"So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God"-- Ephesians 2:19
Christ Church is a congregation founded in 1799, made up of a variety of people of different ages, opinions, backgrounds, professions, and life situations, who have a great time together and are united in our desire to draw closer to God through Jesus Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit. We believe and we ask questions.
We worship in a historic and intimate church, but our vision for mission is as wide as the world and as deep as the world's pain. We believe in bearing the light to all places of darkness and struggle - whether in New Haven County, an Indian reservation in South Dakota, Kenya or anywhere else our members feel led.
As a church, we are Christian - we believe that Jesus Christ was the Son of God, and that we have been set free by his death and resurrection; we believe in the ongoing activity of the Holy Spirit in and through us now, and that we will enjoy eternal life as children of God through Christ.
The Episcopal Church is the American branch of the Anglican communion. Anglicans are Protestants who have retained much of Catholic worship. Episcopalians value open-mindedness and listening to the views of others, and trusting God for answers.
Our ministers are the people of Christ Church, supported by the clergy team. The clergy are there to support the people of God in doing whatever they feel most drawn to and gifted for. Our clergy preach, teach, guide and offer pastoral care - we lead and feed.
The Rev. Peter A.R. Stebinger, Rector - Peter has been Rector (head pastor) of Christ Church for 21 years. In addition to church ministry, he is an EMT and volunteer firefighter with the Bethany Volunteer Fire Department; coaches track at Amity High School; offers spiritual direction and mentorship at Yale Divinity School and participates in many national church activities. His wife Caron is an active leader at Christ Church,; their children Kate and Ian are in grad school and college.
Our lay leaders -
Linda Loyd, Seminarian - is a third-year student at Yale Divinity School. She will be working with the Youth Group and exploring how this parish does prison ministry. She will be serving on a Kairos Prison Ministry team in the fall. She will also be working with worship and pastoral care.
Church School Directors
Gerry Shaw and Shirley Skolozdra
The lay leadership of Christ Church is headed by the Vestry (board).
Its members are:
Margaret Moreau, Senior Warden
Fred Jenks, Junor Warden
Nancy Noyes, Treasurer
Kathie McKiernan, Clerk
Gary Austin, Polly Dinmore, Will Emmet, Brian Fillmore, Amy Johnson, Sandy Morgan, Ken Paulsen, Anita Petruzzelli, Bob Skolozdra and
Committees
Buildings and Grounds - Linda Kunecki
Cemetery - Al Mayer
Family Ministries - Amy Johnson
Finance - Nancy Noyes
Five o'clock Worship Planning Team - Pam Sayre
Kenya Initiative Team - Tom Sansone
Music and Worship - Ed Karoll
Outreach - Fred Jenks
St. Andrew's Liaison - Brian Fillmore
