My wife and I were both born here in Columbia, S.C. I was raised in the Lutheran Church and received my elementary education attending Heathwood Hall Episcopal School. We were married and started attending St. Jude Episcopal Church here after the birth of our daughter. St. Jude later moved to Irmo and became The Episcopal Church of St. Simon and St. Jude. We later were blessed with a son. Both of our children were baptized here and grew up in this church. During our time here I have served on many different committees. I also taught children’s and teen Sunday School for many years. I have been head of the Usher Teams for the last 15 years. This church is truly my family as my daughter and son-in-law were married by our priest and all three of my grandchildren have been baptized here.

My Wife and I have been a member of the Episcopal Church of St Simon and St Jude for approximately five and one-half years.

As an “Army Brat” I was raised in the Roman Catholic faith, having received First Holy Communion at the age of six and confirmation at the approximate age of 12. My Christian education in those formative years was virtually minimal with the exception of “instilled fear” fomented by the confessional.

I served on active duty for six years and in the US Air Force Reserve for 24 years. I also worked for the SC DOT for 32 years. I retired from the USAF in 1999 and the SC DOT in 2010.

During most of my adult years I was basically “unchurched”. I was divorced in 1982 and, after six years, married the light of my life. After several years, my Wife, who was also Catholic, and I felt the need to strengthen our Christian values for ourselves and our children. We discovered the Episcopal Church and began attending in earnest in 1993. This was indeed an ‘epiphany’ for us that launched a whole new spiritual journey. At that time, we joined St Mary’s Episcopal Church, also in the Irmo, SC vicinity and were “received” in 1995.

My service at St Mary’s included convention delegate, Junior Warden on the Vestry, treasurer, chalice ministry and special projects. In 2001 I participated in a year-long Disciples of Christ in Community (DOCC) Program. After retirement I also began attending Bible studies. My most profound and spiritual experience, however, was assisting in administering the ‘host’ during a period of clerical shortage. All this time my thirst for more Christian education continued to grow.

Not long after joining St Simon and St Jude I signed up for the Education for Ministry (EfM) program and competed that four-year course of study in May 2019. Additionally, I have been again involved in our chalice ministry and projects. Also, I have served on the ad hoc three-year 2020 Capital Campaign which ends this year.

Finally, in the last four months I have participated as a team member on our Renewal Works program and am most honored to have been selected by our Vestry to serve on this all-too-important search committee ministry.

Edwina is an import who moved to the US 10 years ago. Having spent many years in international business based in China, Japan, South Korea and Europe she has recently put away the suitcase and settled in Irmo to be a Realtor. She discovered St Simon and St Jude in 2013 where she is an active member of the church. She sings in the choir, plays the flute, has served on the vestry snd facilitates the church Celtic group. She lives in Irmo with four cats and a Great Pyrenees dog.

Gloria was the first of five children born to her parents back in the fifties. Her father was a Principal at various schools throughout the islands and her mother was a domestic engineer. Her education began in the public school system and at the age of 10 she entered a private Episcopal School where she remained until high school graduation. After obtaining a degree in accounting she attained a position with the Court System.

After raising a family Gloria returned to college and obtained a Master’s Degree as well as a PHD Degree in business. She was married to the late John Montgomery and is now recently retired from the Court System.

I am Dick Bohr. One of the senior members of Saint Simon St Jude. We, myself and my wife Fonda, joined this congregation in 1987 as it was meeting in the Irmo High School cafeteria while our new church was being built. We were immediately impressed with the people and their enthusiastic welcome extended to us. It was almost like love at first sight. Over the years, through all sorts of involvements and rolls this enthusiasm has not waned. So here I am now at 82 years old and still active and excited.

Robin Georgion Hallyburton is a cradle Episcopalian, originally from Spartanburg, SC.

She is a graduate of Arizona State University with a degree in music (double bass) and is the Development Director at the South Carolina Philharmonic. Robin, her husband Scott and two daughters, and live in Irmo, SC. They have been members of SSSJ for four years.

I grew up in a small South Carolina town and have been a member of St. Simon and St. Jude since 1991. I have served on the Vestry, Stewardship committee and choir as well at youth group leader for Jr. and Sr. High. For 20 years I have been active in BSA troop 312 which is sponsored by the church. Among other things, I enjoy biking and cheering on my alma mater, Clemson University. Go Tigers!

My wife and I started attending St. Simon and St. Jude in July of 2019, and it's felt like home ever since! Growing up Baptist, it was refreshing to come to a church and automatically be accepted by everyone. Everyone is so kind and caring and really put forth the effort to make you feel welcome and you can see the love they are giving out.

I grew up in the upstate but have been in the midlands for 6 years now. I am a RN and love to bake and do artsy things in my spare time. We also have 3 Boston Terriers that always keep us on our toes!