STAFF & OFFICERS
The Rev. Dr. Jay Howell
Pastor/Head of Staff
Contact: 522-9804, ext 114
jhowell@sequoyahchurch.org
Jay is a native Tennessean, born in Memphis and raised in Nashville. During college Jay began to feel some stirrings toward seminary. After some time living abroad and traveling in Latin America, he enrolled at Princeton Theological Seminary. There, God affirmed with clarity that he belonged in the church as a pastor. After graduation, Jay was called as Associate Pastor for Discipleship and Mission at Germantown Presbyterian Church in Germantown, TN, where he served beginning in 2012. During his tenure there, he completed his doctorate at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. Jay was called to SHPC in 2019.
The Rev. Mark D. Lampley
Associate Pastor for Christian Formation
Contact: 522-9804, ext 113
mlampley@sequoyahchurch.org
Mark Lampley was born and raised in North Carolina by long time, faith-filled Presbyterians. Participating in school and youth group leadership opportunities and becoming an Eagle Scout shaped and equipped him, by God’s grace, to graduate from Presbyterian College in Clinton, SC 1991. After serving for a few years as the Director of Education and Youth Ministries at First Presbyterian Church in Morristown, TN, he enrolled at Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond, VA and graduated in 1995 with a Masters in Christian Education. Mark then graduated from Union Theological Seminary. He served as the Associate Pastor of Christian Education at First Presbyterian Church of Charleston, WV before coming to SHPC in 2005. Mark loves jogging, fly fishing, and biking, and together as a family they enjoy biking, camping, and exploring throughout the southeast.
Mark is happily married to Karen, and they have two children, Meg and Luke.
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The Rev. Rachel Hamburger
Associate Pastor for Congregational Care
Contact: 522-9804, ext 123
rhamburger@sequoyahchurch.org
Rachel was born in Philadelphia, PA and grew up in New Jersey, Southern California, and, during her teen years, in Germany. She first thought she would “become” an architect, but slowly but surely was called into full ministry. She received her M.A. in Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary, and her M.Div. in 1992 from Princteton Theological Seminary, serving churches in Virginia and California before the blessing of coming to Tennessee! Her sweet mother lives in California in a loving community for retired Presbyterian church workers. Treasured extended family is in Germany and in Italy, with periodic trips to visit. In her spare time, Rachel loves to take walks, hikes, or bicycle rides with friends. She enjoys corresponding with long-distance family, reading, just being in nature. She is happiest when she is under the shade of a big tree, or with her feet in a river, and of course, in ministry! God is SO kind and good!
The Rev. Dr. William R Barron
Pastor Emeritus
Dr. Barron was born in Columbia, South Carolina. He graduated from Eufaula (Alabama) High School in 1960, Davidson College in 1964, Columbia Theological Seminary, Cum Laude in 1967, and Columbia Theological Seminary, D. Min. in 1983. He was ordained in St. John’s Presbytery (Florida) – July 1967, and installed as Associate Pastor of First Presbyterian, Sanford. Dr. Barron also served St. Luke’s Presbyterian, Titusville, Florida and First Presbyterian, Marianna, Florida before being called to Sequoyah Hills Presbyterian in March 1981. He retired in June 2008 and became Pastor Emeritus in August 2012. Member of the second Leadership Knoxville class; he is an avid golfer, tennis player and over-all sports enthusiast. He has been happily married to Eleanor Warr Barron since 1967. They have three grown children: Richard, Walt, and Meg; and eight grandchildren.
Program Staff
Andrew Skoog, Director of Music
Administrative Staff
Officers
CLICK HERE for a list of current officers
As there were in Old Testament times elders for the government of the people, so the New Testament Church provided persons with particular gifts to share in governing and ministry. Elders are chosen by the people. Together with ministers of the Word and Sacrament, they exercise leadership, government, and discipline and have responsibilities for the life of aparticular church as well as the church at large, including ecumenical relationships. The Session consists of the pastor, associate pastor(s), and the elders in active service.
The office of deacon as set forth in Scripture is one of sympathy, witness, and service after the example of Jesus Christ. Persons of spiritual character, honest repute, of exemplary lives, brotherly and sisterly love, warm sympathies, and sound judgment should be chosenfor this office. It is the duty of deacons, first of all, to minister to those who are in need, to the sick, to the friendless, and to any who may be in distress both within and beyondthe community of faith. They shall assume such other duties as may be delegated to themfrom time to time by the session, such as leading the people in worship through prayers ofintercession, reading the Scriptures, presenting the gifts of the people, and assisting with the Lord’s Supper.