The Rev. James Williamson previously served at St. Edmund Church as vicar from 2007 until 2015; he was appointed priest-in-charge by Bishop Dabney Smith effective October 1, 2021. Ordained priest in 1986 in the Diocese of Texas, he is a graduate of Louisiana College, has a M.Div. degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and a Ph.D. in religious studies from Baylor University. Father Williamson also has a Certificate in Anglican Studies from the Episcopal Seminary of the Southwest. He previously served on the bishop's staff, was Episcopal Chaplain at the University of South Florida, and taught anthropology and religion at the State College of Florida. He resides in Port Charlotte.
The Rev. Robert Vaughn has served as deacon at St. Edmund Church since 2001. He was ordained deacon in 1990 in the Diocese of Southeast Florida. Deacon Vaughn has a Master of Social Work degree from Barry University and graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a degree in theology. He recently retired from his career as a licensed clinical social worker in medical and behavioral health services. In addition to his assignment at St. Edmund Church, he has also served on the diocesan Commission on Ministry and participated in training of those seeking ordination as deacon. He lives in Arcadia with his wife, Nancy Jo, and is active in the local community. He is a Past Exalted Ruler of the Arcadia Elks Lodge and currently serves as the Executive Director of DeSoto Cares Homeless Services in Arcadia.
The Rev. Mario Castro has been Hispanic Missioner at St. Edmund's since 2012. He was born in La Joya de Guerra, a small town near Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic. He attended St. Vincent De Paul Seminary (Roman Catholic) in the Dominican Republic. He and his wife have been active in the Episcopal Church since 1994.
In 1994, Father Castro and his family began attending St. Francis Episcopal Church, Tampa; they eventually became very involved in parish life and worked with the community evangelizing. He served on the church’s vestry and held the position of senior warden.
Father Mario, as he prefers to be called, has an active Latino congregation for the 7:00 Spanish language Eucharist on Sundays and is available in Arcadia on Wednesdays. He also serves at the Church of the Redeemer, Sarasota, which has the largest Latino congregation in the Diocese of Southwest Florida.