2026 Vestry Slate Announcement
Please join us in gratitude for this year's slate of nominees: Allen Grant, Mary Stinson, Emily Weaver, and Battle Williford. Nominees for the vestry have been thoughtfully and prayerfully chosen by your vestry nominating committee and are presented to the church for election to a 3-year term beginning in 2026.
Nominating Committee members were Emily Walker (Chair), Will Newman (Senior Warden), Greg Wilber (Junior Warden), Louis Garrard, Kate Meriwether, Sterling Price, Kristi Skeeters, Breck Wheeler, and Leslie Ann Wilson.
We invite you to learn more about the individuals below and to participate in the upcoming Annual Meeting, which includes a ratifying election for this slate of candidates.
Vestry Election & Annual Parish Meeting
Sunday, January 25
10:05am in Legacy Hall
Current Occupation: Attorney and managing partner
What brought you to St. George’s? I am a cradle Episcopalian, and when I moved to Nashville in 2008 to start my legal career, I found St. George’s after seeing an ad for the Blessing of the Animals. Stephanie and I joined a GEORGE foyer group in 2009, became members in 2010, and were married here in 2011. St. George’s has been at the center of our life together ever since.
What excites you about St. George’s today and in the future? I am excited by the warmth of our congregation, the sense of connection across generations, and our engaged, energized clergy and staff. Our Children & Family Ministries enrich my children’s lives and point to the future, as more families and children join each year, and our congregation continues to grow as a thriving, active church.
How do you hope to serve as a leader on the vestry? I hope to serve by bringing my gifts of advocacy, risk analysis and planning, and practical problem solving to the vestry’s work, drawing on experience of building consensus when neighbors and community members hold different views, helping the parish think strategically about opportunities and challenges, and by continuing to be regularly involved in the ministries of St. George’s.
How do you model Christian leadership at St. George’s and in the greater Nashville community? At St. George’s, I try to model Christian leadership by being present, warm, and engaged in worship and parish life. In the wider Nashville community, I seek to treat others well and to live out the Golden Rule in my work as an attorney, in social settings, in coaching youth teams, and in recreation.
Current Occupation: Retired from a variety of careers—mainly real estate. Now a home economist.
What brought you to St. George’s? Tim and I moved here in 1999 and discovered a hometown friend of mine was living in Brentwood with her husband Joe. Claudette and Joe introduced us to St. George's, and we have been members ever since.
What excites you about St. George’s today and in the future? The growth of the church, the expanded opportunities for learning, worshipping, volunteering, and opportunities to be in ministries beyond the walls of the church. The bustle of the church excites me.
How do you hope to serve as a leader on the vestry? I hope to be a good steward of the church and the needs of the clergy and the congregation.
How do you model Christian leadership at St. George’s and in the greater Nashville community? I enjoy volunteering where needed. This past summer, I enjoyed leading the Lemonade and Cookies ministry. I also support various organizations outside the church, filling needs where I can.
Current Occupation: Director, Stakeholder and Reputation Management, Bridgestone Americas
What brought you to St. George’s? My journey at St. George’s began during a difficult time in my life immediately following my divorce. I was seeking another Nashville parish where I could worship and serve. St. George’s parishioners, clergy and staff met me where I was and welcomed me with open arms. I became a parishioner in 2009, and since then I have been involved in many ministries. St. George's continues to bless and challenge me to this day.
What excites you about St. George’s today and in the future? St. George’s is a very special place to me. It is my spiritual home. It is where I married the love of my life, James Weaver, in 2018 in the chapel. It is where James and I became godparents. And it is a place where I serve and am surrounded by God working through amazing people. I want St. George’s to continue to be a welcoming place and a dynamic, respected part of our community.
How do you hope to serve as a leader on the vestry? I care deeply about St. George’s, its parishioners—current and future—and our community at large. Thus, I want to play a more significant role at St. George’s as I have experienced firsthand the life-changing impacts it makes on people and our community. I have seen the work and commitment of our vestry members and want to continue to build on the strong foundation they have laid. I want to share my strengths as an empathetic leader, connector, and learner to serve in a thoughtful, dedicated, and Christ-centered way. My goal will be to stay true to our mission to “Receive, Live, and Share the Abundant Life of Jesus Christ.”
How do you model Christian leadership at St. George’s and in the greater Nashville community? Serving in my church home and community has always been very important to me. I co-chair the Women’s Ministry Committee, serve on the Outreach Funding Committee, and am a lay Eucharistic minister during the 11:00am service. In the community, I serve on the board of AgeWell and am a mentor to young professionals.
Current Occupation: Commercial Mortgage Banking
What brought you to St. George’s? Ann and I were married at St. George’s in May 2012. At the time, we were living in Washington, DC. In the summer of 2015, we moved to Nashville, and there was never a question as to what church we would join: St. George’s was it. Our two children, Battle (10) and Sophie (8) were baptized here, and we are enjoying watching them grow up in the church.
What excites you about St. George’s today and in the future? The future is brighter than ever at St. George’s. First, its staff is second to none. How we find such talented people, time and again, I’ll never understand. They’re all just incredible. Second, St. George’s offerings are terrific today and are ever expanding. There are a tremendous number of opportunities for members to engage within the church through volunteering and ministry. Third, and most simply, it’s a wonderful place to come every week to enjoy the church service.
How do you hope to serve as a leader on the vestry? To me, the vestry is responsible for helping carry out the church’s mission, helping with legal and financial oversight, helping with staffing and governance, caring for the church’s property, and representing the concerns of the congregation. I hope to be of service with all these things.
How do you model Christian leadership at St. George’s and in the greater Nashville community? Paraphrasing Luke 12:48, “To whom much is given, much is expected.” This verse has always resonated with me. It’s very important to serve and to give back, both with financial support and with time. Volunteering to do these things as much as I can, and to the best of my ability, is the way I think about Christian leadership.
Allen Grant
Mary Stinson
Emily Weaver
Battle Williford