STEVEN

During my twelve plus years at Christ Church, I have tried to give back at least as much as I have received.  I have served nine years on the Vestry, including several years as senior and  junior warden. In addition to my current service on the Vestry, I have served as Chair of the Historic Celebrations Committee which has created and run the three year celebration of Old Brick’s 200^th anniversary and the almost 300 years of Anglican tradition in Howard County.  I have also served for seven years as the Presiding Judge of the Ecclesiastical Court (now the Disciplinary Board of which I am President) of the Diocese of Maryland.

If reelected to the Vestry I will endeavor to build on the strengths of our community.  We have done a tremendous job of caring for our facilities, but I hope that after our extensive capital projects we can now devote more time and treasure in caring for our community and especially for our neighbors, whether they be in Howard County, in the United States or elsewhere in the world.

I am self-employed as a labor arbitrator and, as such, I use my talents to resolve disputes and minimize conflict. I live in Columbia with my wife, Linda.

ALEXIA

I am a “cradle” Episcopalian.  I grew up in Western Kentucky in the small college town of Murray.  St. John’s was the only Episcopal church in town and it was a very small congregation.  While average Sunday attendance usually hovered around 100 people, I always felt loved and that I belonged there.  Very few children attended St. John’s , our youth group had between four and twelve members.  However, the church  involved everyone in the service.  It was through St. John’s that I found church camp and met many other Episcopalians who were my age.  Camp was also where I met the bishop of our diocese who helped me to realize where I was on my journey of faith, helped me to solidify what my beliefs were, and what they have come to be.

My husband and I met and married in Kentucky, and we moved to Maryland in 2000 for graduate school.  We attended several different Episcopal churches looking for a place where there were other young adults.  We finally settled at St. John’s Ellicott City.  There we helped to establish a 20s & 30s group to encourage other young adults to worship and get involved in the church.  Both of our children were baptized there.

After Gavin and Ainsley were born, we decided that we would like a church that was a little smaller and closer than St. John’s.  We found everything we were looking for at Christ Church:  a strong group of families who could participate in worship, a diverse congregation, Godly Play during the service to engage our children, a strong Sunday School program, and many opportunities for Ron and I to be involved.  I have enjoyed singing in Old Brick The Musical, volunteering in the nursery, coordinating Godly Play parent helpers, teaching Sunday School, working with Vacation Bible School, and helping to coordinate the Christmas Pageant.

Making sure the youth have a good experience with church and are involved is important.  I also think that it is important that people feel welcomed into church whether they have children, a significant other, or just themselves.  If elected to the Vestry I would like to continue the youth having all the opportunities to be involved in the church and make sure they are staying involved at more regional events as well so they will have the opportunity to make sure they see the diversity of Episcopalians throughout the diocese, the state, and the Province.  I would like to focus on everyone having a chance to get involved with Christ Church since this is the key to a healthy congregation, whether it be through the “Every Member Canvass” or a donation of time or talent.  Finally I want to ensure that parents of young children feel welcomed and are aware of all the opportunities available for both them and their children.

I am a teacher in Montgomery County and have been a department chair for five years.  I have also been on my Home Owner’s Association Board for three years.  These experiences have not only taught me how to manage my time and work together with people, but also how to manage projects and see them through to completion.  I am honored to be nominated as a candidate for the Vestry and I look forward for the opportunity to serve the congregation of Christ Episcopal Church.

BRANDI

I am honored to be considered for a position on the Vestry of Christ Church.  I was born and raised in Lakeland, Florida and have spent most of my life in the Episcopal Church.  Growing up, I attended Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Bartow, Florida where my Godfather was the priest.  The church has always been an important part of my life.  As a teenager, I was very active attending Sunday School, serving as an Acolyte, and participating in the youth group.  I also served on the Youth Action Committee for the Diocese of Central Florida.  I attended youth weekend retreats such as New Beginnings and Happenings.  In college, I even went back to serve as a counselor at New Beginnings.

My family and I have been members of Christ Church since 2003.  My husband Rick and I moved to Columbia in 2000 from Clearwater, Florida.  Many defining events have happened for our family at Christ Church, including Rick’s Confirmation and the baptisms of both of our daughters—Erin and Lauren.  There are many things which drew us to Christ Church including the sense of community and the sincere fellowship.  The congregation has become an extended family to us when our own is so far away.  We have grown in our church life and have enjoyed watching our children grow in the church as well.

Church continues to be an important role in my life as I have enjoyed being very active at Christ Church.  I am currently the Acolyte Coordinator, a member on the Liturgy and Worship Committee and Formation Committee, a Sunday School Teacher, Co-coordinator of the Christmas Pageant, and a Parent Helper in Godly Play.

My biggest accomplishment at Christ Church has been serving as Sunday School Coordinator and the success of our Sunday School Program. The Sunday School Committee and Teachers are very committed to the children of our church and our program has tripled in the last year.

I have been a music teacher for the past 17 years and have served in many different leadership roles in my career.  These experiences have taught me to manage various situations and work effectively with people who share different views.  I believe everyone has gifts and talents and that these talents should be shared in God’s love.

I seek to continue to serve Christ Church as we continue to thrive as a Parish.  Thank you again for considering me for the Vestry of Christ Church.

EVAN

Growing up in Trinity Cathedral in New Jersey, I have always had a strong Episcopalian influence in my life.  This is an upbringing that I share with my wife Kate, as we are both baptized and confirmed Episcopalians.  While we were dating, and even before meeting, Kate and I attended a diverse set of churches while living in different parts of the country.  Sharing the familiar tradition of the service is something that was special to us, and made it seem like we’d known each other our whole lives.

When I first came to Christ Church in 2004 after graduating college, I knew that I had found a special community.  When Kate and I both moved back to Maryland in 2006, I introduced her to the Christ Church family.  We have shared all of our big moments with Christ Church, including our wedding and the baptism of our daughter, Natalie.  But the large events don’t tell the full story of what a blessing this community has been to us.  It is told every week where service at Christ Church brings a new reason to rejoice, reflect, be thankful, and spread the good news.  I have been fortunate to serve as a Lector and Lay Eucharistic Minister, and I’ve graciously accepted the Vestry nomination as a way to further my relationship with Christ Church.

I very much look forward to continuing my service to Christ Church, the community, and the Lord.

SAMUEL

I was born in Ranipet, India and baptized, as an infant, in the Protestant Church of India. I came to United States of America to work in 1998 and then married in 2001. My wife Preethi and I moved to Columbia then Hanover, Maryland in 2003 from Mclean, Virginia. We have been members of Christ Church since 2003.  Together we have celebrated some special events at Christ Church, including the birth and baptisms of both of our daughters—Diya and Deepti.  There are many things which drew us to Christ Church including the sense of community, the sincere fellowship. We also appreciate the intimacy of the church and the willingness of the congregation to be involved. We have also made some dear friends who are special to us.

I think being involved is the way to support and build a community, and our community is one of the best things about Christ Church.  We have such a great church family that is diverse and caring.  As a member of the Vestry I want to help and serve in developing our great community.

I am very excited to have this opportunity to serve the Lord through Christ Church as we continue to thrive as a Parish and grow in God’s love.

RICHARD

I am 69 years old and married to Cheryl for 38 years.  We have two sons, Brian and Neil who have blessed us with two grandchildren, with one more on the way.

In 1998, I retired after 30 years in the airline industry, primarily with British Airways.  While with BA, I held a number of Sales, Marketing and General Management positions, including General Manager Southern Europe, General Manager Canada and General Manager Sales and Marketing for the United Kingdom.

I’ve asked to be considered again for a Vestry term in part because of the great personal satisfaction of working with dedicated and highly knowledgeable Vestry teams over the years.  To be a part of the many teams in the past and present who have made major contributions to the spiritual and temporal life of our Church community, each in their own way and with their own talents, has been an honor.

If I serve again, I hope to use what skills I have in Budgeting, Human Resources and Marketing to contribute to the well-being of Christ Church and our community.  It has been a revelation for me to realize that the smooth and successful operation of our Church requires the application of many of the principles used in the corporate world. The enormous difference is that the result of the labors of Clergy, the Vestry and the Congregation is a spiritual home and shelter for all of us.

GAVIN

I have been an Episcopalian my entire life. I was baptized by my father when he had his first missions just outside Charlottesville, Virginia.  I was his acolyte in Junior High and High School. I remember the ’28 prayerbook, Green book, and Zebra book and women’s ordination.

My wife Corrina and I both got involved as Sunday School teachers soon after our son Gavin and daughter Becky, started attending the Sunday School program.  We have stayed with them as they have reached High School.  Our family has been attending Christ Church since the Summer of 2002 when we moved here for my final tour in the Navy.  We have been active in various activities to include Sunday School, Coffee hour, acolytes, youth group, boat float. I have found the Sunday School program personally enriching.  Teaching of the story of the Bible, how it came to be and what it means has been immensely gratifying.  All the time preparing for Sunday School classes has given me a much better appreciation and understanding of the Bible. The Episcopal Church is an important part of my life.

It is a real honor to be considered for a position on the Vestry. Over the last 9 years that we have been attending Christ Church, I have worked with many talented people who have organized, led and ministered to make this church a great place.  I am very excited to have an opportunity to take a larger role.  I had been asked by the Vestry in the past, but unfortunately it was not the right time then.  I feel, now, I have the time to give this position the time and effort it deserves.