Clergy & Staff
​The Rev'd Kevin M. R. Newell
Rector​
​Fr. Kevin has served Emmanuel since June 2022. He is dedicated to faithful worship, pastoral care, and Christian education. Fr. Kevin currently serves as a member of the Diocese of Virginia's Commission on Ministry, the Committee on Priesthood, is a member of the Resolutions Committee for the Annual Diocesan Convention, and sits on the board of Underground Kitchen – Community First (UGK-CF).
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Fr. Kevin attended the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire for his undergraduate degree (Bachelor of Music, cum laude), the University of Michigan for his Master's Degree (Master of Music), and graduated cum laude from Virginia Theological Seminary. He lives in the West End with his husband, Joshua Borths, a college professor.
Tammy Barnes
Financial Secretary
Tammy Barnes joined Emmanual in November, 2024 as Financial Secretary. She has a B.S. in accounting from Virginia Commonwealth University and an M.B.A. from University of Richmond.
Tammy retired in 2022 after a fulfilling career in corporate accounting and now enjoys volunteering at both Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens and at Feedmore. She recently moved to Ashland to be close to family and friends.
Patrick Dahlman
Director of Music & Organist
Patrick Dahlman is a pianist and a recent graduate of the JMU jazz studies program. Since relocating to Richmond in 2021, he has performed as a wedding and church musician and plays in numerous original acts performing throughout the city and across the state. He is active as a freelancer and works with some of the best jazz musicians in the area.
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Patrick enjoys exploring a wide variety of musical styles and has a passion for improvisation. He has recently made the transition to Organ and is eager to continue to explore the instrument and the roles it has in worship. Patrick lives in Richmond’s Northside and enjoys hiking, camping, and being outdoors.
Veronica Huynh
Cemetery Manager
Veronica graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from VCU in 2011, majoring in Sculpture and minoring in Painting and Art History. She has worked on a stone conservation project at Hollywood Cemetery and loves visiting historic gravesites. Veronica also works at two wildlife restoration studios and a monument company. She enjoys culinary history, cooking, fishing, motorsports, and taxidermy.
Stephanie Peramas
Director of Youth Formation
Stephanie is privileged to teach Emmanuel’s beloved children of God and excited about the opportunities ahead for young people. She is passionate about youth formation and deeply rooted in the Episcopal faith and tradition, having served the Episcopal Church on parish, diocesan, national, and international levels. She is committed to creating a nurturing space for children to learn about God, the Bible, and our faith.
In addition to her dedication to youth education at Emmanuel, Stephanie works at Shalom Farms. She is a parishioner at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church (though you can catch her at Emmanuel’s Bible study and occasional worship services). In her free time, she enjoys cooking, hiking, and snuggling with her two cats, Trinity and Unity.
Deborah Taliaferro
Parish Administrator
After an exciting 30 years of working for the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey in various Aviation and Ground Transportation management, which included positions at J.F. Kennedy and Newark Airports, the Lincoln Tunnel, and the World Trade Center, Debi retired early in 2007. After moving to Richmond, she stumbled upon a job as a Church Administrative Assistant and fell in love with church work. ​She has served on the Executive Board of the Diocese of Virginia, as well as Region President.
Debi has a degree in Fine Arts, and loves to create - anything. She volunteers as a Girl Scout Troop Leader, and participates in community service projects with her sorority (Delta Sigma Theta).
A native of New Jersey and life-long Episcopalian, Debi moved to Richmond in 2012, where she currently attends The Church of Holy Comforter on Monument Avenue. She loves animals and shares her home with her, little dog, Beauregard.
Patrick Mason
Sexton
Patrick joined Emmanuel Episcopal Church as Sexton in June 2025. With a background in horticulture and farming, he brings a hands-on, thoughtful approach to maintaining the church's buildings and grounds. His work focuses on day-to-day care as well as long-term improvements to ensure a clean, welcoming, and functional environment for all who visit Emmanuel.
He is passionate about sustainable land stewardship, landscape design, and keeping spaces beautiful and well cared for.
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Patrick is pursuing an associate degree for transfer in Horticulture at
J. Sargeant Reynolds and has completed volunteer work with organizations like Feed More.
When not working or in class, he enjoys exploring new places, plant propagation, and spending time with his friends and family, especially his Aussie-German Shepard mix Sophia.
Mary Jo Giles
Office Assistant
Mary Jo has been a member of Emmanuel for 57 years and is a very active part of the congregation. She is an important part of Emmanuel office. After she retired from Verizon 22 years ago, she began volunteering in the church office. She does various tasks and always with a smile. Besides working in the office, Mary Jo is on the Altar Guild and a member of the Pastoral Care committee. She was chair of the Fellowship committee for seven years. While chairing Fellowship, she organized church breakfast, receptions, and cooked Christmas dinners. She also prepared luncheons for the Bishop and Diocesan Region meetings.
Mary Jo has been married to the love of her life, Tommy Giles, for 70 years! They have two sons, 4 grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren. Mary Jo enjoys spending time at the lake, with Tommy, and reading.