Who We Are

Our Community

Christ Church Christiana Hundred is a vibrant, inclusive, and welcoming Episcopal faith community, engaged in God's work to bring all people into a loving, liberating, and life-giving relationship with Jesus Christ.

Our Clergy & Lay Ministry Staff

The Rev. Ruth Beresford

Rector
The Rev. Ruth Beresford

Rector

Ruth was elected by the Vestry to be the 15th Rector of Christ Church in 2007. She loves gathering with the children of our preschool, journeying with our youth as they seek God, leading worship, praying, teaching, and sharing the faith in Christ Jesus that sustains and strengthens the church for its ministry with people of all ages. Ruth has been in ordained ministry in the Episcopal Church for more than 30 years, but she looks to bring a fresh approach to connect Christian faith with life's contemporary challenges. Ruth and her husband, the Rev. David Beresford, have four adult children - two who live in the US and two in the UK, along with their first grandchildren.

The Rev. Michael Kurth

Associate Rector & Preschool Chaplain
The Rev. Michael Kurth

Associate Rector & Preschool Chaplain

Michael's faith journey began in the choir stalls at Grace Episcopal Church in Kirkwood, Missouri, where he sang and helped lead liturgy through his adolescent years. After graduating from Indiana University in 2009, Michael served low-income and homeless people in Washington, DC and New York City. Michael earned his Masters in Divinity from Yale University in 2018 with certificates from Berkeley Divinity School and the Institute of Sacred Music. He was ordained to the priesthood that same year and began two years of ministry as curate at Christ's Church in Rye, New York. Michael's ministry as associate rector of Christ Church began in Eastertide 2020. His wife, Sara, grew up in Wilmington, and they are both thrilled to call Wilmington home. Together they share care for their infant son, Henry, and their Bernese Mountain Dog, Cozy.

The Rev. Stacey Carpenter

Priest Associate
The Rev. Stacey Carpenter

Priest Associate

Stacey graduated with her Master of Divinity from the Seminary of the Southwest, where she completed two years of field education in the parish of St. Julian’s of Norwich and developed formation programs for the seminary community. Stacey has a passion for liturgy, discipleship formation, connecting church and community, and the intersection of faith and healing. Prior to seminary, she had a 20-plus year career in corporate America leading project and program management and training and education organizations. Stacey is a native New Yorker, who loves big cities as well as the outdoors. She relocated to Wilmington with her dog, Miracle. In her free time, you will find her hiking, running, reading, cooking, or planning her next trip to a National Park.

The Very Rev. William Lane

Pastoral Associate
The Very Rev. William Lane

Pastoral Associate

Bill has been a priest for more than 50 years. He came to Delaware in 1975 as he assumed responsibilities as Vicar of St. Nicholas' Church in Newark and Coordinator of Christian Education for the Episcopal Church in Delaware. Eleven years later, Bill joined the clergy staff of Christ Church and remained here until 1997 when he became Dean of the Cathedral Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. He retired in 2006, and he and his wife, Beverly, returned to Delaware. Since retiring, Bill has served at Ascension Church in Claymont, the Cathedral Church of St. John, Sts. Andrew & Matthew, St. Anne's Episcopal Church in Middletown, Delaware, and here at Christ Church. Bill and Beverly’s son and daughter-in-law live in Washington, DC.

The Rev. Calhoun Wick

Pastoral Associate
The Rev. Calhoun Wick

Pastoral Associate

Cal graduated from the Virginia Theological Seminary and began his ministry at Christ Church. Four years later he became the first Protestant clergyman to become a Sloan Fellow at MIT's Sloan School of Management, where he graduated with a Masters in Management. Since 1980 he has been a non-stipendiary priest in the Episcopal Church in Delaware. Cal is the founder of Fort Hill Company, a business focused on the application of learning, and an author of four books. For the church, Cal is a Pastoral Associate at Christ Church and for the diocese serves as a Trustee. Cal is married with five children and 11 grandchildren.

Bruce Barber

Director of Music
Bruce Barber

Director of Music

Bruce Barber was called to be the 8th Organist/Choirmaster of Christ Church in 2015. In his role as Director of Music, Bruce leads a music program which is known throughout the area, a program that includes both children and adults, professional and avocational musicians. Having spent his entire career working in music ministry in the Episcopal Church (two parishes and two cathedrals), his greatest desire is to share the great Anglican tradition of church music with all who would listen. He is passionate about the Episcopal Church and the liturgies which have formed him and are still forming generations into the Body of Christ. Bruce is a cellist, organist, pianist, and conductor, and he enjoys almost all types of music.

Denise Gilliam

Interim Head of School
Denise Gilliam

Interim Head of School

Denise has given 17 years of dedicated service to her early childcare administration position for Christ Church Episcopal Preschool. In her 18th year, she accepted the Interim Head of School position for the 2023-24 school year. Denise has played an integral role in shaping the educational community for our young students and possesses a deep understanding of the unique needs and developmental stages of children during their early years. She has demonstrated a passion for creating a nurturing and stimulating environment for children to learn and grow and is committed to maintaining the high quality of education and care for which the preschool is known, ensuring that every child's individual strengths, interests, and learning styles are recognized and supported.

Jo Harney

Director of Choristers
Jo Harney

Director of Choristers

Jo taught choral and general music in K-12 schools for 22 years before joining the Christ Church staff as Head of School in 2010. She enjoyed a brief retirement, beginning in 2020, but returned to Christ Church to direct the Christ Church Choristers in 2021. Jo has had a lifelong journey singing in and directing church choirs and finds great joy in sharing her love of the church by working with children. She re-launched Christ Church’s children and youth choral ministry by introducing the Royal School of Church Music training scheme and standards. She sees the experience of singing and leading in worship as an integral part of Christian formation for young people. Jo holds a bachelor’s degree in music education and master’s in religious aesthetics from Skidmore College; she earned a Doctor of Ministry from Virginia Theological Seminary in 2016. She and her husband, Gary, have three children and three grandchildren.

Our Administrative & Facilities Staff

Our Vestry

This group of elected lay leaders of our parish works with the rector and staff in setting the direction and vision for Christ Church. Valuing transparency and integrity in our communication and mutual ministry, we invite you to learn more.

Vestry Members and Officers:

Chuck Arensberg

Louise Barton

Audrey Bruce

Michael Flynn
Senior Warden

Sherri Howell

Ted Ledden

Alexander Maynard
Youth Representative

Scott Nickle

Jennifer O'Connor
Clerk

Mark Parsells
Treasurer

Eliza Phillips

Bob Reardon
Assistant Treasurer

Bart Reese

Mike Rushlow

Suzanne Smith
Junior Warden

Jaqueline Whalen

Alexia Wolf