Vestry

Joyce Bott (2024)

HOCO has been my church home since late 1994, when I moved from Winston Salem, NC to Charlotte, NC. I have been involved in the life of the church in many capacities: a youth leader, lector, adult choir, bell choir, on the boards of the weekday school and Endowment/Foundation, member of the search committee for our former rector David Hodges, served a prior term on our vestry, as well as participating in various outreach activities like Room In the Inn.

Personally, I am the parent to two young adults: Grace and Ruthie. Professionally, I am a health & welfare benefit consultant, advising my clients on their employee benefit package, managing the renewal cycle and financial impact of proposed changes, as well as offering employee education and communication vehicles, all while keeping in mind the client’s overall compensation strategy. I hold a bachelor’s degree from Boston University in psychology and a Masters of Business Administration from Wake Forest University.

Vestry Liaison for Finance & Administration

Carlyle Knox (2024)

Vestry Liaison for Facilities & Grounds

Jason Evans (2024)

Vestry Liaison for Parish Events – Small Groups Monthly/Weekly

Mary Amos (2025)

Over the past 40 years since Allen and I started attending Holy Comforter, I have served on the Vestry four times. I consider it an honor to serve our church in any way because I am so grateful to have this parish and it’s family in our lives.

Vestry Liaison for Women’s Ministries

Anne Binns (2025)

The Episcopal Church has been an important part of my life for as long as I can remember. I am a cradle Episcopalian, and my childhood is filled with memories of acolyting, EYC, church camp, and more. Fun fact – Ian and I met on an outreach trip with our respective college Episcopal Campus Ministries!

Tom Cooke (2025)

And a Gracious Good Day!

I grew up in the south, and actually attended elementary school and junior high school (Middle School for you young folk) here in Charlotte. After attending Chapel Hill, I moved to the Los Angeles area for about 10 years. After having had enough fun in CA, I moved back to Charlotte. I married, we had a child, Emma, and then divorced.

Shortly after that, my sister, Tammy Langley, informed me that Emma and I would be attending Holy Comforter moving forward. And she was right. We immediately found a real home with the wonderful congregation of our church. Being involved always felt right and soon I was on the “Spatula Ministry” crew helping with breakfast, and then was asked to stand for Vestry. I think I ‘lost’ that first election, but soon enough began the first of several stints on the Vestry. As time marched on, Holy Comforter remained a vital part of my life. I married Brenda Thompson at Holy Comforter, and Emma and her step-sister Tina were baptized and confirmed.

I can currently be found most Sundays at the back of the church, helping with getting our service out into “the Cloud” for folks near and far to enjoy the beauty of our church and liturgy.

Our church remains an important part of our lives, and I’m proud and honored to be asked to help again with moving our parish forward.

Vestry Liaison for Communications & Technology

Ed Gash (2023)

Ed is a cradle Episcopalian who has attended The Church of the Holy Comforter for 36 years. Ed has served on vestry, acolyte coordinator, search committee chairman, co-chaired vision and missioning of the parish, EYC Advisor, Christian Ed Teacher, Spatula ministries, and Vocare.

Kirt Hibbitts (2023)

Kirt grew up in the Episcopal church and because of multiple corporate moves, he has been a member of seven Episcopal churches. When he moved to Charlotte 20 years ago, he was warmly welcomed into Holy Comforter and quickly became engaged in multiple ministries. He has served on the vestry (Senior Warden in 2006), two capital campaigns, multiple annual giving pledge campaigns, Kanuga, Embrace special needs ministry, pastoral care, Invite Welcome Connect, Communications & Technology, and Blessings Gratitude Generosity stewardship group. He has been a lay reader for several years and volunteers each week at Loaves & Fishes.

Vestry Liaison for Pathfinders; Invite, Welcome, Connect; & Stewardship

Margaret Kahn (2024)

I moved from Oklahoma to Charlotte in June 2018 to live near my son and his family. I am blessed that Holy Comforter is now also a part of my family. I deeply love and appreciate what has become a spiritual haven for me. I have witnessed many times how “Love Grows Here”, especially through the many opportunities to serve and comfort others, to challenge spiritual growth and to address social issues.

Vestry liaison for Pastoral Care

Natlie Parker (2023)

My name is Natalie Parker. In 2005 I moved to Charlotte with my husband Reid and daughters Ellie and Emma. We visited several churches in the area and knew we found our home at Holy Comforter. That little sign out front that says “All are Welcome”, are words truly practiced here and we were warmly welcomed.

I started volunteering for Room in the Inn and soon after served as Coordinator and Co-leader for 6 plus years. I was a preschool teacher at Holy Comforter Weekday School for 7 years and a school board member for 3 years. I’ve been a Children’s Chapel Leader and member of the Parish Life Committee. I have appreciated the opportunities at Holy Comforter to lead a purposeful life of serving others and enjoying the fellowship with my church family.

Vestry Liaison for Hispanic/Latinx Ministries

Bob Murphy (2025)

I have been a member of Holy Comforter since 1986, shortly after Camilla and I moved our family to Charlotte. We raised our family at Holy Comforter and have been faithful supporters of the Church during the 36 years since then.

Vestry Liaison for Parish Events - Large Annual

John Snelsire

John came to Holy Comforter in 2003. His very first experience was warm, and he immediately knew this was his spiritual home. Holy Comforter also provides him with many ways of volunteering through Invite/Welcome/Connect, The Spatula Ministry, Room at the Inn, and Beth’s Book Club to name a few. John served as UNC Charlotte’s Associate/Interim Alumni Director and is a member of several non-profit boards in Charlotte.

“Peter 4:10 is one of my favorite verses - Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. I have received many gifts from God, and I welcome the opportunity to use them serving Holy Comforter’s Vestry in whatever manner is helpful.”

Vestry Liaison for Outreach Ministries

Nikki Manke (2023)

Karen Crane