Saint John’s Church Staff
The Rev. Amelie A. Wilmer, Rector
The Rev. Amelie A. Wilmer began her ministry at St. John’s in June of 2017. Prior to her arrival, she served for five years as the vicar of All Souls Episcopal Church, Mechanicsville. She received her Post-graduate Degree in Anglican Studies from Virginia Theological Seminary and her Master of Divinity from Union Presbyterian Seminary, and was ordained to the priesthood in 2011.
Amelie also holds degrees in Economics/Political Science and Art History from Yale University. In addition to her previous career in banking, she is a past president of the Junior League of Richmond, former chair of the Carver Promise and board member of the Urban League of Greater Richmond, and graduate of Leadership Metro Richmond. She served on the Executive Board of the Diocese of Virginia from 2013-2015, the Editorial Review Board of the Interpretation Journal of Bible and Theology from 2014-2021, and currently serves on the board of ReWork Richmond.
Amelie is devoted to her three sons: Channing, Turner, and Carter, who live in San Francisco.
Amelie is an avid long-distance runner and dedicated to her yoga practice. She and her family enjoy travel, hiking, art, good books, and annual pilgrimages to Burning Man in the Nevada desert. She resides in Richmond.
The Rev. Anthony Gaboton, Jr., Associate Rector
Anthony helps to plan and lead worship services and plays a key role in nurturing our Young People’s Ministry, providing support to families, children, and youth. He also contributes to adult faith formation and pastoral care ministries, as well as to the leadership of our Outreach and Justice ministries.
In addition to serving half-time at St. John’s, Anthony is part-time Vicar at Calvary Episcopal Church in Hanover County and assisting the Diocese of Virginia with the Phoebe School for Deacons.
Anthony entered into the priesthood in January 2024. Although newly ordained, he has several years of ministerial experience, including a residency at Richmond Hill (a spiritual retreat center and monastery), hospital chaplaincy, and youth ministry.
In 2023, Anthony completed a year of Anglican Studies at Virginia Theological Seminary. He is also an alumnus of Oral Roberts University and holds an M.Div. from Union Theological Seminary in New York and a Th.M. from Candler School of Theology at Emory University.
As the son of a military veteran, Anthony has lived in many places but spent most of his life in Virginia. In his spare time, he enjoys bike rides, chess, sports, yoga, sunsets, and has recently started DJing as a hobby.
The Rev. Anne Lane Witt, Children’s Chaplain
Born and raised in Richmond, Virginia, Anne Lane is a lifelong Episcopalian. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Art History from the University of Virginia and her Master of Divinity from The General Theological Seminary in New York City.
Anne Lane joined us in October 2014 and is thrilled to see Children’s Chapel continue to grow. She also works for the American Red Cross as a data steward and as a client specialist for Talbots. She loves a good cup of coffee, art museums, reading, cooking, and visiting her beloved pandas in D.C.
Patty Duffy, Parish Administrator
Parish Administrator Patty Duffy joined the staff of St. John’s Episcopal Church after a 16-year teaching career. She has a B.A. in English from the University of Virginia and a B.S. in English Education from Virginia Commonwealth University. She is an active member of St. James’s Episcopal Church, where she sings in the Parish Choir, serves as a certified Stephen Ministry Leader, and facilitates Sacred Ground dialogues. She is an avid beagle owner and currently owns two, Phineas and Phripp.
Curtis Sydnor, Minister of Music
Curt Sydnor is a keyboardist and church musician with a background in classical music and jazz. He has a predilection for arranging and composition (including choral work), and a love for the pipe organ.
Curt is a graduate of Vanderbilt University and has received advanced degrees in piano from the Russian Academy of Music and Indiana University.
Curt moved to Richmond in 2019 and has performed locally with different groups while serving as Minister of Music at Emmanuel Episcopal Church at Brook Hill (2019-2022). Curt teaches at Greenspring Academy of Music in the West End and the Fan. He was named 2022 Featured Composer by Classical Revolution, a non-profit which programs classical music around Richmond in non-traditional spaces.
He lives in Richmond with his wife and two children.
The Rev. Deacon JD Dickinson, Deacon
JD Dickinson recently completed his internship at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Richmond, and his training at the St. Phoebe’s School. JD is also a life professed Franciscan. While a member at Christ Church, Glen Allen, he participated in a prison ministry program at Beaumont Learning Center focused on parenting skills. Many of you had an opportunity to meet JD during our collaborations with St. Peter's for our Juneteenth Celebrations and for our Lent programming.
He lives in Powhatan with his wife, Wendy, and their Rottweiler, Samson. Wendy and JD have two daughters, Hillary Hellman (who resides in Norfolk) and Anne Marie (Goochland). JD has worked in investment banking for about 30 years, and his current firm is Dickinson Williams & Co., located in Shockoe Slip.
Cabell Jones, Deacon Intern
Cabell Jones, is serving as a deacon intern at St. John's until Spring of 2023 as part of her formation for the diaconate .
Cabell is a cradle Episcopalian and Richmond native. She became a postulant in June 2022 and currently attends St. Phoebe’s School for Deacons. Her sending parish is St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Goochland. While at St. Mary’s Cabell completed Education for Ministry (EfM) and participated in a variety of ministries including serving as a Lay Eucharistic Minister and as a member of a pastoral care team.
Cabell has worked as a real estate paralegal for many years. She currently works at the law firm of Williams Mullen. She lives in Henrico with her miniature labradoodle, Ellie.