We love what we do
Meet the team
Rector
The Rev. Dr. Jacqueline Soltys
The Rev. Dr. Jacqueline Soltys was ordained at St. James Episcopal Cathedral in the city of Chicago, where she served as both Deacon and Curate. After she and her family moved to Virginia in 2017, Jacqueline served as a supply priest at Old Donation, then accepted the position of Assistant Rector at Grace Church in Yorktown, where she served for two years. She is the creator of a wide range of digital projects, including “The Questions Project,” which can be found at jsoltys.org.
The priesthood was a mid-career change after time spent in academia. Soltys has a PhD in Russian Language and Literature from Yale University. She taught in a variety of academic settings and worked as a simultaneous translator for NBC during the Reagan-Gorbachev Summit. Soltys also worked as Prestigious Fellowships Coordinator at Cornell University, where she coached applicants through the application process for the Rhodes and Marshall Scholarships.
Rev. Soltys has two adult children: one is a lawyer; the other is pursuing a degree in fashion design at Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York City. Soltys’s husband, Stuart Henderson, is a physicist. He was Director of Jefferson National Laboratory in Newport News for 7 years.
and Imaginative Projects
Ben Blanchard
I’ve been on staff at Good Shepherd for 17 years. As of the fall 2021 my full time call is to create space and opportunities for children and youth that encourage them to explore who God is as well as participate in the life of an active faith community. When I’m not doing my thing on the corner of North Shore Road and Hampton Boulevard, I can be found creating mixed media art, finding treasures in thrift stores, and checking out food at hip spots around the globe and in my own backyard.
Read this article about some of Ben’s work here.
Music Director
Dr. Harlan Zackery, Jr.
Dr. Harlan Zackery, Jr., is Director of Choral Activities and conductor of the Concert Choir at Norfolk State University. A native of Henderson, NC, he completed the Bachelor of Music degree in music education, cum laude, as well as the Master of Music in choral conducting at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. He received his Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Southern Mississippi. In addition to his work as a choral director, he has extensive experience as an orchestral conductor, piano soloist, and musical theatre director. He has also been actively involved in church music work since high school, working in congregations throughout North Carolina, Mississippi and Virginia. When not making music you can find him perfecting a recipe in the kitchen or out in the apiary tending to his beehives.
Graphic Design
Katie Davenport
Communications Specialist
Emily Kovalesky
I was born and raised in the mountains of Southwest Virginia, but after a few military moves we have found our home in the Hampton Roads since 2022. I’ve been married to my husband, Aaron, for the past 6 years. We have one son, Preston, who keeps me on my toes and a daughter, Sophia, on the way. We also have one German Shepherd dog, Tiny. In my free time, you can find me with a book in my hands by the water.
Parish Administrator
Nick Moon
I was born in Jacksonville, Florida, and my family’s from upstate New York, but I’ve lived in Virginia Beach since 1999, so I’m a quasi-native. Film is my passion. I have my MFA from Regent University in Film Directing. I’m always happy to give film recommendations, should you be bored on a weekend. I have one daughter, Lexi, who is my most frequent source of joy. I’m grateful to be part of Good Shepherd’s team and I look forward to serving the church.
An Episcopal Parish
The Episcopal Church welcomes all who worship Jesus Christ, in 111 dioceses and regional areas in 17 nations. The Episcopal Church is a member province of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The mission of the church, as stated in the Book of Common Prayer’s catechism (p. 855), is “to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ.”