Daniel Damaschke, Director of Music Ministries
Daniel is originally from Oklahoma and grew up as child and grandchild of pastors. He has been leading congregations in piano music since his teenage years. Daniel studied the Leschetizky Method (a form of piano technique taught by Theodor Leschetizky, who studied with Carl Czerny) privately with Fay MacLauren at Oklahoma City University. He also had the opportunity to assist her with the choir at Trinity United Methodist Church in Clio, SC. In addition, Daniel has studied organ with Professor Tim Marek of Southern Nazarene University in Oklahoma City, OK and Lee Kohlenberg in Charleston, SC. Before serving at St. Luke’s, Daniel served as Director of Music/Organist at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Charleston, and at St. Timothy United Methodist Church in Brevard, NC. He was also the pianist/vocalist at Amazing Grace Chapel in Oklahoma City, OK and taught studio and private piano lessons for twenty years.
Nicole Thompson, Parish Administrator
Nicole graduated from Skagit Valley College in Washington, and before joining the staff at St. Luke’s, she worked as a stable yard volunteer coordinator, historical interpreter, and seamstress at Middleton Plantation. She and her family have lived in multiple places around the United States before moving South Carolina, including Hawaii and Washington state while both she and her husband were serving in the United States Navy. Nicole is a mother and grandmother who enjoys history, cooking, and many textile arts, such as sewing and knitting. In her off time, she and her family enjoy being outdoors, participating in such activities as camping and hiking.
Charles Mathus, Maintenance and Janitorial Services
Charles and his family hail from Harleyville, SC. He excels in a wide array of maintenance, grounds keeping, and repair skills, and he can build a house from the ground up. In his free time, he also enjoys raising chickens.
Terri T. Brisson, Financial Assistant
Terri graduated from Clemson University with a Bachelor of Science in Financial Management. Before joining the staff at St. Luke’s, she worked for fifteen years as the Director of Financial Services for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charleston, SC. Prior to that, Terri worked with Colleton Medical Center – Columbia Health Systems in Walterboro, SC and Lakeland Regional Health System/Berrien General Hospital in St. Joseph, Michigan. Terri is not only dedicated to her work in finance, but she also loves spending time with her family and serving as a Lector and Extraordinary Eucharist Mininster at St. John the Beloved Roman Catholic Church in Summerville, SC.
Reverend Andrea Rice, Pastor
The Reverend Andrea Rice received her Master of Divinity Degree from Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in Columbia, SC in 2005. Pastor Andrea grew up in Atlanta and received her Bachelor of Arts in Music from Shorter College in 2000. She began serving at St. Luke’s in January, 2014. In addition to her service at St. Luke’s, she served for 6 years on the South Carolina Synod Council.
Reverend Nathan Rice, Pastor
The Reverend Nathan Rice received his Master of Divinity Degree from Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in Columbia, SC in 2005. Pastor Nathan grew up in Greenville and received his Bachelor of Education in Music from Shorter College in 2001. He began serving at St. Luke’s in January, 2014. In addition to his service at St. Luke’s, he is part of the Public Education Task Force with the South Carolina Synod.
Previous congregations where Pastor Andrea and Pastor Nathan Rice have served include: St. James Lutheran Church in Lexington, SC; St. Paul Lutheran Church in Mill Hall, PA; Salona Lutheran Church in Salona, PA; St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Loganton, PA, and St. John’s Lutheran Church in Booneville, PA.