The Rev. Canon Patricia (Pat) Grace
Interim Rector
It is with great joy that we welcome The Rev. Canon Patricia (Pat) Grace as our new Interim Rector at St. John’s. Rev. Pat brings to us a wealth of experience in guiding parishes through seasons of transition, having served as Interim Rector in a wide range of congregations across North Carolina and beyond.
Pat most recently served Emmanuel Church in Southern Pines (2022–2023), where she provided interim leadership to a vibrant parish of 600 communicants. Prior to that, she was Interim Rector at St. Stephen’s in Durham, Holy Trinity in Greensboro, and Good Shepherd in Raleigh. Her leadership has consistently helped congregations navigate times of change with grace, faithfulness, and renewed purpose.
In addition to her parish ministry, Rev. Pat served as Canon to the Ordinary in the Diocese of East Tennessee from 2013–2018, overseeing transition ministry, Safe Church programs, and diocesan conventions. She is a certified interim (2016), a licensed spiritual director, and a clergy/life coach.
St. John’s Episcopal Church continues to actively search for our next permanent Rector. As a parish, we are thoughtfully discerning our vision for the future and selecting the leader who will guide us forward. Throughout this transition, all church services and events will continue as scheduled, and St. John’s remains a vibrant, welcoming community for all.
For updates on the search process, please visit the Transition Tab on our website.
The Rev. Mawethu Ncaca
Associate Rector
The Rev. Mawethu Ncaca comes to us as Associate Rector from the Reimagining Curacies program after having served at St. John’s, Wake Forest, St. Titus’, Durham, and The Chapel of the Cross, Chapel Hill. Born and raised in South Africa, he received a Master of Philosophy (Religion and Culture) at Stellenbosch University. After years in campus ministry and some NGO work forging church partnerships across racial and economic lines, Mawethu relocated to the US with his wife and two sons. He enjoys running and soccer.
Mawethu is encouraged by St. John’s love of outreach ministries, deliberately making space for intergenerational ministries, and creating healthy systems for growing the church.
Karole Badgley
Director of Music Ministry &
Tapestry Intergenerational Service
From performing on concert stages throughout the United States, Europe, Scandinavia and Asia; to teaching on faculties at West Coast colleges and universities; to serving in music ministry at churches in the Midwest, West and East Coasts; Karole Badgley is one diverse, eclectic lady. With multiple undergraduate and graduate performance degrees, she is thrilled to share her lifetime commitment to worship and music with the congregation of St. John’s Episcopal Church!
Barbara Kwiatek
Ministry Coordinator
Barbara Kwiatek joined our staff at St. John’s in April 2011 after relocating with her family from New Jersey. She graduated from William Paterson University with a B.A. Degree in Psychology with a concentration in Human Resources, and an A.A. Degree in Sociology.
Barbara lives in Wake Forest, NC with her husband Walter and her two cats, Mr. Dapper & Sampson. Barbara loves reading mystery books, watching movies, cooking and eating popcorn! She has two adult children, Paige and Justin. Barbara’s family feels blessed to be active members of St. John’s Church.
Mike Phelps
Youth Director
I went to graduate school to study the Old Testament, but rather than becoming a professor, I started a non-profit organization, the Early Manuscripts Electronic Library (EMEL) that applies digital imaging technologies to ancient manuscripts. I am often in the Middle East and Europe working with ancient and medieval manuscripts.
Christie Heynen
Preschool Director
Christie Heynen joined the Preschool in June 2024, after serving six years as a kindergarten teacher in the Wake County Public School System. Christie graduated from East Carolina University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education, as well as a Master’s Degree in Reading Education, with a certification in AIG (Academically and Intellectually Gifted) Education. Before her career as a mother and teacher, Christie worked as an Inside Sales Account Manager for a document imaging distribution company in MD for six years.
Originally from the Washington DC area, Christie, husband Jeff, and children Ben, Cate, and Natalie reside in Wake Forest and have been St. John’s parishioners since 2018. In her spare time, Christie enjoys walking, traveling, spending time at the beach, and cheering on her kids as they dance, swim, and play basketball.
Mynn Paige
Bookkeeper
Mynn Paige has been a member of St. John’s since 1993, when she and her husband moved to Raleigh. After an expatriate stint in Denmark and the birth of two sons, she spent 15 years running a home quilting business and volunteering as a treasurer for her sons’ elementary school, Cub Scout, and Boy Scout groups.
Educated and trained as a Registered Dietitian, she taught Nutrition at Wake Tech Community College for four years prior to the “covid” years. At St. John’s, she has served on the Vestry, Altar and Flower Guilds, and is an active member of the Outreach committee, serving regularly at Wake Forest Community Table.
In her spare time, Mynn enjoys quilting, knitting, cooking, and gardening. She’s thankful to be able to exercise but would not list it as a joy unless it’s outside. She loves change and the new experiences it brings, which now includes keeping the books for St. Johns!
Our Bishops
The Rt. Rev. Sean Rowe
Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church
The Rt. Rev. Samuel Rodman
XII Bishop Diocesan of North Carolina
XII Bishop Diocesan of North Carolina
The Rt. Rev. Jennifer Brooke-Davidson
Assistant Bishop
Assistant Bishop