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
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.
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.