Search Committee
Jackie Bednarz
Jackie found a home in the Episcopal Church as a young adult and joined Emmanuel in 2015
when she and her husband, Greg, moved to Staunton after both retiring from Federal
Government service.
Jim Echols
Jim came to Emmanuel in 1993 along with his wife Elaine and his sons John and Pete. He has
chaired the Stewardship Committee (five years) and has twice served on Vestry, once as Junior
Warden. He has served on one other Search Committee during his time at Emmanuel. His
professional work is in conservation, including work as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Guatemala.
He and his wife Elaine have worked with refugees in Somalia. He has been and continues to be
very involved in leadership with the Boy Scouts of America at the local and council level. He is
on the board of Building Bridges for the Greater Good.
BC Granger, clerk
Kristin Holbrook, chaplain
Kristin and her wife Kara have been faithful attenders of Emmanuel since they moved back to
Staunton in July 2015. They have an adorable chocolate lab named Summitt. Kristin is an
ordained minister, holding credentials with the United Church of Christ. She regularly leads the
Children's Sermon in worship and also preaches to adults from time to time.Currently, Kristin
manages a Starbucks in Harrisonburg, where she "ministers" to predominantly college student
employees.
Marianne Miller, vestry liaison
Marianne and her husband Bob Wiard moved to Staunton and joined Emmanuel in 2018 after
she retired from the faculty at VCU's School of Business. She began serving on Emmanuel’s
vestry this year.
Matthew Poteat, chair
Matthew and his family have attended Emmanuel for 15 years. He has served on the vestry as
Junior Warden and clerk. Additional service to Emmanuel includes Worship Commission chair,
church usher, property commission member, prison ministry team, and adult Sunday school
teacher.
Lindsay Ryland, Diocesan Consultant, Parish Transition Team
Lindsay retired as the Director of Transition Ministry for the Diocese of Virginia after serving on
diocesan staff for over thirteen years. Previously, she worked in a variety of management
positions at Bank of America, taking early retirement as a Senior Vice-President. She is a
member of Immanuel Episcopal Church in Old Church, VA. Lindsay is a past member of the
Board for Transition Ministry of the Episcopal Church, as well as a board member of the
Transition Ministry Conference, and served as Fresh Start Coordinator for the Diocese of
Virginia. She is an EfM mentor at her parish. After earning a B.A. in History from Mary Baldwin
College, she earned an M.B.A. from the University of Richmond. In retirement, she volunteers
at her parish as treasurer, member of the Altar Guild, and choir member. In the community, she
spends time each week reading the daily newspaper to sight impaired clients and works as an
election official, as well as serving as a county jury commissioner. She also serves as a parish
transition coach, working with vestries and discernment committees as they seek clergy
leadership in their parishes.
Bonnie Starcher
Bonnie has attended Emmanuel since 2006 and got confirmed in 2017. She and her husband
are happy to be bringing up three kids in Emmanuel's lovely church family. She has previously
served on the vestry and is a PAX youth leader.
Jackie found a home in the Episcopal Church as a young adult and joined Emmanuel in 2015
when she and her husband, Greg, moved to Staunton after both retiring from Federal
Government service.
Jim Echols
Jim came to Emmanuel in 1993 along with his wife Elaine and his sons John and Pete. He has
chaired the Stewardship Committee (five years) and has twice served on Vestry, once as Junior
Warden. He has served on one other Search Committee during his time at Emmanuel. His
professional work is in conservation, including work as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Guatemala.
He and his wife Elaine have worked with refugees in Somalia. He has been and continues to be
very involved in leadership with the Boy Scouts of America at the local and council level. He is
on the board of Building Bridges for the Greater Good.
BC Granger, clerk
Kristin Holbrook, chaplain
Kristin and her wife Kara have been faithful attenders of Emmanuel since they moved back to
Staunton in July 2015. They have an adorable chocolate lab named Summitt. Kristin is an
ordained minister, holding credentials with the United Church of Christ. She regularly leads the
Children's Sermon in worship and also preaches to adults from time to time.Currently, Kristin
manages a Starbucks in Harrisonburg, where she "ministers" to predominantly college student
employees.
Marianne Miller, vestry liaison
Marianne and her husband Bob Wiard moved to Staunton and joined Emmanuel in 2018 after
she retired from the faculty at VCU's School of Business. She began serving on Emmanuel’s
vestry this year.
Matthew Poteat, chair
Matthew and his family have attended Emmanuel for 15 years. He has served on the vestry as
Junior Warden and clerk. Additional service to Emmanuel includes Worship Commission chair,
church usher, property commission member, prison ministry team, and adult Sunday school
teacher.
Lindsay Ryland, Diocesan Consultant, Parish Transition Team
Lindsay retired as the Director of Transition Ministry for the Diocese of Virginia after serving on
diocesan staff for over thirteen years. Previously, she worked in a variety of management
positions at Bank of America, taking early retirement as a Senior Vice-President. She is a
member of Immanuel Episcopal Church in Old Church, VA. Lindsay is a past member of the
Board for Transition Ministry of the Episcopal Church, as well as a board member of the
Transition Ministry Conference, and served as Fresh Start Coordinator for the Diocese of
Virginia. She is an EfM mentor at her parish. After earning a B.A. in History from Mary Baldwin
College, she earned an M.B.A. from the University of Richmond. In retirement, she volunteers
at her parish as treasurer, member of the Altar Guild, and choir member. In the community, she
spends time each week reading the daily newspaper to sight impaired clients and works as an
election official, as well as serving as a county jury commissioner. She also serves as a parish
transition coach, working with vestries and discernment committees as they seek clergy
leadership in their parishes.
Bonnie Starcher
Bonnie has attended Emmanuel since 2006 and got confirmed in 2017. She and her husband
are happy to be bringing up three kids in Emmanuel's lovely church family. She has previously
served on the vestry and is a PAX youth leader.
