Clergy & Staff
Clergy
The Rev. William Peyton
Rector
will.peyton@spmcuva.org
As Rector (Episcopalian for “head pastor”), Will is the priest in charge of our parish, with broad authority over such diverse areas as our worship life, the pastoral care of the whole parish community, the care and use of the church property, and the hiring and management of lay and ordained staff. Will has been the Rector at St. Paul’s since 2017, having previously served at St. James’ Church in New York City, at St. Paul’s Church in Ivy, Virginia, and as director of the Diocese of Virginia’s St. George’s Camp at Shrine Mont. He is a graduate of the University of Virginia and the General Theological Seminary of the Episcopal Church, and was ordained in the Diocese of Virginia in 2006.
The Rev. Dr. Peter Kang
Associate Rector for University Ministry
peter.kang@spmcuva.org
As part of the leadership team, Peter is primarily responsible for developing and overseeing St. Paul’s ministries for UVA students. He actively serves as pastor and mentor for members of “The University Fellowship” (the Episcopal campus ministry for undergraduates at UVA) while remaining present to the whole University, including graduate students, as an Episcopal chaplain. Additionally, Peter helps plan and coordinate St. Paul’s Adult Formation programming and regularly assists with other parish-wide ministries.
The Rev. Caroline Carter
Assistant Rector
caroline.carter@spmcuva.org
As Assistant Rector, Caroline oversees various pastoral ministries at St. Paul’s, including clergy calls, Eucharistic visitation, healing prayer, and Stephen Ministry (our lay-led pastoral care ministry). She also serves as the staff liaison for St. Paul’s Mission & Service ministries, facilitating outreach efforts and community engagement.
The Rev. Dr. Heather Warren
Assisting Priest
heather.warren@spmcuva.org
In her role as part-time Assisting Priest, Heather’s primary charge is pastoral care. She has served at St. Paul’s since 2010, having been in the United Methodist ministry prior to ordination in the Episcopal Church.
Program Staff
Samantha Kang
Coordinator of Children's Ministries
samantha.kang@spmcuva.org
Samantha Kang serves as our part-time Coordinator of Children's Ministries, with leadership of Children's Chapel, Common Hour programs for grades K-5, and Wednesday evening children's activities; coordination with Deke Polifka and the Junior Choir, and with Joyce Polifka and the Wee Singers; and cultivating family community.
Winn Philpott
Coordinator of Youth Ministries
winn.philpott@spmcuva.org
Winn Philpott serves as our part-time Coordinator of Youth Ministries, working closely with the rector and teams of volunteers to plan Common Hour programming as well as other formation, service, and fellowship activities for both the Middle School group and the High School group.
Deke Polifka
Director of Music & Organist
deke.polifka@spmcuva.org
Deke’s duties include directing choirs for children and adults, serving as principal organist, and overseeing all aspects of the parish’s music.
Joyce Polifka
Children’s Music Coordinator
joyce.polifka@spmcuva.org
Joyce plans and teaches weekly music classes for the Wee Singers and organizes monthly Sunday music events for young families. She also assists in Children’s Chapel with music preparation and instruction and steps in from time to time to help with the Junior Choir.
Operations & Administrative Staff
John Reid
Chief of Finance & Operations
john.reid@spmcuva.org
As part of the leadership team, John is responsible for diverse areas including parish finances, facilities, equipment, operations, supervising support staff, and managing outside contractors from lawyers and insurance providers to printers, painters, and groundskeepers. He is also responsible for vision and strategy in St. Paul’s communications, including branding, signage, printed materials, and online presence.
Alice Fitch
Office Manager
alice.fitch@spmcuva.org
Alice is responsible for maintaining the parish calendar, the membership database, the church website, the St. Paul's Facebook page – and for the production of the Weekly Update, St. Paul's weekly newsletter (subscribe here!). She serves as the hub for various internal and external communications and coordinates a myriad of logistical and planning details to keep everything running smoothly at St. Paul's.
Martha Loach
Financial Secretary
martha.loach@spmcuva.org
Martha is responsible for managing the church’s financial recordkeeping, including posting to the financial accounting system, updating parishioner giving records, and processing our payroll.
Michael Turner
Building & Maintenance Assistant
office@spmcuva.org
Michael keeps our facilities clean and safe, inside and out. He also helps us offer hospitality to parishioners, neighbors, and visitors by setting up and breaking down spaces for meetings and events, monitoring our parking lots, and being available as a host and resource for outside groups who use our building.