The Rev. Dr. Bill Harkins
Priest in Charge | 770-893-4525 ext. 102
Bill Harkins practices psychotherapy and marriage and family therapy at the Cathedral Counseling Center in Atlanta. He joined the faculty of Episcopal CREDO, a wellness program for clergy, as Psychological Health faculty in 2012, and serves on the faculty of Columbia Seminary’s “Ministering to Ministers Lily Foundation funded program. Bill is an Approved Supervisor in AAMFT, a Diplomate in AAPC, and an ACPE Psychotherapist and Spiritually Integrated Psychotherapy Trainer. An ordained Episcopal priest, he was a Priest Associate at the Cathedral of St. Philip for 18 years, and is currently serving as Interim Priest in Charge at Holy Family Episcopal Church in Jasper, Georgia. Bill taught pastoral theology and counseling for 23 years at Columbia Theological Seminary, where he co-directed the THD program in pastoral psychotherapy shared by Columbia, Emory, and ITC. He holds degrees from Rhodes College (B.A.) and Vanderbilt University (M.Div., Ph.D. with Honors) Bill is married (42 years) to Dr. Vicky Harkins, an advanced practice nurse leader, educator, and healthcare administrator. They have two sons, Justin (40) an environmental litigation attorney and partner with Crowley & Fleck Law Firm in Billings, Montana, and Andrew (37) a Fellow in oncology/hematology at MD Anderson, in Houston. Twin grandchildren, Alice and Jack, were born in Billings, Montana in March 2017; a granddaughter, Sophia, was born in Atlanta on Christmas Eve 2018; and George, a grandson, born in December of 2022. Bill is the veteran of 47 consecutive Peachtree Road Races, and completed the Asheville Marathon, his 11th, in March of 2015. He enjoys trail running and other forms of outdoor recreation, writing, and spending time with family. Bill enjoys meeting people in the liminal spaces within life transitions, whatever the sources. Often, such times are the occasion for discernment, assessment, and reevaluation amidst change. Whether you are experiencing depression, anxiety, grief and loss, or you are simply seeking a safe context for considering “next steps,” Bill provides a confidential, professional relationship for the journey. He focuses on strengths as well as challenges, and seeks to co-create creative, imaginative, resilient solutions. He respects all life contexts and spiritual orientations. He enjoys working with individuals, couples, and families, and has extensive experience working with churches in transition, leading vestry retreats, clinical supervision, and consulting with institutions in conflict, including family-owned businesses
The Rev. Dr. Ted Hackett
Priest Associate
Ted joined the staff of Holy Family as Priest Associate June 1, 2006 after retiring from his post as Associate Professor of Church Ministries at Candler School of Theology where he was responsible for giving Episcopal students a solid grounding in Anglican studies. He is an expert in the fields of liturgy and historical theology. He continues to preach and celebrate the Eucharist regularly. He teaches Sunday school frequently. Ted and his wife, Dr. Debbie Freudenthal, are residents of Big Canoe.
The Rev. Byron Tindall
Priest Associate
Byron and his wife, Anne, moved to the Cherokee County in December 2007 in order to be closer to members of their family. Following retirement from the newspaper and printing industry, Byron continued serving as Vicar at Christ Episcopal Church in Denmark, S.C., for several more years. When he retired, he had served in the Diocese of South Carolina for 25 years. Before moving to South Carolina, Byron served four small mission churches in the Diocese of Central New York. He continues to preach and celebrate the Holy Eucharist on a regular basis here at Holy Family. He also assists in the areas of pastoral care and outreach.
