Working Together for a Purpose Bigger Than Ourselves

Our team

THE REVEREND

Peter Kuria, Vicar

Father Peter Kuria, originally from Kenya, embarked on his theological journey in 1994 at the Church Army College. Ordained as a Deacon in the Anglican Church of Kenya in 1997, he served as a parish priest there until 2005. Seeking further education, he pursued a Masters of Divinity at Memphis Theological Seminary from 2006 to 2008. Licensed as a Priest in the Diocese of West Tennessee in 2006, he served as an assistant priest at Grace St. Luke and St. John's Episcopal Churches until 2009. Returning to Kenya, he served as a supply priest and Director of Theological Education. Since 2016, Father Kuria has been the Vicar/Supply Priest at Saint Paul Episcopal Church in Mason, Tennessee, while also dedicating his time to serving as a Palliative Care Chaplain at LeBonheur Children's Hospital in Memphis.

SENIOR WARDEN

Swazoo Claybon Jr.

Swazoo Claybon, Jr. is a Life-long Episcopalian, Senior Warden, Lay Reader and Lay Eucharistic Minister at St. Paul Episcopal Church. He is a member of the Diocesan Standing Committee and President of The Rt. Rev. Bishop Edward Thomas Demby Union of Black Episcopalians (UBE) local chapter. 

JUNIOR WARDEN

Sherrick Hayes

Sherrick G. Hayes is an Army retired veteran.  While in the army, he was in charge of fueling aircrafts.  Sherrick is a cradle Episcopalian. He was raised in the St. Paul Episocpal Church and still attends with his family. He enjoys raising German shepherd dogs and growing flowers. Doing things outdoors is his joy. While at St. Paul Episcopal Church, he is the Junior Warden.

SECRETARY

Felisha Sharpe

Hello, I am Felisha Sharp, a cradle and faithful member of St. Paul
Episcopal Church, Mason, TN. I started from a multi-generation of
Episcopalians (Grandfather and Mother). I currently serve as the Church, Mission Council, and ECW Secretary. I take the leadership role of the “Taste of Excellence” organizer, preparer, and caterer for all events representing St. Paul. I enhance Sunday fellowship with morning breakfast every Sunday. I serve as a lay reader on second and fourth Sundays. St Paul exemplifies a family of love, peace, and joy.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY

Esther Cochran

Esther Cochran  is a member of St. Paul Episcopal Church, a small family-oriented place to worship.  She is a lay reader, a mission council member, and she sends out a weekly church program for our members and visitors who wish to worship with us online. She also sends out a daily scripture for parishioners and community friends.  

TREASURER

Faye Knight

Faye Taylor-Knight is a Cradle Episcopalian, and she serves as Treasurer at St. Paul Episocpal Church. She was raised as a member at St. Paul until she went away to college. After living in other states,  nine years ago, she returned to rejoin the congregation.

ASSISTANT TREASURER

Daphine Smith

Daphine Smith, a faithful member of St. Paul Episcopal Church, Mason, TN. for more than twenty years. Her father was a true to heart Episcopalian. She serves as the Church Assistant Treasurer and Treasurer of Episcopal Church Women. She takes pride in amplifying the beautification of the Church, Parish and cemetery. She is a lay reader and takes the lead role with reciting the Nicene Creed every Sunday. Daphine shares that St Paul is a Church that signifies unity.