We are proud to announce the new Rector of St. James’ Episcopal Church

Rev. Reggie was born in Miami, Florida into a military family that lived in Spain and settled in Valdosta, Georgia when he was in the fourth grade.  He graduated from Valdosta State University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and received his Masters of Divinity from Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, Virginia.  He has served in parishes in Washington, DC, New Jersey, and southern California.  He also served as the Diocesan Youth Coordinator for SE Florida, and has a deep affinity for youth and young adults.  He enjoys bowling, golf, art and music.

Meet the Payne-Wiens Family:

Rev. Reggie is married to Elena Payne-Wiens and they have two daughters: Maya, who is eight, and Talia, who is five.  Father Reggie and his family are excited about the opportunity to serve the community of St. James’ and to share in its ministry.  He believes that God has created him to lead and serve St. James’ as we respond to God’s call to be the voice that shouts to everyone in Austin and beyond, all are welcome here!

My father served in the Air Force for 26 years and passed away 10 years ago and I miss him. My mother was a homemaker during my childhood and then became a quality control inspector for the Dillard’s Department stores before retiring last year.  She now spends her time traveling to see her grandchildren in California and in Georgia with occasional stops in Reno...I have two younger brothers, Tony and Rodney, who live in Valdosta, Georgia along with my baby sister, Elizabeth.

How I met my wife

We were both in volunteer service communities in Washington, DC.  Helen, one of my housemates worked at Samaritan Ministries with Elena.  My volunteer community use to stage coffee house performances at our house and invite volunteers from other communities to watch us perform.  Helen, invited Elena and her community and the rest, as they say is history.