Christ Church Clergy

The Rev. Webster S. Gibson, Rector
Webster is from Alexandria, Virginia. He did his undergraduate work at the University of Virginia, graduating in 1989. He then did a variety of vocations, from technical writer and analyst for Defense Department contractors to carpenter. In 1994, he began seminary at the Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, TX, graduating in 1997. He served as interim assistant at Bruton Parish Church in Williamsburg, Virginia until 1999 and as rector at Immanuel Episcopal Church, Old Church in Hanover County, Virginia until 2007. Webster and Rebecca, his wife, came to Winchester in June 2007 with their three children. Webster 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. Bridget Coffey, Assistant Rector
Bridget was raised on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay in the town of North East, Maryland. She is a graduate of Christopher Newport University, where she studied marketing and leadership. Prior to seminary, she served for three years as a youth minister in her sponsoring parish. Bridget was ordained to the priesthood in December 2009, after graduating from the General Theological Seminary. She served as curate at Christ Church Cathedral in Lexington, Kentucky and also as an interim minister for children, youth and young adults at St. Paul’s, Centreville, Maryland before moving to Winchester in 2011.

Christ Church Staff

Dr. James A. Kriewald, Director of Music, 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 in 2008 from his position as Vice President of Research, Planning, and Institutional Effectiveness at Shenandoah University. Jim's music is published interdenominationally in hymnals and in worship settings and he is frequently called upon for retreats, consultations, and workshops in church music.

Margery Wingenbach, Director of Christian Education
Margery is a native of Roanoke, Virginia. She graduated from Sweet Briar College with a double AB in Spanish literature & French and then earned her Master’s Degree from the University of Virginia. She moved with her husband, David, 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, and working 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. She recently retired from teaching Spanish at Handley High School in Winchester. She has served on the Diocesan Committee on Education and the Lord Fairfax Child Care Task Force.

Marsha Baden, Director of the Cherub Choir
Marsha is a native of Winchester and is married to James Baden, the son of the Right Reverend John A. Baden, former rector of Christ Episcopal Church. She is owner/partner of Elwood McIntire Kitchen Specialists, LLC, and is a kitchen and bath designer as well as the office manager. She calls her young choir members “the light of her life” and looks forward to seeing their smiles each Sunday morning.

DeLyn Celec, Director of Alleluia Singers

DeLyn Celec grew up in Tucson, Arizona. She and her spouse of nine years, Sarah, moved to Winchester in 2008 so DeLyn could become the Worship Arts Coordinator at Shenandoah University. The title of Campus Minister has since been added following her ordination as clergy in 2011 through the social-justice-focused Church Within A Church Movement. DeLyn has been working in music and worship arts since she was in high school, formalizing her education in 2008 by obtaining her Master of Divinity from Drew Theological School in Madison, New Jersey. Her studies at Drew included a focus on power and privilege along with worship arts, which led to a passion for worshiping together to experience reflection on our life-renewing relationships with God and neighbor, education in social justice, and inspiration to celebrate diversity. Sarah and DeLyn added three children to their home in 2014 and the whole family has enjoyed a warm welcome when we have worshiped with the community at Christ Church.

Helen Zebarth, Parish Nurse
Helen graduated from South Dakota State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing. Her Master's Degree in Counseling is from Boston University. Helen graduated from the Parish Nursing Certified Program in 1987 and has been the volunteer parish nurse at Christ Church since then. She taught at Shenandoah University from 1979 to 1987 in the nursing program. In 1987, she became director of the Mary B. Wilkins Wellness Center and retired from that position in 2004. She 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. She has been a member of Christ Church since 1972 and is an LEM volunteer, Diocesan Parish Nurse Coordinator, and representative from the Diocese of Virginia in Health Ministry to Province 3.

Theresa Seitz, Bookkeeper
Theresa joined Christ Church as bookkeeper at the end of 2011. She has over 30 years of financial, budget and accounting experience including over a decade each with IBM Corporations, Wayside Foundation for the Arts, Inc. and owning and operating her own property business. Theresa is originally from Pennsylvania and has a BS from the University of Pittsburgh. She believes her greatest accomplishment in life is her son Jesse.

Noelle Creamer, Communications Coordinator
Noelle’s primary responsibilities include church publications, the website, social media, and other modes of communication that enhance the Christ Church community. Noelle brings nearly 20 years of experience in marketing, writing and editing positions, working most recently as a part-time freelance writer (and full-time mom). She holds a BA from Dickinson College and an MA from the University of Richmond, both in English Literature.

Steven Whitacre, Sexton
“Tuffy” has been sexton at Christ Church since 2005, taking care of the parish properties. A Winchester native, he attended Quarles Elementary and John Handley High School. He began working at a family business in Ohio before returning to Winchester. He worked for Zero Distributors and in the construction industry, primarily painting for local contractors.

Dr. James Laster, Composer-in-Residence
Jim is Professor Emeritus at Shenandoah Conservatory of Shenandoah University where he taught from 1973 – 2000. He holds a BA from Maryville College with majors in music history and biology; an MA in musicology and a 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 and he has 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. 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. See www.jameslaster.com.