Christ Episcopal Church welcomes The Reverend Clare Nesmith as its new Priest

Christ Episcopal Church, a staple in the community of Babylon for over 140 years, welcomes The Reverend Elizabeth Clare Nesmith as its new Priest-In-Charge.

Ready “to make a joyful noise to the Lord in worship and service,” Mother Clare comes to Christ Church with many qualifications.  She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education and a Master of Music in Vocal Performance and Literature.  As a professionally trained soprano, she has sacred and secular choral and solo experience.   Mother Clare received her Master of Divinity degree from the General Theological Seminary in New York in 2005.  She served as a curate at St. John's of Lattingtown Episcopal Church in Locust Valley and most recently was Executive Director and Deputy for Stewardship for Episcopal Charities of Long Island, Diocese of Long Island, in Garden City, NY., where she had a proven track record as a fund-raiser and stewardship leader.  Partner these professional attributes with her warm and welcoming personality and Christ Church now has a pastor who works hard at fostering relationships that fulfill God's commandments to "Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind....Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself."

Describing her liturgical style as "dignified but not stuffy," Mother Clare hopes to bring to worship a "sense of wonder, joy, praise, and playfulness at times."  For her, "everything flows from worship."  Certainly her uplifting and lilting voice, with a hint of her Georgia upbringing, draws one into the homily she is delivering or into conversation.  Eager to familiarize herself with the Parish, Mother Clare has been getting to know the parishioners, meeting with members of the Vestry, Lay ministry leaders, and congregants.  Cognizant of her role in pastoral care, she feels listening and simply being with the person in need of support is the most important way to engage in that care.

Without permanent clergy for over 3 years, Christ Church Parish has managed to maintain a quiet, stable existence; but now with the appointment of Mother Clare, the hopes and dreams of the parish will have pastoral leadership with which to partner.  Putting a face on Christ Church in the community is one of Mother Clare's goals.  Providing a vital and energetic leadership for the body of Christ as enhanced by the Parish, Mother Clare wants to empower the congregation to take its gifts and assets out into the community and invite others to join its worship environment.   

Mother Clare will officially joined Christ Church on September 1, 2011 and celebrated her first Eucharists on Sunday, September 4^th.  The church has designated Sunday, September 18, 2011 as Welcome Home Sunday.  On that day, the community is invited to join the parish for worship and meet the “new priest on the block.”   There will be one service that day at 9:30 AM, followed by a festive breakfast.  It is hoped that a "joyful" noise will resound throughout the church community on that day. Both the congregation and Mother Clare are filled with anticipation and excitement at the prospects this new endeavor will produce.