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.
REV. CANON
AARON W. SMITH
Rector
The Rev. Canon Aaron W. Smith, along with his family, Meredith, Ambrose, and Clement, joined Grace church in 2019.
Aaron, originally from Ontario, Canada, and the son of an Episcopal priest, is married to Meredith, originally from California. They met in Nashville TN, while Aaron was attending Sewanee: The University of the South for seminary, and Meredith was working in publishing.
Prior to Grace, Aaron served as Diocesan Staff for the Diocese of Florida, as well as parishes in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Magnolia Springs, Alabama. His children attend Grace Episcopal Day School. Meredith Smith is Director of Patient Services for WeCare Jax.
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.
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.”
Michelle Bily
Children's Formation Director
michelle@graceop.net
We are excited to announce that Michelle Bily has accepted the position of Children's Formation Director!
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."
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.
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