Fr. Tim Watts became the second rector of this parish on February 4, 2007. Before being called to the priesthood, Fr. Tim was a professional businessman for a manufacturing company and prior to that he served as Captain in the United States Army where he flew helicopters in the United States and Europe. He and his wife Alyce have two sons, Tucker and Daniel and a miniature schnauzer, Sunshine! He likes to cook with Alyce, read, and hike in the mountains of north Georgia. Fr. Tim has served parishes in Florida and Alabama.

Bishop Alexander assigned Deacon Frances to this parish in October 2007. Educated and trained in cognitive change therapy, Frances is a certified group facilitator in a variety of venues and has taught at the University of Georgia and Georgia State University. Before her ordination, she developed and led a pre- and post-release prison ministry and also worked for over 15 years in commercial real estate in a number of positions. Frances has two grown daughters, Gabriele and Nicole, and dotes on her two grandchildren, Cole, 7, and Taylor, 5. She loves animals, gardening, propagating plants and being outdoors.

My husband and I live in the Dacula area with our teenage daughter and our dachshunds. While I grew up in North Alabama, I have been in Georgia for many years and consider Georgia my home. I have a background in subcontract management mostly in the construction industry which I find helps me stay on top of the many facets of the active parish life of St. Mary & St. Martha of Bethany. I truly feel blessed to have been chosen to serve this parish and have made life long connections with the warm, friendly people of this parish.

Karen Murphy has been involved in Children’s Ministries for over 25 years in the Episcopal Church. She has a BS from UGA in Education and Masters and Specialist degrees in curriculum and instruction. Karen has studied “Godly Play” in Houston, Texas with Jerome Berryman, has presented at several Diocesan Ministries Fairs, and has also presented for several parishes in our diocese. She is currently in the Diocese of Atlanta’s two year Christian Formation Certification Program and is a “Safeguarding God’s Children” trainer. She and her husband have three grown children. She teaches school, coaches a swim team for the Y in the summer, practices yoga, and gardens.