the Episcopal Church of the Holy Comforter
Sunday, November 20
(immediately following church service)
Read about the candidates below
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Jeri Tippet
As a long-time member of Holy Comforter, I have had the privilege of serving in many ways. From the long-ago days as Youth Group helper/advisor to the choir, altar and flower guilds, lay reader, and Lay Eucharistic Minister, as well as Daughters of the King and EfM mentor, I’ve served both young and young at heart in our parish and in our surrounding Episcopal community. I’ve also been on the Vestry as a member, served as both Junior and Senior Warden, and currently am the Vestry Clerk.
I work (and play) well with others. I am organized and optimistic. I am excited to see what new direction the Holy Spirit is leading our congregation to embrace, and would be honored to serve as your representative on the Vestry.
I am a cradle Episcopalian and 30-year member of Holy Comforter. During this time I have been: a choir member, Coordinator of the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Day, Convention Delegate, LEM, Lay Reader, Acolyte, and a Lay Leader of our Hybrid Ministry. I also schedule Compline and Live Stream the Sunday Services.
During the Pandemic I took the opportunity to combine my background in Graphic Design, Social Media, and Marketing with online classes offered by VTS’s Lifelong Learning Department to work with Rosa, Lee, and Randy to create ways for the Holy Comforter Family to stay connected, including our Virtual Choir. This led to the birth of our Hybrid Ministry. This ministry has opened up avenues for Holy Comforter to reach former members, shut-ins, even potential new members.
As a vestry member, I will use all of my skills and experience to work with our rector, our deacon, and the other vestry members to tell Holy Comforter’s story of acceptance, love, and compassion for others.
Michael Paul
Paul Hard
Paul Hard is the Department Chair of Counselor, Leadership, and Special Education at Auburn Montgomery. His area of specialty is with marriage & family counseling. He has over 26 years of agency counseling and private practice. He is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC), and a LPC Supervisor. In addition to his counseling degrees, Paul also holds advanced degrees in theology (MDiv & MA) and has 25 years of ecclesiastical experience as an ordained Baptist minister.
While I am most proud of my new position as Daddy, I hope that if I am chosen for the vestry, it is my hope that my administrative experience as well as my pastoral background will enable me to serve effectively with our vestry and rector. Our church has done great things and is known as a welcoming congregation. It is my hope that I can help to promote our vision as a faith community.
My 50-year career as an educator, writer, & administrator gave me broad experience in negotiating contracts, fundraising, classroom teaching, & volunteer recruitment & support, plus opportunities to design curricula. I taught at a community college in Canada & at public schools in three states. I managed services for developmentally handicapped children & adults for a three-county area of Ontario, Canada. In Detroit, I did Public Relations for Sinai Hospital & the University of Detroit. Working & being active in a church there, where the population is 90% African-American, was a tremendous gift that my husband, Gail, and I shared. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
In Montgomery, I used my experience to grow Partners In Education (a 501c3) to include a roster of volunteers tutoring public school students who could not read. Mac Hall was one of the volunteers who, working together, brought 3,000 youngsters up to grade-level reading!
I’ve served on Boards of Directors, on two Vestries, & as a past President of Montgomery Capital Rotary Club. I’m an alumna of Ohio University & the University of Windsor (Ontario). In the 1990’s I did Sursum Corda, a two-year training in Spiritual Direction (Diocese of South Carolina), & in 2009 I completed the Harvard University six-month certification in Global Mental Health: Trauma & Recovery. I feel silly saying “I” so much; I’ve never accomplished any good thing by myself. I have learned from each of my students, clients, & co-workers along the way. It’s a privilege to be a part of good things, & I am deeply grateful.
Hannah Williams