Clergy and Staff

Prior to his call as Associate Rector at St. James, Gray served for two years as Curate at San Jose Church and Day School in Jacksonville, FL.

My background is a little unconventional but that has led me to be a more well-rounded marketer. I started out in undergrad as a Studio Art Major and a few years after graduation I decided to pursue my Masters in Business Administration. Once I had my MBA, I joined a regional commercial real estate firm as their Digital Marketing Associate then Marketing Director. Now, I’m excited to bring my experience to St. James Parish and start a new adventure with my husband here in Wilmington!

Cookie Cantwell first came to St. James as a Youth Ministries Consultant. This position morphed into a full-time Youth Ministries Coordinator staff position, where the focus continues to be on building authentic relationships with Jesus Christ among the young people within the Parish and throughout the world. Through fun, friendships, Bible studies, service projects, mission experiences, music, and worship, young people and the adults who accompany them on their journey of faith strive to provide meaningful opportunities to grow spiritually within a Christian community. In addition to enjoying her ministry among our youth, Cookie also enjoys her family, Happening, Province IV Youth Ministries, hiking, kayaking, needlepoint and reading.

Wes is a man of God who is guided by Christ to serve his family and community. He is a Wilmington native who joined the St. James family in September 2016. Wes and his wife, Sara, have been happily married since 2014. He is also the proud father of two beautiful daughters, Bryanna and Destiny, and grandfather to his adorable grandson, Palmer. Wes loves bass fishing and the Washington Commanders. Before coming to St. James, he served the Cape Fear area as a master carpenter for over 20 years.

Bill McKenzie, a long-time member of the Parish, is now our Parish Coordinator and Liaison to Mt. Lebanon Chapel. Bill is a commercial property appraiser with a broad knowledge of building and property management. Bill has been actively involved in the life and ministries of the Parish having served on Vestry, worked as a team leader on the breakfast crew and continues Lead Verger duties this summer at Mt. Lebanon Chapel.

Hi my name is Taber Stockstill-Tornes! I was born and raised in Oklahoma, just outside of Oklahoma City. I went to the University of Oklahoma where I got a degree in Human Relations. Fiddled around in OKC a bit, backpacked in Europe a bit, then met my husband, Kevin. We lived in Chicago from 2016-2020. There I became a doula, something I’m very passionate about. Long story short, we moved to Wilmington in September 2020 and had a little boy, Howie, in October 2021! If you want the long story, please come say hi! We love getting to know knew people. I’m so excited to be at St. James!

Dr. William J. Weisser retired in 2011 as Minister of Music at Edenton St. United Methodist Church in Raleigh, NC where he had been responsible for seven singing choirs, three handbell choirs, three dance ensembles and instrumental ensembles with over 460 participants for over 35+ years. He was the Conductor and Artistic Director of the Capital Area Chorale, a mixed voice community choir for 11 years. He was an Adjunct Assistant Professor on the faculty of North Carolina State University where he directed the University Singers for 5 years; since retirement he served as Interim Director of Music at Centenary UMC in New Bern, NC 2011 – 2012.; as the Interim Music Minister at First UMC in Rocky Mount, NC 2012 – 2013; Interim Director of Music and Organist at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, Raleigh, NC, Organist at Hayes Barton UMC in Raleigh, NC, Interim Minister of Music at St. Paul UMC in Goldsboro, NC, Interim Director of Music and Organist at St Paul’s Episcopal Church in Wilmington and now serving as Interim Director of Music and Organist at St James Episcopal in Wilmington NC.

Dr. Weisser is a graduate of Westminster Choir College where he studied Organ with Theodore C. Herzel, Dr. George Markey and Dr. Donald McDonald; Conducting with Robert Simpson, Robert Carwithen and Arthur Sjogren; and Voice with Herbert Pate, Ramon Kyser and Arthur Sjogren. At Westminster he was a member of the world-famous Westminster Choir which toured Puerto Rico. He has done graduate work in Sacred Music at Indiana University under Dr. Oswald Ragatz. Dr. Weisser received a Doctor of Humanities degree from Methodist College in May, 1997. He was also ordained a Deacon in Full Connection in the United Methodist Church in June, 1997.