Priest-in-Charge: The Rev. Timothy Grayson
The Rev. Timothy H. Grayson joined St. Barnabas as Priest-in-Charge in July 2020. Tim+ was ordained to the priesthood on the eve of the Epiphany, 2008, at St. James Lafayette Square, where he served as Assistant to the Rector. He graduated with a Master in Divinity degree from Virginia Theological Seminary in May 2007. Prior to discerning his call to ordained ministry in December 2002, Tim+ worked as a newspaper reporter in New Zealand and then had a 27-year career in medical publishing, working in London and Baltimore. He returned to NZ in 2003 to begin his divinity studies at the College of St. John the Evangelist in Auckland, but then returned to the United States in 2005 to marry Kathy, whom he met just six weeks before leaving for NZ. Tim+ was previously the rector at Church of the Messiah in Baltimore, MD. He is a member of the coordinating committee of Contemplative Outreach of Maryland and Washington (COMW), a board member of Listening Hearts Ministries, and coauthor of the book, Keeping in Tune with God: Listening Hearts Discernment for Clergy. In addition to his duties at St. Barnabas, Tim+ conducts services twice a month at Copper Ridge, a residential facility for people with memory disorders, and volunteers with the Lutheran Church’s prison ministry, the St. Dysmas Community.
Diocesan Intern: Susan Mitchell
Susan Mitchell comes to St. Barnabas from St Mark’s Church in Highland. Formerly a member of the Roman Catholic Church, she was received into the Episcopal Church in 2023. Susan served as a lay, board-certified chaplain before retiring from her hospice ministry. She received a Master’s degree in Pastoral Studies and a graduate certificate in spiritual direction from the Washington Theological Union and is the author of Through the Valley: the way of the cross for the end of life, a series of meditations. Susan completed the Exploring our Baptismal Ministry program with our diocese and now begins the Discerning our Vocation semester at St. Barnabas. She periodically preached and presided at ecumenical worship at Asbury Methodist Village for more than 20 years. In her home life, Susan has been married for 44 years to Art Fraas. They have two adult children and two young grandchildren.
Music Director & Organist: Julia Colonna
Julia Colonna was born in Baltimore, Maryland of immigrant Italian parents in 1933. She attended schools in Baltimore City, including Eastern High School with its special music program of 2 music periods per day. Julia then went to Peabody Preparatory and Conservatory of Music with a major in viola. She married and had 4 children, 3 boys and 1 girl. A second marriage to Richard Thomas, in 1971, pooled two families making for a home with 7 children. Julia sang professionally at Catonsville United Methodist Church, in Ellicott City, and with the Bach Society and St. Charles Chorale. She also taught piano classes and private students. In 1973, she studied piano tuning and repair which she worked at until 1995. She began playing the organ in 1975 when she acquired a Moller Pipe organ for her home. She then played and directed choirs at Wards Chapel United Methodist Church, Sudbrook United Methodist Church as well as St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Sykesville, Maryland, St. James Episcopal Church in Mt. Airy, Maryland and Grace Episcopal in New Market, Maryland.
Parish Administrator: Susan Carmichael-Kerry
Susan Carmichael-Kerry grew up in Western Pennsylvania and holds multiple degrees, including a BS in Biology from Millersville University (PA), a BA in Music from Seton Hill University (PA), and both a Masters and Doctorate in Flute Performance from Shenandoah University (VA). Susan has taught private flute lessons over the past 20 years and currently maintains a private home studio in Woodbine called the Fluting Goat. Additionally, she has 4 years of previous church administrative experience. Susan’s family includes husband Steve, stepdaughter Caroline, daughter Leanna, son James, 3 cats, 1 dog, and many chickens. Susan can be reached by email at parish@stbarnabassykesville.org or you may call the office at 410-489-2800 to leave a message.
