The Vestry

Sarah Churchill

Senior Warden

Eric Gedstad

Junior Warden

Katherine Dallos

Treasurer

Tracey Paine

Clerk

Charlie Quimby

Youth Representative

Lucy Jepsen

Youth Representative

Jennifer Clark

Class of 2025

Lillian Reilly

Class of 2025

Stephen Ventola

Class of 2025

Judy Carbrey

Class of 2026

Charles Moore

Class of 2026

Karen Hawkes

Class of 2026

Tyler Berube

Class of 2027

Arthur Kazianis

Class of 2027

Brad Clark

Rector

Teagan Phinney

Class of 2027

The Vestry is comprised of those members of the parish who have been nominated and elected to serve a three-year term as part of the leadership and decision-making body of the parish. The membership of the Vestry is made up of young and old, newly arrived and long-time members, anyone who feels invested enough in the life and future of AMC to be willing to give of their time, talent and treasure to lead the parish forward.

The Vestry works closely with the Rector, through monthly meetings and an annual planning retreat, to direct wisely all the resources we have been given. We do so out of a desire to deepen our relationship to God (as a reality we each can know first-hand), enabling us to serve those in our lives from a place of vulnerability and compassion.

Sarah Cotton Churchill, Senior Warden

Born in Ipswich, Ma. in 1962. I lived in many places before returning in 1989 to start a business and raise two girls with my husband, Greg. I graduated from Emerson College in 1984 with a BFA. I am honored to serve on the vestry in this wonderful church community. We hope to grow and continue a strong youth program. In my spare time, I enjoy gardening, quilting, cooking, and sailing.

Eric Gedstad, Junior Warden

Eric arrived in Ipswich in 2020 after many years living in Brookline. He and his wife, Dana Bos, have a son, 24, who lives in Atlanta. They also have a 7-year-old Pekingese named Pasha who rules their household with an iron paw. Professionally, Eric is a communications and marketing consultant. He served in the Massachusetts state government for more than three decades, working in communications roles in the executive and legislative branches, and at the quasi-public Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency.  Eric is a proud graduate of Boston University's College of Communication. Eric was confirmed into the Episcopal Church later in life, in 2008, and was raised in the Lutheran church, having been born into a Midwestern, Scandinavian family. He enjoys singing in the AMC choir; outdoor activities including biking, hiking and trail running; reading; architecture; history and spiritual studies.

Katherine M. Dallos, Treasurer

“Kathy” is new to Ascension Memorial Church and to Ipswich, moving here in April 2022 after living and working in the Northern Virginia/Washington DC area for 27 years. Kathy is softly transitioning into full retirement, working part time and volunteering for hospice. Kathy retired in March 2024 from her position as CFO for a US Treasury Department Inspector General program. Before her IG position Kathy worked for 25 years as Budget Officer for the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, the federal government’s “money factory.” “Finding AMC and moving to Ipswich has been a joyful move for me,” says Kathy. “Widowed in 2020, I now live within a half mile of my daughter’s family here in Ipswich. Getting to regularly attend family events and my grandchildren’s (Ethan and Vivian Bodycombe) sporting events is awesome!”

Tracey Paine, Clerk

I have been a member of Ascension Memorial Church since 2005.  We joined right before the birth of our daughter Lily, and she was the first baby that Rev. Brad baptized when he joined the church. I have served as fundraising chair, stewardship committee member, Vestry member and I was the former Sr. Warden for three years. I have resided in Ipswich for the past 24 years. My husband David and daughter Lily have enjoyed many decades of AMC events and happenings. I am a Director of Product Management for a Software company that serves the fitness industry.  We enjoy traveling, camping, boating and hanging out with our animals. AMC has been such a central part of our lives, and we have met many friends here who are now family to us. 

Jennifer Clark, Class of 2025

I have lived in Hamilton with my husband, Tim, for 35 years.  We are lucky enough to have children and grandchildren mere minutes away so, since retirement, we have been actively involved with their many activities, as well as our own.  We take advantage of the amazing North Shore with walks on the beach, and hikes through the marsh as well as pickle ball, golf and cross country skiing at Appleton Farms.  Life is good!!

Stephen Ventola, Class of 2025

Steve recently retired after 47 years in finance roles.  He is currently spending as much time as possible with family and friends, volunteering and enjoying AMC.

Lillian Reilly, Class of 2025

 I am new to the AMC Community.  Helen B. introduced me to AMC when she invited me to the Monday meditation group.  It took COVID to convince me that I might want to join the community as I watched the services online.  I then watched Episcopalian 101 and was received in May of 2022. Iam a retired oncology/hematology and Hospice R.N.  My husband, Tom, and I moved to Ipswich from Long Island N.Y. in 1997.  We had 5 children and 7 grandchildren.  Prior to his death 2 years ago, we enjoyed visiting family, traveling, camping and hiking and discovering the beauty and culture of New England. I am an Interfaith Chaplain and a yoga and meditation facilitator.   I am grateful to be a part of the AMC Community by serving on the Vestry as well as participating in special events and outreach events and the Friday meditation group.

Charlie Moore, Class of 2026

I grew up in Tidewater, Virginia with a twin brother, younger sister, and still younger brother. My parents were public school educators and part-time farmers. An undergraduate and graduate degree from the College of William and Mary saw me heading to seminary and still later to complete my Doctor of Ministry degree in pastoral psychotherapy from Andover over Newton Theological School. In the earlier and rambunctious years of my career, I started two pastoral counseling centers on Cape Anne, worked as a pastoral psychotherapist in Gloucester for several years and then developed and led the first psychiatric swat team in the state (and in the country) through the MA Department of Mental Health.  After the state changed its priorities regarding treating mental illness, I worked for about 30 years in for the state mental hospitals, providing forensic evaluations for persons committed from the District and Superior courts. During this time, I also worked as a campus chaplain for several years; was ordained in the Episcopal Church and established a Marriage Enrichment program both for the Catholic Diocese and later for the Episcopal Diocese. Following this, I was called to serve as Rector at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Malden. Debbie and I severed there for about seven years. Shortly thereafter, we were called to Virginia to pastor the oldest church in the United States. After 11 years, we returned to our beloved Northshore to be closer to our adult children and our two grandkids. I found a calling to work in a nursing home and to be available for a variety of ministries under our very capable Rector.  Debbie and I are most happy to have found a vibrant and wonderful faith community within Ascension Memorial Church.

Judy Carbrey, Class of 2026

I began attending AMC in the spring of 2023 with my husband, daughter, son-in-law, and their growing family. I am honored and grateful for the opportunity to serve on the Vestry alongside such compassionate, inspiring, and talented individuals. As I continue to familiarize myself with the many incredible acts of community, service, and worship that AMC encompasses, I look forward to becoming even more involved in parish life. Born and raised on the North Shore, my husband and I have lived in Essex, Massachusetts, for the past 38 years, where we raised our daughter. After earning a B.S. in Early Childhood Education and a M.Ed. from Lesley University, I enjoyed a fulfilling career as a Children’s Librarian at the Hamilton Librarry and later as a Kindergarten Teacher at Essex Elementary School. Now semi-retired, I love crafting, traveling, interior decorating, spending time outdoors, and cherishing moments with my two beautiful grandchildren.

Karen Hawkes, Class of 2026

I started attending AMC in the summer of 2022. I am still in awe of the warmth and beauty of both the inside and outside of the church as well as the warmth and beauty of the people in the church. I am the mother of two grown daughters, and I am a retired Massachusetts State Trooper. I have also worked on the technology side of security, designing security systems, and writing security protocols. I have studied native plants and sustainable gardening for about four years and am an avid gardener. I have a rich spiritual life, while also having an appreciation for the traditional rites of the organized church. I crochet and was a blue-ribbon winner at the Topsfield Fair when I entered a piece of work in 2022. I adopted / rescued a very fun puppy in March 2024 and have three cats. I hope to get Ruby Tuesday, my water loving, fun pup out on the water in the kayak this summer. I am a long-time peace activist and (not surprisingly) a 9 on the Enneagram (The Peacemaker). I have a passion for studying history and its relevance to understanding modern day events. I am usually reading four to five books at a time.  My favorite places are in the garden with my pets and hiking and enjoying nature with my pup. Peace in our hearts, peace in our communities and peace in our world, these are my hopes. Through faith and love, I believe we can accomplish this.

Tyler Berube, Class of 2027

Having grown up Roman Catholic, I was drawn to the beauty of the liturgy and the inclusivity of the Episcopal Church, officially being received in 2020. I served my first term on Vestry from 2020 to 2023 and am delighted to serve a second term. I am a 2015 graduate of Gordon College, and I work in the Deposit Operations department at Newburyport Bank. In my free time, I enjoy cooking, baking, and traveling. Ascension holds a special place in my heart, and I am grateful for the opportunity to give back to a church that has welcomed me so warmly.

Arthur Kazianis, Class of 2027

Born and raised in Rhode Island, my varied religious experiences include baptism and membership in the Orthodox Church while concurrently attending a Quaker School in Providence.  After finishing school, I moved to Boston to attend college where I earned degrees in Chemistry and Public Health. From 1990 to my retirement in 2023, I worked for the Massachusetts Department of Public Health where I oversaw the Infectious Disease Laboratories for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. In addition, for 12 years after college, I also worked for the Christian Science Church only to find my way into the Episcopal Church after moving to Ipswich in 1996. In the summer of 2001, I walked up the street to attend a Sunday Service at Ascension Memorial Church just to “check it out.”  What I found was a welcoming, loving parish, and a church focused on its quest to understand God’s presence in our lives and what we are called to do with that understanding. Finding Ascension Memorial Church has rewarded me with countless blessings. These include previous terms serving as a member of the Vestry, Junior Warden and Senior Warden. Recently I was asked to participate in the writing of our Core Values, Mission and Vision Statements. I am very proud of the work our group of Visioneers accomplished and I am excited to be a member of this Vestry as we work together to secure our future by embracing these shared values for our church and the broader community.

Rev. Bradford Clark, Rector 

Grew up in New England at a healthy arm’s length away from institutional religion. Studied and explored European philosophies, Eastern wisdom traditions, and meditative practices throughout my life, all of which have helped me appreciate the depth and richness of the words and deeds of Jesus of Nazareth.

Teagan Phinney, Class of 2027