GRACE LEADERSHIP
Our leadership team recognizes the authority of God, and realizes that we are shepherds who serve under Christ. We have a team (Vestry) voted on by the Parish that serves us and leads/oversees many of our ministries and steers our Church with transparency and strength. Our passion and goal is to equip the believers for the work of the ministry until we all attain maturity in the fullness of Christ.
2025 VESTRY
The Vestry serves as a governing body at the Bishop’s pleasure to oversee and work with the Priest on all things pertaining to Grace Episcopal. They are agents and legal representatives of the Parish in all matters concerning its corporate property and the relations of the parish to its clergy. Members serve varying lengths of terms from 1-3 years and are voted on during the Annual Church meeting.
Jason Hitt
Senior Warden
Carrie Kissinger
Junior Warden
Ben Cline
Stephanie Mooneyham
Edna Schaefer
Dotty White
Jennifer Holman
Doris Latour
John Phillips
Dan Greer (Clerk)
Financials
THE REV. CELESTE TISDELLE
Priest Associate Emeritus
Mother Celeste is a retired clergy in the Diocese of Florida. She served as Rector at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Green Cove Springs from 2009-2019. During that time, She took time overseas to supply as chaplain at Balliol College, Oxford, England for two college terms. She also served as an associate at Grace Episcopal Church in Orange Park from 2006-2009, for which she currently bears the title emeritus. She served as Canon for Pastoral Care at St. John’s Cathedral 2003-2006. Mother Celeste has served in many roles at the diocesan level over these years: delegate to General Convention, Diocesan Council, Daughters of the King Diocesan Chaplain, to name a few.
Mother Celeste lives in Orange Park on the St. John’s River with her Scottie, Sorsha. She has three grown daughters and four grandsons.
She is delighted to come home to Grace to worship having a long history with the parish and the area. Mother Celeste and her late husband, Ash Tisdelle, were married at Grace Chapel in 1977. Their children were baptized at Grace. The children also attended Grace Episcopal Day School. They worshipped at Grace until moving to Fleming Island in 1987 where we began attending St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church, Hibernia.
She currently serves in a number of ways, including celebrating, teaching, formation, and as the chaplain to the local chapter of the Daughters of the King.
Elizabeth Evans
Parish Administrator
Elizabeth Evans is our Parish Administrator. Elizabeth will be working in the front office on Monday and Wednesday from 9 am until 4 pm. She looks forward to getting to know our members and helping things run smoothly.
You can reach Elizabeth via email at elizabeth@graceop.net.
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Ann Sims
Book Keeper
Ann and her husband, Paul, live in Green Cove Springs. They retired back to Florida after living in Colorado for 23 years. Ann’s background is Accounting, with positions through CFO. Since 2015, Ann has owned her own business providing consulting services in accounting best practices, and serving as interim Controller/CFO for companies who have lost personnel.
You can reach Ann via email at financials@graceop.net
Fran Lang
Sexton
Welcome to our New Sexton, Fran Lang!
Traditionally, the role of Sexton is understood as the one who is the caretaker of Sacred grounds. While it had and has broad implications, it means for us that, along with the Junior Warden, our Sexton, Fran, will take fastidious care to nurture and maintain our common worship space. It acknowledges that this work is valued by us, and provides us the ability to gather, and praise God together. It also gives us a point person to speak with if we have specific concerns, and who someone who might be able to address issues, or bring them to the appropriate persons, including Vestry.
Congratulations Fran in your new role.
AARON GIDDENS
Music Director
Raised in Orange Park, Aaron has woven a tapestry of music in varying cities from Jacksonville to as far as Asheville, NC. With a full vocal scholarship, he attended Florida State College at Jacksonville under the direction of Dr. Tim Workman. Aaron started playing piano and organ while he was still crawling. He played his first duet, “I’ll Fly Away,” with his grandfather at the age of 3. He started taking formal music lessons at the age of 7. He studied under renowned local teachers such as: Debbie Chapman, Donna O’Brien, Dr. Anatoli Khatchatourov, Cameron Warner and Michelle Nugent Munley. He has been a part of multiple vocal and instrumental groups including praise bands, choirs, orchestras, and theatrical productions. Before his tenure at Grace, Aaron was Director of Music and one of the two Organists at Trinity Lutheran Church, Jacksonville. He was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Orange Park’s music program including its orchestra, children’s, youth, and adult choirs from 1999-2008. Aaron has been active in the music ministry at Grace since October 2022. He looks forward to many years of making music at Grace and growing our music department. His ministry is summed up in a quote by his friend and organist Kim Bloomer “It is a great gift to give your very best to your congregation, as they deserve it. God already knows whether you’re giving your utmost or not, but do your best, love your congregation, and let God see how proud you are that He gave you the talent you have.”
Jim Wright
Verger
churchoffice@graceop.net
Jim Wright will be serving as verger at Grace. While the role is new to Grace, it dates to the middle ages when the verger was the “Protector of the Procession.” He would lead the way, making room for the procession to enter the church from the town square, and with his virge (staff) in hand would literally clear the
way if necessary.
A verger is a lay member of a church who assists in the conduct of public worship, particularly by helping to organize and manage processions and other liturgical events.
Vergers often play a very prominent role behind the scenes, helping to plan the logistical details of services and discreetly shepherding the clergy through it.
Ben Cline
Youth Programming
Our youth program is led by a team of family volunteers committed to raising our children in the faith. They meet biweekly for prayer, social activity, learning, and events.
If you have questions about youth feel free to reach out and Ben or one of the other volunteers will gladly get back to you.
Michelle Bily
Children's Formation Director
michelle@graceop.net
Michelle moved to Orange Park from Atlanta in 2012. She is married to Kevin, and has two children Mason, 19 and Kay Ann, 11.
She is in her 16th year as a teacher, currently teaching English at Orange Park High School. She also has experience teaching in elementary and junior high. She holds a BA in Art History, BS in Secondary Education, MEd in Secondary Education and is a Doctoral Candidate at UNF pursing EdD in Curriculum and Instruction.
Asked about her vision for this position she said "I am excited to get to work again with younger kids and strengthen and diversify the Children's Ministry program at Grace. I look forward to collaborating with parents and other parishioners to support our littles as they grow in faith and become the future of the church."