Clergy
Fr. Paul Rivard has served as the Rector of Saint George the Martyr since 2012. He came to the southern United States from Saskatchewan, Canada in the mid 1990’s and attended Toccoa Falls College where he met his wife Sarah. After earning a Bachelor of Arts degree, Fr. Paul later received both a Masters of Divinity and Masters of Theology from Erskine Theological Seminary. He was ordained to the priesthood in July 2010 and served as Curate of St. Barnabas Anglican Church in Dunwoody, Georgia before becoming to Simpsonville. He now serves as a member of the APA-DEUS Board of Examining Chaplains, the Provincial Missions Board, the Domestic Missions Board, and as Dean of Appalachia.
Father Stokes Smith, Assisting Priest, was born and reared in Spartanburg, South Carolina. He earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Psychology from the University of South Carolina in 1986, and a Master’s degree in Counseling from Winthrop University in 1988 before working several years as a Licensed Professional Counselor at Spartanburg Medical Center. He was ordained to the priesthood in 2001 and served as Vicar of Saint Theodore of Tarsus Anglican Church in Spartanburg before coming to Saint George’s in 2019.
Father Richard Sutter, Assisting Priest, has been a novelist, parish rector, seminary professor and acting dean, high school teacher, and father of three daughters. He studied psychology at Purdue, English at East Stroudsburg, theology at Yale, and writing at Seton Hill, where he earned an MFA. He has served in various parishes in the ACC and the ACA since 1995 as well as on Diocesan Boards of Examining Chaplains for many years. He has taught literature and writing courses as well as philosophy and ethics as an adjunct professor in colleges from New Hampshire and Colorado to South Carolina. He and his wife have resided in Greer since early 2022.
Music
Robert Glick has served as the organist at Saint George’s since January 2021. In the past, he has served as a full time Minister of Music at churches in Greenville SC, and in Reading, PA. Before his retirement, Robert taught as a Professor of Church Music, Worship and Organ at Erskine College and Theological Seminary for 30 years. In addition to playing the organ, Robert serves on the Exultate! concert series committee and frequently teaches the Men’s Bible Study and special summer courses on various topics.
Bryan Kirby serves as the Choirmaster at Saint George’s and leads a talented group of twelve dedicated singers. His experience in church music with leading choirs and playing the organ is put to use as the choir leads the congregation in hymnody, chant, and special offertory anthems. Bryan also serves on the Exultate! concert series committee.
Office Administration
Carla Whaley serves Saint George’s as Office Administrator and keeps posted office hours Tuesday through Thursdays from 9 AM through 1 PM. When you call Saint George’s, more often than not you’ll speak with Carla! She works diligently each week on the bulletins, weekly newsletter, parish register, calendar, and a number of other Administrative tasks in the parish office.
Christian Education
Patricia Halliday, Sarah Rivard, and Virginia Kate Kirby head up the Children’s Sunday School class offered every Sunday morning at 10 AM. Their combined experience in teaching home school along with various Christian Education curriculum makes this part of what Saint George offers for young people a true strength of the parish.
Nursery
Connie Evans leads a group of ten nursery volunteers that serve in rotation to offer care for children through age five during the 11:00 service every Sunday morning. Connie is both a mother and grandmother with her caring nature always tuned to the children of the parish.
There are two nursery workers watching the little ones at all times and children are always brought into the service in time to receive a blessing as the others receive communion.
Safety
Paul Green is the head of our safety program at Saint George’s and his expertise is put into practice in overseeing the securing of parish premises during services and at other times, managing fire safety equipment and protocol, and offering input for the first aid team. Paul served in law enforcement for many years in the upstate as a patrolman, detective, and police chief, and now assists the local fire department as a forensic photographer.