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Clergy & Staff

Fr. John Dews returns to St. Raphael's after twelve years serving churches in Lexington, and eastern Kentucky. He was ordained to the diaconate at St. Raphael's in 1990, and served as our parish deacon for five years. After his ordination to the priesthood in 1995 he served for ten years as the rector of Ascension Church, Mt. Sterling, KY. 

John has served on the board of examining chaplains of the Diocese of Lexington, as a member of the Diocesan AIDS ministry, and as the executive director of Read With Somebody You Love, a diocesan sponsored family literacy project. He comes to St. Raphael's from a six month stint at St. Michael's Church Lexington.

 The parish office is staffed by a part-time parish administrator, Dana Martin. She has been married to her husband, Anthony for 27 years, and they have 2 children: Andrea 25, married to Jonathan Carey; and Jon-Michael 21, a junior at Central Bible College in Springfield, Missouri. Dana and Anthony serve as the Music Ministers at Trinity Assembly of God in Georgetown, where she is the choir director and pianist. She also teaches piano lessons in her home.

Dana started officially on January 2, 2003 and we are delighted to have her help in the office. She is a great asset to the staff at St. Raphael's. 

Kelin Fulkerson-Smith, a member of St. Raphael’s for approximately three years, is Director of Children’s Ministries. She holds a baccalaureate degree in psychology, with a special focus on early childhood education and development, from Eastern Kentucky University. Beyond psychology, Kelin has many interests in the humanities: from the performing and culinary arts to literature and foreign languages. 

Kelin has been married to her husband, Brett, for nearly two years. They recently adopted a dog from the Lexington Humane Society: she is named after their favorite city in Germany, Jena.

David Gierlach is the newest member of our staff. We’re delighted that he’s accepted the position as our
interim organist. He brings much joy and celebration to our worship services.

David started playing the piano as soon as he could stand up. He began 21 years of formal study in 1962, at which time he also joined the Christ Church Cathedral Boy's Choir, and he hasn't stopped singing yet.

He started studying the organ in 1967, and began playing churches almost immediately. 

David studied piano at Chautauqua, Aspen and the Cincinnati Conservatory. He has played in many denominations over the last 40 years.