Christ Church Staff and Vestry
Paul Walker, Rector
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.
Marilu Thomas, Associate Rector
Marilu has served as Associate Rector since September 15, 2014. She specializes in Mission and Service, leading mission trips to Honduras and participating in Haiti Medical Missions, as well as organizing the church’s various local missions including the PACEM shelter, Loaves and Fishes soup kitchen, Habitat for Humanity teams and serves on the board of The Haven day shelter. Born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, she graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in Journalism and received a dual degree Masters of Divinity/Masters in Social Work for Luther Seminary/Augsburg College in 2009. As an Ordained Minister, Spiritual Director, and Social Worker, Marilu has a deep affinity for those who doubt and struggle with accepting God’s grace. Having worked in a variety of settings with people of all backgrounds, she brings an abiding sense of community to her work as well as a listening ear. A dedicated member of 12 Step groups, Rev. Thomas is also a Mindfulness Self-Compassion practitioner, leads Christian Mindfulness Retreats and Marriage/Relationship workshops. Marilu has been married to Stuart since 1982 and they have two daughters, Callie and Kristin, a son-in-law, Caleb, and two granddaughters, Lucy and Annabel who all thankfully live in Charlottesville. Marilu feels especially blessed and graced to be part of the faith-filled work of Christ Church.
Josh Bascom, Associate Rector
Josh was born and raised in Charlottesville, Virginia, but first arrived at Christ Episcopal Church in 2010 to join the Fellows Program and work as the parish Urban Missioner. After attending seminary and working for a summer at Trinity Episcopal Church in Charlottesville, Josh joined the staff at Christ Episcopal Church in the Fall of 2016 and now serves as Associate Rector. His ministry focuses on the Seniors and Young Adults of the parish, as well as Pastoral Care and Worship/Lay Ministry coordinating. Josh graduated from Hampden-Sydney College in 2010 with degrees in History and Political Philosophy and received his Master of Divinity degree from Duke Divinity School in 2016. He is married to Courtney, a fellow Charlottesville native, who now works at the University of Virginia Hospital as a Registered Dietician.
Courtenay Evans, Outreach Minister and Newcomer Liaison
A native of Charlottesville and a graduate of the University of Virginia and the Culinary Institute of America, Courtenay was ordained in 2021 to the Vocational Diaconate in the Diocese of Virginia after completing her training through the two-year Deacons’ School program. Courtenay, a former Christ Church Fellow, is our Outreach Minister/Newcomer Liaison and assigned Deacon at Buck Mountain Episcopal Church in Earlysville. Prior to Christ Church, Courtenay traveled extensively, living abroad in both England and Italy, managing the cafe at Feast! and working at the PB&J Fund, teaching healthy cooking classes to children and families. Courtenay helps lead our outreach ministry, including managing our soup kitchen, working with community partners, and assisting with our international mission trips. Courtenay also welcomes our newcomers, answering questions and providing direction to the various ministries at Christ Church. Courtenay has been appointed to the Creation Care Task Force in the Diocese Virginia with her term lasting until November 2024. You will often see Courtenay in the garden or in her spare time, taking long walks, mountain biking, practicing yoga or spending time with her beloved cats, Fiora and Cardoon!
David Zahl, College and Adult Education Minister/ Licensed Lay Preacher
David Zahl arrived at Christ Church in 2010 and has never been happier. Born in New York City and brought up on the East Coast and in Europe, David graduated with honors from Georgetown University in 2001. He then served for five years as a para-church youth minister in New England before starting Mockingbird Ministries in 2007, an organization devoted to connecting the Christian faith with the realities of everyday life in fresh and down-to-earth ways. He remains its executive director today. David is also a licensed lay preacher in the Diocese of Virginia, author of A Mess of Help: From the Crucified Soul of Rock N Roll, and co-author of Law And Gospel: A Theology for Sinners (and Saints). He and his wife Cate have three boys.
Alex Johnson, Music Director
Alexander Johnson grew up in Pennsylvania, before attending Shenandoah Conservatory for his undergraduate studies. After his time there, he moved to the Boston, MA area to pursue a master's at Longy School of Music. A life-long church musician, Alex has played for a number of churches on the East Coast, most recently at Church of Our Saviour in Arlington, MA. Other musical endeavors have included accompanying opera productions, conducting chamber ensembles, and performing the organ solo for a world-premiere performance of a cantata by Florence Price.
Shannon O'Leary and Alex have been married for 5 years this coming August, having met at Longy School of Music. Shannon grew up in Chicago, IL and Roanoke, VA. In addition to her work as a freelance opera singer, she also teaches a number of voice students. Most recently, in 2019-2020 Shannon undertook special voice studies in Dresden, Germany and Vienna, Austria
Shannon and Alex like to spend their spare time with their cat, and fill their non-musical time with historical reenactment and hiking.
Paul Zach, Music Minister
Paul loves writing songs for the church to sing. He also enjoys cooking, team sports, and audiobooks. Paul and his wife Lindsay have been married for 15 years and have 4 wonderful children.
Marcy Hooker, Parish Administrator
Marcy started at Christ Church in 1996 as a “temp.” A Chicago native, she and her husband, Jim, (high-school sweethearts, and married in 1975), relocated to Charlottesville in May 1996. She has two grown sons and three grandchildren back in the Chicago area. Marcy enjoys serving the Lord here at Christ Church.
Lyn Gunsalus, Office Administrator
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. Her husband, Brent, is an attorney, with a law degree from Washington & Lee University. They first met when Lyn was in high school and married in 1980. They enjoy living in Afton, but are happy to be members of Christ Church. It’s worth the drive!
Elizabeth Butler
Elizabeth has been a resident of Charlottesville since 2001 when she and her husband, Forrest, moved their family (Emily, Bess and Ned) from the NYC area after 14 years. A Tennessean by birth and a UVA grad, Elizabeth worked in New York in fundraising and event planning before attaining a degree in interior design. In Charlottesville, she has been an active volunteer for several nonprofits, her kids’ schools, UVA and St. Paul’s Ivy Church. Her bio also includes: lifelong Episcopalian, avid fan of UVA tennis and basketball, dachshund mom and lover of all things food in C’Ville.
Jen Sapunarich, Assistant College Minister, Digital Communications
Jen Sapunarich was born and raised in Texas. After brief stints living in New Mexico and Manchester, England, Jen made California her home in 2015. In California she was a youth minister at a church in Oakland and worked in a local school. She met her husband Robbie while in California. Jen and Robbie, along their cat Jones, made the cross country journey to Charlottesville in August 2019. Jen enjoys sewing and knitting, traveling, reading, and ceramic pottery.
Lizzy Girvan, Children and Youth Minister
Elizabeth (Lizzy) first attended Christ Church during an Advent service in 2016, and has cherished it ever since. Born in Virginia and brought up in Illinois, Oregon, and California, Lizzy landed in Charlottesville for her college years and graduated from the University in 2017. She then served as an event planner and advisor for young graduates at the UVA Alumni Association, joining Christ Church staff during summer 2020. She finds joy in seeking humor and grace in everyday life, and relishes time spent doing that with others. Lizzy is always up for a camping trip, a board game night, or seeing the dessert menu.
Al Loving, Facilities Manager
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.
Ethan Richardson, Therapist in Residence
Ethan began attending Christ Church when he was a student at UVA and currently serves as a therapist in residence serving individuals, couples, and families in the parish and surrounding community. Ethan hails from Lexington, KY, went to UVA for his undergraduate, and earned his Masters in Social Work from VCU in 2020. Before entering clinical work, Ethan served as Editor-in-Chief of The Mockingbird magazine, a part of Mockingbird Ministries. He is married to Hannah, and they have two sons, Keene and Graves. Together, Ethan and Hannah head up the Christ Church Jail Ministry.
Ashley Gitchell, Ministry Intern
Ashley Gitchell was born and raised in Charlottesville. She grew up attending Christ Church, participating in the youth group, working in the nursery, and serving as the youth ministry intern in 2017. In 2020, she graduated from Sewanee: The University the South where she double majored in Religious Studies and Art History. For the past year, Ashley has been a Fellow at Christ Church and is so thrilled to continue her time here as the ministry intern. In her spare time, she love to hang out out with her golden retriever, Hank, and trying new local restaurants! If you see her around, say hi!