2023 Vestry Slate

Here is the slate of new Vestry members for 2023. To read more about each candidate, simply click the arrow next to their names.

  • Family: Grown children Frank Caruccio and wife Emily, and Christina Caruccio and husband Dan Scannell.

    Work: Environmental geology and law consultant; retired from the University of South Carolina.

    Why you are willing to serve on St. Martin's vestry: I love being engaged with the members of St. Martin’s and hope that this service will not only help the church grow, but open new pathways in my personal Christian growth.

    Previous areas of involvement at St. Martin’s: St. Martin’s has been my church home for some 40 years, and I have been involved in many ways from teaching Sunday school to Building Committees, the Foundation Board and prior service on the vestry.

    What you love about St. Martin's and why: The welcoming community that I feel from the members and leadership of St. Martin's is unique and has provided guidance, strength, peace and much joy over the years. The church has been there when I needed them most, and provides opportunities to feel closer to God in so many ways.

    When you joined St. Martin's: In the early 1980s, shortly after my husband Frank Caruccio and I were married.

  • Family: Elisabeth Gasparini, Alex Hammond, Zachary Hammond, (Brady-Yorkie, Bella-Coton, Java – Cat, CiCi – Hamster)

    Work: Compliance and investigations director for BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina.

    Why you are willing to serve on St. Martin's vestry: To learn more about church operations and to leverage my experience to help support our mission.

    Previous areas of involvement at St. Martin’s: Volunteering, participating in the pilgrimage and through other church events such as the Prom and Trunk or Treat.

    What you love about St. Martin’s and why: Since day one, I/we were genuinely welcomed with open arms into the church family. St. Martin’s has afforded us opportunities to be part of something bigger than ourselves. St. Martin’s is a family, and one that you want to be around as much as possible.

    When you joined St. Martin's: 2019

  • Family: My partner of 27 years Sue Benson, and our two children, Abigail (Abby), 20, and a senior in the USC Media Arts program, and Victoria (Vica), 17, a senior at A.C. Flora.

    Work: I teach at the University of South Carolina in the Dept. of Theatre and Dance, and this past season, coached two middle school volleyball teams at Heathwood. I enjoy hiking and being outdoors.

    Why are you willing to serve on St. Martin’s vestry: As a Christian, I believe we are put on Earth to serve inside and outside of the church. St. Martin's as a church has given my family so much in the realm of tangibles and intangibles. It would be a rewarding opportunity to serve the community, church and people that we've come to know and love.

    Areas of previous involvement at St. Martin’s: I enjoyed working with the Advent Festival and the return of the Christmas Pageant and being a youth parent.

    What you love about St. Martin’s and why: We were a little church "shell shocked" before coming to St. Martin's. I remember visiting church after church and getting multiple gift bags and popcorn that included quotes like "Glad you popped in and joined us." We would comment on how everyone was nice, but we didn't feel actively welcomed or have any real engagement with anyone. When we attended St. Martin's, we intentionally tried to stay under the radar and to not be noticed, but Sally asked all the members to stand and there we were ... plain as day ... new visitors, sitting in the pew. Within the first two weeks we were getting phone calls, we were greeted by name when we visited a second time, and we felt as though our presence mattered on a personal level. We didn't want the attention, but it made a difference. I love (we love) the acceptance at St. Martin's. I love that anyone can participate in any activity, that there is room to grow and to get involved. I love the energy and the enthusiasm of the congregation, but above all, I love the safe space to connect with God and Christ without fear or judgment.

    When you joined St. Martin’s: Sue and I visited with our two children in 2009 and started attending as a family shortly thereafter. Both girls attended Sunday School, EYC, served as acolytes along with participating with RSCM over the years and were confirmed at St. Martin’s.

  • Family: Me and my wife Theresa.

    Work: I retired in January after an enjoyable career in financial management with Fluor Daniel, U.S. Foodservice and ThyssenKrupp.

    Why you are willing to serve on St. Martin’s vestry: St. Martin’s is a vibrant parish as Mitch, Caitlyn and Dianna bring tremendous energy to our church creating an environment that entices members to give of their time, talent and treasure. Serving on the vestry is another way to personally contribute to the growth of our parish, and I welcome this opportunity which has been graciously offered to me.

    Areas of previous involvement at St. Martin’s: Chairman of the Stewardship Committee, Eucharistic Minister, lector, usher and currently chairman of the St. Martin’s Foundation. As chair of the Foundation, I also report to the Finance Committee periodically about the status of our endowments. Aside from service in the above, one of my most rewarding experiences was studying four years as an Education for Ministry student and subsequently graduating.

    What you love about St. Martin’s: A loving church family is essential to the spiritual maturity of each person, and the St. Martin’s family personifies this concept, sustaining our faith in the most difficult times. This is the reason why we admire and love our parish so dearly.

    When you joined St. Martin’s: Theresa and I have been members of St. Martin’s since 2001.