The Rev'd Sonny Browne began serving All Saints on January 1, 2020. He is from across the Roanoke River in Bertie County, NC, having grown up in Roxobel and Kelford, NC. Sonny graduated from Bertie High School in Windsor, NC and attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His degrees are Bachelor of Arts in History and Master of Arts in Teaching.
While raised in the Southern Baptist Church, he felt called to the Episcopal Church in college and attended seminary at Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, VA. Upon graduation, he served as rector of Trinity Episcopal Church in Chocowinity, NC, for twelve years. He served as Canon for Diocesan Life for three years in the Diocese of East Carolina. Missing parish ministry, he accepted the call to serve as rector of All Saints in Roanoke Rapids in November 2019.
He is available for pastoral care, baptisms, weddings, funerals, anointing of the sick, and any pastoral concerns that may arise for you. He is eager to make connections with individuals, groups, and institutions who desire to make a difference in the life of people in Halifax County and the surrounding region to help more people connect and have an impact on the lives of people who feel impoverished and disconnected in this part of North Carolina.
You are most welcome to connect with Sonny (Father Sonny or Fr. Browne) at 252.209.5846 by phone or text or email at rectorrrnc@gmail.com.
Father Browne (or Father Sonny- or just Sonny) serves:
- Hannah's Place, a safe house for persons escaping domestic violence;
- Main Street Roanoke Rapids - a civic cooperative of city and non-profit seeking to keep Roanoke Rapids vital
- Diocese of North Carolina's Task Force on Preventing Gun Violence
- Dean of the Rocky Mount Convocation of Episcopal Parishes
Danita Barnes has served as Director of Music at All Saints’ since 2013. Accompanying worship with music has been a part of her life since she was a young girl, floating from one Sunday School classroom to another in her Baptist church playing the piano for both adults and children to sing hymns. She believes that early experience laid the foundation for becoming a church musician.
Danita is a graduate of Meredith College, where she majored in Business Administration, and studied piano and organ. She particularly enjoys teaching the art of handbell ringing, and in her spare time, she occasionally learns and performs a solo handbell piece.
Danita and her husband, Bobby, have three adult daughters and five grandchildren. She welcomes all people to sing and to make music. Contact Danita to express interest in the choir, handbells, or music in general at All Saints!
