2021 Annual Parish Meeting is November 21 at 10 a.m.
Sunday, November 21st there is only one service at 10 a.m. During the Sermon and Announcements time: the St. Raphael Annual Parish Meeting, the business meeting for the church, which is required per our bylaws. Among the important items to be discussed will be the election of new Vestry members and delegates from our parish to the 2022 Diocesan Convention. We need a quorum of members to be present for voting. Please attend in person if possible!
Slate of Candidates
Vestry: (4 to elect)
Three year term ending Dec. 2024
1. John Hazlett
2. Laurie Daugherty
3. Tim Allen
Two year term ending Dec. 2023 (filling in for Margaret McGladrey, who moved)
4. Amy Smereck
Diocesan Convention deputies:
Convention Deputies (4 to elect)
1. Dave Sevigny
2. John Daugherty
3. Amy Smereck
4. Janis Rosebrook
Alternates (4 to elect)
5. Hunter Mathews
6. Nancy Christiano
7. Tony Lobianco
8. Paula Sevigny
Vestry Candidate Bios
John Hazlett – I am a husband, father, teacher, Coach, Veteran, and Christian. I have been married for 29 years this November 4 to my lovely wife Leah Newsom, and my son, Brandon, who is currently stationed at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina. This will be my 25th year of teaching at Rosenwald-Dunbar Elementary in Nicholasville, a journey from the classroom to enjoying the last 11 years as the Physical Education Teacher. I have been an Assistant Coach in Youth Football and Cross Country. However, for the last 7 years I have been coaching wrestling in Jessamine County. I have also served 30 years in the Army, with time on active duty during Desert Storm, to the Army Reserve as a Drill Sergeant, and finally to the National Guard as a Senior Infantry Instructor and acting Command Sergeant Major with the 238th Regiment, before officially retiring in 2016 as a Master Sergeant. I also enjoy furry critters, sunsets, views of the landscapes, traveling, and coffee on cool mornings, well actually every morning. I tend to be shy and reserved, although you would never guess it. However, with all the success that I have enjoyed, it was St. Raphael’s that took me in at the lowest and most troubled point of my life. The shelter and comfort that I have found at St. Raphael’s gave me the opportunity to reconnect with my faith, and to serve others. I’m still learning and growing as a Christian and feel blessed to do so at St. Raphael’s.
Laurie Daugherty and her husband, John, joined St. Raphael in 2019. Previously they were members of Southern Hills United Methodist Church where Laurie taught children’s Sunday school when her children were young. Their two daughters are now away at grad school. This past year Laurie has been a member of the Finance Committee and Property Committee. In her professional life, Laurie is an attorney with Montague Law, PLLC where she advises business clients and works with several nonprofit
Tim Allen united with St. Rahael in 2019 after serving as pianist and youth/young adult leader for 13 years at Mt. Lebanon Missionary Baptist Church in Louisville, KY. Being versatile with 10 years in the mental health field, 4 years in the Jefferson County Coroner’s office, 20 plus years in hospitality and 5 years in real estate. A father of 2 sons, 2 horses and 2 dogs he enjoys gardening, bicycling, boating, hiking, skydiving and generally being one with God and his creations. A member of Lexington Build. Filling in where needed he is currently working with the St. Raphael Childrens Chapel looking forward to the journey of the church and the spiritual growth of our community.
Amy Smereck has attended St. Raphael since spring of 1999 with husband Chris Bollinger and their two children, Beth and Thomas, now adults. She has served multiple stints on the Vestry and as Treasurer and was Sr. Warden in 2007. She has been involved in formation for children and youth, designed and maintains the church website and email lists, and sings in the choir. Amy has served on the Diocesan Budget Committee and was a co-chair in 2021. Amy is currently a self-employed freelance writer and marketer. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, traveling, crossword puzzles, and curling up with a good book.