Clergy

The Rev. Chip Edens, Rector A native of Virginia, Chip grew up in Richmond and spent his summers on the Chesapeake Bay. He attended Hampden-Sydney College, and Yale Divinity School. Chip has served parishes in Virginia, Connecticut, Georgia, and Texas.  Chip is married to Beverly. They have three children. He enjoys fly-fishing, golf, and tennis.

The Rev. Martha H. Hedgpeth, Associate Rector for Mission and Outreach A native North Carolinian who grew up at Christ Church, Marty Hedgpeth returned here as Associate Rector in 1996 after spending 31 years in New England. She graduated from Smith College in 1975 and pursued her goal of being a journalist by working for the Vineyard Gazette on Martha's Vineyard, MA and serving as Communications Director at St. James' Church, NYC. After graduating from Yale Divinity School in 1982, Marty served parishes in NYC, Wellesley, MA, and Newington, CT. Her greatest passion in ministry is the spiritual development of faith through education and action. Her great passions in life include traveling, especially to Scotland (and now Italy after her sabbatical trip), movie-going, reading, and spending time with Sweetie, her golden retriever.

The Rev. Wm. Verdery Kerr, Associate Rector for Newcomers and Hospitality North Carolina born-and-bred and educated mostly within the Tar Heel state (both inside and beyond classrooms), Verdery has been ordained clergy 30 years. His path to becoming clergy was circuitous and gradual at best. The Lord was ever patient, forbearing and persistent. He has been an associate with clergy staffs in the Midwest and in NC. He had stints of 7 1/2 years each as rector of congregations in those settings, too. After 7 years with Christ Church and 33 years of marriage with Mary Ann, it appears that their two children are currently well situated. Elizabeth (24) is beginning the second year at the University of California at Santa Barbara in a generously-funded masters/doctoral program in religious studies. Benjamin (22) begins the first full year at Jacksonville University in Florida where he is a senior academically and a junior athletically with the baseball program. Verdery rejoices that on their own his two regularly attend worship in Episcopal congregations. Mary Ann, with a Masters in Community Health nursing, does front-line work inside the Department of Social Services directly with and on behalf of foster children. Verdery's interests include exercise, reading and attending as many of his son's baseball games as possible.

The Rev. Lisa G. Saunders, Associate Rector for Congregational Care A tarheel born and bred, the Rev. Lisa G. Saunders has served at Christ Church for nearly 15 years, the last 11 being on a part-time basis. Lisa was graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and then the Virginia Theological Seminary in 1984. Before coming to Charlotte, she worked in parishes in Alexandria, Virginia, and Miami, Florida.  Lisa's husband, Tim Saunders, is a pediatric ophthalmologist in town, and they have three children. Reading, tennis, walking two dogs and attending children's sporting events are favorite activities.

The Rev. John Porter-Acee, Assistant to the Rector for Youth Ministry John Porter-Acee was born in Asheville, NC, and moved to Charlotte with his family in 1980. The early part of his Christian formation occurred in such places as Kanuga, Brown Summit, and St. Martin’s, Charlotte, where he was a member with his family for some 18 years. John graduated from Garinger High School and went on to receive a BA in Economics from UNC Chapel Hill. During his years at Chapel Hill, John developed a rich relationship with the Trinity Camp and Conference Center in the Diocese of East Carolina where he worked each summer as a camp counselor. After graduating from Carolina he accepted a position on the East Coast to serve on the Trinity Center Staff with the Sound to Sea Environmental Education Program. John transferred his membership from St. Martin’s, Charlotte, to St. Francis by the Sea, Salter Path, which would be his sponsoring parish through Virginia Theological Seminary. While studying at VTS John married his life-long best friend and sweetheart, Whitney. They are enjoying being back in Charlotte with their families and in their first home together. Both of the Porter-Acees love all activities that are related to watching or playing any sport and will welcome all invitations to join their new friends and family at Christ Episcopal Church in doing so!