Priest In Partnership 

Paul Habersang came to Christ Church from Glastonbury, Connecticut, where he held the three-year position of  Assistant Rector at St. James’ Episcopal Church.  As the end of his term at St. James’ approached, he felt called to explore opportunities for ministry in Vermont.  From many years of summer vacations on the northern shores of Lake Champlain, Paul has been drawn to live and serve here.

After earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management and Administration from Quinnipiac University, Paul had a twenty-year career that included customer service, marketing, sales, and accounting, with General Electric and Square D Companies.  Along the way, he found a spiritual home in the Episcopal Church.  From this, a call to pursue the ordained ministry began to surface.

In 2005, he entered General Theological Seminary in New York City.  His studies included internships within the Greater Hartford Regional Ministry and at St. John’s Episcopal Church in West Hartford.  His clinical pastoral education was carried out at Hartford Hospital in the Neuro-Trauma Intensive Care Unit.  In 2008, Paul received his Masters of Divinity degree, was ordained to the priesthood, and began his tenure at St. James’.

At St. James’, Paul was engaged in leading and developing Christian formation programs; preaching and liturgical leadership; collaborative lay leadership development; enhancing newcomer ministry and hospitality; pastoral care; community and ecumenical leadership; communications and web development; and facilities oversight, including participation and decision making in a major capital campaign.  During his three years there, he also led a youth mission trip to Galveston, Texas, and a youth pilgrimage to the Borderlands Spiritual Ranch in the Black Hills of South Dakota.

Paul describes his liturgical style as broad church, reverent yet relaxed.  He is a supporter of Jesus’ ministry of radical welcome - at the communion table and in all areas of our ministries.  Paul played a role in a contemporary form of summer worship held on Sunday afternoons entitled Worship on the Lawn, and found that it attracted new families and seekers who were looking for something different than traditional worship.  Paul embraces the practice of mutual ministry, where everyone’s ideas, gifts, talents, and treasures are essential to becoming the best faith communities that we are called to be. 
 
Paul’s family includes two sons – David, age 18, who is majoring in criminal justice, and John, age 20, who is majoring in psychology.  Paul and his partner Rich Aronson live in Montpelier. 

Choral Director/Organist

Brian Webb has served as choir director and organist at Christ Church since 1975.  From 1977 to 1997, he was music director/conductor of the VermontPhilharmonic and conducted the University of Vermont Orchestra from1995 to 1999. He has also served as guest conductor for orchestras inItaly, Spain, Yugoslavia, and Mexico, as well as local musicalorchestral and choral groups.

In his secular work, Brian is assistant vice president for academic affairs/director ofmaster’s programs at Union Institute and help develop and implement their successful Master of Arts Online Program, which he directs.

Brian hails from Auckland, New Zealand, where he received his earlymusical training. He received his master’s and doctoral degrees fromIndiana University, focusing on conducting and organ. 

 Junior Choir Director

Bill Beard, Jr. recruits, rehearses, and directs the Junior Choir.

Director of Religious Education

Elizabeth Wilcox leads and is primary teacher for the church school programs and events.  (See related story)

 Secretary/Receptionists