Father Chip Broadfoot
​Rector

Chip Broadfoot was ordained to the priesthood in 2008.  He served at parishes in the diocese of Alabama and East Carolina prior to being called as rector of Church of the Transfiguration in Saluda in February 2019. Chip was born in Memphis, TN.  He is a graduate of Mississippi State University, and he received his M. Div. degree from The School of Theology at The University of the South. Chip has served at the diocesan level as Spiritual Director at several Cursillo and Happening retreats, Chaplain for summer camp sessions, on the Camp McDowell board, the Commission on Ministry, the East Carolina Foundation, and will serve on the Western Carolina Executive Council beginning in 2021.  Chip loves to fly fish, walk around Saluda and take local hikes with his wife Becky, play Pickleball at the Wannamakers, and entertain friends for dinner.  In January of 2021, Chip and Becky will celebrate thirty years of marriage.  They have two daughters, Allie and Kaki.
broadfoot.chip62@gmail.com

Stephen Spence
Director of Music & Choir Director
Parish Administrator

Stephen Spence was graduated from Radford University with a Bachelor of Arts in Voice Performance. He began graduate studies at the University of Memphis and received his Master of Music degree in Voice Performance from Norfolk State University. He has sung with Southern Opera Theatre, ArtPark Opera in Lewiston, NY; Virginia Opera and has done several musicals with local theatre groups. He was a member of Shakespeare-by-the-Sea, a professional theatre group in Virginia Beach. Stephen taught music at Brevard College and Blue Ridge Community College as well as privately. He also holds an Associate of Applied Science from AB Tech in Baking and Pastry Arts. He was Pastry Chef at Season’s Restaurant at Highland Lake Inn for over 10 years. Stephen lives in Hendersonville with Dan, his husband of five years and Boston Terrier Roxanne.
​bakingdiva@gmail.com

Debra Hinson Bridges
Organist

Debra Hinson Bridges (Deb) has served as a church musician for fifty years, beginning at age 12, at numerous churches and parishes in North Carolina. Her collegiate accomplishments include a B.A. in music performance and composition from St. Andrews University; M.A. in humanities with a concentration in hymnology from California State University; and professional certificates from Duke University, Cornell, Westminster Choir College, and Ohio State. She is a member of the American College of Musicians (ACM) and has served as an adjudicator for the National Piano Guild for 25 years. Among her published works are Sanctus and Gloria in “Enriching Our Music” (Church Publishing Inc.) and “Carolina Hymn and Harmony” (California State University). In addition, her piano and ensemble compositions have been featured at the University of South Carolina, St. Andrews University, UNC-Pembroke, and the University of London.
writemyline@gmail.com

Julianna Winchell
Organist

​Julianna Winchell was born in Greenville, AL and grew up in Lake Wales, FL,  went on to earn a bachelor’s and master’s  degrees in piano performance from Florida State University.  She studied piano and composition with John Boda and  organ with Michael Corzine and James Hart.  She is a member of Sigma Alpha Iota and Pi Kappa Lambda, National professional music fraternities.
While at FSU she met and married fellow music student, Richard Winchell, a composer/conductor.  They have worked together in churches and teaching privately in the southeast for 20 years, then on Cape Cod, MA for 30 years.  Julie also worked in activities in a nursing-rehab/facility and presented piano programs at retirement centers. A source of pride was resident/Alzheimer’s bell choirs she formed and conducted.  She has served as accompanist to many instrumentalists and vocalists as well as numerous choral groups and musical productions. She began as organist at Transfiguration in 2016.
 Julie and Richard are parents of John, Kate and Elizabeth and grandparents of Kaleb who lives with them and their two cats, Moe and Bebe.  She enjoys walking,
reading, playing word games online with former students and making soup in winter and salad in summer.
julie.winchell@gmail.com

Justin Lovelace
Verger

 
Justin Lovelace has served the parish as a verger since 2019. Previously, Justin has served other parishes as a Verger, Lay Reader, Eucharistic Minister, Eucharistic Visitor, Lecturer, Acolyte, Thurifer, and Christian Education teacher. Justin was born in Gaffney, South Carolina and attended Winthrop University receiving a B.A. in Theatre and Secondary Education. Later, Justin earned advanced degrees in Elementary Education and School Administration from Converse College, where he is completing his Ed. D. in Professional Leadership. During the past 25 years, Justin has taught elementary, middle, and high school, served as an instructional coach, literacy coach, assistant principal, and principal. Justin enjoys spending time with his family, reading, cooking, and entertaining friends.
justinlovelace@att.net

Our Vestry and Altar Party

The Vestry – is our governing body and their responsibilities are outlined in the Constitution and Canons of the Diocese of Western North Carolina. Transfiguration is led by 7 members who are elected for a 3-year term.

2021 Vestry:  Jane Welch (Sr. Warden), Rav Smith (Jr. Warden),  VeeVee Blackshear, Peg Henneke, Buddy Davis, Linda Welch, Alex James.  Bruce Hunt (Treasurer).

Altar Party:  Our Altar Party consists of the Celebrant and Ushers; at the 8:00 service, the Crucifer serves as our Lector and Eucharistic Minister.  At the 10:30 service, the Verger leads the procession on special Feast Days, a Lector, and the Crucifer serves as Eucharistic Minister.

The Verger:  One of the relatively new jobs in the worship area at Transfiguration is that of Verger.  The office of Verger goes back as far as the 12th century in the Church of England. If you see coronations or royal weddings from England, the procession is led by a Verger. Originally the Verger’s job was to lead the procession and clear the animals and riffraff from the aisles allowing the clergy to make their way.  It is traditional for the Verger to go first in the procession.  At Transfiguration, the Verger checks to be sure Eucharistic Ministers and Lectors are all present.  The Verger may also act as Crucifer, Gospeler , Eucharistic Minister or Lector.  In a nutshell, the Verger takes care of the details so that the service flows smoothly.  The Verger carries a ceremonial rod called a Verge (or Virge).  The typical robe of a Verger is a black open front gown worn over a black cassock.  Twenty years ago Vergers were found only at the cathedral or in larger churches.  However, today Vergers are prevalent in every diocese of The Episcopal Church.