Dawn Ryder

Mrs. Dawn Ryder serves as Christ Church’s Director of Children’s & Family Ministries. She oversees Sunday School, Youth Group, Confirmation (with the Rector), Vacation Bible School, the Christmas Pageant, and other family programs; recruits and supports volunteers; builds relationships with families; and nurtures the spiritual formation of young people. 

A lifelong Episcopalian, Dawn was baptized and raised at Grace Episcopal Church in Whitestone, Queens, where she led Sunday School and youth programs for children from preschool through high school. She also served for six years as a counselor at Saint Michael’s Conference, teaching, leading discussions, assisting with worship, and organizing activities.

For more than twenty years, Dawn has worked as a professional photographer specializing in children and families. She brings creativity, warmth, faith, and a gift for storytelling to her ministry. Dawn and her husband, Thomas, live in Whitestone with their daughters, Eden and Phoenix. They are members of Christ Church.