Clergy and Staff
Tricia came to St. Dunstan’s in August 2004. She previously served as associate and interim rector at St. Timothy’s on Signal Mountain, TN; as assistant rector at Church of the Ascension in Knoxville, TN; and as a chaplain for Hospice of Chattanooga.
Tricia went to seminary at the University of the South in Sewanee, TN, where she graduated in 1994. Before going to seminary she worked as a reporter and editor for newspapers in Greenville, SC and Nashville. She was also a Peace Corps volunteer in Thailand from 1980-1982, followed by a year of working at a refugee camp in Thailand for Save the Children. Her undergraduate degree is in journalism from the University of Georgia.
Tricia is married to Joe Monti, professor emeritus of Christian ethics and moral theology at the School of Theology at Sewanee. They have one son, Joseph Henry Monti. When she is not working she enjoys time with her family, watching Joseph Henry’s sports, reading, and photography.
Maggie graduated from The Candler School of Theology at Emory and was ordained to the priesthood in 1989 in the Diocese of Atlanta. She served as assistant rector at St. Matthew’s Church (Snellville), priest assistant at Holy Trinity (Decatur), and chaplain and religion teacher at Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School (Atlanta).
Maggie became the interim rector at St. Dunstan’s from 1990 to 1992 and returned in 1994 in her current non-stipendiary position to establish Mary & Martha’s Place, an ecumenical center for women’s spiritual growth. She assists regularly at Sunday worship, and often serves as supply priest when Tricia is away.
Maggie is a graduate of Randolph-Macon Woman’s College with a degree in English and Spanish literature. She taught both English and Spanish at the high school level before entering seminary.
Maggie and Tom, a retired attorney, have two married daughters and four granddaughters.
Tom Gibbs is professor of music emeritus at Birmingham-Southern College, where he taught church music, music history, and conducting. He also has more than 20 years’ experience as a church musician, including 12 years as master of the choir at the Cathedral Church of the Advent in Birmingham, and six years as choir director and organist at Grace Episcopal Church, Woodlawn.
Tom is active as a composer, arranger, and editor. His editions of choral music classics prepared for St. James Music Press (http://sjmp.com) combine scholarly editorial standards with the practical needs of today’s choirs. Tom is also the co-author of a music appreciation textbook, Contemplative Listening, that introduces meditation techniques as tools for more effective music listening.
Tom has a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and religion from Birmingham-Southern College and a master’s and doctorate in musicology from the University of Texas.
He is married to Steven Schneider, a professional organist and church musician, and they live in Marietta.
Claudia, a “cradle Episcopalian,” has always felt a connection to St. Dunstan’s. Growing up in the neighborhood, she attended services with classmates and friends in the church’s early days when services were being held in the Tuxedo School Auditorium. In 1982, ties with close friends brought her and her young family permanently back to her church home, where she is active in the Altar and Flower Guilds and has served on the vestry twice as Hospitality and Fellowship – ties, old and new are still important!
Claudia attended the University of Georgia as a business major and after a stint as a Methods and Cost Analyst with C&S National Bank, she took time off to focus on raising her three children. During this “professional break,” she was a partner in her own business, helped her husband establish his architecture practice and managed it, taught preschool, was corporate secretary for her father’s company in Savannah and was a regular volunteer at her kids’ schools.
Over the last 30 years she has provided a variety of services including comprehensive administrative and financial management, as well as marketing and graphic design for firms specializing in the creative fields; architecture, corporate communications, and interior design.
When she’s not working, Claudia enjoys time with friends and family, including two granddaughters, reading, and working on her art projects. She has been a member of the P.E.O. sisterhood for over 40 years, which supports women’s education through philanthropy.
Dunstan, the Archbishop of Catterbury, is our church cat and official greeter. He began life as a feral cat, but over time has come to appreciate belly rubs and being inside on cold days. He loves to welcome everyone on Sunday mornings and will gladly let you pet him.