Staff & Vestry
CLERGY
Rector — Paul N. Walker – paul@christchurchcville.org
Paul was called to serve as Priest-in-Charge in 2008. He was called to be the 12th Rector of Christ Episcopal Church on September 23, 2009. He was born and raised in Richmond, Virginia. Paul graduated from the University of Virginia in 1986 with a degree in English and received his Master of Divinity from Virginia Theological Seminary in 1995. Previously, he served as Associate Rector at Christ Episcopal Church from 1995 to 2001, as Canon for Parish Life and Chaplain of the Day School at The Cathedral Church of the Advent (Birmingham, AL) from 2001-2004, and as Director of Anglican College Ministry at Christ Episcopal Church from 2004-2008. Paul is married to Christie and they have three children, Hilary, Glen, and Rob.
Associate Rector – Dave Johnson – dave@christchurchcville.org
Dave has been at Christ Church since 2007. He was born in Newport, Rhode Island, spent most of his childhood in Springfield, Virginia, and has served in full time parish ministry in the Episcopal Church since 1992 in parishes in Virginia, Wyoming, and South Carolina. He completed a Bachelor of Arts at Oral Roberts University with a double major of Biblical Literature and European History, a Master of Divinity at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, a Master of Sacred Theology at Nashotah House Episcopal Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry at Trinity School for Ministry. He and his wife, Steph, have been married since 1990, and have five children: Cate, Becky, Abi, Emily, and Paul. Dave also has an older son, Andrew, who lives with his wife, Marielle, in Strasburg, Virginia. For fun he enjoys spending time with Steph and their kids, sports, and reading. Most of all, he is grateful for the grace of God he has experienced in Jesus Christ.
STAFF
Parish Administrator — Marcy Hooker — marcy@christchurchcville.org
Marcy started at Christ Church in 1996 as a “temp”. A Chicago native, she and her husband, Jim, (high-school sweethearts, now married for 35 years), relocated to Charlottesville in May 1996. She has two grown sons and three grandchildren back in the Chicago area. She also serves as a faculty member of Credo, a wellness benefit for Episcopal Clergy and Lay Employees. Marcy enjoys serving the Lord in both ministries, here at Christ Church and at Credo conferences.
Office Administrator – Lyn Gunsalus — lyn@christchurchcville.org
Lyn was born in Georgia and moved to Staunton, Virginia when she was 12. She graduated from James Madison University with a B.S. in Early Childhood and taught kindergarten and first grade for eight years. After leaving the classroom, Lyn worked on Capitol Hill as Office Manager for Congressman Tom Coleman (R-MO), then took a job as a Legislative Analyst with a Washington, D.C. law firm. Prior to becoming a member of Christ Church, she served as Office Manager at St. Paul’s-Ivy. Her husband, Brent, is an attorney, with a law degree from Washington & Lee University. They will be married 30 years in December 2010 and live in Afton. Lyn is grateful for the opportunity to serve the people of Christ Church.
Music Minister — Paul M. Walker– paulmusic@christchurchcville.org
Paul M. Walker holds a Master of Music degree in Organ Performance from the University of Kansas and a PhD in Musicology from the University of Buffalo. He is active as a music minister, performer, and scholar. At the University of Virginia, where he is Associate Professor of Music, he teaches courses in music before 1750 and directs the Early Music performance activities. In 1991 he founded the local ensemble Zephyrus, a small vocal group dedicated to music of the Middle Ages, Renaissance, and Baroque. Included among his many publications on music of the 16th and 17th centuries are books, articles, and participation in national and international conferences. He served previously as Minister of Music at Christ Church between 1996 and 2003.
Music Minister — Sam Bush — samuelpbush@gmail.com
Originally haling from Hingham, Massachusetts Sam attended UVa, majoring in English and Religious Studies and graduated in 2009. After spending four years at Christ Church as a student, Sam joined the Fellows Program playing piano at the 5 o’clock service and curating The Garage, the church’s art space / music venue on 1st Street. Sam also bar tends at the Belmont restaurant The Local and is the frontman for the local rock band, The Hill and Wood.
High School Youth Minister -- Ross Byrd — ross@christchurchcville.org
Website Specialist and High School/ College Ministry – Hannah Byrd – hannah@christchurchcville.org
Ross along with his wife, Hannah, and daughter, Ila, returned to Christ Church in the fall of 2009 after working for Galilee Church in Virginia Beach for 3 years. Ross is a graduate of the University of Virginia with a double major in Religious Studies and East Asian Studies. During his last year of school there, he began working for Christ Church doing music at the 5:00 service and eventually became the first Urban Missioner. Hannah is a graduate of James Madison University and also became involved in the 5:00 service during her fourth year there. When she’s not chasing after Ila, she spends some of her time with our high schoolers as well as college girls.
Middle School Youth Minister – Liz Edrington — liz@christchurchcville.org
Liz became the youth minister here in the summer of 2006 after graduating from the University of Virginia with a degree in Sports Medicine. She grew up in Warrenton, Virginia, and she has a special place in her heart for Scotland. She coaches the varsity girl’s soccer team at Charlottesville High School, and she is still in daily grateful awe that getting to love and serve kids is what she does for her “job”.
College and Young Adult Minister/ Director of Mockingbird Ministries –David Zahl– davidzahl@gmail.com
David Zahl is the executive director and founder of Mockingbird Ministries, a ministry that seeks to connect the truth of the Christian message with the realities of everyday life via websites, conferences, recordings and publications. Born in New York City and brought up in NY, SC, Germany and CT, David graduated from Georgetown University in 2001, with honors in German and History. David then served for five years as an itinerant youth minister with FOCUS (Fellowship Of Christians in Universities and Schools), restarting their New England Boarding Schools region and helping re-establish fellowship groups at schools such as Deerfield, Taft, Northfield, and his alma mater, Choate. He left in 2007 to start Mockingbird full-time in NYC. While in New York, he also served as the founding senior warden of St Pauls Church, a new body on the Upper East Side. He and his wife Cate were married in 2007 and are currently expecting their first child in August.
Handbell Choir and Junior Choir Ministry — Sarah Kennedy — sarah@christchurchcville.org
Sarah is a Roanoke native now pursuing a Mechanical Engineering degree at the University of Virginia. She has been very active in church music all her life, first with her parents (both church musicians) and then directing a handbell choir during high school. Although Sarah is not pursuing a music degree, music holds a very special place in her heart and she is excited to be a part of the Handbell Choir and Junior Choir ministry at Christ Church.
High Street Hymns — Alex Mejias – alex@alexmejias.com
Alex began working at Christ Church in 2004, leading the music at Anglican College Ministry. He graduated from the University of Virginia in 2000 with a degree in Religious Studies. From 2000-2002 Alex worked with the student ministry at Galilee Episcopal Church in Virginia Beach, and then returned to Charlottesville to study law at the University of Virginia. After graduating from law school and passing the New York bar, Alex began pursuing music full time both as a worship leader and singer-songwriter. Alex has completed two recording projects since that time, the first (“High Street Hymns”) capturing music from our 5pm service. More recently Alex completed a CD of his own original songs titled “Alex Mejias.” Alex is married to Ashley Diaz Mejias who is in the Director of Women’s Ministries at the Center for Christian Study.
Facilities Manager – Al Loving
William Alfred Loving (you can call him Al) is our staff member with the most years under his belt. He was hired by Bishop Atkinson in 1994. Al is truly a Christ Church ambassador to all from our little corner of the world. He is always there with a helping hand for his fellow staffers or just folks on the street around Christ Church. Al manages our complex buildings and their systems, and assists with our weekly ministry of Loaves & Fishes.
VESTRY
Constance Palmer, Senior Warden (Term expires 5/31/11)
Mike Sadler, Junior Warden (Term expires 5/31/13)
Carol Craig, Register (Term expires 5/31/11)
Dale Varga, Treasurer (Term approved annually)
Catherine Baritaud (Term expires 5/31/11)
Jill Bascom (Term expires 5/31/12)
Bill Blodgett (Term expires 5/31/13)
John Desmond (Term expires 5/31/12)
Judy Drayer (Term expires 5/31/13)
Punkie Feil (Term expires 5/31/12)
Jo Gitchell (Term expires 5/31/12)
Bill Gordon (Term expires 5/31/11)
Joe Jennings (Term expires 5/31/12)
Charlie Owen (Term expires 5/31/13)
Lester Wilson (Term expires 5/31/11)
Anne Worrell (Term expires 5/31/13)
Vestry Contact info: cdppalmer@gmail.com