CLERGY AND STAFF

Rector |

The Rev. A. Bowie Snodgrass became the twelfth Rector at Christ Church in Short Hills in March 2021. Rev. Bowie serves on the Diocese of Newark Commission of Ministry on the Priesthood and has actively engaged with the local community and wider church, while leading our dynamic congregation and encouraging new initiatives. Bowie arrived in June 2016, serving as Curate, then Associate Rector, then Priest-in-Charge, with a focus on Spiritual Formation and Newcomer Welcome, in addition to serving as Chaplain at the Christ Church Nursery School. She was sponsored for ordination in the Diocese of New York by the Congregation of St. Saviour at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine and served as Wisdom Year Resident and Deacon at the Parish of Calvary-St. George's.

Before ordination, Bowie's professional lay ministry in New York included service as Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries at St. James' Episcopal Church; Executive Director of Faith House Manhattan; and a redesign of episcopalchurch.org as Web Content Editor at the Episcopal Church Center. From 2010-11, Bowie was a lay member on the Task Group selected to produce a new liturgy for same-gender blessings on behalf of the Standing Commission of Liturgy and Music. Her ecumenical experience includes serving on the Steering Committee for Christian Churches Together and as an Episcopal Delegate for the National Council of Churches in Christ. She was a co-founder of Transmission, an emerging house church, and has been involved in many innovative ministries.

Bowie majored in Religious Studies at Vassar College, received her M.Div. from Union Theological Seminary in New York City, a Master of Sacred Theology and a Diploma in Anglican Studies from General Theological Seminary. She has been published in The Huffington Post, The Anglican Theological Review and The Episcopal New Yorker.

Bowie and her husband, George Mathew, a conductor and humanitarian, live in Short Hills with their son and daughter (who loves CCNS).

To contact The Rev. Bowie Snodgrass, click on the button below:

Assistant Rector |

The Rev. Paul Keene was appointed Assistant Rector in July 2023 after graduating from seminary at Yale Divinity School and Berkeley Divinity School. Prior to coming to Christ Church, he served at St. Luke’s Parish in Darien, CT as seminarian intern for two years with a special focus on Christian formation and adult education. In Boston, he served as the Minister of Music and Director of Choirs at St. Peter’s, Cambridge before serving there as Administrator and Minister for Digital Worship during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. He was ordained to the transitional Diaconate on June 3, 2023 by Bishop Carol Gallagher at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Boston in the Diocese of Massachusetts, and to the priesthood on December 16, 2023 by Bishop Carlye Hughes here at Christ Church in Short Hills.

In addition to holding an MDiv from Yale Divinity School and an Anglican Studies diploma from Berkeley Divinity School, Paul holds a Master of Music in early music performance and interpretation from the Longy School of Music of Bard College, and a Bachelor of Music in vocal performance from Christopher Newport University.

Paul and his husband, Dr. Corey Clapp, an atmospheric scientist, met in Boston and live in Maplewood. They enjoy conversations, trying new restaurants, and gathering around a table with friends—new and old.

To contact The Rev. Paul Keene, click on the button below:

Priest Affiliate | 

The Rev. Dr. Timothy Mulder, now retired, served as our rector from 2010-2018.  During his tenure, the church building, windows and organ were restored. Christ Church played an instrumental role in the founding of Newark Shared Ministries (NSM), partnering with other parishes and the Rutgers Medical School to establish health care for Apostles’ House residents. NSM also helped establish “All the Way Up,” an adult learning center providing GED and English classes as well as career counseling. Tim also nurtured the connection between our parish and the Diocese of Newark, with a vision that the Church extends beyond our walls.

In addition to his service in many parish communities, much of Tim’s pastoral career involved educating people for ministry. For 20 years, he served as Associate Professor of Worship, Preaching and Arts and as Director of the Chapel at New Brunswick Theological Seminary. He also taught at the General Theological Seminary and Princeton Theological Seminary. He served as the Executive Director of the Episcopal Preaching Foundation and assisted in the formation of the Iona Collaboration (25 Episcopal dioceses), developing a non-residential program for training preachers for the Church.

In retirement, Tim continues to assist the Bishop of Newark as needed in churches throughout the state. He loves cooking for friends and playing golf with his wife, Linda.

To contact Tim Mulder, click on the button below: 

Choir Master and Organist |

Dr. Andrew Moore was appointed Organist and Choirmaster of Christ Church in Short Hills in 2011. In 2015 he was responsible for the restoration of the church’s historic Aeolian-Skinner pipe organ, along with the addition of a new antiphonal organ in the rear of the sanctuary. In 2016 he directed the Parish Choir of Christ Church in its first residency at Bristol Cathedral, and returned to England for a choir residency at Salisbury Cathedral in 2023. 

Dr. Moore is the Chairman of the Music Department at the Pingry School in Basking Ridge, New Jersey, where he has taught Music Theory and Choral Music for over 30 years. Dr. Moore earned his Bachelor of Music degree from the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia and holds a Master’s and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees from The Juilliard School in New York City, where he studied under John Weaver, chair of the Organ Department. While at Juilliard he held the Valentine, Rudkins, and Vernon de Tar Scholarships for Organ. He studied piano with Martha Massena, improvisation with Gerre Hancock, choral conducting with Richard Westenburg, and harpsichord with Lionel Party, the acclaimed harpsichordist of the New York Philharmonic.

A gifted performer who has played recitals throughout the United States, Germany and Great Britain, Dr. Moore is a frequent juror of both local and regional American Guild of Organist Competitions. Dr. Moore is a member of the Anglican Association of Musicians, and the Royal College of Organists.

To contact Andrew Moore, click on the button below:

Director of Communication, Outreach, and Youth |

Chris Whitaker received his Master of Arts degree from Drew University and received a Bachelor of Arts in Theology and Communication from McKendree University.

Chris previously served as the Youth-Outreach Minister at Calvary Episcopal Church in Summit where he oversaw the growth and development of both the Youth and Outreach programs. He also served as program director at Cross Roads Camp & Retreat Center.

He is excited to be a part of the Christ Church community and continue working in mutual ministry with others in the Diocese of Newark. He lives in South Plainfield with his wife Candice, and three children.

To contact Chris Whitaker, click on the button below:

Children and Family Minister |

R. Kevin Johnson is a hospital chaplain and has served in local church ministry for over 25 years. Previously, he was Associate Pastor of First Baptist Church, Boone, NC; Director of Programs for Children, Families, and Young Adults at Christ Church United Methodist in New York City; and was Associate Pastor at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Shelbyville, TN, where he directed the worship and music life of the church, led Senior Adult ministries, and provided pastoral care to parishioners. Johnson was also Director of Children’s and Youth Ministry at All Angels’ Episcopal Church in New York City and served in family ministry at New Hope Church in Mansfield, Texas. Johnson’s research interests include spiritual formation in worship, Christian history, and the liturgical calendar. His articles have appeared in Children’s Teacher Magazine, Christian Century, Associated Baptist Press, The Secret Place, and the Biblical Recorder. He is a contributing author to the Encyclopedia of Christian Education & the Encyclopedia of Christian Civilization.

To contact The Rev. Kevin Johnson, click on the button below:

Parish Administrator |

Georgeann strives to offer a warm welcome and helpful presence to all who participate in our parish life. She keeps us all organized and makes sure that the many day-to-day tasks needed to our keep church running smoothly are handled efficiently. If you have a question, reaching out to Georgeann is a great place to start.

To contact Georgeann duChossois, click on the button below:

Interweave Executive Director |

Janet Maulbeck serves as Interweave’s Executive Director. She imagines a period of energizing, improvising and creating, anchoring the Interweave community in its mission as well as reimagining and exploring new possibilities. She truly believes that Interweave’s transformative work and interfaith approach to spirituality is needed now more than ever.

Interweave is a dynamic learning community where you can challenge your thinking, engage in meaningful conversation, tap your inner creativity, and take action to make a positive difference in the world. Janet brings a deep commitment to and understanding of communities of faith and the common good. A trained group facilitator, she holds a BA in Social Work, Certification in Spiritual Guidance, and has experience as a retreat leader.

To contact Janet Maulbeck, click on the button below:

Director of Christ Church Nursery School |

Jennifer McGregor, after over 15 years of working as an Assistant Director at CCNS and Rockefeller University, will take over as Director of CCNS in August of 2022.  Jenn served as a preschool teacher in New York and Minnesota before moving into administrative work. After getting a BA in Psychology at Carleton College, Jenn obtained a master’s degree from Bank Street College of Education in Infant and Parent Development and Early Intervention.  Jenn has made a lifelong commitment to supporting all areas of young children’s development and looks forward to continuing this journey in her new role at CCNS.

To contact Jennifer McGregor, click on the button below:Barbara Pepe, who assumed the helm in 2005, has over 20 years’ experience in pre-school education and child care. She operated her own nursery school, The Family Schoolhouse, before serving as the Director for the Episcopal Church in Montville Township, NJ for thirteen years.

Barbara holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education from William Patterson University and earned four teaching certificates in Special Education, Elementary Education, Reading and Early Childhood Education. She is a member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

Barbara has invigorated the curriculum and learning experiences at Christ Church Nursery School, exuding personal attention and loving care to all of the young people entrusted to her care.

To contact Barbara Pepe, click on the button below:

Plant Supervisor |

James Johnson became the Plant Supervisor of Christ Church in Short Hills in 1998 overseeing virtually all aspects of the property facilities. He lovingly cares for the historic buildings and landscaped grounds of the Church, the Christ Church Nursery School, the Winston School and the Rectory. “Where’s James?” is the affectionate mantra heard throughout the halls and across the lawns of the church as the go-to-person.

James has served as a mentor and friend to countless teenagers over the years who often seek out his presence. He is a barbeque master, a jazz aficionado, and enjoys special time going on cruises with his wife, Glenda.

To contact James Johnson, click on the button below:

Finance Manager |

Lydia Zapico joined the staff of Christ Church in Short Hills in 2011. She keeps everyone on their toes!

To contact Lydia Zapico, click on the button below: