We are very sad to be saying goodbye to the Rev. Ryan Streett and Jo Hethcox, but we wish them the very best and pray God's blessings on them as the embark on the next chapters of their lives.

Let us welcome to the team the Rev. Justin Hare and Chris Walchesky, who will be filling those open positions, and Joy Avera, who has filled a new administrative opening.

O Lord our heavenly Father, whose blessed Son came not to be served, but to serve: We ask you to bless all who, following in his steps, give themselves to the service of others; endue them with wisdom, patience, and courage, that they may strengthen the weak and raise up those who fall, and, being inspired by your love, may worthily minister to the suffering, the friendless, and the needy; for the sake of him who laid down his life for us, your Son our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

––The Book of Common Prayer (2019), page 660

Justin is a native of Charleston, SC, where he attended St. Michael’s Church with his family as a youth and graduated from Porter-Gaud School in 2005. He was a member of the men’s golf team at Duke University, and he earned a BA in History in 2009. After returning to Charleston, he met his wife, Molly, and they married in December 2010. Justin served as the Youth Minister at St. Michael’s Church before attending seminary in 2013. He received his Master of Divinity from Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia in 2017 and was called to start a college ministry at Clemson University in partnership with the Coalition for Christian Outreach (CCO) and Christ the Redeemer Anglican Church. He has since become a bandwagon Clemson fan, and he enjoys watching Clemson football and Duke basketball when he is not reading or teaching golf to his two children (Graceanna, 6; Lawrence “Law,” 4).

Justin is passionate about seeing the gospel of Jesus Christ take root in people’s hearts so that they might love and follow Him in every area of their lives. He is thrilled to join the staff at St. Philip’s Church and to serve diligently to the glory of God.

Chris Walchesky, a native of Pittsburgh and a sinner saved by Christ’s redeeming work, has served as a parish musician for over 15 years. He studied at Grove City College and the Dana School of Music at Youngstown State University. He has served the Anglican Diocese of South Carolina since 2013 as Organist and Choirmaster at Old St. Andrew’s (2013-2016) and Saint James, James Island (2016-present). He and his wife, Jessica, have a one-year-old daughter, Cecilia, and live in West Ashley. Most weekends he can be found enjoying a beer from Charles Towne Fermentory, Westbrook, or Low Tide on his boat.

When anyone asks, “Who loves the church?” Joy Avera throws her hands in the air and says, “I do!” Joy grew up in the church, and then spent some prodigal years running from God before the hound of heaven came after her. She returned to following Christ under the preaching of Buster Brown at East Cooper Baptist Church. There she met her husband, Mark, when they were both assigned to teach 5th grade Sunday school (they love to say they met in 5th grade!). Joy has served with children’s ministry, vacation Bible school, missions, youth group, youth missions, young moms’ Bible studies, women’s Bible studies, special-event planning for the church family, and most recently directing the Alpha course. Her favorite ministry is opening her home to share love and hospitality to all.

Joy and Mark, who has been a priest in the diocese for 18 years and is presently serving at Church of the Resurrection in North Charleston, have five grown children (ages 19, 21, 24, 25, and 26) and just welcomed their first grandchild a month ago (can it be?). She is excited to get to know her new family at St. Philip’s!