The Vestry of St. James’ is elected by the congregation of the parish to attend to the financial affairs of the church, providing lay leadership to and oversight of the various parish activities and programs. Some members of the Vestry are elected every year, each member serving a term of three years.
Peter Suarez
Senior Warden (Class of 2025)
Parishioner at St. James’ since 2020
Bio under construction… _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Laura Bates
Junior Warden (Class of 2027)
Lifetime Member of St. James’ Church
Laura is a cradle Episcopalian and is the fourth generation of her family to be a member of St. James’. She has served on the vestry several times, Sr. Warden four times, as well as serving on different committees; was Altar Guild Director and Choir Director. She has been active in the Diocese and was selected by Bishop J. Neil Alexander to be on the Diocesan Strategic Planning Commission in 2001. Laura is a native of Cedartown where she has lived and worked almost her entire working career.
Judy Guard
Parish Life Commission (Class of 2026)
Parishioner at St. James’ since 2022
I’ve been an Episcopalian since the third grade when my mother (Roman Catholic) and father (Southern Baptist) decided to find one church for our family to attend and have attended this beloved church ever since. I belonged to youth group in high school and was a member of Canterbury Club in college. Over the years, I’ve taught Sunday School, directed Bible School and youth choirs in several churches and been a member of/ directed several bell choirs. I also served on the Vestry at Church of the Atonement, in Atlanta, where Alex and I attended for many years. I have three grown children and four grandsons and Alex has two grown children, three grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. We are so happy to have found our way to St. James’ in Cedartown, and I consider it an honor to serve on the Vestry of this wonderful church.
Marsha Zepp
Outreach Commission (Class of 2026)
Parishioner at St. James’ since 2019
I was born in Ogden, Utah. I lived in Evanston Wyoming until I was 9 years old and then moved back to Roy, Utah, before relocating to Temple Georgia in 1970. I’ve lived in Cedartown for the last 10 years. I have 3 living children, 8 grandchildren 13 greats and 3 great-greats with another due in March. I’m retired from home nursing after 28 years. I enjoy attending church, painting, reading and traveling.
Lauren Myers
Member-at-Large (Class of 2026)
Parishioner at St. James’ since 2012
Growing up, I primarily attended The Tabernacle Baptist Church in Atlanta until it closed its doors. Since then I didn’t really have a church home or church family and always wanted that for myself. I spent a little time in my youth searching but never finding anything that fit what I was looking for. In 2006 my husband and I welcomed our twins, Will and Kate, to our lives and it really seemed like it was time to find a place to help raise them and guide them. We began our Episcopal journey 8 months later at St. Luke’s in Jacksonville, AL where a co-worker attended with her family. The moment I attended my first service, I knew that the Episcopal church was my home. It has always met every need I had been looking for in a church. When we began attending St. James to be closer to our house serveral years later after, our youngest son Luke was born, so we could have the ability to be more involved. We fell in love from the very first day. “Don’t worry if your kids make noise. We like that sound here” was the first thing ever said to me, and my kids have been loved by the congregation ever since. That is something I am eternally grateful for. To serve this church in any capacity is a great honor. It’s given me and my family more than we can ever repay.
Ken Tomczak
Member-at-Large (Class of 2027)
Member at St. James’ since…
Bio under construction… _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mason Brumby
Treasurer
Parishioner at St. James’ since: 2007
Mason and his wife Hazl came to St. James’ Church after having previously attended the Baptist church. He is retired from a decades-long career in social services and enjoys golf, gardening and UGA Football. Mason has served on the Vestry in a variety of positions over the years. He and Hazl have two children and five grandchildren.
Suzy Hubbard
Clerk of the Vestry
Parishioner at St. James’ since: 1971
I came to Saint James’ Church from the Baptist church in response to a call to be the organist and continue to play. I have served several terms on the Vestry and serve on the Altar Guild. I am a registered nurse and work at Redmond Regional Medical as the clinical coordinator for inpatient and outpatient Cardiac Rehab.