Meet Our Staff
Rector
The Very Rev.
Jeff Jackson
Jeff was called to St. Margaret's in November 2017. He grew up in the Southeast, born in Memphis, TN, then spent his early years in eastern rural Alabama before landing in Augusta, GA. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Religion and Philosophy from Berry College in Rome, then went immediately to Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, VA, where he graduated in 2003. He is passionate about youth and children’s ministry as well as ministry to the marginalized – the poor, the prisoner, the hungry, the outcast. He believes strongly that all are welcome at God’s table and often we have to take that table out into the world so all can receive God’s love.
Jeff is married to Molly and has four children, Tai, Bronwyn, Liam, and Grey. When he is not spending time with family or at work, he is also a local singer-songwriter and has played frequently in the Columbus, GA area. He recorded his first album in 2016 called Incomplete Dreams. Jeff is also an avid fan of music, beer, comic books, superhero movies, and his favorite TV show Doctor Who.
Parish Administrator
Julie Foreman
Julie Foreman has been the St. Margaret’s Parish Administrator since 1997. In addition to her administrative duties, she is the church photographer, using the skills she learned in the Navy as a Photographer’s Mate to document various church activities. Once a year she compiles her work and produces a slideshow highlighting the events of the past year in parish life and worship.
Julie was raised in a military family and lived in several states and foreign countries before her father retired from the Army and settled the family in Carrollton in 1973. She graduated from Mt. Zion High School and attended the University of West Georgia before joining the United States Navy.
She served eight years the in Navy and after her discharge she worked for ABC News in the company’s Washington, D.C. video tape library before returning to Georgia. You might say that St. Margaret’s is in Julie’s blood since she took the reins of her position upon her mother’s retirement as Parish Administrator.
Organist & Choirmaster
Dock Anderson
Dock earned a Bachelor of Music in organ performance, cum laude, from Birmingham-Southern College, where he studied organ with James Cook and James Dorroh, choral conducting under Hugh Thomas and Tom Gibbs, piano with Alison Lee, bassoon with Jack Sharp, voice with Jane Glaser, and composition with Charles Mason. He is the recipient of several awards and winner of many competitions. At the University of Southern California in Los Angeles he studied conducting with Rodney Eichenberger and organ with Cherry Rhodes.
For 13 years, Mr. Anderson was the choral director at Woodward Academy in College Park, the largest private school in the continental United States. He maintains an active private studio teaching piano, organ, and voice lessons. He also sings with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus and Chamber Chorus and is the accompanist for voice classes offered by the chorus to its members.He is in demand as a clinician and enjoys working as a choral consultant with beginning teachers.
Director of Youth & Children's Ministries
Amber Cotton
Amber is originally from Newnan, Georgia and moved to Carrollton with her husband Roger, and two daughters, Lanie (9), and Savannah (7), in October of 2019. Before accepting this position at Saint Margaret's, she was a substitute teacher with Carrollton City Schools. She also has several years experience in various childcare and youth mentorship positions. She currently co-leads the local Girl Scout troop (which meets at Saint Margaret's) with ages ranging from 2nd grade to high school seniors.
Amber feels called to work with children of all ages and speak up for marginalized communities, especially the LGBTQIA+ community, and those impacted by racial injustice.
Amber is a self-described "super-nerd," and in her spare time enjoys playing "The Sims 4," or "Cities: Skylines." She is a huge Harry Potter fan (Hufflepuff for inquiring minds), obsessed with Disney and Broadway -- namely "Rent," "Hamilton," and "Funny Girl."
She loves to sing and is a member of the Saint Margaret's choir. She is also part of the Saint Margaret's adult formation committee regarding LGBTQIA+ affairs.
Deacon
The Rev. Deacon
Devon Goddard Smyth
Devon is a native of Houston, Texas. She grew up an Army dependent and had the privilege to live around the US and Germany. A graduate of Warren Wilson College, she attended seminary at Duke Divinity School. She is married to David Smyth (28 years) and they are parents of Katie-Wimberly (24) & Bennett (17). She works with Extra Special People-Rome as the Leadership Annual Gift Officer. www.espyouandme.org
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Devon is assigned to St. Margaret's until 2025. Her primary focus is to further the connection between St. Margaret's Community Outreach and the parish. She also serves liturgically, and supports the ministry of the parish in other ways. As a deacon, she brings the needs of the world to the Church and connects the gifts of the Church to meet those needs.
Director of Outreach
Meghan Bennett
Meghan has been Director of St. Margaret's Community Outreach (SMCO) since October 2015. She comes to us most recently from the Georgia Department of Human Services, Division of Family and Children Services where she spent eight and a half years working with teenagers in the foster care system. Prior to that Meghan worked with women victims of domestic violence for a year after graduating from college with a Bachelor’s of Arts in Human Services.
Meghan’s history with SMCO began in her college days when she interned summers under SMCO’s first Director, Barry Staples. From Barry and Meghan’s predecessor, Catherine Gordon, Meghan learned the importance of this outreach ministry to the church and the community. She is thrilled that she was “called back” to this wonderful place, where she hopes to help others see that we all have something to offer this world and we all need a little grace now and again.
Sexton
Jeana Langford
Jeana has served as our parish Sexton since 2021. A Sexton does the work of caring for our campus by cleaning, maintaining, and monitoring the upkeep of our buildings and grounds. She helps the parish be the best stewards they can be. Jeana has been a member of St. Margaret's for many years, serving in many leadership roles. She is married to Neal, and has 3 daughters LeeAnn, Lauren, & Lindsey.
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