Priest-in-Charge | Mother Suz Southern
Mother Suz Southern has served as the Priest-in-Charge of St. Paul’s Berlin since April 2024 and our Assistant Priest since July 2023.
Excited to be back on the Eastern shore of Maryland, Mtr. Suz was baptized, confirmed, married, and ordained as a deacon all at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church in Salisbury. She graduated cum laude from the University of Maryland Baltimore County with a BA in Environmental Studies/Gender and Women’s Studies, and a minor in music. She completed her Masters of Divinity at the School of Theology at the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee and was ordained to the priesthood in June 2023.
She joins St. Paul’s with her husband Dave, also an Eastern shore native. Dave is a professional woodworker by trade, owning his own business: David Southern Designs, specializing in custom furniture and historic restoration. They love spending time with their two dogs, Hailey Grace (Jack Russell Mix) and Brutus Blue (Bluetick Coonhound).
Mtr. Suz is passionate about helping others find their calling in God’s church, so please get in touch to schedule a time to talk!
Mtr. Suz is currently holding office hours at Second Wave Coffee on Wednesdays from 1pm-3pm at 19 Williams Street. Join her for coffee and conversation!
Deacon Emeritus | Rev. Dick Bunting
Reverend Dick Bunting serves as a deacon to St. Paul’s Berlin. Rev. Dick retired from his work as a hospital chaplain at Atlantic General Hospital in 2015, and we are grateful for his ministry during his retirement at St. Paul’s.
Born and raised in the Methodist church in Selbyville, Delaware, Rev. Dick studied ornamental horticulture at the University of Delaware. After meeting his wife Ellen, Rev. Dick became an Episcopalian in Ocean City in 1965 and was confirmed the following year at St. Paul’s by the Sea.
In the fall of 2002, Dick felt a calling to hospital chaplaincy and began his journey towards the diaconate. In May of 2013, he was ordained a vocational deacon and retired in 2015. In addition to his work as a deacon at St Paul’s, Rev. Dick is active in the Diocese of Easton currently serving as a member of the Commission on Ministry. Dick and Ellen have two adult children, Kathy Bunting-Howarth and Rick Bunting and four grandchildren.
Parish Administrator | Susan Wellman
Susan has been the secretary and treasurer of St. Paul's Berlin Episcopal Church since January 2002. She was born and raised in Berlin, graduating from Worcester Country School in 1984 and Salisbury University in 1988, with an accounting degree. She has twin daughters, Brooke & Brittany who are 5th generation members of St. Paul's. She has taught Sunday School, served on the Vestry and Finance Committee, and has served as the Treasurer of the Women of St. Paul's.
Susan is in the office Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9am-12pm.
St. Paul's Vestry
The Vestry are the lay leadership of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, elected each year at the annual parish meeting. With the priest-in-charge, they are responsible for all aspects of the mission and ministry of St. Paul’s including the finances and property.
Class of 2024: Bill Blackmore, Patty Hammond
Class of 2025: Betsy Abel, Ray Coates, Gail Whaley
Class of 2026: Deb Ritz, Carol Vaughan
Senior Warden: Deb Ritz
Junior Warden: Rick Savage
