St. Benedict’s Episcopal Church of Vinings & Smyrna, Ga. today announced the appointment of the Rev. Stuart Higginbotham as Curate, effective May 15, to aide in the parish’s growth and the congregation’s continuing spiritual development. Rev. Higginbotham recently received his Diploma in Anglican Studies from University of the South in Tennessee, having earlier earned his Masters of Divinity from Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Ga. “Stuart is a talented, energetic, and caring individual, and he is an ideal fit for our developing congregation,” commented the Rev. Lang Lowrey, Vicar of St. Benedict’s. “We plan to leverage Stuart’s skills and passions in ways that will have the most positive impact on our parishioners. His initial focus will be in three key areas: liturgy and worship, adult formation programs, and pastoral care. We are blessed to have found Stuart, and we are grateful to the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta – especially Bishop J. Neil Alexander and Canons Alicia Schuster-Weltner and Rick Callaway – for identifying this wonderful resource for us.”

In addition to his formal education, Rev. Higginbotham has gained a wealth of pastoral experience during the last several years in the Atlanta area, including serving as the Spiritual Care Coordinator at Heartland Hospice House; ministering to the ill at Portsbridge Hospice and Grady Memorial Hospital; and leading the development of Adult Christian Formation and worship programs at Holy Trinity Parish.

“I’m excited to be joining the inspiring journey underway at St. Benedict’s,” noted Rev. Higginbotham. “The members are full of energy and optimism, and I look forward to working hand-in-hand with the congregation to make both Sunday services and adult formation programs even more rewarding experiences. I also welcome the opportunity to strengthen and deepen St. Benedict’s pastoral care activities. It is a privilege to join this community as a new priest, as we pray and listen together for the Spirit's continued call.”

Rev. Higginbotham, his wife Lisa, and their one-year-old daughter Evelyn have purchased a home near both St. Benedict’s offices and its temporary worship site. Rev. Higginbotham can be reached at St. Benedict’s at Stuart.Higginbotham@MySaintB.org or 678-279-4303.

About St. Benedict’s

The mission of St. Benedict's Episcopal Church of Vinings & Smyrna is to come together as a community to grow in faith and share Christ’s love with an ever-changing world. St. Benedict’s also is committed to partnering with service and support organizations to improve the lives of area residents by providing both spiritual and physical assistance.

St. Benedict’s has been commissioned by the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta, J. Neil Alexander, to serve the Vinings and Smyrna area. Worship services are held each Sunday at the church’s temporary home, Campbell Middle School in Smyrna, Ga. St. Benedict’s is led by the Rev. Lang Lowery, formerly Associate Rector at St. Anne’s Atlanta.