Leadership

Nancy-Ann Feren - Warden
 
Nancy-Ann is retired after teaching 5th grade for 29 years in the Manchester Public Schools.  She is a lifelong member of Grace Church; was baptized, confirmed, and married here.  At one time or another she has been active in most of the church's ministries:  she has served on the Altar Guild,  taught Sunday School, directed the Sunday School program, served as a Vestry member and as Clerk of the Vestry.  She currently on the Outreach, Hospitality, and Planning and Finance Committees.  She enjoys traveling and planning trips, reading, writing, walking, camping, baking, crossword puzzles, and spending time with her family.
 
vestry@gracechurchmanchester.org
 

Dwight Simmons - Warden
 
wardens@gracechurchmanchester.org
 

Doug Chamberlain - Clerk
 
clerk@gracechurchmanchester.org
 
Warren Koch - Treasurer
 

Dick Feren - Assistant Treasurer
 
Dick taught high school physics and earth science for 25 years, and is now retired.  He teaches math part time at Manchester Community College.  His hobbies include reading, writing, photography, woodworking, travel, camping, crosswords, puns, sudoku, and renovating whatever house he's living in.  At Grace Church, he also serves as the Chair of the Connections Committee and on the Stewardship Committee, and can be found taking photos at many parish events.
 
treasurer@gracechurchmanchester.org
 

Christine Anderson - Church School Coordinator
 
A life-long Episcopalian, Christine, and her husband, Mark, have been involved with the Grace Church Sunday School and Youth Group since moving to New Hampshire in 1988.  Christine and Mark live in Manchester with their two sons, Max and Sam.  On weekdays, Christine is an estate planning and probate attorney in Bedford.
 
churchschool@gracechurchmanchester.org
 

Crystal Cartier and Ed Doyle - Youth Group Coordinators
 
youth@gracechurchmanchester.org
 
Please note:  the email addresses on these pages are links which will work with Microsoft Outlook and Windows Mail email clients.  If you use webmail or another email client, please copy and paste the address into the "To:" field in your message.

Adult Forums

Adult Christian formation at Grace Church takes place in several forms.
 
On Sundays between services (9:15-10:15), there are discussions on various topics.  From May 16-30, Fr. Darrell will lead a short series on the Holy Spirit, corresponding to Ascension, Pentecost and Trinity Sundays.  These will be the last sessions of their kind until the fall (on June 6, the Vestry will present news of the priest-in-charge search to the whole congregation, and on June 13 there will be a newcomers' orientation in that time slot).
 
Brown Bag Bible Study will begin June 1.  The first six-week session will be on the Beatitudes and will run through July 6, led by all the clergy (Darrell, Grace and Joan) in turn.  These sessions are on Tuesdays from 12 noon-1 pm.
 
The Centering Prayer group meets at 5:30 on Mondays.
 
The Women's Spirituality Group has finished its spring film series and is planning its next activities..
 
Finally, anyone with questions or concerns is always welcome to bring them to the Rector or Curate!
 

Communications Committee

This committee works to facilitate interaction within and outside the church through telephone, computer and duplicating means and publicity for news and activities.

Creation Team

We organize the annual Blessing of the Animals and a “Creation Season” in the fall Sunday worship. We routinely write Newsletter articles to share ways in which we might be better stewards of the world around us. And, we always welcome those who are interested in animal welfare, the environment, and any other focus on preserving and caring for God’s World.
 
Our current focus is on the parish Rummage Sale, to be held on Saturday, April 24.  Vendors can buy a table for $15!
 
creation@gracechurchmanchester.org

Hospitality Committee

The ministry of the Hospitality Committee is to foster fellowship and a sense of community among members of Grace Church through planning and organizing social events, receptions, etc.

Outreach Committee

Looking beyond ourselves is important to the health of a Christian congregation, and Grace Church has done this in many ways in our neighborhood, our diocese and overseas. You are invited to come and visit a meeting (no obligation) on the fourth Tuesday of every month, and see what we do!

Recent and/or ongoing projects include the Giving Tree at Christmas, the Dr. Seuss Breakfast for local children, and the Bucket Project (collecting cleaning supplies and other necessaries) in conjunction with The Way Home family shelter.

 

outreach@gracechurchmanchester.org

Parish Growth Committee

Parish Growth works to increase church membership, as defined by regular attendance to worship and contributions to the operations of the parish as well as increasing diversity by 10%. They also welcome new attendees to services and make a personal connection to them while in our midst. They publicize the “open and affirming” practices of the parish.
 
growth@gracechurchmanchester.org

Planning and Finance Committee

The Wardens, some Vestry members and the church treasurer meet monthly with the clergy, working to keep a balance in the financial affairs of the parish. In the largest sense, our vision, goals and budget are those of the parish as a whole, and would include parish growth and financial stability, with the ability to fund new initiatives in areas such as ministry to youth and young adults, community outreach and the like, to be achieved by facilitating our transitions from a clergy-centered parish to a congregation-centered parish.

Prayer Ministers

Our mission is to provide a channel for the healing power of God’s love to the church, the community and the world. We seek to advance this ministry by individual and group study and prayer, by making ourselves available to pray for the cares and concerns of others by our presence in the chapel after communion at Sunday Service, by telephone and E-mail communication, and by disciplined daily prayer for those requests.
 
prayerministers@gracechurchmanchester.org

Property Committee

This committee has oversight of all the buildings and grounds. Our first long term goal is the renovation of the narthex. Our second long term goal is to split the heating systems between the chapel and the nave. Our third long term goal is to achieve compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
 
The Property Committee meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 7:00.
 
property@gracechurchmanchester.org

Stewardship Committee

The Stewardship Committee works so that the parishioners of Grace Church will grow spiritually, and discover that by giving more than they thought they could of their time, talent, and treasure, they will find that God’s abundance is amazing, and they actually have more that they thought they had. One facet of this would be to have people think in terms of percentage giving. We organize an annual pledge drive to encourage the giving of time, talent and treasure to make it possible for the church to fulfill its mission.  We also coordinate the annual Time and Talent Auction.
 
stewardship@gracechurchmanchester.org

Vestry

The Vestry’s vision is for Grace Church to become a more involved parish, being led by lay leadership.  We seek to move from being a "pastoral" parish, in which all information and decision-making pass through the rector, to a "program" parish, in which leadership is more decentralized and many different people, clergy and lay, offer their gifts in different areas of ministry.  This transition implies growth in numbers, in financial stewardship, in commitment, and in faith.
 
We plan to take an active role in helping the parish achieve this goal. The Vestry needs to be visible during this growth process, which will foster independence and shared responsibility.

Wardens: Dwight Simmons, Nancy-Ann Feren
 
wardens@gracechurchmanchester.org
 

Vestry Members: Christine Anderson, Bill Bochinski, Edward Doyle, Edward High, Janet Knab, Janet Mills, Sharon Steadman, Susan Tonnar, Ellen Zimmerman
 
vestry@gracechurchmanchester.org

Clerk: Doug Chamberlain
 
clerk@gracechurchmanchester.org
 

Treasurer: Warren Koch

Assistant Treasurer: Richard Feren
 
treasurer@gracechurchmanchester.org
 

Younger Adult Group

The Younger Adults group started meeting regularly in October 2008.  We seek to promote connection and a sense of community among parishioners ages 20-45, amid our busy and complex lives.  Monthly events have included a Game Night, snowtubing at Pats Peak, and dinner with Bishop Gene Robinson and his partner, Mark Andrew.

 

The group is always open to suggestions for activities from its members!  To get involved, contact the Curate at curate@gracechurchmanchester.org.

Staff

The Reverend Darrell Huddleston - Interim Rector

 

The Rev. Dr. Darrell Huddleston began his ministry as a Methodist pastor in Kansas in 1969 and spent the following six years as an agricultural missionary in Congo and Zimbabwe.  He has served as pastor of the Epping, NH, Community Church and Wesley United Methodist Church in Concord, NH, as well as Regional Director of Heifer Project International, first for the Northwest and Great Plains Region and then for the Northeast Region.  In June, 1998, he voluntary withdrew in good standing from The United Methodist Church in order to unite with The Episcopal Church.  In the Episcopal Church he has served parishes in Clinton, MA, and Holden, MA.  Since retiring in 2007 he has been assisting at St. Paul's in Concord, NH.  Darrell and his wife Bunny have lived, worked or traveled extensively in 27 countries.  They have two adult children.

 

 

interim@gracechurchmanchester.org

 

The Reverend Grace P. Burson - Curate

 

 

The Rev. Grace Burson arrived at Grace Church in September, 2008, with her husband Josh and their son, Peter (born February 1, 2008).  Grace was born and raised in New Haven, Connecticut, and attended Williams College and Berkeley Divinity School at Yale.  She has also lived in Oxford, England, and Konstanz, Germany.  Between college and ordination, in addition to pursuing her seminary studies, she was at various times a music publisher, community forester, college English teacher, youth minister, and urban gardener.  She brings to Grace Church (in addition to her adorable baby) a passion for the worship of the church and for preaching; for ministry with youth and young adults; and for the care of God's creation.  Grace was ordained deacon at Christ Church Cathedral, Hartford, Connecticut, on June 14, 2008, and priest at Grace Church on January 17, 2009 - a truly festive occasion!

 

curate@gracechurchmanchester.org

 

The Reverend Joan Barr Smith - Deacon

 

The Rev. Joan Barr Smith, ordained to the vocational diaconate on January 19, 2008, is probably the only deacon in the Episcopal Church who used to be the mayor of a large American town (Evanston, IL).  Joan and her husband Wayne Smith divide their time between Chicago, New Hampshire, and rural Florida.  She is with us at Grace Church from May to October and provides a wonderful witness to the ministry of deacons in her service and preaching.  Joan earned her BA from Syracuse University and her MBA from the Kellogg School at Northwestern.  She has two grown daughters, three grandsons, two stepsons and one stepgrandson.  She enjoys travel, reading, gardening, and playing with her grandchildren.

 

deacon@gracechurchmanchester.org

 

The Reverend Robert Swanson - Pastoral Assistant

 

Bob Swanson pursued an extensive career in both teaching and parish work in the Congregational Church (later United Church of Christ) before retirement.  Grace Church is eternally grateful to his wife, Lee Swanson, our Archivist, a lifelong member who brought Bob to us when his career as a UCC minister ended.  Bob now serves in many - mostly unheralded - ways, from officiating at daily Morning Prayer to visiting the sick and shut-ins.

 

 

Marlene Thompson - Parish Administrator

office@gracechurchmanchester.org

 

Emery Freethey - Sexton

Mark A. Cleveland - Choirmaster

 

 

choir@gracechurchmanchester.org

Carter Beck - Organist

 

organist@gracechurchmanchester.org

 

Susan Senneville - Nursery Care Provider

 

Susan Senneville, our nursery care provider, has given our little ones at Grace Church consistent, loving care since 1984. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education, with a minor in Psychology, from the University of New Hampshire. She has had experience working with infants to pre-teens, having worked at an infant center, alternative school, and a resource room at a public school to day care centers, teaching pre-school. She has been teaching pre-school/kindergarten in her home for the past several years, on a smaller, more personal level. Having raised two daughters has also provided her with much insight. Susan has also been noted for her patience and for treating children as she would her own. She provides quality care at Grace Church for children up to three years of age. The safe, cheery, environment at the nursery allows parents to enjoy Mass in its entirety without having to worry. Parents are respectfully requested to volunteer on a once a month basis to assist. It's a fun way to contribute. Come check it out!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clergy Residing in the Parish

 

In addition to the Rector and Curate, several Episcopal/Anglican priests reside in the parish and occasionally assist with pastoral duties:  The Reverends John Yen (pastor to the Sudanese community), Allan Knight, Jane Van Zandt, and Wesley Wasdyke.  The Reverend Joseph Thomas, another retired Congregational minister, also obliges by preaching on occasion.

 

Please note:  the email addresses on these pages are links which will work with Microsoft Outlook and Windows Mail email clients.  If you use webmail or another email client, please copy and paste the address into the "To:" field in your message.