INTERIM RECTOR

Susan began serving as St. Matthew's Interim Rector on Tuesday, Sept 2nd. Susan+ answered the call to serve as our Interim.

 She comes to us with a wealth of experience, having served as an Interim Rector at several other parishes in the NC Diocese, most recently at St. Luke's in Durham. Prior to moving to NC to be closer to her children and grandchildren, Susan+ was Priest-in-Charge, Head of School, and School Chaplain for 14 years at an Episcopal school and church in Florida. 

 We are thrilled to have Susan's pastoral care, infectious personality, and leadership through this important transition period as we prepare to call the next permanent Rector to St. Matthew's.

ASSOCIATE RECTOR

Lisa Frost-Phillips first came to St. Matthew’s as a parish intern in the ordination process in 1992. She returned as Associate Rector in 2003 and has served in that capacity ever since. She completed her undergraduate studies at Sewanee, graduating summa cum laude with a B.A. in British History. She received her M. Div. from Duke Divinity School in 1996, graduating summa cum laude, along with a Certificate in Anglican Studies from Virginia Theological Seminary. She was ordained to the priesthood that same year. She lives in Chapel Hill with her husband, Dickson and they have three children, Jonathan, Abigail and Emmaline. She enjoys walking, writing, reading and adventure, especially travel to new places. Her main passion is building community- discovering Christ in new and surprising ways through the relationships we cultivate and nurture.

DEACON

Vocational deacons typically have full-time jobs and serve a parish and their ministry in and around that remunerative work.  That is the case for me. I am an Administrative Law Judge for the Social Security Administration.

My call includes raising visibility and service to women who have experienced loss, transgender youth, and expanding awareness of spiritual practices, like yoga and labyrinths, that help us strengthen our relationship with the Divine.

I am currently enrolled as a student working toward a Doctorate of Educational Ministry with a focus on Christian Spirituality at the Virginia Theological Seminary.

My spouse, David, and I just celebrated our 28th anniversary, we have three young adult children, and a menagerie of animals. When we are not working we are avid readers and movers. I look forward to all that is to come at St. Matthew’s.

DIRECTOR OF MUSIC | ORGANIST

Dr. Wright has served at St. Matthew’s since 2021. A professional church musician for over 28 years, he holds degrees in sacred music, organ performance, choral conducting, music education, higher education administration, and liturgical theology from East Carolina University, the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, the University of South Carolina, Indiana University, and the University of Notre Dame. He has also completed coursework toward the Master of Divinity at Duke University.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, he was represented by Concert Artists Cooperative and was active nationally as a choral adjudicator, conducting and working with choirs throughout the United States.

An active scholar and musician, Dr. Wright has been published in The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, The Choral Journal, the Journal of the Association of Anglican Musicians, and The Organist’s Companion. He has presented at regional conferences of the AGO. He studied organ with Robert Parkins and Janette Fishell and choral conducting with Daniel Bara, Welborn Young, William Carroll, Larry Wyatt, Alicia Walker, and Karen Kennedy.

DIRECTOR OF FORMATION

Stephany Lazo joined the staff at St. Matthew’s in August 2022. She came to the parish with a background in Elementary Education, having taught elementary grades in public schools for the past eight years.

Stephany holds a Master’s of School Administration & Supervision from the University of Virginia. She is passionate about facilitating children’s spiritual growth and exploration of faith, and serving the whole family. She lives in Durham with her husband, William, and their sons, Noah and Christopher. She loves baking, going on family walks, and coffee chats!

PARISH ADMINISTRATOR

Sue Ellen is delighted to to take on this role and is grateful for the warm welcome already she’s received since she began attending services in November 2024. She brings a background in leadership, administration, and public service from her earlier roles as school-based mental health therapist, SSA Disability hearing assistant, and is a certified tennis official.

An alumna of Mercer University, Furman University, and NC A&T State University, she earned her undergraduate degree in Human Development and Psychology and her graduate degree, summa cum laude, in Counseling and Human Resources (Leadership, Training & Development). She has spent many years working in roles that require organization, discretion, and thoughtful support of both colleagues and the public.

Sue Ellen officiates collegiate tennis matches and tournaments across the Southern section, mentors new officials, and is an avid genealogist. She especially enjoys spending time with her books, screens, friends and family, and she looks forward to supporting the parishioners, ministry, and mission of St Matthew’s.

FINANCIAL SECRETARY

Jane Hamborsky began her professional career as a clarinetist working in New York City playing mainly chamber music. Then she became a portrait photographer as well. In 1981 she moved to Carrboro, NC where she was able to continue both careers. In 1996 Jane was singing in The Chapel of the Cross choir and became the bookkeeper for the church and later worked at the Diocese of North Carolina in Raleigh. Her next move was to become accountant of The Chapel Hill Tennis Club followed by opening her own concierge accounting business with a diverse business clientele. Her hobbies have included bicycling, sailing and tennis and currently, core strength for seniors and chair yoga! Jane moved to Hillsborough in 2016 with her partner Caroline and two Wheaten Terriers.

SEXTON

Chas joined the staff of St. Matthew’s in mid-June 2025 and brings to the role of parish sexton a number of experiences that reflect his journey of discerning what ministry looks like in relation to land and people. This work has taken the form of nonprofit leadership for social and environmental causes, farm management, and teaching, as well as landscape design, construction, and maintenance. This includes serving as the Executive Director of Anathoth Community Garden & Farm in Cedar Grove from 2011 through 2018.

Alongside his role as Sexton, Chas currently works part-time with Cooperative Extension, coordinating the NC Conservation Outreach Project, facilitating events that promote environmental stewardship practices across the state. Chas and his wife, Hannah, have three children Heidi (11), Margaux (9), and Teague (3), and live at Potluck Community Farm, an intentional community in Rougemont.