Christ Church Episcopal Profile
October 2024
Summary
Christ Church Episcopal is located in the heart of Hudson, a diverse, vibrant river city in New York’s Hudson Valley. We’re an inclusive, small but growing parish whose membership includes lifelong parishioners as well as new members. At his visit on September 1, 2024, Bishop Jeremiah performed 2 baptisms, 2 confirmations, and 8 receptions into the Episcopal Church. We’re excited to continue to expand our ministry in our community and to grow as a church. We’re seeking engaging, inspirational candidates who are eager to join us in our journey.
Background
Christ Church Episcopal was established in 1802; its first building was erected on property granted by The Proprietors of the City of Hudson. In 1857 the parish moved into its current home at the corner of Union and Court Streets. As an organization and through individual efforts of parishioners, Christ Church has played an important role in our community since its founding.
Who we are
In preparation for this search we conducted 3 parish-wide listening sessions and sent a written survey to approximately 70 members; more than half responded.
Participants describe Christ Church as “ welcoming…inclusive…feisty…open and willing to grow and change…operates as a community… would like more families…facing financial challenges…increase membership…beautiful sanctuary…warm”.
What we’re seeking
Through this preparation we confirmed 4 major aspects of parish ministry that a new rector must embrace and further develop.
Commitment to lay leadership:
Christ Church has a strong tradition of active lay participation in worship services. This is important to the entire congregation as well as to those who serve as acolytes, lay eucharistic ministers, lectors, choir members, and greeters.
It is critical that the rector work in partnership with the vestry and other church leaders with appropriate, effective sharing of information and effort.
Pastoral care:
The rector must be committed to making personal visits to the sick, dying, bereaved, and those otherwise in need; he/she/they must communicate availability to parishioners.
Currently several lay eucharistic ministers make home visits while others participate in our prayer circle or send cards. We look forward to our new rector’s developing a larger, fully functioning pastoral care team.
Leadership style:
Christ Church is blessed with a highly skilled, friendly parish administrator. The atmosphere in the office is welcoming. The rector should understand the church business and ensure its effective administration.
The rector’s leadership in bringing forward new ideas for ministries, stewardship, and other activities will be very welcome, as will his/her/their openness to ideas from others.
Parish growth and development:
The rector’s leadership role in parish growth and development will require the ability to communicate clearly to a wide range of people using a variety of tools.
He/she/they must be approachable to those in the greater community as well as to parishioners.
Previous experience in successful parish growth is important.
Our campus
Christ Church was designed in a Gothic style reminiscent of Salisbury Cathedral in England. Our building is listed on both National and State Registers of Historic Places.
Our 1967 pipe organ is the first built by Leonard Carlson; the organ features 25 ranks and 2 manuals. The parish hall includes a full kitchen.
In 1966 we constructed a major addition, adding offices, a library, a guild room and a large [5 bedroom/3.5 bathroom] rectory.
City of Hudson
Hudson, located on the eastern bank of the Hudson River, is the county seat of Columbia County. The city is centrally located to New York City [2 hours by Amtrak; 2.5 hours by car]; Boston [3 hours by car]; and the Berkshires [1 hour by car]. Its economically and ethnically diverse population numbers approximately 6,000 people, many of whom are engaged in the arts and social activism.
Contact:
The Rev. Canon Neal P. Longe [nlonge@albanydiocese.org]
Canon to the Ordinary for Resource Development, Episcopal Diocese of Albany