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The Rev. Sonia Sullivan-Clifton
Rector
Pastor Sonia has a zeal for
helping others find their place in God's world. She enjoys the opportunity to walk with others in their life’s
journey, and especially helping them to find Christ along the way.
Pastor Sonia comes to us from Trinity
Preparatory School in Winter Park, where she has served as a Chaplain, and from Christ the King Church where she served as
the Associate Rector, both since 2003. Her community involvement includes volunteer work with Habitat for Humanity, KidsGames,
Relay for Life and many others. She has a passion for mission work, both at home and abroad. Her other loves (and entertainment)
are her husband, Steve (the Rector of Christ the King Church), her son Christopher (a junior at FSU), her stepdaughter Catherine
(a junior at the University of the South), her “pseudo-children” (the young adults God seems always to be bringing
into her life to raise), and Walt Disney World. Take a peek at her office and you'll discover her infatuation with
Mickey Mouse; and if you ask, you'll hear the cool story behind it too!
Before moving to Orlando, she served
for ten years in Swainsboro, Georgia. Her major responsibility there was serving as the rector of Good Shepherd Episcopal
Church and in several diocesan leadership capacities. She led a community-wide youth ministry program called CrossRoads
and was a part of many community outreach organizations. She served on the Board of Directors for the Rotary Club and
the Sunshine House Children's Advocacy Center, led Youth Leadership Emanuel, was one of the County Chairs for Relay for
Life, and served on the Community Involvement Committee for the public school system.
Pastor Sonia was born and raised in Savannah,
Georgia, received her BBA ('84) and MBA ('89) degrees from Valdosta State University and her M.Div. ('93) from
the University of the South (Sewanee). Outside of professional ministry, her work experience is rooted in management
and marketing, mainly for non-profit organizations.
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| Libby Sellers, Music Minister |
Season’s
Greetings to everyone at St. Matthews Parish! My name is Libby Sellers and I am going to be the Parish
Musician here, beginning in the new year. I am looking forward to serving with you and for you in the music
ministry.
I come from a musical family. My sister, brother, and I all play instruments, and have served
in church music ministry during our adult lives. My mother, a very talented musician, all taught us to
play the piano, because this was her way of sharing herself with us. She also did many things to encourage
our spiritual growth. My sister and I decided to major in music.
I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education
at East Carolina University, in Greenville, North Carolina. Did I mention that I was a Tarheel from many
generations back? My family has lived in North Carolina since before the Revolutionary War, so I am a PROUD
Tarheel. I met my husband, Dan, at school. He is a fine organist, and has been a church
musician for several years. He is also a nurse. We have a college-age son, Paul, who
is our pride and joy.
I am a career music teacher;
I have taught school for over twenty-five years. I am currently teaching at St. Andrew Catholic School
in Orlando. I have also taught English, Social Studies, and Theater Arts part of the time, because those
are three subjects that I am also passionate about! I have participated in community theater here for several
years. My dream is to FINALLY play the Mother Abbess role in a production of The Sound of Music.
I have played two of the other “big nun” roles, but I have never landed that one yet. Someday…
I am also part of a five lady singing group, The St. Andrew Sisters (Yes, we are on youtube). We
have a lot of fun, and are available for club meetings, rehearsal dinner parties, etc.
My prayer for you all in the new year is that God will continue to bless St. Matthew’s and
the music ministry.
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