The Rev. Robert Bunker, Rector

Robert is a lifelong Episcopalian who grew up in a military family, moving every two-to-three years. He comes to St. Philip’s with his wife, Jean, and their sons Grant, Hays and Owen. Robert spent two decades working in healthcare administration, both for The American Red Cross and in a hospital in Baltimore. He holds a Masters in Divinity from Virginia Theological Seminary and a Bachelor of Science Degree from Georgia State University, where he majored in Psychology. Robert loves being a husband and a dad, and in his free time enjoys traveling, hiking, camping, and going to the beautiful Florida panhandle beaches.

rev.bunker@gmail.com

Donna and her husband Brian live in Columbia, MD, and have been married for 38 years. They have three children, six grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren. Donna says “don’t try to do the math, yes, I am numerically young to be a great-grandmother, but I am. I am happy to share the fun story if you want to know how it’s possible.” Donna was born and raised in a military family and during the 60’s and 70’s they moved a lot, both in the United States and in Europe. The church has always been a constant for her.

A cradle Episcopalian, Donna takes to heart the Episcopal Slogan “The Episcopal Church Welcomes You”. This slogan has changed some to say “All are welcome, because All belong”. The meaning to Donna is the same, everyone has a place, everyone has merit, everyone deserves justice, everyone deserves basics necessities, everyone deserves to be seen and heard. These are in part some of the reasons Donna finally answered the call to ordained ministry. As a deacon, Donna will strive to be the bridge between St. Philip’s and the community in which they stand. She will work to advocate for and discern the needs, hopes, and concerns of the community and equip others to go out and to serve, to respond to the sick, poor, and lonely.

Donna loves church and is always looking for new ways to learn and serve. Her other loves/interests include: being a wife, mother, grandmother, friend, reading, handbells, Friday the 13th (the date not the movies) and playing Pokémon Go.

Jennifer Toole, Coordinator of Youth Ministries and Formation

Jennifer Toole serves as the volunteer coordinator for youth ministries at St. Philips. Jennifer has been a member of St. Philip’s since 2003, and in that time has overseen many activities for our youth including Sunday School, youth activities such as our work to support Elizabeth House in Laurel, and more recently our Spiritual Journeys program, which includes Sunday afternoon hikes for youth and parishioners of all ages.

jtoole@tooledesign.com

Johanne Poteau Saintime, Parish Administrator

Originally from Haiti, Johanne emigrated to the U.S. after the 2010 earthquake in Haiti. She earned her undergraduate degree from Quisqueya University in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. She earned a Master’s from the University of Arizona (Fulbright Scholar.) Joahanne has been a trilingual program manager (French, Creole,and Spanish), has experience with non-profit organizations, and knows church operations support services. Johanne previously worked as parish administrator for St. Mary Magdalene Episcopal Church in Silver Spring, Md. where she helped them with Spanish speaking visitor and rentals, as well as redesign the church visitor’s brochure and information booklet.  Johanne and her husband have two daughters. She likes to read and dance.

admin@stphilipslaurel.org

James D. Hall, Sexton

Mr. James Hall was born in Bainbridge, GA. He is the oldest of four children. He grew up in Morristown, NJ. He moved to Laurel in 1998 because most of his family had relocated in this area. He became a sexton at St. Philip's in 2000. Mr. Hall has been a member of the church since 2003. He has an adult daughter and two sons, the youngest is deceased. In his spare time he likes to play golf and go fishing.

jhall@stphilipslaurel.org

Saunders Allen, Director of Music

Mr. Saunders J. Allen has served as organist and choir director since 2002. Saunders’ undergraduate degree in Organ Performance is from Syracuse University in New York. He then studied at St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore, Md, earning his Master of Arts in Theology. Mr. Allen also studied for four years at Peabody Conservatory in Organ Performance. In addition to his organist duties, Mr. Allen has also directed choirs—adult, youth and handbell—for many years. In addition to serving at St. Philip’s, Saunders teaches at St. Vincent Pallotti High School in Laurel, Md, where his specialties are teaching theology, choral music, and theater. He is also involved with oversight of the St. Vincent Pallotti Arts Academy.

Kelli Young, Director of Music Assistant

Having given up her bank job, Kelli Young has been doing what she loves …. performing and teaching. 

Some of Ms. Young’s performing credits include the premier of the dance work “String Theory” at the Festival Fringe in Edinburgh, Scotland which featured aerial art, spoken word and original music.   In direct collaboration with James Rich, she directed and performed in the premiers of two of his new musical works entitledBlinkand There Was a Boy.   She has collaborated with and sung for such greats as composer Marvin Hamlisch and Grammy Award winner Bobby McFerrin at the Meyerhoff Symphony Hall.  She toured mainland China with members of Washington opera and Camerata Philadelphia.  She is also the featured vocalist with the Big Bang Jazz Band. 

Ms. Young currently teaches voice at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, the Baltimore School for the Arts, and St. Vincent Pallotti High School. She also served on the faculty at the Little Patuxent Opera Institute. She is a graduate of the Peabody Conservatory of Music and The Duke Ellington School of the Arts.

Christopher Chappelle, Music Assistant

Christopher Chappelle holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Morgan State University and a Master of Music in Vocal Performance from Towson University. He wishes to pursue a Doctorate in Musical Arts in the not so distant future.
Chris is one of St. Philip’s church musicians. His specific roles are: Section Leader, Music Librarian, and Accompanist to the Youth Choir.
During his spare time, Chris likes to watch horror movies! His favorite movies are the Halloween (Michael Myers) series; IT; Annabelle; The Conjuring, and anything that is actually intriguing on Netflix. On a brighter note, he likes to collect vintage and vintage inspired Christmas ornaments.