Christ Church in Short Hills Welcomes the Rev. Paul Keene as Assistant Rector

Short Hills, NJ, October 4, 2023 – Christ Church in Short Hills welcomes The Rev. Paul Keene as its new Assistant Rector. Rev. Paul was appointed over the summer upon graduating from seminary with a Masters of Divinity from Yale Divinity School. He also earned an Anglican Studies diploma from Berkely Divinity School. Rev. Paul 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. Previously, he served for two years as a seminarian intern at St. Luke’s Parish in Darien, Connecticut. At Christ Church in Short Hills, Rev. Paul’s ministries will focus on Christian formation, adult education and pastoral care, as well as sharing liturgical responsibilities under the leadership of The Rev. Bowie Snodgrass, Rector of Christ Church in Short Hills.

“I am thrilled to introduce our new Assistant Rector, Rev. Paul, who has impressed all of us with his warmth, intellect, experience and deep faith,” said Rev. Bowie. “Rev. Paul is a strong preacher and caring pastor with a deep prayer life and capacity for innovation.”

During his seven years residing in Boston, Rev. Paul was the Minister of Music and Director of Choirs at St. Peter’s in Cambridge and served as Administrator and Minister for Digital Worship in 2020, during the first year of the COVID pandemic. He also worked in restaurant management for a leading dining establishment situated in Boston Harbor.

Rev. Paul noted that “music has always been a major part of my life.” He studied French Horn at an early age at the Virginia Governor’s School for the Arts, a regional secondary arts school. Rev. Paul holds a Master of Music in early music performance and interpretation from the Longy School of Music of Bard College in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and received a Bachelor of Music degree in vocal performance from Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Virginia.

Rev. Paul resides in Maplewood with his husband, Dr. Corey Clapp, an atmospheric scientist and lecturer at Princeton University. His favorite pastime is cooking, reflecting his tastes and experiences of living various places throughout the U.S. and Italy with his family, as the son of a Navy officer.

New Programs at Christ Church in Short Hills

Rev. Paul will lead two spiritual programs to engage parishioners and interested community individuals, alike, in an active discussion of the life and teachings of Jesus and how those lessons connect to one’s life of Christian faith.

“Faith and Film” Thursdays at 7:00 pm

Popcorn, film and conversation

Watch the critically acclaimed, historical TV multi-season drama series, The Chosen, on the life of Jesus, as told through the eyes of people who knew him.

“Holy Grounds” Sundays at 9:00 am

Coffee and scripture

Explore varied topics in scripture and Christianity, focusing on Jesus and the Parables

Held in the St. Marks Room at Christ Church in Short Hills between the Sunday weekly 8:00 am and 10:00 am Worship Services.

Rev. Bowie added, “We look forward to celebrating Rev. Paul’s ordination as a new Episcopal priest this winter. I believe Christ Church in Short Hills is a perfect fit, where he can share his gifts, passions and help us grow in Christ.”

About Christ Church in Short Hills     

Christ Church in Short Hills, established in 1882, is part of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark and the worldwide Anglican Communion. Christ Church in Short Hills is located at 66 Highland Avenue, Short Hills. For more information, please visit: www.christchurchshorthills.org