The Rev. Bernard J. (BJ) Owens, Rector: BJ Owens has served as the rector of St. Andrew’s since October 2010. BJ was born in Charlotte and lived in Virginia Beach, San Diego and Greensboro before attending UNC-Chapel Hill and Yale Divinity School. Between college and seminary he worked in film production in New York City. BJ returned to North Carolina to serve for a year as a Chaplain Resident at UNC Hospitals, where he focused much of his training in the Pediatric hospital. In 2006 he began work at St. Paul’s in Cary, NC, where he served for four years as Associate Rector for Children’s and Family Ministries. His wife Jo is an ordained Presbyterian minister they have a two-year old daughter. BJ can be reached at 275-1651, x11 or at bernard.owens@standrewsgso.org.
The Rev. Robert (Bob) Hamilton, is part-time Assistant to the Rector. Bob has been in a part-time role with the parish since 1989, participating in the liturgy of the church, assisting in providing pastoral care to members and in leading some educational offerings. Bob was originally from New York State, but lived in many places as his father’s career was in the military. He graduated from High Point University, attended Duke Divinity School and graduated from the Virginia Theological Seminary. Ordained in 1970 he has been an assistant in a large parish, rector of a church, prior to completing two years of Clinical Pastoral Education at Duke Medical Center and the Delaware State Psychiatric Hospital. He has been a hospital chaplain for 35 years, three years in Detroit and for the last 32 years as the Director of Chaplaincy for the Cone Health System in Greensboro. Bob is married and his wife Janet is a nurse who is the administrator for a Home Health Agency, and they have five children and two grandchildren.
Debbie Dowd, Pastoral Associate: Debbie has served as Pastoral Associate at St. Andrew’s since May 2004. She began attending St. Andrew’s in 1990. Debbie is a graduate of Guilford College and completed her graduate work at Ohio State University. With her clinical training and background in counseling, she works closely with the clergy in helping meet pastoral care needs within the parish family including personal/family concerns, grief and loss, depression, life transitions, and issues that impact their faith and spirituality. In her secular work, Debbie has a part-time private practice, and is employed with GCS working primarily in crisis intervention with high school students who have mental, emotional, or behavioral challenges. Debbie can be reached at (336) 601-7201 or debbiedowd@mindspring.com.
Ann Doyle, Minister of Music St. Andrew’s is fortunate and blessed to have Ann Doyle join us as Minister of Music. Ann is the Founder and Artistic Director for the Greensboro Youth Chorus. For 24 years, GYC choirs have participated in local, regional and international choral events including music conventions, camps and vocal method presentations. Ann is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with post graduate work at Memphis State University. Ann’s responsibilities include directing the choir, playing the organ for our main worship service, and planning and growing a music program for children and older youth. If you enjoy to sing and have ever thought about singing in a choir, you will find Ann a wonderful and inspirational director under whom you can learn and grow as a singer. We always welcome new singers to our choir (no auditions required). Ann can be reached at (336) 275-1651 or anconex@triad.rr.com.
Duana Cisney, Youth Minister: Duana has been St. Andrew’s Youth Minister since March 2010. She is a Greensboro native having studied at North Carolina State University, UNC-G and the Seminary of the Southwest for advanced certification in Youth Ministries and Christian Education. Duana also serves the Diocese as the NW Regional Youth Ministry Coach and volunteer Chaplain at Moses Cone Hospital. She has a passion for helping teens know the Grace of God and helping them share the Gospel of Jesus through relational ministry and service at St. Andrews and throughout the community. She and her husband Rich have three children: son Michael (13), and twin daughters Alexandra & Samantha (9). To contact Duana, you can call her at 336-275-1651 or email at duana.cisney@standrewsgso.org.
Marilyn Zarka, Parish Administrator: Marilyn joined the staff in August 2009. She grew up in Niles, Ohio and earned a B.A. degree from Hiram College and an M.B.A. from Kent State University. She met her husband, Jeff, in Columbus, Ohio, and after their wedding they relocated to St. Louis, Missouri – her husband’s hometown. Her husband’s career as a manufacturing manager kept them on the move – back to Ohio, then to New Jersey and eventually to North Carolina in 2004. Marilyn and Jeff have two children, Madelynn and Jeffrey Jr. They live in Eden and attend St. Pius the Tenth in Greensboro. To contact Marilyn, you can call her at 336-275-1651 or email at parish@standrewsgso.org.
Karen Russell, Lay Ministry Coordinator: Mother of two grown sons. Wife of Keith and stepmother to his grown son. Grandmother to six beautiful grandchildren. Native of Greensboro. Graduated from Guilford College. Retired from BB&T with 37 years of service. I spend my time being a grandmother, reading and being a staff volunteer at St. Andrew’s. As I anticipated retirement, I wandered what I would do with all my free time. I pondered these questions: What do I have to give? How can I make a difference in someone’s life? I felt a desire to give back to St. Andrew’s as the people and clergy had given to me. With discernment and help from our previous Rector, the answer came. A new position evolved and I became the Lay Ministry Coordinator, I know how important it is to be involved with the mission and life of the church. It is my desire to help you find your place at St. Andrew’s by connecting you with existing or new opportunities to serve. To contact Karen, you can call her at 336-275-1651 or email at russellkarenr@gmail.com.
Ann Herman, Administrative Assistant: Ann was born and raised in Greensboro. Her father, The Rev. Carl Herman, was the rector of St. Andrew’s for 32 years so this is indeed home for her. Ann received her degree in Special Education from Greensboro College. After teaching for ten years, Ann made a career change working in the travel industry, being a travel agent and owning her own travel agency. Ann continues to travel and lives with her dog, Andy. She is involved in many areas of the St. Andrew’s community and is so happy to have come back “home”. During 2009, Ann took many disaster courses and is now active with the American Red Cross Emergency Services Program. To contact Ann, you can call her at 336-275-1651 or email at ann.herman@standrewsgso.org
