CLERGY, STAFF, AND LEADERSHIP

Leadership in the Episcopal Church is shared mutually between the lay people and ordained people.  The Episcopal Church teaches that lay persons, bishops, priests, and deacons are all ministers who do the work of the Church.  Christ Church (officially known as The Parish of Christ the Redeemer) is a congregation in the Episcopal Diocese of New York and is under the jurisdiction and pastoral direction of the Bishops of New York.  Christ Church, like every Episcopal congregation elects its own governing board, known as the Vestry, from among its lay members at an annual meeting and election.   With the approval of the Bishop the Vestry elects a priest as Rector, and the Rector serves with tenure until he or she retires or is called to some new ministry in the wider church.  The Rector, working with the Vestry, hires and calls staff members and other clergy to assist as needed.  You can learn more about how an Episcopal Church is governed in the Constitution & Canons of the Episcopal Church, the Constitution & Canons of the Diocese of New York, and the Christ Church Bylaws.


THE BISHOPS OF NEW YORK

The Rt. Rev. Matthew Foster Heyd, Bishop of New York
The Rt. Rev. Allen K. Shin, Suffragan Bishop
The Rt. Rev. Mary D. Glasspool, Bishop Assistant


VESTRY

Officers
The Rev. Matthew Hoxsie Mead, Rector
JD Calder, Senior Warden (2024)
Etta Gumbs, Junior Warden (2023)
Allison Bodenman, Treasurer (2023-Present)
John Fox, Assistant Treasurer (2023-Present)
Jean Gruener, Clerk (2019-Present)

Class of 2024
Curtis Chase (2024)
Charlette Finch (2024)
Robert Landis (2021, 2024)

Class of 2023
Andrew Des Rault (2020, 2023)
Jack Kraft (2020*, 2023)
Barbara Zambelli (2020, 2023)

Class of 2022
Jennifer Bland (2022)
Stephen Dolan (2022)
Robert Boyer (2022 **)

 

Each year denotes the beginning of a term.  Vestry members serve three-year terms and are grouped by year of election.  Wardens serve two-year terms.  Vestry and Warden may be elected to serve a second term.

* completed C. Allen term that began in 2020

** completing JD Calder term that began in 2022


THE REV. MATTHEW HOXSIE MEAD, PRIEST & RECTOR

The Reverend Matthew Hoxsie Mead was called as the 15th Rector of the Parish of Christ the Redeemer in 2015. Father Matt is married to Nicole DeCoursy Mead, and they have two school age children, Liam and Nicholas. Father Matt is a graduate of the University of Chicago, BA Philosophy, 1998, and Yale University, M. Div 2004, magna cum laude.

During Father Matt’s the tenure at Christ Church the parish has begun a variety of new ministry initiatives including two Pilgrimages to the Holy Land, a Pilgrimage to Montreal, Annual Vacation Bible Study, Hearts & Homes for Refugees, hands-on partnerships with several local feeding programs, racial reconciliation workshops, official parish presence in the NYC Pride March, and increased lay leadership across the diocese.

Since 2015 the parish has also undertaken extensive capital projects and several capital campaigns, including the Jack Hennigan Pipe Organ (Juget Sinclair Opus 51) which was installed in 2019 and the Robert Weeks Window which was installed in 2018. Learn more about all of our parish ministries and projects by reading past years’ annual reports.

In addition to his work at Christ Church, Father Matt takes an active role in the larger church. He is Co-Chair of the Real Estate Committee of the Diocese of New York. He also serves as a Trustee of the Diocese of New York, and on the Diocese of New York Finance Committee, Canons Committee, Pay Roll Committee, and Receivables/Loans Task Force. He served as one of the Clergy Deputies to General Convention from the Diocese of New York in 2022, 2018, and 2015 (alternate).  He served as the Chair of the 2021-2022 General Convention Legislative Committee for Stewardship & Socially Responsible Investing.  He served as a member of and Secretary of the 2018-2022 Task Force for Liturgical and Prayer Book Revision of the Episcopal Church and as the Convener/Chair of that Task Force’s Communications Subcommittee. He served from 2013-2022 as Chair of the Budget Committee of the Diocese of New York.  He served as Co-Chair of the 2015-2016 Strategic Plan of the Diocese of New York.  He has served as a member of the Committee to Elect a Bishop, member of the diocesan Ecumenical & Interfaith Commission, member of the Congregational Support Plan Commission, member of Diocesan Council for 16 years, member of the Commission on Ministry for 15 years, and as a member of the Hispanic Grants Committee. In 2022 he was nominated to the slate for the Election of the 17th Bishop of New York.

Before coming to Christ Church Father Matt was Rector of the Church of the Good Shepherd in Granite Springs, New York, from 2009 until 2015, and Curate for Liturgy and Education at the Church of Saint Mary the Virgin in Times Square from 2004 until 2009.  He was ordained in 2004 by the Right Rev. Mark Sisk, XV Bishop of New York.

Father Matt enjoys good food, good music, model trains, and golfing (poorly).  He owns a jukebox (45 r.p.m. – and formerly owned by Bishop Roskam!) which he curates, he assists as an archivist for the Black Crowes at Crowesbase, and he plays acoustic and electric guitar.  The rectory basement features an extensive Lionel (O-Gauge) train layout, built by Father Matt – see his Christmas Train Video here.

Recordings of Father Matt’s recent Sermons and Bible Studies are available online.

Office: 914-738-5515 extension 101
Fax:
914-712-0526
Cell:
914-471-0260

Email: matthew@christchurchpelham.org

Mailing Address:
Christ Church, Pelham
1415 Pelhamdale Avenue
Pelham, New York 10803


THE REV. DEACON CHISARA ALIMOLE


Deacon Chisara has served as Deacon at Christ Church since 2020.  Before coming to Christ Church (Pelham) , she served as the Deacon at Christ Church Bronxville from 2017-2020. Deacon Chisara was sponsored for ordination by Christ Church (Pelham) and was active as a lay person in the parish in the years before her ordination.

“I was born Catholic, married Anglican and became Episcopalian.  I am Igbo, one of the major racial nationalities that make up the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I came to the United States in 1998 with my husband, Ozichi, and four children, Nkemjika, Tonna, Afonne, and Ndidi. My husband was a diplomat. At the end of his tour of duty and subsequent retirement from foreign service, we decided to make the United States our second home.

“I have a master’s degree in Special Education, and a second master’s degree in Public Health. I am a Licensed Special Instructor. I work with several agencies as an Independent Service Provider to give professional therapy to pre-school special-needs children.

“I have been a mentor of Education for Ministry for 13 years.

“My passion is to feed the hungry, and to care for those at the edge. ”

Email:calimole@msn.com

Mailing Address:
Christ Church, Pelham
1415 Pelhamdale Avenue
Pelham, New York 10803


ORGANIST & CHOIRMASTER: MR. JEFFREY HOFFMAN

JeffreyHoffman_biopic
Jeffrey Hoffman has been organist & choirmaster of Christ Church since 2007.

An alumnus of Manhattan School of Music, where he studied classical composition and conducting as well as pursuing minor studies in organ performance, Hoffman served Episcopal, Presbyterian and Roman Catholic parishes in New York City and Westchester County before coming to Christ Church. At St. Alban’s Church on Staten Island, he founded the acclaimed Music at St. Alban’s concert series, which brought international performances to Staten Island’s South Shore.

As artistic director of Concerts at Christ Church, he has led concert performances of masses by Haydn, Mozart and Fauré, oratorios by Handel, Brahms, and Britten, and numerous instrumental concerti with Sinfonia Celestis, the chamber orchestra he founded in 2002.

He leads the parish choir weekly in “perfecting the praises offered by God’s people on earth,” and brings devotion to Jesus Christ, love for the Scriptures, and a passion for the pursuit of excellence in music making to the weekly liturgies of Christ Church.

Office: 914-738-5515 extension 102
Fax:
914-712-0526
Email:jeffrey@christchurchpelham.org

Mailing Address:
Christ Church, Pelham
1415 Pelhamdale Avenue
Pelham, New York 10803


PARISH ADMINISTRATOR: MS. MARIE MAIN

MarieMain_biopic
Marie Main has been Parish Administrator at Christ Church since 2011.

Prior to her tenure here, she worked at The Manor Club of Pelham, NY as an integral lead member of the Office Staff.

A seasoned administrator with extensive experience coordinating / planning events, managing systems, and organizing staff, Marie spent her earlier career working at corporate consulting firms based in New York City and London. Her past roles included Office/Human Resources Administrator at McKinsey & Company; Executive Assistant at MacLagan & Company; Office Administrator at Colony, Canon, Main & Purcell; and Office Administrator Management Practice, Inc.

Marie is happy to now call the Christ Church community her home, and views her work not solely as a job, but as her ministry.

Office: 914-738-5515 extension 105
Fax:
914-712-0526
Email:marie@christchurchpelham.org

Mailing Address:
Christ Church, Pelham
1415 Pelhamdale Avenue
Pelham, New York 10803


DIRECTOR OF CHILDRENS MINISTRIES: MR. EVAN FELICETTI


Evan joined the Christ Church staff in 2023. Evan is a recent graduate of Fordham University (BS 2017) and works as Development Coordinator at the Westchester Parks Foundation in Mount Kisco. He lives in New Rochelle, grew up in Pelham, attended Pelham Memorial High School, earned the rank of Eagle Scout, and has been an active member of Christ Church since grammar school. He has extensive experience working with children and teens in a variety of settings.

Evan oversees communications, calendars, and events for children, teens, and families. He works with and helps recruit Sunday School teachers, send out a weekly email to all of our families highlighting recent and upcoming events, assist with Confirmation Class, and oversee major events (Pageant, Youth Group Events, VBS, etc.) that are offered throughout the year.

Office: 914-738-5515
Fax:
914-712-0526
Email: Evan@christchurchpelham.org

Mailing Address:
Christ Church, Pelham
1415 Pelhamdale Avenue
Pelham, New York 10803


VERGER & ASSISTANT SEXTON: MR. WALTER ROBERTS

Walter_biopic
Walter Roberts serves as Verger and Sexton at Christ Church. He coordinates and oversees the ministry of acolytes, readers, and ushers. He is the primary “Master of Ceremonies” for all worship services at Christ Church.

Walter also serves as our Assistant Sexton.  He lives on site at Christ Church.

 

Office: 914-738-5515
Email:waltroberts@yahoo.com

Mailing Address:
Christ Church, Pelham
1415 Pelhamdale Avenue
Pelham, New York 10803


SEXTON: MR. ED BLUE

EdBlue_biopic
Ed Blue serves as Sexton at Christ Church. He maintains our beautiful facilities.

Ed is the longest serving member of the staff.  He has been our Sexton since the 1975 (he also worked here on and off from 1972-1975).  If you have any questions about our buildings or things that have happened or people who have worshipped at Christ Church, talk to Ed.

 

Office: 914-738-5515

Mailing Address:
Christ Church, Pelham
1415 Pelhamdale Avenue
Pelham, New York 10803


NURSERY CARE: MARIEANGELA DE CARVALHO

Marieangela runs Sunday Child Care and Nursery at Christ Church. Child care is offered every Sunday during the 10am Holy Eucharist and on select Holy Days.

Phone: Contact Marie Main for info on Nursery or Child Care at 914-738-5515

Mailing Address:
Christ Church, Pelham
1415 Pelhamdale Avenue
Pelham, New York 10803


RECTOR EMERITUS: THE REV. DAVID STEWART HOAG

father hoagFather Hoag served as the 13th Rector of Christ Church from 1966 to 1998.  He was given the honorary title of Rector Emeritus upon his retirement.

During his tenure many improvements and projects were completed at Christ Church, including the reconfiguration of the Sanctuary to its current “versus populum” or “priest facing the people” design, the installation of the Casavant Organ in the Sanctuary which lasted for 50 years until it was replaced by our new organ, the creation of the Parish Field (formerly a ravine), and overseeing the growth of the parish endowment.  Most significantly Father Hoag oversaw the merger between the Church of the Redeemer in Pelham and Christ Church in Pelham Manor – the combined congregations became what is now known as The Parish of Christ the Redeemer – though most people simply still say Christ Church. 

Father Hoag is retired in Florida.  He keeps in touch with the rector and many members from his time at Christ Church.  He has made several trips back to Pelham over the years, most recently for the Parish’s 175th Anniversary in 2018.  

Please click here for information on our past rectors.


DEACON EMERITA: THE REV. DEACON KATIE LAWRENCE

Deacon Katie served as Deacon at Christ Church from 2009-2021.  Upon her retirement, she was honored by the Rector and Vestry and granted the title of Deacon Emerita.

The first year she was with the church was a field placement before her ordination in May 2010. She remained with the church until her retirement in 2021.  In retirement she maintains her relationship with Christ Church, but in a more limited fashion.

Pastoral care, senior lunches, serving at the altar are just some of the services that Katie performs for Christ Church. Katie’s ministry also includes serving as a table leader at Kairos Outside weekends, serving meals at noon in Port Chester, Meals on Wheels, visiting and conducting services for residents of the Osborn Home in Rye and involvement in fund raising for senior transportation in the Rye area.

Email:ccamie8@aol.com


LEARN MORE ABOUT CHRIST CHURCH