Welcome: Staff

Staff

Rev. Stephanie Dion 

Rev. Stephanie Dion joined the Eastminster family in May 2022. Stephanie has a BA in religion from Florida Southern College and a Master of Divinity and a Master of Arts in Christian Education and Formation with a focus in spiritual formation and mission from Princeton Theological Seminary. Prior to joining the staff at Eastminster, she co-pastored a small village church in Titusville, NJ, and then served as Associate Pastor at Lowcountry Presbyterian Church in Bluffton, SC.

Rev. Dion loves leading God’s people in worship, finds joy in preaching and the creative process of making an ancient text come alive for today. She also enjoys teaching and encouraging people’s love of the Bible; and she loves getting to know people and their unique stories and hearing how God has been active in them.

Stephanie has been searching for a congregation that is authentic and offers generous welcome and is excited to have found that in Eastminster. She enjoys spending time with her husband, James and their two pets: a chatty orange tabby named Stan, and an excitable and affectionate Brittany named Rusty.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Eastminster Presbyterian Church - Lucie Svatonova-Hughes, Music Director

Lucie Svatonova-Hughes, Music Director

 
Lucie Svatonova-Hughes is a native of Prague, Czech Republic where she earned a bachelor’s degree in vocal performance from the Academy of Performing Arts.  She came to the U.S. in 1996 to pursue a Master of Music degree at Converse College.  Lucie has since been performing with numerous ensembles and organizations in SC, NC and Georgia.  She has been a church musician since the age of 18 and also enjoys working with aspiring artists of all ages. She believes everyone has musical ability. She is currently on the faculty at Presbyterian College and is the director of Laurens County Academy of Music at PC. Lucie is married to Kenny Hughes, and they have two sons, Caleb and Lewis.
 

lucie@eastminster.com

Joan Jones
 
 
 

Joan Jones, Director of Children & Middle School Ministries

 
Joan was born in Alabama and has lived in Texas, Kentucky, Virginia, New York, Arkansas and Georgia. She is married to Chris Jones, who serves as Pastor of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Travelers Rest. They have two daughters, Sarah Dianne, a seminary student in Charlotte, NC and Catherine, an accountant in Jackson, MS. Joan’s greatest joy is sharing the stories of faith with children and youth. She brings over 20 years of experience to EPC. Joan has directed Presbytery summer camps for youth and children as well as keynoted youth and children’s retreats. She is very active at Montreat Youth Conferences having served on planning teams for Middle School and High School conferences and has co-directed both as well. Joan not only serves as our Director of Children and Youth Ministries but she is also a Kindergarten-2nd grade Special Education Teacher at Mauldin Elementary. She also serves as Adult Moderator for the Youth Council of Foothills Presbytery.
 

Kelly Fluker, Administrative Assistant

 
Kelly Fluker was born and raised in Iowa. She moved to South Carolina in 1997. She is married to Jermaine Fluker and they have one son, Caelin. The Flukers currently live in Simpsonville. Kelly is thrilled to be part of the EPC Staff.
 

Patrick Leonard, Pianist

 

Native of Rock Hill, SC, Patrick graduated Summa Cum Laude from Presbyterian College (PC) in May 2023. In July he started attending Edvard Via College of Osteopathic Medicine in Spartanburg. He is a very talented musician, accomplished on the piano as well as the viola. He has worked as a church accompanist at Rock Springs Presbyterian Church in Laurens, SC; he has played in PC Chamber Orchestra, PC Jazz Band, accompanied in recitals, and frequently performed at the Presbyterian Home in Clinton. He was the winner of the 2023 Orval Oleson Competition at PC. Patrick is an Eagle Scout, a life-long Presbyterian, and considers music an indispensable part of his life.