Annual Meeting

Sunday, January 25

11:00 am Holy Eucharist (One Service Only for this Sunday)

12:15 pm Light Lunch & Annual Meeting (Cathedral) 

St. James Cathedral will hold the 2026 Annual Meeting on Sunday, January 25, beginning with one combined worship service at 11:00 am (with the Cathedral Choir and Choristers, no incense) and followed immediately by the Annual Meeting in the Cathedral. A light lunch and childcare will be provided. 

At the Annual Meeting, we will take a retrospective look at the year just past, we will hear the latest updates on our strategic level initiatives, and look forward together toward what lies ahead in 2026. We will elect new representatives to the Cathedral Chapter. Please take the time to read the bios of the nominees below.

2026 Cathedral Chapter and Diocesan Convention Nominees

Allen Moye SENIOR WARDEN & DIOCESAN CONVENTION DELEGATE

This year will mark 21 years since I relocated to Chicago from the east coast. After my arrival in Chicago, I visited different churches but felt most at home at St. James Cathedral. I have served as Junior Warden of the Cathedral Chapter for the past two  year. I have always been impressed with the energy and outreach programs of St. James. I have helped with the feeding ministry, Summer in the City, and supported the Revive Christmas Basket program; three very successful and important ways that the church connects with the community beyond the walls of its building. I served on Chapter and helped on the Capital Campaign. I have served  on the Usher Ministry since 2016 and was Head Usher from 2020-23. I enjoy welcoming regular worshippers and visitors alike, to a place filled with the Holy Spirit and the wonders of God’s works. St. James is a sacred space with a significant connection to the Diocese and the city of Chicago. I believe that we are at the beginning of what will be a momentous future. I am grateful for the opportunity to have served as Junior Warden over the past year. I would be honored to continue in this role at such an important time in the life of the Diocese and cathedral.

Olivia Elliott JUNIOR WARDEN & DIOCESAN CONVENTION DELEGATE

I am a cradle Episcopalian who grew up attending St. Anne in DeSoto, TX. During my time at the University of Chicago, I was an active member of Brent House, and as an adult, I found my spiritual home at St. James. My husband, Mike (who will tell you he is not a cradle Episcopalian), and I have been attending St. James for nearly 10 years. Lisa married us in 2019, and both of our children, Julian and Mona, were baptized here, surrounded by our St. James family. You’ll find us all at the 9:00 a.m. service, often adding a “joyful” sound. 

At St. James, I’ve served as an acolyte, participated in the young adult group, and recently supported the growth of the family service, particularly by helping coordinate the youth who serve during worship. I also serve as a board member of Episcopal Charities.

Professionally, I work at McKinsey & Company, where I lead virtual leadership development programs focused on improving the talent pipeline for our clients.

I deeply value St. James’ commitment to creating spaces of belonging for all and would be honored to serve this community in a new capacity as Junior Warden.

Kevin Hampton CATHEDRAL CHAPTER MEMBER

I was confirmed in the Episcopal Church at Christ Episcopal Church, Cape Girardeau, in the Diocese of Missouri, September 2018. While a member there, I served on the Vestry and was later elected to serve as co-senior warden, January 2020 through January 2022. During that time, I provided leadership during the pandemic and the parish’s transition from a full-time parish to part-time with a priest-in-charge. One of the most meaningful opportunities for service I experienced at Christ Episcopal Church was taking communion to home-bound members. Another profound experience for me was providing leadership to broaden the welcome and inclusion of LGBTQ+ members into the life and ministries of the parish.

I moved to Chicago in June 2023 to take a position at Roosevelt University. I serve as Dean of the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt, where I am a tenured Professor of Music. I began attending St. James in the Fall of 2024 and moved my membership from Grace Episcopal Oak Park to St. James in the Spring of 2025. I was drawn to this community of faith because of its ministries, the warm welcome of its members, and the dynamic spiritual beauty of the Holy Eucharist Mass. I have been serving as a member of the usher team and as a reader since June 2025.

This is an exciting and meaningful time to be at St. James as we look to the future. I would be honored to serve as a new Chapter member.

Christopher Melvin CATHEDRAL CHAPTER MEMBER

I was raised in the Episcopal Church and it has been central to my family’s life. My father was a lay reader and substitute organist, my mother was a member of the altar guild, my sister led a handbell choir, and I was an acolyte all at St. Philip's in Richmond, VA.

Prior to that my, father was the Director of Gaudet Episcopal Children’s Home in New Orleans for eight years. My parents retired to Westminster Canterbury (Richmond), a community founded by the Episcopal and Presbyterian churches.

In Chicago, my children attended St. Chrysostom’s Day school and were baptized there.

We believe that service is important, thus I have been on the boards of the CSO, RTA, the Operation PUSH Audit Advisory Committee, the Illinois Sport Authority, a part of the Chicago Summer Finance Institute and an advisor to the Illinois Mentoring Partnership.

We have been looking for a church home primarily for my children and we are happy to have become a part of the warm, interesting, and diverse St. James Cathedral Parish.

Kimberly Moreland CATHEDRAL CHAPTER MEMBER

I joined the St James community in 2021, along with my husband Seldon, having been inspired by sermons given by Dean Lisa and Bishop Paula.  The heart for service that this community embodies brings me so much encouragement – it is a great joy to see the call of Christ tangibly embraced in this place.  I formally serve on the Hospitality Committee and provide behind-the-scenes support for St James Meals.  I also have the honor of participating in the inaugural cohort of the Kanuga Fellows program. 

After earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees in international relations from Stanford University, I took a serendipitous turn and ended up in tax.  My current role is head of tax for Merieux NutriSciences, a multinational group that provides laboratory food testing and related services.  What I enjoy most about my job is that I get to work with people from many countries, learning about their experiences and collaborating to solve problems.  I have served on a few non-profit boards, mostly in a finance capacity.  I love reading and travel and all things related to wine and vineyard life, and even more, having long conversations about all of it with good friends.

Jacob Perkins DIOCESAN CONVENTION DELEGATE

I have been a member of St. James Cathedral since the weekend I moved to Chicago from North Carolina in the summer of 2022. On that first visit, and ever since, St. James has truly felt like the place God has brought me to be. Primarily attending the 11:00 service, I quickly found a sense of belonging among the Altar Guild and Acolyte teams, ministries which continue to feed my soul weekly. As an intern, my current focus is on supporting the team of lay ministers who lead our expanding children, youth, and young adult ministries, as well as the nursery, Summer in the City, and our semi-annual joint retreats with St. Martin’s.

I believe one of the greatest gifts this community offers is the ability to clearly and consistently say to so many, “You belong here, and you are loved here.” Encountering this proclamation of the Gospel in its varied forms – the liturgy, our outreach ministries, our small groups, our celebrations, and the very space itself – is what continues to inspire me as a member of this congregation.

Beyond my role at St. James, I serve on the administrative staff at KAM Isaiah Israel Congregation (a Reform synagogue in Hyde Park) and the House Manager at Brent House (The Episcopal Campus Ministry at the University of Chicago). Having completed my Master of Divinity at the University of Chicago Divinity School, I am a Postulant for Holy Orders in the Diocese of Chicago.

Happy are they who dwell in your house! They will always be praising you. (Psalm 84)

Nominees for Finance Commission

George Culver FINANCE COMMISSION MEMBER

Dear St James Community,

Thank you for considering my candidacy for the Finance Commission. I have served on this commission since its inception, and I am continually humbled by the wonderful journey this parish has travelled. I bring years of experience in governance and finance.  I have helped members with bequests and donations and currently serve as Vice President of the Common Fund of the Diocese.

I am a life-long Episcopalian.  I graduated from an Episcopal grade school (Trinity, New York City.)  I am married to my college sweetheart, Marianne Culver who sings in the cathedral choir. Our son, Leland (24) grew up in the St James community and is active in it.

If appointed I will work to ensure the further growth and success of this wonderful organization.

 Michael Paik FINANCE COMMISSION MEMBER

Mike has been attending St. James since 2015. Growing up in a Korean-Presbyterian community, not a “cradle” Episcopal like his wife Olivia, it was a huge adjustment. Eventually, there were only so many newcomers lunches Mike could attend before he was firmly no longer new. Since then, Mike and Olivia have welcomed their first son, Julian, and are excited for him to grow up at St. James. He was first elected to the Finance Commission in 2024.

Mike has 31+ years of consulting experience. He is a Chicago native, with an MBA from the Booth School of Business and an undergraduate economics degree from the University of Chicago.