Clergy & Staff

(706) 558 - 2039

Email Rev. Katie

Rector

The Reverend Katie Bradshaw

The Rev. Katie Bradshaw answered the call to be Emmanuel's Rector in September 2023. Prior to that, she served at St. Andrews Episcopal Cathedral in Jackson, MS, as Canon and then Vicar for six years, and as Curate at St. Columb's Episcopal Church in Ridgeland, MS. Katie graduated from Birmingham-Southern College with a B.A. in History, and from Mississippi College School of Law with a J.D. She practiced law for a number of years, serving as a judicial Staff Attorney and a Public Defender. Katie earned her M. Div. from The School of Theology at Sewanee: The University of the South in 2015. She grew up in Dothan, AL.

(706) 543 - 1294 ext. 1004

Email Fr. Samuel

Associate Rector

The Reverend Samuel Porras

Samuel Porras was born in Medellin, Colombia. He entered the seminary when he was 16 years old, and completed his philosophy studies in Bogota, Colombia, at the Universidad de San Buenaventura. When he was 26 years old he arrived in Atlanta with the Catholic diocese of Atlanta to complete his theology studies. He completed his Master’s degree in Theology from Mount Saint Mary's Seminary and College in 1997 and was ordained in the Catholic Church in the same year. He served as a priest in the Catholic Church for about seven years and then he left the active ministry because he wanted to begin a family. He worked in the insurance industry as a claims adjuster and during those years he completed additional studies related to the insurance industry. He was officially received as a priest in the Episcopal Church on May 15, 2016. He initiated the Hispanic service at Saint Gabriel’s at the end of January 2016. He was part of a team of four priests who initiated the Hispanic ministry here at Emmanuel in February 2017 and has been part of Emmanuel’s staff since November 18, 2017 when he joined our parish as an associate rector.

(706) 250 - 2130

Email Fr. Clayton

Associate Rector

The Very Reverend Clayton Harrington

Clayton believes that he has the best job in the world! At Emmanuel, Clayton has the privilege to learn and grow with God's people, as he serves in the liturgy, meets with parishioners, and offering other support as needed. In this work, he is passionate about the potential of Christian community, worship, and service to empower all of us to grow into the people that God has made us to be.


In addition to his work at Emmanuel, Clayton is also the Dean of Diocesan Campus Ministries and the Wright House Chapel at UGA (GO DAWGS!).

(706) 543 - 1294

Email Martha

Director of Children’s Formation

Martha Babendreier

As director she supports and oversees the Nursery and the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and develops the children’s program and ministries at Emmanuel. She plans events throughout the year to support young families and provides opportunities and time for parents and children the time to get to know one another and connect with others at Emmanuel. Martha enjoys meeting, working and connecting with children and their families. She welcomes and encourages all to become involved in Children Formation. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from Virginia Tech. Throughout the years she has worked as an elementary teacher in Virginia and taught at Emmanuel Day School. She brings her experience and love for children, with joy, to Emmanuel. She has been a member of Emmanuel since 2016 and served on the Vestry from 2018 to 2019. Martha moved to Athens in 1999 from Virginia with her son, Jake, and husband of 25 years, Justin. Martha enjoys the mountains, camping, reading, traveling and spending time with friends and family.

(706) 688 - 9820

Email Michael

Director of Music

Michael Brewer

Michael Brewer is a Web Developer Principal at UGA, as well as the Principal Conductor of the Classic City Band, Georgia's oldest continuously-operating community band, and the Athens Brass Choir, a community brass ensemble. He also plays bass trombone with the Athens Symphony, sings with the Athens Master Chorale,  and participates in local theatrical companies (including both Town & Gown and ACT). A lifelong member of Emmanuel Episcopal, Michael lives in Athens with his lovely wife, Terri Tillman, and many, many cats (and one dog).

(706) 543 - 1294 ext. 1001

Email Anna

Director of Administration

Anna Kurtz

In addition to serving Emmanuel as Director of Administration, Anna is a novelist (The Solace Trilogy) and musician.  She plays accordion often in the Athens area. Originally from Nebraska, and a graduate of University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Anna has made Georgia home for over two decades. She has two adult children, Leo and Annalise.  Currently, she lives in Elberton. 

Manager of Technical and Communications Support

Erwin Greene

Erwin serves as manager of technical and communications support, a role that expanded considerably as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and our need to transmit our worship to congregants who could not gather in person.  In addition to his present staff role, Erwin is a longtime lay leader at Emmanuel, having served on the Vestry, among other responsibilities.  He and his spouse, Erika, are proud parents of Ethan and Evan. 

(706) 395 - 6468

Email Leah

Emmanuel Thrift Store Manager

Leah Goodwin

Leah Goodwin is the manager of the Emmanuel Thrift Store. She has been in retail all of her life, and co-owned a gift shop downtown for over 20 years. She loves the variety of merchandise, helping people find just the right thing and doing displays. She is mom to children Amelia and Abel, two mutts, and a cockatiel. In her spare time she frequently visits thrift stores and flea markets.

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