning at 9 a.m., we’ll enjoy a covered-dish breakfast as we discuss our community’s business and look forward to our ministry in the new year.

Wesley Briscione, Amy Goetze, Dean Howell, and Sarah Murray have been nominated by the Vestry Candidate Nominating Committee. These candidates will be presented to the congregation at the Annual Parish Meeting on January 25, 2026. With your approval, they will begin serving immediately in 2026.

As we do each year, we ask the candidates some questions so that we can know them better. We ask:

1. How did you come to make Saint Anne’s your church home?

2. Tell us about your occupation or, if retired, their “working life.”

And then to more generally answer:

• What about the Episcopal Church gives you hope during these challenging times in the world?

• What gifts do you bring? Think beyond work related skills and think about interpersonal style, life skills and personal strengths, as well as spiritual gifts. 

• What do you think God is calling you to do at this point in your life?

• What issue(s) / concerns do you feel are facing the Vestry / Saint Anne’s, and what opportunities may arise from this?

THE CANDIDATES:

WESLEY BRISCIONE

My husband, R.J., and I joined Saint Anne’s shortly after we were married. Both lifelong Episcopalians, we knew we wanted to find an Episcopal church in Atlanta where we could build community and continue growing in our faith. Saint Anne’s warm, welcoming environment made it an easy choice.

 I am the Communications Coordinator at Northside Methodist Preschool, where I manage parent communications, newsletters, digital platforms, social media, website content, virtual classrooms, and student photography.

The Episcopal Church has always been a source of spiritual grounding and comfort for me. Its message of love, peace, and inclusivity continually gives me hope as we live in a world with so much brokenness. I’m proud to be a lifelong Episcopalian, and I find deep encouragement in the Church’s traditions and practices, which provide a steady foundation for faith, reflection, and service in everyday life.

I bring a steady combination of organization, follow-through, and a genuine love for this community. I value listening to others and offering warm hospitality. As a mother of three with children active in the youth program, I understand the importance of creating welcoming, supportive spaces for families.

I believe God is inviting me to refocus on what truly matters, and a big part of that is serving the church community that has cared for my family in so many ways. Under Buddy’s leadership, I feel that our parish is in a hopeful and energizing season, and I would be honored to join him and the Vestry in guiding our community forward.

One challenge I see for Saint Anne’s, and all church communities, is keeping current members engaged and supported while also welcoming and attracting new members. I believe this presents an opportunity for church leadership to build on programs and outreach that are already successful, while reimagining areas that could benefit from fresh ideas and new approaches, helping our community continue to grow and thrive together.

AMY GOETZE

My mother was the associate rector at Saint Anne’s for years. When we had our first son we wanted a church that was family friendly, and I am blessed that Saint Anne’s was where we landed.

I am an accounting analyst and math tutor.

The church’s openness to all and willingness to meet people where they are at gives me lots of hope in our current environment. I come to church on Sunday and am comforted by the consistency of the liturgy and music, and I find peace in the messages of our clergy.

I bring knowledge of Saint Anne’s Church and Day School history. I have served on the Finance and Stewardship committee so have a working understanding of our Finances. I have also served on the Vestry before. I think I bring an analytical approach with a deep love of the Episcopal church.

As a new empty nester, I have free time that I am learning how to use. As I look to how I can serve the church in new and different ways, the Vestry felt like a good place to be. I believe Saint Anne’s is in an exciting phase of its life, and I would like to be a part of leading the church into the future with the solid foundation that we have built to date.

Saint Anne’s aging campus infrastructure is a concern for the church. Maintenance and updating of the infrastructure is critical, and we have made significant strides in this area in the past few years. Funding continued maintenance to the campus should be a priority and relies on continued focus on Stewardship. Saint Anne’s has a great core of giving. Engaging visitors and new parishioners is critical to maintain this into the future. The current level of energy in the church is incredible and gives us many opportunities to form these new and deeper relationships.

DEAN HOWELL

I was raised Methodist, and my wife Janice was raised Catholic. As an engaged couple in 1992, we discovered Calvary Episcopal church located a block away from our home in Pittsburgh, PA. We started attending and quickly realized it was the perfect fit for us. We were married by the priest at that church. When we moved to Atlanta in 2001, Saint Anne’s was one of the first churches we visited—and we soon knew it would become our church home.

I recently retired after a 40-year career in the home services industry. I worked for Trane Air Conditioning for 16 years, during which time we lived abroad for eight years. After moving to Atlanta in 2001, I spent two years at The Home Depot headquarters. Following an 18-year corporate career, Janice and I decided to change our lives completely. In 2003, we started a flooring and home interiors business, which we owned and operated together for 22 years. We were fortunate to sell the business last year.

Our church has survived and thrived through many difficult years. The challenges of today should be no different. I am hopeful when I see the mission work Saint Anne’s provides in our community and when I see young families beginning to engage with our church. I am encouraged when I see the many faces of fellow parishioners whom we have known for years and are so grateful for their friendship.

I bring a perspective from being a member of Saint Anne’s for 25 years. We raised our children here and have experienced the church as young parents and now as empty nesters. We’ve been a part of Saint Anne’s during good times and difficult times. Personally, I enjoy engaging with others, being part of a team working toward a common goal and solving problems.

Now that I’m retired, I have more time available to me. I believe God is calling me to continue being productive, focusing on servant leadership in my community to support and improve the lives of those around me.

While Saint Anne’s is doing well overall. Church engagement is declining. I believe we need to continue focusing on bringing new members to Saint Anne's. We need to continue to learn and understand how Saint Anne's can support individuals and families' Christian journey. While these may seem like basic endeavors, I believe that doing these things well is what ensures a thriving community.

SARAH MURRAY

Our family joined Saint Anne’s when we moved to Vinings from Decatur in 2006. Our two youngest children attended the Day school and all three of our children were confirmed here. My mother moved to the Terrace in 2021. This parish has been a wonderful spiritual community for us.

While my educational background was in Political Science and election research, I have been a stay-at-home parent to three children for the past twenty-six years. During that time, I have had the opportunity to volunteer at the Lovett School, Agape, the Atlanta Mission, and here at Saint Anne’s on the Library Refresh committee and on the usher team as well as serving on the board of the Terrace. Now that my husband, Doug, and I are empty nesters, I also enjoy reading, taking my dogs for long walks, mahjong, and learning to play golf.

As a “cradle” Episcopalian, with a father who is a church organist and choir director, I have always loved and been proud of our beautiful liturgy. The words, the musical settings, and the rhythms of worship have been both comforting routines during times of stress and transcendent manifestations of God’s beauty in our lives.

During uncertain and divisive times in the world, I am proud that the Episcopal Church, and especially our Saint Anne’s community are welcoming places that take Jesus’ command to “Love thy neighbor” very seriously. I also appreciate the uniquely multigenerational population at Saint Anne’s that is represented by the Day School, our vibrant formation and youth programs, parent groups, and the Terrace. Each of these ministries has positively impacted the life of my family, and I am looking forward to supporting them as a member of your vestry.