Clergy

The Rev. Webster S. Gibson, Rector

The Rev. Webster Gibson is from Alexandria, Virginia. Webster did his undergraduate work at the University of Virginia graduating in 1989. He then did a variety of vocations, from technical writing and analyst for Defense Department contractors, to being a carpenter. In 1994 he began seminary at the Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, TX, graduating in 1997. Following seminary, he served as interim assistant at Bruton Parish Church in Williamsburg, Virginia until 1999. He then served as rector at Immanuel Episcopal Church, Old Church in Hanover County, Virginia. Webster and Rebecca, his wife, came to Winchester in June of 2007 with their three children. Webster also serves on the Diocese of Virginia Commission on Congregational Missions and is chair of the Commission on Congregational Development. Outside of the church office, Webster enjoys being with Rebecca, dabbling in wood work, reading, and exercising by keeping up with his three children.

The Rev. Ann M. Ritonia, Assistant to the Rector.

The Rev. Ann Ritonia is from Boston, Massachusetts and has her BA in Music Education and performance in Euphonium from The New England Conservatory of Music. Ann also holds a MA in Gerontology from Webster University in St. Louis, MO. She served 17 years in the United States Marine Corps and Marine Corps Reserves. She has sung with professional choirs in Oklahoma and Virginia, been a guest conductor for the Loudoun Symphony, taught junior and senior high school band and choral music in the Diocese of Oklahoma City schools and has been a Music Minister and teacher for the past 21 years. Ann graduated from Wesley Theological Seminary in 2007 and completed a year of Anglican Studies at Virginia Theological Seminary in 2008 prior to ordination. 
 
Most recently, Ann was the Interim Assistant to the Rector for Family Ministries at St. Anne’s Episcopal Church in Reston. During 2003-2005 Ann was Pastoral Associate for Music and Family ministries at Saint Gabriel’s Episcopal Church in Leesburg and Pastoral Associate at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Sterling Virginia, where she did her field education from 2005-2007.

Ann has been married to Mike for 21 years and lives in Middleburg, with their four children, Elizabeth (19), Emily (18), John (16), Matthew (15) and their three dogs.  Her family loves to travel. She enjoys cooking for crowds (we’ll let Mitchell’s catering know of her talents), singing, reading, playing the cello and spending time with her family.

Staff

Dr. James Laster, Our Composer-in-Residence,

Jim is Professor Emeritus at Shenandoah Conservatory of Shenandoah University where he taught from 1973 - 2000, He holds the BA from Maryville College with majors in music history and biology; the MA in musicology, and the PhD in church music from George Peabody College; and a Master of Science in Library Science (music emphasis) from Catholic University. He also holds a certificate in organ from the Mozarteum Summer Academy, Salzburg, Austria.

He has held positions as organist and choirmaster in various churches, the most recent at Trinity Episcopal Church, Upperville, Virginia where he served for twenty-five years. In each of these positions he composed choral and organ works appropriate for use in the liturgy. His choral music is published by Augsburg, Concordia, Mark Foster, Boosey & Hawkes, and Treble Clef Press. He is the compiler of several music catalogs published by Scarecrow Press.

Since retirement he has begun a new career as an actor and is a member of Actors Equity Association as well as Screen Actors Guild. For further information, click on www.jameslaster.com.

Dr. James A. Kriewald, Director of Music

Director of Music is James A. Kriewald, BS (Secondary Education - Instrumental and Vocal Music), MM (Organ Performance), PhD ( Historical Musicology ). Jim joined the staff at Christ Church in January, 1971, as organist and director of the adult and junior choirs. He is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin and came to Winchester from Grace Episcopal Church, Madison, Wisconsin, where he had served as Director of Music and Youth. Jim retired June 30, 2008 from his position as Vice President of Research, Planning, and Institutional Effectiveness at Shenandoah University in Winchester.

Jim's music is published interdenominationally (The Upper Room Worshipbook - Music and Liturgies for Spiritual Formation; Worship Comes Alive - A Resource Book for Music and the Arts; various editions of ALIVE, NOW!), in hymnals and in worship settings, both in the USA and Canada. Jim is frequently called upon for retreats, consultations, and workshops in church music.

Marsha Baden, Director of the Cherub Choir

Born and raised in Winchester. Graduate of John Handley High School, 1977. Go Disco! Business major at Lord Fairfax Community College and Banking Certified AIB. Married James Baden, son of the Right Reverend John A. Baden, former rector of Christ Episcopal Church, in December of 1982. Owner/Partner of Elwood McIntire Kitchen Specialists, LLC. Kitchen and Bath Designer as well as Office Manager for the past 19 years. I enjoy very much working with my little people. They are the light of my life and I look forward to seeing their shining faces every Sunday morning.

Sue Correll, Director of the AlleluiA SingerS, Grades 2-8

Sue is Adjunct Associate Professor of Music Education at Shenandoah University and an accompanist for the Shenandoah University Arts Academy. She retired as a Music Specialist from Loudoun County Public Schools in June 2007. She is the co-founder and director of SINGGG (Sing God's Glory), an ecumenical children's choir, art and music camp for the Frederick County/Winchester area. She is a member of the Shenandoah University Arts Academy Chorale and the Winchester chapter of the American Guild of Organists. 

A graduate of James Madison University with a Bachelor of Music Education degree, she holds a Master's Degree in Education from the University of Virginia and a Master's Degree in Church Music with an emphasis in organ and voice from Shenandoah University. She has completed certification requirements for Orff Schulwerk Levels I & II (a developmental approach to music education for children). She has served as a clinician for the Church Music Institute at Shenandoah University and continues to be a guest clinician for other conferences and choral workshops. Sue and her husband Larry, who is a middle school band director in Loudoun County and church organist at First Baptist Church, have lived in Winchester since 2001, along with their two Dachshunds, Johann "Scooter" Bach and Giovanni "Pepper" Palestrina.

Margery Wingenbach, Director of Christian Education

Director of Christian Education, Margery Wingenbach is a native of Roanoke, Virginia. She graduated from Sweet Briar College with a double A.B. in Spanish literature & French. Graduated from the University of Virginia with an M.A. postgraduate degree. With her husband David she moved to Winchester and Christ Church in 1980. They have loved every minute of bringing up sons Joseph and Thomas in this church and community. Her career includes teaching at Southern Seminary, owning and operating the Stone House pre-school, as a children's librarian for the Handley Regional Library specializing in the development of the First Step to Literacy outreach program for local daycare centers. More recently with East Coast Migrant Education and currently teaches Spanish at Handley High School. I have served on the Diocesan Committee on Education and the Lord Fairfax Child Care Task Force. I enjoy Christian Education when I see parents recognize the importance of nurturing spiritual growth in their children and make a commitment to the opportunities Christ Church provides.

Eugenia Bean, Office Manager

Born and raised in Winchester, graduating from James Wood High School. I attended Dowell J. Howard Vocational Center and Lord Fairfax Community College. Married with 3 children and 6 grandchildren, ranging in age from 5 to 17. I enjoy doing anything that lets me connect with my children or grandchildren, knitting, crocheting, and reading.I enjoy working with everyone at CC and interacting with the parishioners.

Bill Jarvis, Parish Coordinator

Born in Manchester, England Bill moved to the US from Lanark, Scotland in 1982. His family has lived in Denver, Colorado; Fort Mitchell, Kentucky; Shelby, North Carolina (go Heels!). His family moved to Winchester in 1994 where he worked as production manager for a plastics company & since 2003 as a project chemical engineer for local companies. He joined the office staff in Dec 2005.

Helen Zebarth, Parish Nurse

Helen graduated from South Dakota State University with a Bachelor's in Nursing. Has a Master's Degree in Counseling from Boston University. Graduated from Parish Nursing Certified Program in March, 1987. Has been the volunteer parish nurse at Christ Church since that time. Taught at Shenandoah University from 1979 to 1987 in the nursing program. Became Director of the Mary B. Wilkins Wellness Center in 1987 and retired from that position in 2004. Started Blue Ridge Hospice in 1982 and became medical director of the five county Critical Incident Stress Management Team in 1986. She is also an active member of Kiwanis and a Board Member of Healthy Families, Domestic Violence & Blue Ridge Hospice.

Helen has been a member of Christ Church since 1972. Teaches Senior High Sunday School, is an LEM volunteer, Diocesan Parish Nurse Coordinator and representative from the Diocese of Virginia in Health Ministry to Province 3.