Clergy and Staff

The Rev. Michael Singer

The Rev’d Michael Singer retired from full-time active ministry in April 2020 as the Transition Ministry Officer for the Diocese of East Carolina. Prior to this, he served three one-year positions as Interim Rector of St. Paul’s Church, Greenville; St. Paul’s Church, Beaufort and Church of the Servant, Wilmington. Before serving at Church of the Servant he was Rector of St. Mary’s Church, Kinston for 17 years.

His Master of Divinity degree is from Nashotah House, a Theological Seminary of the Episcopal Church in Nashotah, Wisconsin and his undergraduate degree is in Religion and Philosophy from Morris Harvey College (now The University of Charleston), in Charleston, West Virginia. A product of the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania, growing up in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania, (a small town approximately 35 miles west of Gettysburg), he served parishes in Williamsport and Altoona, Pennsylvania.

In his years of active ministry, Father Michael has served as a Deputy to General Convention, the Millennium Development Goals Committee (Chair), Convention Planning Committee, Diocesan Trustee, Commission on Ministry (Chair), the Standing Committee, and the Christian Education Committee (Chair).

In his spare time Father Michael enjoys walking, travel, going to the movies, spending time with his family…especially his 17-month-old grandson, Bennett. He has been married to his wife, Teresa, (a retired public-school music teacher) for 41 years.

The Rev. Chris Hamby

Chris Hamby was born and raised in the horse capital of the the world in Lexington, Kentucky. Chris attended Transylvania University before joining the Young Adult Service Corps and serving for a year as an Episcopal Missionary in Nagoya, Japan. Chris attended Virginia Theological Seminary and joined the new Ministry Resident Program which allowed him to serve at Christ Church, Alexandria for two years before joining the family at St. James. Chris is an avid Kentucky basketball and football fan, technology nut, and music lover. He and his wife Mandy have two children Lewis and Wilson. He is involved with missionalvoices.com.

The Rev. Cheryl Brainard

Suzanne Adams

Suzanne moved to the Wilmington area and began working at St. James in 2007. Previously, she lived in Maryland for 17 years and worked for the Archdiocese of Baltimore. What made her come here? She picked it from a map!

Erin Becker

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

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 Clewis

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 November 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. Wes loves bass fishing and the Washington Redskins. Before coming to St. James, he served the Cape Fear area as a master carpenter for over 20 years.

Joey Dobson

Maria Hollopeter

Maria joined the staff of St. James in June, 2019. For the past 16 years, she has been employed with a CPA firm in Concord, NC. During her tenure in public accounting, she formed many long-lasting relationships with her corporate and individual clients. She also has experience in private sector accounting and experience in the banking industry as well. Maria attended the University of North Carolina – Charlotte majoring in Business Administration.

Maria is married to her husband, Clifton. They have been married 35 years and have 2 children, Kristen and Zachary. Clifton and Maria relocated back to Wilmington in 2019 and are glad to be back at the coast.

Walking on the beach, watching sunsets, and enjoying nature are activities she enjoys the most. These are activities where she can see God at work. Maria has always been a “church-girl”. Choir, handbells, VBS, mission trips, bible studies, and scripture are some of her favorites.

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10

Shannon Lockamy

Shannon joined St. James in August of 2018, moving here from central NC. Shannon most recently worked for WCPSS, as a Dance Teacher in multiple settings, teaching crafting skills through 4-H, as well as homeschooling her daughter. Shannon received both her Associates Degrees from Peace College, Raleigh, NC and attended NC State University majoring in the Masters in Teaching program.

Shannon enjoys pottery, dancing, playing the bagpipes, working on puzzles and working educating children. Children are truly the lifeforce of our future. Jesus asked for the children to be brought to Him. Patience, practice and perseverance are all important to building a strong foundation in a child's life. Let us empower our children to be strong Christians and feed them as Jesus fed the masses.

It is a privilege to work with the children of St. James Parish and the families of St. James. The love of Christ abounds within these walls.

Bill McKenzie

Bill McKenzie, a long-time member of the Parish, will be succeeding Don in the Facilities Administrator position. 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.

John Sullivan

John Sullivan first began working at St. James Parish in September of 2006, both as a music teacher in the St. James Day School and also as a tenor in the St. James Choir. In November of 2006, John joined the parish office staff, producing the Sunday bulletins and the weekly Grapevine newsletters, while also serving as the administrative assistant to the Rector. John began as organist and choirmaster at St. James in 2010, where he plays the organ for Sunday morning services, in addition to leading both the adult choir and the children’s choirs. Prior to assuming the position as music director at St. James, John was organist and choirmaster at Grace Episcopal and Christ the King Lutheran Church in Whiteville, NC. John came to Wilmington from San Francisco, CA, where he was a tenor in the Cathedral Choir of Men and Boys and administrator of the cathedral music office at Grace Cathedral for 12 years. A cradle Episcopalian, John grew up in New Jersey where he sang as a boy chorister in the choir of men and boys at Christ Episcopal Church in New Brunswick. John has a Bachelor of Music in piano from Ithaca College, a Master of Music in Choral Conducting from Rutgers University, and a Master of Music in Kodaly Music Education for Children from Holy Names College in Oakland CA.

Amy Taylor

Ms. Taylor received her Bachelors of Arts in Political Science from Davidson College and her Initial Elementary Education Teacher's Certification from UNCW.

What drew you to teaching? "All children are precious to me! Seeing a child feel safe and loved brings me great joy. And the look on a child's face when they figure out that they are capable is priceless. What a delight and privilege it is to work with children at SJDS!"

Favorite Snack: "Fruit, followed closely by brownies."

Hidden Talent: "Memorizing important dates, especially birthdays!"