2009 Vestry

Colin Campbell—Colin Vincent George Campbell was born in St. Andrews, Jamaica, West Indies and grew up in Red Bank, New Jersey. He is a graduate of Red Bank Regional High School, Little Silver, New Jersey and the University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Bachelor of Science).  He is currently serving in the United States Air Force (16 years) and assigned to Headquarters Air Force Reserve Command, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia.

 As a life-long Anglican (Episcopalian) and a member of Christ Church for 4 years, he has served on the Outreach Committee, assisted with Weekend Luncheon for the Homeless, presently serving on the Home Communion Committee, Lay Reader/Chalice Bearer, Volunteer Sunday Driver for those attending Service from Carlyle Retirement Community and currently in his third year of the Education for Ministry (EFM) program through Sewanee.

 If granted the honor to serve you on the Vestry, his goal and prayer will be to work with others in the continued building of unity and enhancing the worship opportunities here at Christ Church.

Julie Groce —Julie began attending Christ Church 19 years ago and was confirmed into this church less than one year later.  A native Atlantan, she was raised as a Presbyterian and graduated from Agnes Scott College.  Julie’s husband Philip is a cradle Episcopalian, and they have one son, Harry, who serves as an acolyte and is active in Sunday School and Junior EYC.  Currently, Julie  coordinates the 6th-12th  grade acolytes as “Acolyte Mom.”  She and several other Christ Church adults led a number of the acolytes to the National Acolyte Festival at the National Cathedral in October 2008.  She is  chairman of the A-Team, an advisory body for the Junior and Senior EYC, and she has just recently finished teaching Youth Sunday School.  She serves as a lay reader and chalice bearer and as a member of the Worship Committee.

In 2007, Julie chaired ECW’s first Garden Sale and Luncheon, she has served on the Building and Grounds Committee, and she was a member of the Decoration Committee during the 2000 sanctuary renovations.  She helped to write and produce a history brochure for Christ Church, and she has coordinated tours of the historic sanctuary for interested groups.  She compiled and edited a history of Christ Church for the book The Diocese of Atlanta: Centennial Celebration 1907-2007.  Before Harry was born, she served as Chairman of the Outreach Committee, and she and Philip captained a weekend lunch team. 

Julie is a professional historian and now researches and writes books for a local publisher.  She and her family live downtown in a historic Victorian cottage, and they are committed to Christ Church’s mission to serve downtown as well as the surrounding community.  Julie believes that Christ Church has been newly energized, and as a parish, we are ready and eager to grow our programs for children and youth and to work together as a family of faith to nurture one another.  She promises to commit the time and energy necessary for service on the Vestry and, through thoughtful discussion and prayer, to help discern God’s path for Christ Church.

Boone Smith, III —Boone Smith has been a member of Christ Episcopal Church his entire life.  He previously taught fifth grade Sunday School at Christ Church and served as acolyte Trainer for many years.  Currently, he is a lay reader and verger, having served in these capacities for twenty –two and six years respectively.  Boone is an attorney at Smith, Hawkins, Hollingsworth & Reeves specializing in estate planning & business law.  He is married to Claire McCommon Smith and has two children, Ginny and Boone IV.

Helen Stewart —I am a cradle Christ Church Episcopalian.  I was baptized, confirmed and married at Christ Church and have been active my entire life.  I am married to Steve Stewart and we have three grown children.  Steve and I have enjoyed raising our children at Christ Church and cherish the love and support we have received from our Christ Church family over the years.  I taught Sunday school for about 30 years.  I chaired Vacation Bible School several times and taught VBS for a number of years.  I was the adult advisor of the Youth Group for several years and served on two search committees for youth ministers.  I have served on the Christian Education Committee several times and am currently co-chair of the Parish Life Committee.  I am a preschool teaching assistant at Stratford Academy.

I am very interested in creating an active and nurturing church community that will appeal to all ages but focus on young families and youth.  I also feel that it is very important for Christ Church to significantly increase our pledges in order to carry out the ministries we are called to do, as well as enable us to attract the type of rector we want to lead us.  I dearly love Christ Church and I would consider it an honor and privilege to serve on the Vestry.