Priest-in-Charge

My spiritual formation took place in the north Georgia mountains, so coming here is like being home. I was ordained priest in 1997 and served a number of different size churches in Georgia, and in Wyoming.I am married with two adult children, and three grandchildren.

I was attracted to St. James by the vibrancy of its members and a sense of joy and love here. In my preaching, I focus, primarily on God’s love and on joy and being a bit playful.

I can be contacted at jshumie@aol.com and would welcome any questions.

Deacon, ELCA

I have always been involved in church, community, fellowship and so much more. I can honestly say my faith has rarely wavered and I have grown closer to God as I continue to journey through life.

“You did not choose me but I chose you.” (John 15:16) These are the words I saw and heard as I thought about becoming a Deacon. I began the 2-year Diakonia Program in 2015 and was commissioned as a Synod Parish Deacon for the Florida-Bahamas Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church October 2017.

After I retired from teaching 5th grade (34 years) from an Episcopal School in Clearwater, FL, I began to spend more time in Rabun County. I found this amazing church and got permission to serve at St. James. During 2020, I know I was called to be a disciple of Christ — to serve, love others and share the table of our Lord. The Holy Spirit called me and I am here.

Parish Administrator

Bonnie returns to St. James as Parish Administrator, bringing 30 years of experience in the role. Over the course of her career, she has served Fr. Steve, The Reverend Mary Demmler, The Reverend Doris Graft Smith+, Fr. Sam Buice, and now Fr. Jim Shummard. She began her career with an ELCA Lutheran congregation and has worked in the Episcopal Church for the past 20 years.

Bonnie and her husband, Terry, are both members of St. James. They have three grown children and four grandchildren. In her free time, Bonnie enjoys reading, crocheting, and babysitting her grandchildren.

Music Director

Mary Lauren’s musical background includes experience as an educator, a performer, and as a church musician. While living in North Carolina, she served churches in Greensboro, Thomasville, High Point and Charlotte.

Mary Lauren has been a music educator for the past 15 years. She has taught elementary, middle and high school in the Forsyth (NC), Gaston (NC), Lincoln (NC), and Greenville (SC) County school systems.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Choral Music Education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. In addition to her teaching and mom duties, she currently performs with Song of Atlanta Show Chorus and Shazam!, an all-female barbershop quartet.

When she isn’t doing musical things, Mary Lauren hangs out at her family’s mountain home, “Ladybug Lodge”, with husband Jonan and their two sons, Wyatt (7) and Miles (2). Mary Lauren and her family are excited to begin their new adventure at St. James.

Parish Nurse

Kathy is Parish Nurse for the Saint James Episcopal community. She retired from an active nursing career. She received a diploma nursing degree from Crawford W. Long Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, and went on to complete a Bachelor of Nursing degree from Georgia State University and a Master’s in Health Services Administration from University of St. Francis, Jolliet, Illinois.

Kathy has worked in several areas – maternal and infant health, endoscopy, emergency services, and medical-surgical nursing.

Kathy is Chair of the Pastoral Care Committee.