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Our clergy and staff

We look forward to connecting with you.

Father Robert is currently on Sabbatical. He is not receiving emails or phone calls during this time of rest and rejuvenation. Father Tom Carter is serving as Priest during this time and may be contacted for pastoral care needs. Please send general questions and requests to our Communications and Engagement Director, Caroline Stephenson.

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The Reverend Dr. Robert Black

Rector

-Father Robert has served as the Rector of St. Luke's since September 2014 

-Degrees in religious studies from Wake Forest (B.A.), Virginia Theological Seminary (M.Div.), and The University of the South: Sewanee (D.Min.)

-Adjunct Professor of Homiletics at Hood Theological Seminary

 -Before St. Luke's, served as the Assistant Rector at St. Francis Episcopal Church in Greensboro, NC (2010-2014) and St. John's Episcopal Church - Lafayette Square in Washington, DC (2009-2010).

-Married to Tyler since 2008 with two daughters, Eleanor and Rowen.

- When not at St. Luke's or spending time family, he enjoys reading and kettlebelling.

Father Robert's sermon blog

Father Robert's podcast

Robert Black named one of "10 to watch in 2020"

Recipient of Elizabeth Duncan Koontz Humanitarian Award in 2022

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The Reverend Tom Carter

Priest Associate

Father Tom has been Priest Associate since moving to Salisbury in

retirement in February of 2017. 

- A graduate of Virginia Theological Seminary in 1992

- Served as retired Priest Associate at St. Mark’s on the Hill in Baltimore, MD (2013-2016)

- Rector, The Church of the Nativity, Baltimore, MD (2000-2013)

- Founding Priest, St. Matthias Episcopal Church, Rock Hill, SC (1996- 2000)

- Assistant Rector and then Priest in Charge, Church of the Ascension, Hickory, NC (1993-1996

- Assistant Rector, Grace Episcopal Church, Anderson, SC (1992-1993)

- Before seminary, was a salesman for 20 years selling industrial piping products.

- Married to Patricia (Pati) since 1971 with three grown children and adore their twelve grandchildren.

- Father Tom and Pati love to travel in their RV and visit family all over the country when not at St. Luke’s. Since retiring, they have traveled to all of the lower 48 states.

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The Reverend Bonnie Duckworth

Deacon 

-At St. Luke’s since 2016, Vocational Deacon in the Diocese of North Carolina since 2004 

-Widow, 2 Adult Children, 5 Grandchildren 

-Education: Bachelor of Music - Appalachian State University, Graduate studies in Music Composition - Salem College, Education for Ministry-University of the South, Deacon School-Diocese of NC 

-Current Director of Arts Academy at Grace - Grace Episcopal Church, Lexington 

-former Music Teacher in various positions for preschool through High School students

-Published Composer (Paraclete Press, Church Publishing Inc., Northwestern Publishing House) 

-Before St. Luke's: Lay Parish Assistant, Deacon and Pastoral Associate-Grace Episcopal Church, Lexington, Coordinator of Ministries and Deacon - Yadkin Valley Cluster

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Stephen Williams

Director of Music Ministries

-Delighted to have been called to serve St. Luke’s as Director of Music Ministries.
-Was most recently Canon for Music Ministries at Cathedral Church of the Nativity in
Bethlehem PA and Artist in Residence at Moravian University.
-Previously served a 25-year tenure at St. John’s Lutheran Church in downtown
Allentown PA and concurrently at Muhlenberg College.
-Organ performance and choral conducting studies at Brevard College, Westminster
Choir College of Rider University, The Juilliard School, and West Chester University.
-Notable performances include the complete organ works of J. S. Bach, six organ
symphonies of Louis Vierne, and complete organ works of Johannes Brahms.
-2014 CD Platinum on EM Skinner/Reuter organ, to critical acclaim, available at
Ravencd.com
-Special interest in choral and instrumental collaborative ventures and look forward to
these kinds of opportunities at St. Luke’s and beyond.
-Love working out in spare time, new memberships at The Forum, Railway Crossfit,
and SoFul Yoga .. we’ll see how all that goes!

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Caroline Stephenson 

Director of  Communications & Engagement

-At St. Luke's since 2018

-Education: Bachelor's and Master's degrees in music from Winthrop University; Certificate in Theology and Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary

-Before St. Luke's: Adjunct instructor at Catawba College and several NC community colleges, teaching artist in drama and music for various theatre companies

-Married to Mark with two children: James and Emma

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Mark Bias

Office Manager

Mark attended Austin College in Sherman, Texas and has been an Audit and Procedures Analyst, Commercial Lease Administrator, Human Resources Manager, and an Operations Manager. 

Originally from Arizona, he grew up in Texas and moved to Salisbury in 1992.  He and his husband, Davis Cooke, the owner of Old Sarum Gallery on West Innes Street, have been together for 30 years and counting.

Mark was confirmed at St. Luke's in 2003, the same year he became actively involved in the formation of the Evensong Choir. He has been the Vestry Secretary since summer 2017.

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Heather Duncan

Coordinator for Children, Youth and Family Ministries

Baptized at St. Luke’s in 1997

-Education: Bachelor’s Degrees in Literature and Creative Writing

-Self-taught artist with a passion for dressing up and inspiring others to be authentically themselves

-Believes that one of the best ways to spread love is through art and volunteer work

-Enjoys spending time with her family in the garden as well as exploring Savannah, GA

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Lisa Trainor

-Education: B.S. in Biology, UNC Charlotte

-Former high school biology teacher 

-Mother of two teenagers who are alumni of Mother's Morning Out program

-Director of Mother's Morning Out from 2013-2017 and since 2021.

-Member of St. Luke's since 2001

-Thrilled to have the opportunity to work with "the little ones".

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Marcus Corry

Sexton 

Marcus has been the Sexton at St. Luke's for over 30 years. Click here to read a Salisbury Post article about his service.

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