The Rev. Tom Barnett is St. Andrew’s Priest in Charge. Fr. Tom is a retired priest who has worked in settings from the Air National Guard, from which he retired as a Colonel in 2006, to parishes in Wisconsin, Ohio, and most recently, North Carolina. His experience includes work with a wide range of congregations in rebuilding and revitalizing their ministries. Fr. Tom holds an M.Div. from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, CA; a D.Min. in theology and ministry from the University of the South; and a Ph.D. in church history and theology from Saint Louis University. His continuing studies have included work in family systems, lifelong Christian formation, homiletics, and stewardship.We are delighted to have him  among us at St. Andrew’s. In addition to Sundays, Fr. Tom is typically in the office on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Benjamin Gessner has been a parish organist for nine years. From 2019-2021, he served as the Director of Music of St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church and the Lutheran Church of Our Saviour, Albany, GA. Originally from the Hudson Valley, NY, Benjamin was baptized into the United Methodist Church, and confirmed in the Reformed Church of America. He has played for Episcopal, Lutheran, Methodist, Reformed, and Roman Catholic communities.

Benjamin completed an M.M. at Mercer University in May 2021, studying organ with Dr. Jack Mitchener and church music with Dr. Nathan Myrick. Previous organ teachers include John Rose and Christopher Houlihan at Trinity College, CT. At Mercer, Benjamin was named as a fellow on the Music and Human Flourishing Research Project, funded by a Vital Worship Grant from the Calvin Institute for Christian Worship. Under the supervision of Dr. Myrick, he co-authored a chapter for the forthcoming Oxford Handbook of Community Singing. Benjamin’s academic interests include ritual studies, Episcopal liturgical revision, and communal authenticity.

When not at the console, Benjamin can be found poring over theological commentaries (or hymnals, or prayer books), going for short hikes, or just watching Netflix.

Casie Groover joined the staff of St. Andrew’s in the Pines in July 2015 as our part-time Parish Administrator.

Casie Groover lives in Peachtree City with her husband, Bert and two children, Mayson and Marian. Casie has a bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance from Columbus State University and sings with the choir at St. Paul’s, Newnan and around the community. She enjoys reading, doing puzzles of all kinds, and exploring the cart paths with her family. Before coming to Peachtree City, Casie worked in the office of Trinity Episcopal, Columbus for eight years.