Rector

The Reverend Andrew Gordon grew up in the Episcopal Church and in the Diocese of Atlanta. He attended college at Sewanee: The University of the South, in Sewanee, TN, where he studied Religion and Spanish, was a four-year football letterman, and spent his summers working at Camp Mikell, where he and his wife, the former Julie Tuttle of Cumming, GA, met. 

Upon graduation, Andrew spent several years living and working as a teacher, coach, and administrator at Mayatan Bilingual School in Copán Ruinas, Honduras. While there he founded the school’s first athletic program, learned how to make tortillas by hand, lived next to ancient Mayan ruins, and was forever changed. 

After his move back to the United States, a short stint working as a nonprofit in Nashville, TN, and several years working in education as a high school Spanish teacher and coach in Carrollton, GA, Andrew attended seminary at Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, TX, graduating with a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree with a concentration in Latinx Ministries in 2022. During seminary, Andrew served as a hospital chaplain; a seminarian and deacon in a local Spanish-speaking Episcopal church; and coached the seminary flag-football team. 

Prior to his call as Rector of St. Mark’s, Andrew served as Curate at Christ Church in Macon, GA. 

Andrew and Julie are proud parents of two daughters, Cesia and Amalia, and a son, Isaiah. Andrew is passionate about God’s call to live intentionally in relationship and community with one another and seeks to walk with people in ways that creatively explore the blending of contemplation and action, where all God’s children are welcomed and loved.

In his free time, Andrew enjoys running, gardening, camping and hiking, woodworking, and spending time with family and friends. 

Organist/Director of Music

Rhett Barnwell is a composer, arranger, performer and conductor, and the founder of Seraphim Music, which publishes sacred, classical and meditative music for harp, voice and other instruments. Seraphim Music editions are currently distributed, performed, and recorded by musicians on six continents.

He has concertized extensively in the United States and in Rome, Venice, and Florence, Italy, and Ireland. A specialist in sacred and healing music for the harp, he has been in demand as a presenter and performer at national conferences of the American Harp Society, the Southeastern Harp Festival, Somerset Folk Harp Festival, Harp in Worship Conference and others. He has also given workshops and concerts for American Harp Society Chapters in Washington, D.C., Minneapolis, Nashville, Montana and New Orleans and is on the faculty of the internationally based Harp Column Academy.
  
In addition to the harp, he also plays the organ, cello, and French horn, and has performed with the Spoleto Festival Orchestra (Italy), Orquesta Sinfonica de Tenerife (Spain), AIMS Festival Orchestra (Austria), South Carolina Philharmonic, Charleston Symphony, Atlanta Symphony, Orchestra and Chorus of St. Louis, St. Clare Baroque Orchestra, Emory Baroque Orchestra, and others.

Mr. Barnwell earned a Bachelor of Music degree in horn from Florida State University and a Master of Music degree in horn and cello from St. Louis Conservatory. He also pursued Doctoral study in choral conducting and organ at the University of Georgia. He has studied at Westminster Choir College, the Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music in Rome, Italy, and at the Abbey of Solesmes in France.

He has served as a choral director and organist for churches throughout the Southeast since 1984, most recently at St. Brigid Catholic Church, Johns Creek, GA, and St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Newnan, GA. He is also the Composer in Residence at the Atlanta Harp Center.

Julie was raised in the Episcopal Church in Cumming, GA. She was shaped greatly by her experience at Camp Mikell, the Episcopal Camp and Conference Center of the Diocese of Atlanta, where she grew up as a camper, counselor, and summer staffer. She studied Social Work at The University of Georgia and later received a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Washington University in St. Louis.

Julie has experience with youth in a variety of roles including serving as a second grade teacher, interim youth director, academic coach,  dance instructor, and mental health provider. Prior to coming to St. Mark’s, Julie was an Elementary School Counselor for 8 years in Tennessee, Georgia, and Texas. She is passionate about building safe, inclusive youth communities in which young people can experience God’s love through relationship with one another. 

Julie and Andrew were married in 2017 and are the proud parents of two daughters. She enjoys theatre, spending time in nature, and laughing with friends and family. 

Parish Administrator

Patricia grew up in Phenix City, AL, and moved to LaGrange in 2000. Prior to coming to St. Mark’s, she spent 16 years in the public accounting sector and 17 years in the legal profession. 

She began working at St. Mark’s in 2021 as the bookkeeper before transitioning to Parish Administrator in 2022. 

Patricia is married to Scott Lewis, and they have two grown children, Madison and Alexis. Madison is married to John Morgan, and they have one daughter, Evie Lynne. Alexis is a recent graduate of UGA and lives in Jacksonville, FL. Patricia is a member of Rosemont Baptist Church.

Patricia is passionate about her faith, family, and the Atlanta Braves! She enjoys reading and the beach, but especially treasures spending time with family.

Alvin Magby was born in Roanoke, Alabama and was raised in LaGrange. He began serving as the Sexton in 2017. He considers his role as that of a caretaker - a role that he has embodied throughout his life working in hospitals, nursing homes, and gardens. Alvin is kind, thoughtful, and thorough, and his service in caring for our spaces is certainly a ministry. He is the father of an adult daughter, grandfather to two, and great grandfather to one. Alvin enjoys gardening and walking. He can often be seen on walks throughout the community, where he averages about 20 miles per week!  

Joy Johnson was born in Cairo, Georgia and was raised in Atlanta. She began working as a teacher at St. Mark’s kindergarten in 2016 and shortly afterwards began serving in the Nursery. Miss Joy leads with love and creates a warm, welcoming, joyful space for our children each week. She is the mother to an adult daughter Kristin. Miss Joy and her husband Billy have five grandchildren and one great-grandchild. She is an avid Disney collector who enjoys the company of her family and friends and spending time outside. Miss Joy is a beloved part of our children’s ministry who is adored by all.