Father John Symonds joined St. James’ in December 2015. Previously, he served as Rector at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Blair, Nebraska, Curate at St. James Episcopal Church in Lancaster, PA and was also on-call Chaplain at Lancaster General Hospital.
Prior to ordination, Father John served as Recreation Director for the City of York, PA; Executive Director of the Lancaster County Conservancy; and Environmental Planner for the Montgomery County Planning Commission in Morristown.
His education included an Education Diploma in Anglican Studies from the Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, Texas, where he was recipient of the Bishop Leo Alard Award in Hispanic Studies. He holds a Master’s of Divinity from Lancaster Theological Seminary in Lancaster, PA and a Bachelor of Science, Environmental Planning and Design from Cook College, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ.
Father John is married to Kimberly (Kim) Dawn Symonds and they have three children, Macayla Sanni Kai Symonds, David Sean Symonds, and Evan Symonds. He and his family enjoy hiking, camping, running, soccer, traveling, reading, gardening, and the Pennsylvania Rail Road.
You may contact Fr. John calling the parish office.
Parish Administrator – Bookkeeper
Luann McIlvaine joined the staff of St. James’ Church in 1999 as our part time Bookkeeper/Assistant Administrator. In 2004 she took over as our full time Parish Administrator/Bookkeeper. She earned her degree in accounting from Immaculata University and completed the Education for Ministry (EFM) program from the University of the South School of Theology.
Luann lives in Exton with her husband, Pete and daughters, Megan and Breese. When not working, she enjoys spending time in her gardens, reading, cooking/baking and training their two Golden Retrievers, Lucy and Minnie. She is a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Exton, the West Whiteland Fire Company where she has been the Treasurer/Bookkeeper since 1990 and the Dog Training Club of Chester County
You may contact Luann by email, or by calling the parish office.
Thrift Shop Manager
Shirley Tompkin, a long time member of St. James’ Church, began co-managing the thrift shop and has faithfully carried out those duties for nearly a quarter of a century! She attributes her long tenure to the fact that she has met many very nice people who shop at the store and worked with very nice volunteers over the years.
Nursery Attendants
Our nursery attendants, Courtney Barnard and Karen Daniels, have undergone background checks and are trained and accredited by the Safe Church training required by the Diocese of Pennsylvania. They create a warm and inviting place for young children in their earliest experience of church.
You may contact Nursery Attendants through the parish office.
Sexton
John Eagles retired from Pepperidge Farm after 41 years of service, majority of the time was in the maintenance department. The last twelve years, he was maintenance supervisor.
