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. Robin Teasley, Interim Assistant to the Rector
We are pleased to announce that the Rev. Robin Teasley has begun her ministry as Assistant to the Rector at St. John's. She will be serving part time February through April, and and will step in full time during Amelie's Sabbatical that will begin on May 1 and conclude on Sept. 6. We hope you will extend her a warm welcome at our Pancake Supper on Feb. 13 our at our Ash Wednesday services on February 14.
Robin is a Richmond native and has lived in Indiana and Tennessee. She is a graduate of Catawba College in Salisbury, North Carolina with a degree in Chemistry. She received her Master of Divinity degree from Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond and a Certificate for Anglican Studies from Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, Virginia. Robin is certified for intentional interim ministry by the Center for Congregational Health at Wake Forest University.
Raised in the Baptist Church, Robin fell in love with liturgical worship while attending St. Gertrude High School. Since ordination in 2011, she has served churches in Blackstone, Petersburg, and the Richmond area. Robin loves preaching, teaching in small groups, and pastoral care. Contemplative prayer keeps her grounded.
Robin and her husband Paul have three children. Their granddaughter lives in St. Louis, so they travel there frequently. When not at church, Robin enjoys time with family and friends, reading, and meditative walking. On a warm, sunny day she is likely to be found on a beach.
The Rev. Anne Lane Witt, Children’s Ministry
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.