Dear friends, 

This Sunday, please join me in welcoming the Rev. Canon Robert Griner, who will serve as Assisting Clergy at Christ Church this fall. He will preach, lead worship, provide pastoral care, coordinate projects, and assist me in ministering to this community 2.5 days per week. 

I met Father Robert my first year in Short Hills, when he led the Recently Ordained Clergy Group. Father Robert and our own Dr. Moore have a friendship which dates back to their work together at Grace Episcopal in Plainfield, NJ. Robert retired last spring after eighteen years at Christ Church in Newton, NJ, and is working part-time as Facilitator for Spiritual Care at Alina Lodge, a long-term drug and alcohol treatment facility. We are thrilled that he will be with us as I continue to seek an Assistant Rector. 

We also have three amazing public figures and guest preachers coming this fall as part of our 140th Anniversary Celebrations – Bishop Gene Robinson, the Rev. Dr. John J. Thatamanil, and our Episcopal Visitation with Bishop Carlye Hughes. Please mark all three dates on your calendar, in addition to our 140th Anniversary Sunday celebration on October 23, 2023!

Blessings abound, 

The Rev. Bowie Snodgrass

Rector

A former Southern Baptist who grew up in Weston, Connecticut, Robert has served four churches in the state of New Jersey. After his ordination by Bishop Spong at All Saints’, Millington, he went on to Rumson, Plainfield and lastly, 18 very happy years at Christ Church, Newton.

Robert was a first responder at Ground Zero 09/12/2001, director of a psychiatric services agency in Jersey City, appointed Canon for Companionship by the Archbishop of Central America and has over 13 years of continuous sobriety in a worldwide, mutual support group. He is currently the Facilitator for Spiritual Care at Alina Lodge, a long-term drug and alcohol treatment facility in Blairstown, NJ.

Married to Erika Maresca, Robert has two sons, Jesse a Freshman at Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken and Eliot a Junior at Sussex County Technical High School in Sparta, NJ. He enjoys high altitude mountain climbing (3 out of the 7 summits completed) and traveling to places no one has ever heard of.

Sunday, October 9

The Rev. Dr. John J. Thatamanil

The Rev. Dr. John J. Thatamanil is Professor of Theology & World Religions at Union Theological Seminary in New York City. 

Sunday, November 13

The Rt. Rev. Carlye J. Hughes

Bishop Hughes, the IX Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark, will make her official Episcopal Visitation to Christ Church on November 13. 

Sunday, December 11

The Rt. Rev. V. Gene Robinson

Bishop Robinson is the former Bishop of the Diocese of New Hampshire.

In 2003, he made history when he was consecrated as the first openly gay bishop in the Episcopal Church. 

Christ Church In Short Hills

66 Highland Ave, Short Hills, NJ 07078

(973) 379-2898

[email protected]