The Board of Directors
Rt Revd James (Jay) B Magness - Chairman
In 2010, after a 30 year career in the US Navy, the Rt. Rev. James B. “Jay” Magness was elected by the Episcopal House of Bishops to serve as the VI Bishop Suffragan for the Armed Forces and Federal Ministries. Upon his retirement and resignation in 2017 he transitioned to become the Bishop Assisting in the Diocese of Southern Virginia. In 2019 he became the Bishop Pro Tempore of the diocese and served in that position until 2020. He and his wife Carolyn reside in Virginia Beach, VA.
Revd Canon Bill Schwartz, DMin, OBE - Secretary
Bill served in the Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf as an appointed missionary of TEC - as administrator, archdeacon (canon of the ordinary), and pastor for 38 years before retiring in 2022, where he continues to serve a small church in San Diego. His four children were born in Cyprus. He enjoys that retirement allows him to be near his four grandchildren.
Pamela (Pam) Faber - Treasurer
Pam’s background is in International Finance, and her professional career spanned the public, private and non-profit sectors which positions her well to serve as our Treasurer. She has been actively interested in the Middle East since 2015 and is proud to be working directly with AFDCG. Currently retired, Pam lives in Wayne, PA where she does extensive volunteer work and is an avid tennis player.
Helen Fairbank Goodkin - Director
Following a career in healthcare and advocacy for disabled individuals, Helen completed an M.A. in Biblical Studies and now shares her knowledge as a mentor to local Bible study groups around New York City. Her interest lies in attempting to understand the Biblical text within its historical and cultural context.
A mission trip in 2015 to Qatar launched Helen’s interest in the amazing ministry to guest workers that is nurtured by the broadly-based ministries of Anglican churches in the Arabian Gulf.
M Catherine Smythe Zajc - Director
Catherine has devoted more than 40 years to providing research and information management services to a broad range of institutions, including government and media libraries in Washington, D.C. and New York City; and to nonprofit organizations across many sectors. As a volunteer, she is engaged in the work of various peace & social justice issues, locally and elsewhere. She lives in Cleveland, OH, with her husband, John, and their beagle, Jessie Grace.