Stewardship

The Rev. Earnest Graham

Canon Graham serves as a regional canon located in the Greensboro and Winston-Salem convocations.

Prior to attending seminary, Canon Graham worked as a graphic artist in advertising as well as an illustrator. He comes to the Diocese from the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia where he served as interim rector of Hickory Neck Episcopal Church in Toano, Virginia, and rector of St. Matthew's in Chesterfield, Virginia.

Ordained in 2001, Canon Graham’s service to the church began long before he entered Virginia Theological Seminary. While a lay member at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Casper, Wyoming, he chaired committees and directed ministries, he led youth programs and served as a vestry member, acolyte, LEM and hospital visitor. His call deepened, leading him to VTS in 1998; he remained in Virginia following his ordination.

In his free time, Canon Graham continues to practice art, creating comic book translations of the Bible; he is currently at work on selections of the Psalms.

The Rev. Canon Dr. Sally French

The Reverend Canon Sally French, D.Min., currently serves as canon for regional ministry and collaborative innovation in the Diocese of North Carolina. In this role, she provides support to our congregations and worshiping communities across the Raleigh, Durham and Rocky Mount convocations, working to strengthen vitality and foster collaboration.

Raised in Toronto, Canada, Sally earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and History from Trinity College, University of Toronto, and a Master of Divinity degree from the Toronto School of Theology. Her Doctor of Ministry degree is from Virginia Theological Seminary, and her thesis focused on pilgrimage and adult formation practices in our tradition.

Sally was ordained to the priesthood in 2001 in the Diocese of Edmonton, Anglican Church of Canada. Prior to priestly ordination, she spent a year serving on the staff of St. George’s College, Jerusalem. In 2005, Sally and her husband moved to New York, where she served congregations in Staten Island, Northern New York and the Syracuse region before moving to North Carolina in 2011.

Before her call to serve on the bishop’s staff in the Diocese of North Carolina, Sally served in parish ministry. She has served congregations of all sizes and in a variety of capacities. In addition, she has served as president of the Standing Committee in the Diocese of North Carolina, as a deputy to the 80^th General Convention (2022) and as the curriculum developer for the revised Journey to Adulthood youth ministry program.

Sally has a passion for working with congregations and communities addressing conflict, discerning next steps and imagining holy possibilities. In her time as president of the Standing Committee, she initiated work to address systemic racism and bias. Sally has extensive experience of pilgrimage and serves as a leader for our diocesan Holy Land pilgrimages.

Sally is married to the Rev. Clarke French, rector of Church of the Holy Family, Chapel Hill. They have two children, Jack (age 16) and Libby (age 12), two dogs, and one elderly cat. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading and writing, walking, jogging and hiking.

The Rev. Kathy Walker

The Rev. Kathy Walker previously served as the associate rector for pastoral care and parish life at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Tallahassee, Florida, though her call to church leadership and ministry is one she has answered her entire life. Prior to becoming a member of the clergy, over her lifetime she has served as a licensed lay reader, a lay Eucharistic minister, vestry member and church officer. She was instrumental in the founding of the David Henry Brooks chapter of Union of Black Episcopalians in the Diocese of Florida, and while serving as its president organized multiple forums about the future of Black churches.

Kathy believes strongly in the honoring and continuity of Black churches and hopes in her new role to help as many as possible not only survive, but flourish. She also wants to work with congregations to deepen their churches’ roots in the communities they already serve so well, and build leadership opportunities in the Church for future generations.