- Fr. Clayton Elder and his family
Fr. Clayton Elder – Rector – celder@saintphilipsbeeville.com
We are excited to announce the arrival of our new Rector, The Reverend Clayton Lee Elder, a recent Associate and Curate of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Dallas, TX. Ordained a priest on April 18th, 2009, Fr. Clayton comes to us with his Masters Degree in Divinity from Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, his Masters Degree in International Business at Webster University in Geneva, Switzerland, and his Bachelors Degree in English at SMU. He has five years of experience in education as a teacher and coach in both private and public schools and has worked in business in marketing, production, and management.
A power team, Fr. Clayton’s wife, Jodie, comes to us as a Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She is currently working on her Ph. D. in Counselor Education and Supervision at Texas A& M University-Commerce. Beyond their professional and vocational identities, Fr. Clayton and Jodie are the proud parents of their son Payton Seth Elder, and daughter Jordan Elizabeth Elder.
Gracie Horton – Administrative Assistant
Gracie Horton – Administrative Assistant – churchoffice@saintphilipsbeeville.com
It is our pleasure to welcome Gracie, and by extension, her family, to our church staff and family at St. Philip’s. Gracie comes to us with an Associates Degree Business which she exercised for 30 years in the Banking Industry. Most recently retired from First National Bank, Gracie feels (and we agree) that God has called her to serve Him at St. Philip’s, and is excited to utilize her gifts both here (vocationally), and at her own parish of New Life Baptist. Gracie and her husband Robert have just celebrated their twenty fifth wedding anniversary, and are blessed to have two children, Kristine, their daughter and recent graduate from Texas A&M University in Corpus Christi, and Robby, who attends the University of Incarnate Word in San Antonio.
Organist John L. Blackburn
John L. Blackburn – Organist & Choir Master – johnlblackburn@gmail.com
We are excited to welcome John L. Blackburn as our new Organist & Choir Master. Mr. Blackburn comes to us as the former Director of Music Ministries at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, former Organist for Temple Rodef Shalom, and former Organist and Music Assistant at Calvary Baptist Church, each in Waco, Texas. Mr. Blackburn is a graduate of Baylor University, receiving his Bachelor degree in Church Music with Organ Emphasis and a Master of Music in Church Music degree from Baylor. Mr. Blackburn has also participated in the Doctorate of Musical Arts program from the University of Texas at Austin, where he studied with Judith and Gerre Hancock. He is a member of the American Guild of Organist, Organ Historical Society, Pi Kappa Lambda, The Hymn Society of the United States and Canada, and The Royal School of Church Musicians.
Organist Emeritis Louise Mayberry
Louise Mayberry – Organist Emeritus
We are honored and blessed to have Louise Mayberry as our resident Organist Emeritus and Member Extraordinaire. Hailing from St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Dorchester, Massachusetts, shortly upon Mrs. Mayberry’s arrival to St. Philip’s in 1962, she threw herself into ministry and soon took on the role of Organist in 1963, a role she has maintained to this day. In addition to her musical gifts at the organ, Mrs. Mayberry has also led the St. Philip’s Bell Choir, “The Philidings” from its founding in 1985 to the present. Mrs. Mayberry has served as the Administrative Assistant from 2000 to 2011, and has led and been an active member of the Altar Guild, Women of the Church, Diocesan Women’s Commission, Sunday School Teacher, Adult and Junior Choir Director, Kairos, and many, many more ministries that truly make her a Giant of the Faith, and our own little Saint Louise.
Headmistress Claudia Nelson
Claudia Nelson — Headmistress, St. Philip’s Episcopal School — cnelson@saintphilipsbeeville.com
Claudia has a Masters of Science in Counseling from Texas A&M at Corpus Christi with additional certification in Supervision and Mid Management from the University of Houston in Victoria. Her Bachelor of Science Degree in Education was earned at Southwest Texas State University. Claudia retired from the Beeville Independent School District where she ended her 31 years of public education as a high school assistant principal. She returned two years ago to St. Philip’s after serving as Headmistress from 1995 — 2000.
Carol Reagan, Incoming Head of School
Carol Reagan, Incoming Head of School
We are excited to announce the arrival of our new of Head of School, Mrs. Carol Reagan. Mrs. Reagan comes to us from Sinton Independent School District where she recently retired after 28 years of service as a teacher, administrator, and Director of Reading and Federal and Special Programs. Mrs. Reagan has earned a Masters Degree in Mid-Management from Texas A&M University Kingsville, a Bachelors of Science Degree in Education with an emphasis in Reading, an Early Childhood endorsement, and a certification as a Master Reading Teacher from Corpus Christi State University. Mrs. Reagan will begin on May 1st, working alongside Mrs. Nelson for the end of the year transition. As we are excited about the gifts and abilities that Mrs. Reagan brings to the table, we not only look forward to the coming year, but we invite you to come by to meet her so that you too might share our joy at her arrival.