Byron Smalley has been attending St. Thomas’ for almost four years, having moved to the DC area from San Francisco in 2003. He was baptized and confirmed in his late 30s at a small, very intimate parish while living in San Francisco.

"I will always remember and treasure the words of the priest who baptized me," Byron explains. "Right before my first Eucharist, he pointed at the altar and said, 'This will always be your table.' I believe that spirit is what the Episcopal Church offers to the Christian communion." Byron is currently co-chair of the Stewardship Committee, a service he finds both enjoyable and challenging. He realizes that it takes financial contributions to make the parish and its many ministries possible, but that "Money is only one part of the time/talent/treasure commitment that God asks of us. All three contributions are needed to make St. Thomas' what it is today."

Much of what is important to Byron about St. Thomas’ is the people and personal connections we make and share. On his first visit to St. Thomas’ in 2004, he ran into two old friends, not realizing they were parishioners. One was Larry Bradley, a college fraternity brother; the other was Louie Stewart, a former co-worker. “Both Larry and Louie were very gracious in bringing me into St. Thomas’ family." Byron has been an attorney for the IRS for 20 years. In addition to Alexandria and San Francisco, he has lived in Richmond, Memphis and Cincinnati. He loves wine tasting and especially the California wine country. Byron also enjoys travel and has recently visited Taiwan, Thailand and Barcelona.

Thank you, Byron, for your service and dedication to the health of St. Thomas’.