Clergy & Staff

(706) 558 - 2039

Email Rev. Katie

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) 250 - 2130

Email Fr. Clayton

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!).

706-314-6392

Email Cheryl

The Reverend Cheryl Brainard has joined the clergy staff at Emmanuel as part-time associate rector with a concentration on congregational care.  Cheryl graduated from Furman University and worked as a flight attendant for 20 years prior to attending seminary at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, CA.  Since graduating with a Master of Divinity, she has served as a hospital chaplain for over 15 years, and currently serves as a part-time chaplain at Piedmont Athens Regional Hospital. 

After ordination to the priesthood, Cheryl served as associate rector at St James Episcopal in Wilmington, NC where she concentrated on congregational care and faith formation.  After retirement, she and her husband, Don, relocated to the Athens area to be near family.  They have been actively attending and participating in Emmanuel worship since June of last year.  She loves music and good liturgy and enjoys playing the piano, sewing, knitting and spending time with her grandkids and other family members.  She looks forward to continuing to serve as priest at Emmanuel. 

(706) 543 - 1294

Email Martha

Martha 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.

Email Benji

Benji has a Masters of Music in Conducting from Oklahoma City University, and a Doctor of Musical Arts in Church Music from Baylor University. Previously, he was the Organist and Music Director of the First Presbyterian Church in Gainesville, Georgia. Benji also has a wide range of experience in the Episcopal Church. He currently serves as the conductor of the Toccoa Symphony Orchestra, an adjunct instructor of music at Piedmont College, and an accompanist with the Lux Treble Choir. 

(706) 543 - 1294 ext. 1001

Email Anna

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. 

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) 558-2036

Email Darcie

Darcie St. Onge is pleased to join Emmanuel as the Director of Finance. After graduating from The University of New Hampshire and spending several years in the New England area, she returned to Athens (twenty years ago!) with her husband, Jay, to start a family. They have three children, Grant, Audrey, and Nate, who keep them busy and entertained. Darcie is grateful to serve and support the very inviting, devoted, and talented community at Emmanuel.

(706) 395 - 6468

Email Leah

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.

(706) 706-558-2037

Email Emily

Emily holds a Bachelor of Science in Education and a Master of Arts in Health Studies. She taught high school before the birth of her twins and later started an event planning company. After fourteen years, she decided to close the business to reclaim her weekends. Since 2023, Emily has been assisting in one of the two-year-old classrooms. She has been married to Matthew for 18 years, and they have three daughters together. The family has called Normaltown home for nearly a decade. Their youngest daughter is and EEDS alumni!