These are the nominees for vestry.

Susan Hardtner Atkins

God blessed me with a wonderful husband 35 years ago.  When asked how he found the Episcopal church he always responds, “I married the Episcopal Church!” He married a cradle Episcopalian, who was baptized, confirmed and married at St. Mark’s Cathedral in Shreveport, Louisiana. The first chapter of my life, from childhood to early adulthood, took place in that community. I went to school at St. Marks, Sunday School, Choir and EYC. Later, I worked as the Assistant Director of the After-School Enrichment Program, as well as a Kindergarten teacher. I was trained as a Stephen’s Minister and was instrumental in the formation of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.  St. Mark’s Cathedral was my home. I never anticipated leaving the beloved community that shaped the first 30 years of my life.

God had a different trajectory for my family.  For that, and with lots of hindsight, I will be forever grateful.  As my husband built his career, our family moved.  With each move, I found comfort in the Episcopal Church.  I was a Sunday School teacher and involved in various capacities with the ECW at Christ Church in Tyler, Texas.  I held a board position at All Saints Episcopal School, an affiliate of Christ Church, and was Chairman of the school’s Christian Environment Committee.  I served as a Lay Eucharistic Minister and a volunteer on the Altar Guild at St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Amarillo, Texas.  I was on the St. Andrews Episcopal School Board serving as Secretary and later as President.  I also held board positions on the Amarillo College Foundation Board and the Austin School Excellence Council.  My husband, Gordon, and I served on the John Hopkins Parent’s Council and the Millsaps Parent Leadership Council.

God always puts me in the right place.  My family had a summer house in Covington. Growing up, my fondest memories were coming to Covington. We attended Christ Church every Easter and many times in the summer. In this last chapter of my life, God returned my family to our favorite place, Covington and Christ Episcopal Church. Since joining the Church officially as an adult, I have served on the Higher Ground Committee and the Vestry Nominating Committee. I am currently in my second year of EFM. I have been trained in Walking the Mourner’s Path and am a facilitator for the current class.  I am serving as the Wedding Co-Coordinator for the Church and will be a member of Daughters of the King.  I am also the Vice-Chair of the Endowment Board and the upcoming Chair in 2025.

God’s direction and guidance continue to give me immeasurable blessings. I am very excited about the trajectory of Christ Episcopal Church and believe the clergy we have been given are true gifts.  To serve Christ Episcopal Church, its clergy and its parishioners would be a great honor and privilege.  I am humbled to be nominated to serve on the Vestry.  If elected, with God’s help, I will commit my time, talents, and blessings in service to this beautiful church and community we all call HOME.

Kathy Dobie

My name is Katherine Womack Dobie. I was born in Jackson, MS. I have been married to David Ott Dobie, a Louisiana native, for 27 years.

We have three children.  Our oldest is Kimberly Ann, a third-year Biomedical engineering student at Rochester Institute of Technology in New York. Our middle child is Conner Monroe. He is a senior at St Paul’s.  After he graduates this May, he is going to the United States Coast Guard Academy in Connecticut. Our caboose is Emma Catherine. She goes to Mandeville High School and is a sophomore. Emma enjoys being an acolyte here at Christ Episcopal Church and being in the youth group. Conner & Emma attended Christ Episcopal for middle school here in Covington. All three of our children have been baptized and raised in the Episcopal church.

After David and I graduated from Nurse Anesthesia school in 2001, we moved from New Orleans to the northwest. Enjoying the outdoors was important to us but finding the right church together was our priority. The kindness and hospitality we received from St. Michael’s was sincere and unforgettable.

David and I were confirmed in 2003 at Saint Michael’s Cathedral of the Rockies in Boise, Idaho. Our love and appreciation of the Episcopalian faith runs deep with gratitude. Being an adventurous couple who love to travel, we have had the opportunity to be members of three Episcopal churches throughout the country. David has served as a vestry member in the past. We truly have been surrounded by good people for years enriched in our faith. Being at Christ Episcopal Church now for over ten years has been fulfilling and a blessing. The parishioners here have always been warm and welcoming.

As a full-time nurse anesthetist (and being married to one) it has been challenging to stay involved and present in the church. David and I also have a small business as well for in-office anesthesia. To say life has been busy is an understatement. However, now that our children are older, the opportunity to serve has presented itself, and I am truly excited for the chance to move forward and represent the lay ministry.

I am filled with joy and look forward to serving Christ Episcopal. Thank you for trusting in me to serve you.

Ted White

My professional career began when I graduated in 1980 from Tulane with a Master of Architecture degree. After working at an award-winning national firm and then opening my own firm, I decided I needed a more sustainable career.  So in 1989, I obtained my law degree from Loyola Law School and began my legal career in the construction law section of Deutsch, Kerrigan & Stiles in New Orleans.  As it turned out, my architectural experience proved very helpful in my legal practice.

During my time as a lawyer, I had the honor of sitting on several architecture related boards of directors, including the national board of the American Institute of Architects.  My committee work while serving on that board further enhanced my understanding of the intricate relationship between design/construction and the law.

Eventually, after a long and satisfying legal career, I retired to our horse farm in Folsom where Lolly, my patient wife of 43 years, and I spend our time taking care of our horses, dogs and a sometimes-feral barn cat.

On the personal side, Lolly and I moved to Covington from New Orleans in 1990 and luckily discovered Christ Episcopal Church shortly thereafter.  One of the things that drew us in was the opportunity to worship in the chapel.  For us, the intimate and historic setting felt palpably holy, and the fellow parishioners who worshiped there were so welcoming that we knew we had found our new spiritual home.

Over the last 34 years, our faith has grown and deepened, partly because the parishioners have always been so friendly and welcoming, partly because the clergy have created an atmosphere consistent with the precepts of the Episcopal Church, and partly because there is an indescribable aura of holiness when we worship there that brings us peace, comfort, and a feeling that we are truly in God’s house.

Now that I am retired and have shed the many distractions and obligations associated with an active litigation practice, I have had time to evaluate my relationship with Christ Episcopal Church.  I believe that the nominating committee’s faith in me has opened a door for me to walk through and answer God’s call to service.  I would be honored to serve on the Vestry and, among other things, work to preserve the historic Covington campus and serve the holy community that is Christ Episcopal Church Covington.

Laura Williams

I am a cradle Episcopalian, growing up in Oceanside, CA. I received my BS degree in 1977 from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, CA.

My path to Louisiana was via California to Colorado working in Aerospace for Lockheed Martin.  I transitioned to a small consulting firm in 1994 as a project management professional. My position started as a Project Management consultant and trainer for a variety of companies both in person and virtual. My career ended with EDG, Inc, as a Project Controls Supervisor and Project Risk Analyst. I provided Project Management professional services for projects in the oil and gas arena, based in the U.S. as well as in Madagascar and Angola. Although retired, I maintain my PMP (Project Management Professional) certification.

I retired from full time work in 2018. It became my mission to merge my professional background with my calling to serve our CECC family, while deepening and strengthening my faith journey. I chaired and co-chaired Jazz in January for 4 years. That ministry cemented the fact that it truly takes a village. Christ Episcopal Church volunteers are the best, most dedicated volunteers on the planet and make godly things happen. An even bigger revelation occurred from this experience, church doesn’t just happen on Sundays. We are God’s hands and feet, and need to use our gifts to help in whatever ways we can, as often as we can.

With this experience in mind and during my first term on the vestry, I have chaired the Missions and Ministries committee, served as Junior Warden, and currently hold the position of Senior Warden. These roles have allowed me to not only support our church in its various endeavors, but also begin to forge relationships with the Christwood Retirement Community and Christ Episcopal School boards.

Aside from my position as a vestry member, I also serve on the Lay Pastoral Ministry (LPM) team, am a Eucharistic Minister, Lector, and member of the Livestreaming team. I am co-founder of the Funeral Guild, a member of the Adult Formation Committee, Renewal Works committee, Prayer Shawl ministry, and am an Education for Ministry (EfM) graduate. I also have been a CEEP volunteer on the knitting team, teaching fiber arts to the CEEP students.

Lessons learned and knowledge gained from my vestry experience has been humbling. It has been my honor to serve our church. I appreciate being granted the opportunity to run for a second term on the CECC vestry. I believe that continuity on the vestry will provide stability and consistency for our congregation, as well as for our relationships with Christwood and Christ Episcopal School. I am eager to continue serving our whole church community with diligence, compassion, and integrity.

I have been married to my very patient and supportive husband, Brian, for almost 25 years. We moved to Covington from Lakeview, post Katrina, and were blessed with the discovery of this wonderful church home and community. We are the proud parents of two Labrador Retrievers and have a variety of outdoor hobbies – with a little (or a lot of!) knitting thrown in for balance.