2011 Photo Directory

Our Mission | Our Vision | Our Core Values
Our Clergy | Our Staff

Our Mission:
To Be a Community Where the Power and Love of Jesus Christ Changes Lives–Growing Disciples Who Make Disciples

Our Vision:
We see Holy Comforter committed to becoming:

A Church for Others,
with mission at our heart both locally and beyond, becoming articulate witnesses to the gospel hope within us, inviting people to know Christ, welcoming them into our church community, and into our homes.

A Church Immersed in Scripture,
offering opportunities to grow in biblical knowledge such that, as Christ intersects us in his Word, we will enjoy a deepened intimacy with God, know eternal life and begin to think, love, and serve within a biblical framework.

A Church of Community,
where growth as disciples is encouraged in the disciplines of prayer, scripture study, accountability and service, within the fold of committed friendships.

A Church which Strengthens and Serves Families –
providing the teaching, resources and support for building strong Christians, with special emphasis on strengthening marriages, and nurturing children and youth in their Christian growth.

A Church of Expectant Hopefulness.
In the midst of this world's discouragements and tragedies, the gospel proclaims a great reversal: "... but God raised Jesus from the dead." We commit to live as hopeful witnesses to the final defeat of evil, to being a community which fights from a victory, not for a victory.

Adopted by the Vestry, October 25, 2011

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Our Core Values

Holy Comforter is an Episcopal Church in the heart of Sumter, South Carolina. We are called by grace, transformed by the Spirit, and sent to serve. Our delight is to work alongside Christians from all traditions in witnessing to the matchless hope offered in the love of Jesus Christ. These are the core values which enflame our life and ministry:

Jesus Christ is the heartbeat of our life. Making Jesus Lord of our lives plunges us into fellowship with the living God, the relationship we all long for. This gift of redemption is meant for every adult, young person, and child.
(John 3:16, 2 Corinthians 5:16-17, Philippians 3:7-11)

The Bible is the true compass for finding our pathway. God, through the Scriptures, interprets the story of our lives, and shines as the true, authoritative light to our path.
(2 Timothy 3:16, Hebrews 4:12)

Worship is designed for us to taste heaven. Our chief end is to glorify God and enjoy him forever; in true worship--in ways ancient and modern--we are cleansed, remade, offered a glimpse of eternity, and empowered to love and serve.
(John 4:21-24, Romans 12:1-2)

Christians are called beyond membership to the lifelong adventure of discipleship. We are summoned to a journey in which the Lord transforms and frees us as we explore and obey his calling.
(Matthew 7:24-29, Mark 8:34-36, Galatians 5:22)

Prayer is the lifeblood of a dynamic church. We have the privilege of dwelling in Christ, learning to listen, and to abide in a transforming, healing friendship with God.
(Ephesians 3:14-21, Luke 11:1-13)

Love is meant to radiate from every relationship in the church. Forgiveness, patience, and kindness can be the hallmarks of our common life; this love is meant to infuse our families, marriages, and the fellowship of the church.
(Matthew 22:34-40, 1 Corinthians 13)

Small groups are oases where deepened relationships are forged. This is where authenticity, the joy of belonging, and personal growth is developed.
(Acts 2:42)

Every Christian is invited to use their gifts to glorify God. We all have different gifts, and we are invited invest them whole-heartedly.
(1 Corinthians 12, Romans 12:3-8)

To be a steward is to learn the joy of gratitude. In giving we take on the reflexes of God, as we turn from selfishness and materialism to the joy of gracious self-offering. We thereby empower the work of the kingdom through our legacy.
(2 Corinthians 8:1-8)

Lost people matter to God and to us. The staggering good news is that in Christ no life is too far gone; our love can by grace copy God's, which is generous, far-reaching, and forgiving. "As the Father has sent me, so do I send you."
(Acts 1:8, Luke 19:10, Matthew 28:16-20, Ezekiel 34:11-16)

We are committed to biblical and classical Anglican Christianity. In a time of cultural dislocation and challenge, we stand for the unchanging truth of the gospel as centered in the grace of Jesus Christ, in the recovery of biblical revelation, and for the moral vision as expressed in historic, Anglican Christianity. We join with the parishes of this Diocese and Christians of other traditions who uplift the historic, biblical faith.

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Our Clergy

Senior Rector: The Very Rev. Dr. John MacReadie Barr III is married to Laura Ramsay Barr; they have three children and one grandson. John graduated from the University of the South at Sewanee in 1970 with a degree in English. He spent the next two years teaching English at the Baylor School in Chattanooga, TN where he also pioneered the Baylor Mountaineering Program, having studied rock climbing in Wyoming and Alaska.

In 1976 he graduated cum laude from the Virginia Theological Seminary. He has served parishes in Aiken, SC (St. Thaddeus) and the Mississippi Delta (Church of the Advent, Sumner). He was Rector of Christ Church, Mobile, AL from 1980 to 1991 and co-Rector of All Saints Waccamaw in Pawleys Island SC from 1991 to 1995.

Beginning on Pentecost Day in 1995, John has been serving as Rector of the Church of the Holy Comforter and in the year 2000 earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from Fuller Seminary.

He loves time with his family, playing the banjo, guitar, and fiddle; running, fly-fishing, reading and the company of good friends.

 
Assistant Rector: The Rev. Marcus Adam Kaiser was an officer in the Navy when he was called to the priesthood. He graduated from Nashotah House in the spring of 2009 and came directly to Holy Comforter with his wife and two sons. He was raised Roman Catholic and married a Pentecostal. Both fell in love with the Anglican tradition. They attended St Paul's in Summerville SC where Marcus began to feel the call to ministry. Marcus loves Compline and plays guitar. He excels in communication skills and delivers a sermon far exceeding the caliber of the usual offerings from the newly ordained.

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Our Staff

Youth Minister: Timothy Rutherford is a former marine with a degree in Youth Ministry. The son of an Episcopal minister, Timothy is married to a high school science teacher and exhibits extraordinary dedication to his flock of teenagers.
   
Children's Education Director: Lori Grimm. "I grew up in Ohio where I met and married my husband Doug. We have now been married 22 years and have two beautiful Daughters Frances and Megan. Doug was in the Air Force and we moved here in 2000. We started attending church here in 2007 and in 2008 we were confirmed.
   
Director of Music: Mr. Walter S. (Chuck) Wilson is possessed of an extraordinary musical talent that is only eclipsed by his charming personality.
   

Church Secretary: Gini Elmes-Mills could run a small country single-handedly. She is completely devoted to her church family and has a phenomally even temper and is seemingly inexhaustible. She enjoyed testing her Spanish skills in Honduras and managed to converse quite well. Gini has been working at Holy Comforter (from volunteer to full-time) since 1993.

Gini's spiritual gift is to "serve others," (as confirmed in taking the Spiritual Gifts Workshop) and warmly welcomes everyone who enters our doors. She also loves the children, an extension of her elementary teaching career. She has two sons, Ronnie and Robbie, and four grandchildren: Tripp, McKenzie Gray, Virginia Grace and Robert Jr.

   
Financial Secretary: Gayle Boykin is a member of Westside Baptist church and tolerates her Episcopalian charges with great devotion and calm assurance. She and her husband have children, grandchildren and great-grands.
   
Church Administrator: Meg Shinall enjoyed a successful career in the needlework publishing business before feeling called to the staff of Holy Comforter. Her business background has provided her with the necessary skills for managing the business affairs of the church, organizing events, coordinating ministry efforts and other requirements for church administration. She retains her passion for needlework and enjoys small group leadership in the youth group.
   
Nursery: Annette Conner works weekdays in a lawyer's office, and on Sunday mornings brings her bright smile and loving heart to the care of our youngest children in the nursery.
   
Maintenance: Melvin Wilder came to Holy Comforter as a result of the recession and soon made himself indespensable with his energy, friendly charm and attention to detail.
   
Sexton: Emma McCain has served this church for 18 years and counting, coming in search of employment so that her children (two sets of twins) would learn the value of hard work and not be on welfare. Her face was made to smile and her heart is as big as all outdoors. She maintains the entire campus practically by herself (44,700 square feet!).