Staff and Vestry
It is with great joy that we announce that Rev. Dr. Brandon Dasinger has accepted our call to be the next priest-in-charge at St. Andrew's Episcopal effective August 1, 2026! His faith journey brought him from the Methodist church to the Episcopal church. He was ordained as a Deacon in the Episcopal church in December 2025, and he will be ordained as a priest in the Episcopal church on June 20. His first Sunday Eucharist with us will be on August 2.
His wife, Kelli, and their three children will be joining him in Hartwell. "When we visited, we knew immediately this was the place where we were called to serve and put down roots," Rev. Dr. Dasinger told us.
We continue to pray for him, his family, and our congregation during this period of transition.
In the interim, our visiting supply priest is Rev. John S. Nieman. Father (Fr.) John will be with us until Rev. Dr. Dasinger joins us as of August 1. Fr. John has served small, medium, and large churches in New Jersey, Maine, Michigan, and South Carolina, and has been an Episcopal Priest since 1987, when he was ordained in the Diocese of Newark. For about 10 years he was rector at Holy Trinity in Clemson. In addition to ministering to various parishes, he has held significant positions in several Episcopal Dioceses including serving on the Standing Committee. The members of the “Standing Committee” of a Diocese generally serve as the chief advisors for the bishop. He is trained in interim ministry, a ministry he focused on for seven years before his retirement in 2023.
We are very blessed to have Fr. John with us during this time of transition.
Carol
Volunteer Treasurer
Blondie WillinghamParish Administrator
2026 Vestry
Left to Right:
Karen (Clerk of Vestry), Alan, Renee, Helen, Amy, Rhea (Senior Warden), Nancy, Anita, Larry (Junior Warden), Margaret, Bob
VESTRY
The vestry is the legal representative of the parish and serves as its governing body. It is composed of elected lay members who work alongside the clergy to ensure the effective operation of the church. The vestry's primary responsibilities include:
Financial Management: Overseeing the parish's finances, including budgeting and fundraising.
Property Maintenance: Caring for and maintaining church facilities and properties.
Leadership Selection: Interviewing and calling a rector, as well as electing delegates to the annual diocesan convention.
Mission Support: Helping to define and articulate the mission of the congregation and supporting its activities.
The vestry typically consists of a senior warden, junior warden, treasurer, and secretary, along with other members elected by the congregation. The senior warden often acts as a liaison between the vestry and the rector, while the junior warden may oversee property-related matters. The number of vestry members and their terms can vary by parish, but they are usually elected at the annual parish meeting.