OUR LEADERSHIP
Rev. Mary Kay Brown, Rector
Rev. Mary Kay Brown, Rector, has served as part-time rector at St. Francis since October 2025. She received her MDiv from Virginia Theological Seminary in 2008, and previously served as rector at St. David’s Episcopal Church in Ashburn, VA. Her first career, as a medical social worker, focused on trauma and hospice care. She and her husband, Mark, live in Emerald Isle and have two adult children. Mary Kay is committed to vibrant, inclusive worship and to deepening relationships with God and one another through Christ. She is delighted to be part of the St. Francis by the Sea community. Mary Kay loves questions and welcomes conversation. Her favorite question is: Where is God in this? She finds God in music, reading, traveling, learning, friendships, walking, and everything to do with the beach.
Rev. Christine Carlin, Priest in Residence
Rev. Christine Carlin, Priest in Residence My love of history brought me to James Madison University and Kent State University for degrees in English and American history. My career in the church began with lay ministry at St. Luke’s in Bethesda, Md. I then attended Virginia Theological Seminary and went on to serve parishes in Louisville, KY, Boston, Greensboro, Greenville, NC, and Havelock. I am currently Priest in Residence at St. Francis. I enjoy sports, history, music, and sharing time with friends.
Rev. Robin Smith, Deacon
The Rev. Deacon Robin Loflin Smith lives with her husband, Terry, in Pine Knoll Shores. Robin was ordained in 2023 and was delighted to return to her home church to serve as Deacon. She sings in the Diocese choir, Schola Cantorum; serves as a mentor for Education for Ministry classes; works with ministry candidates in formation in the Diocese School for Ministry; and volunteers with Martha’s Mission Cupboard. Robin and Terry enjoy traveling and love spending time with their family, including son Eric, daughter-in-law Esther, daughter Sara, son-in-law George, and grandson Elio. Robin earned a B.A. from UNCG, a M.A. from Appalachian, and a doctorate from UNCG. She has been a classroom teacher and educational consultant and spent most of her career at Salem College, where she was Associate Professor and Dean of Graduate Studies and Dean of Undergraduate Studies. She completed seminary studies at Sewanee School of Theology as well as a Diocese-led formation program. As Deacon, she has a ministry of servanthood, promoting care of those in need outside the church, as well as roles in worship that include proclaiming the gospel, leading intercessions, waiting the eucharistic table, and preaching.
Craig Everett, Director of Music
Craig Everett, director of music at St. Francis by the Sea Episcopal Church, has served as choir director and organist for the past 8 years. After teaching high school band for 33 years, he worked for an additional 10 years as the Arts Education Director for the Carteret County Public School System for a total of 43 years in public education. In 2017, Craig was voted into the North Carolina Bandmaster Association Hall of Fame. Craig continues to be an active band adjudicator, clinician and conductor in the southeast for marching and concert band assessments, as well as regional honor bands. Always a teacher at heart, he strives to continue his role as an educator even today as he leads the church music program. Craig graduated from Atlantic Christian College in 1980 with degrees in music education and sacred music. He continued his education at East Carolina University, earning a Master's Degree in music education. He began playing the organ for his home church in Robersonville at age 14. While working as a high school band director, the required weekend duties prevented him from holding down a church music position for many years. In this season of life, he is happy to return to church work where he has a passion for worship planning and producing memorable and meaningful music that prepares one’s heart for worship.
Stover Morris, Parish Manager
After studying engineering at Virginia Tech, my initial career was in management, then distribution, and evolved to sales. A life decision to spend more time with family led to a relocation to the beach. My wife Marion and I have enjoyed life in Carteret County for 42 years. We have one daughter and are blessed with two grandchildren. My outside interests are woodworking, exercise, home maintenance, and above all being happy.
Penn Perry, Communications
Penn Perry is a full-time English and Humanities Instructor at Lenoir Community College, where he teaches freshman and sophomore composition and literature courses with a focus on engaging, student-centered learning. A lifelong educator at heart, Penn holds a B.A. in English from Wake Forest University and a Master of Theological Studies from Duke University. He completed doctoral coursework in British Literature at the University of Georgia, where he also taught undergraduate writing and literature. Before returning to the classroom, he spent fifteen years as Executive Director of Trinity Center in Pine Knoll Shores, leading staff, managing programs, and fostering a strong sense of community. In addition to his teaching, Penn serves as Communications Coordinator for St. Francis by the Sea Episcopal Church, where he edits the weekly and monthly newsletters. Most importantly, he is the father two sons Win and Holt Perry. The three of them recently adopted a kitten named Tuxedo.
Peggy Quinn, Finance Administrator
Peggy Quinn is our finance administrator, working closely with our Parish Manager and Treasurer. Originally from Waycross, GA, Peggy graduated from Guilford College and relocated to Morehead City in 1993 to be closer to family. She has 35 years of experience as an accountant.
Rev. Deacon Robin Smith, Rev. Mary Kay Brown, Rev. Chris Carlin
