Dear Christ Church Family,

In early 2025, we embarked on a search for a new Rector for Christ Church North Hills. A Discernment Committee was formed, a parish profile was built - using inputs from you - and marketed to The Episcopal Church clergy community, and interviews were conducted. Given the truly remarkable dedication to the work of the Committee by its members, and given Vestry and Diocesan approvals, it is with great pleasure to announce that our search process is complete, and the new Rector of Christ Church North Hills will be Fr. Jack Brownfield.

Fr. Jack will begin his ministry with us on Wednesday, August 19. His first Sunday services will be on August 23. His own introductory comments are shared below.

And with great appreciation to Fr. Chuck Weiss for his outstanding Interim Rector partnership with this parish, its staff, its Vestry, and its parishioners, Fr. Chuck will be departing from us after services on Sunday, August 2.

A multitude of thanks go to so many who have maintained this parish throughout this transitional period. Stay tuned for more information over the coming weeks as we progress through these final stages of transition.

Please join me in soon welcoming Fr. Jack Brownfield and his fiancée Katelyn to the Christ Church North Hills family!

Respectfully,

Jim Neral, Senior Warden   

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ!

I am excited, humbled, and above all thankful to be called as your next rector. This diocese is my home; I grew up in Bethel Park, was baptized at St. Paul’s, Mount Lebanon, and was ordained by Bishop Solak. I currently serve as curate at St. Michael’s of the Valley, Ligonier. I am deeply grateful for the trust placed in me by your Discernment Committee and Vestry and look forward to beginning my ministry with you on August 19.

There’s a hymn in Lift Every Voice and Sing called ‘I love to tell the story.’ The refrain goes like this: “I love to tell the story! ’Twill be my theme in glory / to tell the old, old story of Jesus and his love.” What a gift to do that together, to tell the story of Jesus in ways that reach new believers and strengthen lifelong Christians. For our Lord is alive, and the story grows with each life changed, each sin forgiven, each hope kindled and wound healed. I can’t wait to see what God will do through us and for us as we walk together in the years to come.

Please know that you are in my prayers. And please keep my fiancée Katelyn and me in yours as we prepare for our wedding on July 11 and for a summer of great change. God is good.

With Love,

The Reverend Jack Brownfield+