Nominees for the Session Class of 2020 and Officer Nominating Committee Class of 2019

Session, Class of 2020

Phil Blount was born in Jamesville, NC and got his BS degree at NC State. For most of Phil’s career, he has been in the sales, marketing and promotional business and is now is President of Icons, Inc. 

Phil and his wife, Jane, have two children. Philip is 25 years old and works at Country Day School and DeeJai Restaurant. Jameson is 21 years old and is a junior at UNC. 

Jane and Phil are co-founders of Philips Academy. They have been members of Trinity Presbyterian Church for 15 years.    

Steve Griffie is a native of Charlotte and has been a member of Trinity since 2013. Steve graduated with a B.S. from Union College where he played football and was a member of outdoor adventure club. He is a Key Account Manager with Acosta Foodservice Carolinas providing foodservice solutions to chain restaurant buyers and corporate chefs. Steve is married to Myra Griffie and they have two young children, Carter and Lara ages 3 years and 9 months.

At Trinity, Steve has served on the Fellowship ministry team and served as an usher on Donnie Bobbitt’s team. He and Myra had visited several churches in the area before, on a whim, they attended a service at Trinity where they were welcomed unlike anywhere they had previously been. That warmth carried over to the following two Sundays and the decision had been made to approach Bill Cockrill regarding joining the church. (no brainer) Steve and Myra are incredibly happy to be part of the Trinity family and look forward to many years in the church and exposing their children to the many blessings this congregation will provide. They can’t think of a better environment.

Steve is honored and humbled to be nominated to the session and is excited to be involved in the evolution of Trinity. When Steve is not working, changing diapers or attending Trinity he passionately enjoys listening to his record collection, reading, running, mountain biking and watching college football. He and his wife are currently planning a staycation with the intent of sleeping late.

Sarah Henry and her family fell under the loving wing of the congregation of Trinity Presbyterian in 1998 as newcomers to the area. From their first visits, it was clear that this was a congregation determined to learn about and to find ways to deserve God’s goodness in the world.

Sarah and Warren Henry raised their children Marie and Douglas in this beloved church and considered it their church home even when their physical home was in Birmingham, Alabama for five long years. Making the sojourn to Montreat every one of those years was like a family reunion to them. Finally moving back to Charlotte fulfilled their dreams of becoming active members again.

Sarah has served on Christian Education, Welcoming and Montreat committees; recently she served on the Associate Pastor Nominating Committee. She is grateful for the opportunity to serve Trinity in this new capacity.

Knowing that teaching was in her blood, Sarah finished her degree as an adult at UNC Charlotte and has been teaching high school English ever since. After spending time with her family and traveling, Sarah likes to read during any spare time. British literature and all kinds of poetry are her enduring favorites.

Debbie Thompson joined Trinity with her family in 1964. She is a lifelong Presbyterian. Debbie graduated from East Mecklenburg High School and received a B.A. Degree in Social Work from Winthrop University. At Trinity, Debbie has been ordained an Elder and has served on the Session previously. Through service at Trinity, Debbie has served on Christian Formation Ministry Team, Mission and Outreach Ministry Team, Weekday School Ministry Team, Congregational Care Ministry Team, Membership Ministry Team and also, the Officer Nominating Committee. Debbie has also taught several children’s Sunday School classes over the years and has chaired Vacation Bible School.

Debbie loves the wonderful opportunities that Trinity offers to all and actively participates in a volunteer roll for many of these needs. Debbie knows that it is a great responsibility and an opportunity to serve and she, again, is humbled to accept this role with enthusiasm and looks forward to being part of moving forward during these exciting times at Trinity.

Meredith Thompson grew up in Raleigh, NC, where her family attended White Memorial Presbyterian Church, and then in Memphis, TN, where she was an active young member of Second Presbyterian Church.

Meredith returned to North Carolina by way of Davidson College, and settled in Charlotte after graduating in 1998. Following a rewarding career in public relations, Meredith dove into small business ownership in 2004, and now operates a manufacturing and retail (dog!) business with her partner in business and life, Barbara. Sharing the journey with them are Barbara’s father, Cecil; shop dog, Bella; bakery supervisor, Andi the Corgi; and Bob the cat.

In the summer of 2013, Meredith drove across town to hear Dr. Steve Lindsley – of whom she knew through the White Memorial connection. Church was meeting in the Fellowship Hall and he wasn’t preaching, but, none of that mattered. Members were welcoming, the music was beautiful, and their worship sincere. She continued the long Sunday commute, joined Trinity that fall, and began serving on the Fellowship Ministry Team. Time spent with the motivated and meticulous folks on that team, as well as helping with Room in the Inn, the Salvation Army Emergency Summer Shelter, and Urban Ministry drink service has been invaluable. She has also enjoyed participating in fourth and fifth grade Sunday School and Book Club.

Meredith considers Trinity – its people and pastors – to be a significant, transformative blessing in her life and looks forward to working with the capable and committed folks of the Session to help shape its future. When she’s not at the business or church, Meredith loves spending even more time with dogs (or any animals!), vegan cooking, running, hiking, Boot Camp, or otherwise being active and outdoors (preferably at the beach or somewhere near Asheville!).

Youth Elder, Class of 2018

Caroline Reid was born and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina. She is a lifetime member of Trinity Presbyterian Church. Currently, Caroline is a junior at Providence Day School. Being a high school student, this is her first time serving on Session. At Trinity, she participates in the church in other ways. She acolytes, attends Youth Group and Sunday School regularly, and when she was younger she sang in the Children’s Choir and participated in Liturgical Arts Camp. Outside of the church, Caroline runs cross country and track for her school team and does community service with the organizations Big Brothers Big Sisters and Freedom School, which both work with children. Caroline is looking forward to the opportunity to collaborate with the Trinity session. In her free time Caroline enjoys spending time with her friends, baking, and reading.

Officer Nominating Committee, Class of 2019