Our Leadership
The Rev. Caleb J. Lee
Rector
The Rev. Caleb J. Lee began ministry at St. Paul’s on August 1, 2021. He was drawn to St. Paul’s for its liturgy and music and was called to St. Paul’s to be a builder. His current vision for ministry at St. Paul’s is to “build up the people of God, on a solid foundation, with a better campus.” This vision puts emphasis on nurturing the physical and spiritual growth of God’s people at St. Paul’s through building a team of ministry leaders to facilitate the growth that is occurring, while building on the well-known and well-respected ministry of liturgy and music, and making necessary updates to the church campus.
Rev. Lee came to St. Paul’s from Grace Church Cathedral in Charleston, S.C. Before his work in South Carolina, Rev. Lee served in the Diocese of East Carolina as a priest associate at St. Paul’s in Beaufort, N.C., spiritual director for Happening and as a member of the Trinity Center Board of Managers.
He is a graduate of Episcopal High School, North Carolina State University and Virginia Theological Seminary.
He is most proud to be married to Allen Jordan Lee, of Wilmington. Together they have three school-aged children.
The Rev. Michael Singer
Pastoral Associate
The Rev. Michael Singer serves St. Paul’s as pastoral associate.
Rev. Singer works with Rev. Lee and the Pastoral Care Committee in organizing and facilitating the pastoral needs and ministries of the church. He also participates in the liturgical life of the congregation and shares with Rev. Powell and Rev. Lee in the ministry of teaching to all ages.
Rev. Singer has served the Diocese in many ways throughout his ministry as a pastor, priest and teacher.
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Rev. Singer retired from full-time active ministry in April 2020 as the transition ministry officer for the Diocese of East Carolina. Prior to this, he served three, one-year positions as interim rector of St. Paul’s Church, Greenville, N.C.; St. Paul’s Church, Beaufort, N.C., and Church of the Servant, Wilmington. Before serving at Church of the Servant, he was rector of St. Mary’s Church, Kinston, for 17 years.
In 2021, Rev. Singer served as the Priest-in-Charge of St. James Parish, Wilmington, for four months.
He earned a Master of Divinity degree from Nashotah House, a theological seminary of the Episcopal Church in Nashotah, Wis., and an undergraduate degree in religion and philosophy from Morris Harvey College (now The University of Charleston), in Charleston, W.Va. A product of the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania, growing up in Waynesboro, Pa., (a small town approximately 35 miles west of Gettysburg), he served parishes in Williamsport and Altoona.
In his years of active ministry, Rev. Singer has served as a deputy to General Convention, the Millennium Development Goals Committee (chair), Convention Planning Committee, diocesan trustee, Commission on Ministry (chair), the Standing Committee and the Christian Education Committee (chair).
In his spare time, Rev. Singer enjoys walking, travel, going to the movies and spending time with his family—especially his grandsons Colin and Bennett. He has been married to his wife Teresa (a retired public-school music teacher) for 43 years.
The Rev. Richard Banks
Honorary Priest Associate
“To be a fellow sojourner in a community of faith,” is how the Rev. Richard Banks, priest associate, defines the purpose of his ministry. “Most people regard priests as ‘finished products’ but we clergy know that we continue to grow in knowledge and faith through the weekly cycle of prayer, preparation for worship including preaching, and translating faith into works as we seek to minister to those in need.”
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A native of northeast Ohio and later raised in Virginia, Fr. Richard spent 20 years in inner-city ministry as a lay person in the Dioceses of North Carolina and Maryland. Married for over 30 years to Barbara Ellington-Banks, her career as a Foreign Service Officer took them abroad to Belize, Jamaica and Guatemala. As a priest for over 20 years, he has served parishes in Guatemala City, northern Virginia, New Orleans, and most recently Mexico before moving to Wilmington. He is fluent in Spanish.
Fr. Richard studied at Virginia Commonwealth University and the National Institute for Lay Training, and holds degrees from the University of the West Indies and the United Theological College of the West Indies. He spent two summers in the Doctor of Ministry program at The Virginia Seminary.
His son Colin lives in Portland, Oregon, with his wife Jill. Daughter Alison lives in Phoenix, Arizona, with husband Adam and their two small children. Both of his parents and three siblings live in Richmond, Virginia, with their families.
Pastoral Care
About the Prayer List
Included in our prayers are the names of those for whom prayer has been requested by a parishioner or family member. The reason for being listed is kept confidential. If you would like to add yourself or someone else to the prayer list please reach out to Fr. Caleb Lee or make a prayer request online below.
Hospitalization or Pastoral Issues
Please notify us if you or a family member is hospitalized and/or in need of a pastoral call or visit. Please speak with Fr. Caleb or call the church office at 910-762-4578.
lSharing Holy Communion
If illness prevents you or a loved one from joining us for regularly scheduled services, Fr. Caleb or a lay Eucharistic visitor can share Holy Communion either in your home or at a health care facility. Please speak to Fr. Caleb or contact the church office at 910-762-4578.
♰ Prayer Requests
- CARD: Complete the “Request for Prayer” pew card and leave in the offering plate, or submit the online card below.
- EMAIL to be placed on the prayer list.
- CALL the church office at: (910) 762-4578.
Clergy Corner
Parish Administrator Changes
Dear St. Paul's Family, I write to share news with you regarding a transition in church staff. After a year and half of faithful service to St. Paul’s, April Cook will be leaving us. April has been a good employee and has served this parish well. She has greeted all...
Fr. Lee a Leader’s Way Fellow
Congratulations to Fr. Lee! He was selected to join the inaugural class of Leader’s Way Fellows at the Berkeley School of Theology, Yale University. This prestigious program is designed to support Episcopal clergy leaders who, through faithfulness and innovation, are...
‘Do Not Be Afraid’
Sunday is the Last Sunday after the Epiphany. We began this season with a star directing the Magi to the Christ child and we end up on the mountain with the disciples experiencing Christ in transfigured glory. Transfiguration is the revealing of our true selves. ...
Our Staff
Brendan Conner
Director of Music, Organist
music@spechurch.com
Executive Assistant to the Rector
admin@spechurch.com
Diane Matz-Kane
Finance Assistant
finance@spechurch.com
iSAAC mCdOWELL
Associate for Youth & Parish Life
isaac@spechurch.com
Scott Sheble
Treasurer
treasurer@spechurch.com
Meaghan Thomas
Children, Youth and Family Ministry Coordinator
speckids@spechurch.com
Bob Crafts
Technology and Communications (Volunteer)
technology@spechurch.com
Bryce O'Dell
Technology Assistant (Volunteer)
technology-asst@spechurch.com
Ellen Weig
Archivist (Volunteer)
Our Vestry
Anne O'Dell
Rector's Warden
Steve Haughey
People's Warden
Steve Bucci
Barbara Ellington-Banks
Ashley Eason
Liaison for Parish Life
Carol Field
Liaison for Finance
Lisa Sanders-Park
Liaison for Membership
Denise Sheehan
Liaison for Stewardship
Scott Sheble
David Tousignant
Liaison for Buildings and Grounds
Tori Cannon
Clerk to the Vestry