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Jim is a graduate of the Protestant Episcopal Seminary (VTS) in Alexandria, Virginia. Ordained to the priesthood in 2001, Jim served for six years as the Associate Rector at Christ Episcopal Church in Bowling Green, KY., and as the Episcopal Campus Chaplain at Western Kentucky University. After seeing the devestation and horror of hurricane Katrina from a distance of 600 miles via a television screen and reading about the spiritual and physical needs of the people in New Orleans, Jim discerned what he describes as "the closest thing to a call to ministry that he's ever had." In the midst of a dialogue with the rector search committee at St. George's, Jim brought students from the Episcopal College Fellowship at WKU to New Orleans for a Spring Break mission trip in 2007. At the completion of that trip Jim returned to Bowling Green with everything but his heart. Three months later Jim returned to New Orleans with his wife Ellen and daughter Morgan and became the rector of St. George's. Jim holds an undergraduate degree in drawing and painting from the Art Academy of Cincinnati. Prior to the ordained ministry Jim made his living as an artist and owned and operated Fine Art Metal, a company that produced wrought iron furniture and sculpture.
Effie Anderson has been Christian Education Director for Youth here at St. George’s since Aug. 2008. She comes to us from St. John’s Episcopal Church where she served as Sr. and Jr. Warden. As commissioner of Christian Education, she re-started the Christian Education program after several years’ interruption after hurricane Katrina.
We have two interns that work with the program. Alexandra Stone and Steven Baker. Alex is a Freshman at Tulane University from Wayne, Pennsylvania. She is a member of Trinity Episcopal Church there and has taught Sunday school there for the past three years. Steven is in the School of Architecture at Tulane and is from Little Rock, Arkansas. He is a member of Henderson Methodist Church in Little Rock and has assisted with Sunday school and youth classes for several years. Both Steven and Alex are happy that St. George’s has given them the opportunity to continue their service while they are away from there home churches. We also have a wonderful support group in our parents, mom’s and dad’s that teach and assist here at St. George’s.
Dr. Donna Clavijo, a native of New Orleans, returned home in June of 2007 after earning a Doctorate in Collaborative Piano from Arizona State University in May of 2007. As a freelance pianist/vocal coach, she is active in classical and musical theatre performances in the city. She presently teaches and accompanies part-time at Loyola University and in her home, instructing both private piano and vocal students. She is a past president of the New Orleans Music Teacher’s Association and is affiliated with the Louisiana Music Teacher’s Association, Music Teacher’s National Association, Music Educators National Conference and the American Guild of Organists. Dr. Clavijo joined St George’s as Music Director/Organist in February of 2008 and has worked to strengthen the Music Program at St Georges by building the Adult Choir from 8 to 14 members, as well as starting a Children’s Choir Program and introducing music training for children during Vacation Bible School.
Jerry is the former Human Resources and Administrative Manager with Wellstone Apparel, LLC (RutterRex,Inc.) He is married, and has one step-son. Jerry is a New Orleans native, and graduated from De La Salle High School and Loyola University. He enjoys running and outdoor activites.