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.
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 retirement, she stumbled upon a job as a Church Administrative Assistant and fell in love with church work. ​Debi has a degree in Fine Arts, and loves to create - anything. She volunteers with a local Girl Scout Troop, 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 has served on the Executive Board of the Diocese of Virginia, as well as Region President. She currently attends The Church of Holy Comforter on Monument Avenue.
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.
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.
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.
Lin Tyler
Sexton
Lin Tyler joined Emmanuel's staff in September 2017. She is retired from the Richmond Police Department as a Sergeant after 28 years and professes to have a love for cleaning. Lin lives happily on a small farm in Hanover with an array of animals which include donkeys, goats, pigs, dogs, cats and birds. She spends most of her time tending the animals and raising specialty breed chickens.
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.