Fr. Ron
Reverend Dr. Ronald B. Taylor
canismajorm41@yahoo.com
The Reverend Dr. Ron Taylor has been the rector at St. Peter by-the-Lake since August 1st 1996. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Services from Wingate University, a Master of Divinity Degree from the School of Theology at the University of South, and a Doctor of Ministry Degree also from the University of the South.
Father Ron is married to Karen and they have two adult children, Matthew and Caitlin. Father Ron’s hobbies include reading, tennis, astronomy and music.
“I believe that being a follower of Jesus means putting what we say we believe into some form of concrete action in the world. Loving God and neighbor means far more than ‘belief’ in a set of creeds or principles…it means ‘following’. Whether it’s visiting the sick and shut-in, or serving meals to the hungry, or working with children and youth, or hammering nails…every one of us has been given a gift of ministry. We are all called to find those gifts and to use them for the building up of Christ’s Kingdom.”
Fr. Nick
Rev. Nick McDonald
nickmcd@spbtl.com
The Reverend Nick McDonald has been the assisting priest at St. Peter by-the-Lake since January 1, 2026. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Loyola University of Maryland and a Master of Divinity degree from Virginia Theological Seminary, which included a year of study at Berkeley Divinity School at Yale University.
Ordained in 1984, Father Nick’s ministry has been equally shared between congregations and health care chaplaincy, in settings ranging from rural to urban and birthplace to hospice. He has also had an ongoing ministry among first responders since he became a certified firefighter as a rector in his first parish
Father Nick is married to Jan and they have two adult daughters, Meghan and Lauren, who live in Maiden, NC and Richmond, VA, respectively. Father Nick’s interests in retirement include bicycling, playing the electric bass, working in his home shop, traveling with Jan and family, and singing in the Chancel Choir at Saint Peter.
Taking inspiration from the patronal feast of Alcuin of York, Deacon and Abbot, which marks Father Nick’s ordination anniversary as a priest, he endeavors to minister by following these essential verses from Saint Alcuin’s prayer:
“God go with us . . .
Give us open hands and joyful hearts.
Let Christ be on our lips.
May our lives reflect a love of truth and compassion . . .
Let us sow living seeds, words that are quick with life,
that faith may be the harvest in people’s hearts . . . Amen.”
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The Rt. Rev. José A. McLoughlin was consecrated as the seventh bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina on October 1, 2016. Prior to his election as bishop of the diocese of Western North Carolina, McLoughlin served as the Canon to the Ordinary and Chief-of-Staff for the Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma since 2008.
Ordained in 2005, McLoughlin earned his Masters in Divinity from Virginia Theological Seminary and Bachelor of Arts from the University of Central Florida. Prior to his call to the priesthood, McLoughlin worked in the criminal justice field serving in the State of Florida as a police officer and in the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. in various capacities, most recently as the special assistant/senior advisor to the assistant attorney general.
McLoughlin and his wife Laurel have been married for 23 years, and together have two children, Alexander, 17, and Alyson, 14. Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, McLoughlin is bilingual, enjoys music, playing the drums, and studying 18th century American history.
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Sherree Brady Financial Administrator
Jim Heil Treasurer
Kate D'Amato Parish Administrator
Ginia Edwards Director of Christian Formation
David Wilcox Organist & Director of Music
VESTRY MEMBERS
Vestry Members
Stephanie Heil, Senior Warden
s_heil72@yahoo.com
Mary Sansbury, Junior Warden
marswim03@gmail.com
Tracey Engel, Pat Higbie, Steve Hiney, Gary Jarvis, Connie Mathis, Michele Moss, John Stewart
Daphne Wagner, Clerk of the Vestry
SPBTL STAFF
We are here to help serve the parish and our community. Please reach out if you have an inquiry.
David Wilcox
David Wilcox has enjoyed a fulfilling career as a fulltime church musician (1976-2020) leading large multi-choir music programs. He was a guest lecturer at the University level and conducted community choirs, including an auditioned Boychoir for 17 seasons.
His choirs have appeared by invitation at the South Carolina Chapter of American Choral Directors’ conventions.
David "retired" the end of 2020 and returned “home” to enjoy his family home on Lake Norman. He was Music Director and Organist at St. Mark's Epicopal Church in Gastonina prior to joining the staff at The Episcopal Church of St. Peter by-the-Lake.
He also serves on the Executive Board of the Charlotte Chapter of the American Guild of Organists and has assisted the East Lincoln Community Chorus as accompanist and conductor. David is a graduate of ELHS ’72, Brevard College, Queens University of Charlotte, and Bob Jones University. He has 3 adult children and 5 grandchildren.
His passion is leading and equipping God's people, the Church, to grow in the grace God has given them to be discipes and make God known.
Ginia Edwards
Ginia Edwards is our Christian Formation Director and a force of nature!
Kate D'Amato
Kate has been with St. Peter by-the-Lake since 2012 as Office Manager & Parish Administrator, overseeing all of the administrative functions in the office. She is the friendly voice that will most likely greet you when you call or visit the office.
Kate grew up in Connecticut, but has been a 'southerner' since 1998 when she moved south with her husband, Dan, and three children.In her free time, she enjoys traveling, lake time, reading, and, most importantly, spending time with family and friends.
Sherree Brady
Ms. Sherree Brady has been with St. Peter by-the-Lake for ....