Meet Us
Clergy
-
![A woman with wavy hair and purple glasses smiling in an indoor setting.]()
The Reverend Laura J. Masterson
RECTOR
Laura attended the Seminary of the Southwest and began her ministry at St. Mary and St. Martha in August of 2021. Having experience in education in her past vocation, she recognizes the value of every interaction in community. She has a passion for mobilizing the body of Christ to go where few go. She emphasizes the need for formation and energy among the laity and has a heart for care and mission...and belly laughing.Contact Mtr. Laura by email: lmasterson@smmbuford.org
-
![Illustration of a church window with a cross and a starburst pattern inside, on a red background.]()
The Reverend Alyssa Sali
CURATE REVEREND
Beginning July 1, we welcomed Alyssa Sali, a curate, to St. Mary & St. Martha for a two-year season of ministry and formation with us.
In the Episcopal Church, a curate is a newly ordained priest serving under the guidance of a rector in a parish setting. Curacies are a long-standing way the Church helps new priests grow in practical ministry, leadership, preaching, pastoral care, and the life of parish communities. Much like a residency in medicine or a supervised internship in another profession, a curacy allows a priest to continue learning while actively serving in the life of the Church.
-
![Illustration of a church window with a cross and a starburst pattern inside, on a red background.]()
The Reverend Mary Hemmer
ASSISTING PRIEST
Mary R. Hemmer (Mary R. H. Demmler) has been a priest in the Episcopal Church for more than 20 years, serving congregations from Valdosta, GA, to Arlington, VA, and several places in between. She currently lives in Gainesville on the farm that’s been in her family for over 200 years with her family.
Substack: https://prayerfulkitchen.substack.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mary.demmler
Contact Mtr. Mary by email: prayerfulkitchen@gmail.com
-
![A stylized illustration of a church window with a cross and a sunburst pattern inside, set against a red background.]()
The Reverend Deacon John Ray
DEACON
John was ordained to the diaconate in 2018 and began serving at St. Mary and St. Martha in 2024. His ministry has focused on walking with people on the margins, including those affected by poverty, mental illness, incarceration, and immigration detention. He considers it a joy to be part of the St. Mary and St. Martha community. He is married to Dr. Monica Ray, a retired middle school teacher, and knows that in their blended family of five children, five grandchildren, and five pets, simply making the list is a blessing enough.
Contact Deacon John by email: deaconjohnray@gmail.com
Staff
STAFF VOLUNTEERS
Registrar – Carole Martucci – registrar@smmbuford.org
Treasurer – Ron Petrey – treasury@smmbuford.org
STAFF
Music – Sam Ritter – music@smmbuford.org
Liturgy – Amelia Cunningham – serve@smmbuford.org
Communications – Gurj Jackson – comms@smmbuford.org
Facilities – Leslie Saunders
WARDENS
Senior Warden – Raul Rueda – raul.n.rueda@gmail.com
Junior Warden – Kim Muga – kimmuga@gmail.com
Vestry
VESTRY MEMBERS
Raul Rueda, Senior Warden
Kim Muga, Junior Warden
Mia Stojanovic
Holly Deveny
Ron Petrey
Robin Braden
Mike Cox
Heather Thomas
Cheryl Kelley
Joe Martucci
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE
Tom Draper, Chair
Ron Petrey, Treasurer
Lois Lazenby
Trevor Thomas
Keith Powell
Leo Helme
John Cole
-
In short, the Vestry guides and supports the people. While "Vestry" is an old English term, its value is essential to the life of any Episcopal parish. Meeting once a month and around a meal, our Vestry makes decisions about resources and finances, always leading as followers of Jesus. Everyone is invited to attend a Vestry meeting. Want to know more?