Who We Are

Cynthia Black joined Redeemer as its sixteenth Rector in June, 2011. She retired in March of 2024. Previously, she served churches in Minnesota (as Interim Rector of Epiphany, Plymouth), Michigan (as Dean of the Cathedral of Christ the King in Kalamazoo), and New Jersey (Associate Rector and Interim Rector of St. Peter’s, Essex Fells).

During her 38 years in parish ministry, she has been a member of the Episcopal Church’s governing body (Executive Council), served as President of the Episcopal Women’s Caucus, chaired the denomination’s Committee on the Status of Women and currently serves as Vice Chair of the Episcopal Church's Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music. In 1995, she attended the U.N. World Conference on Women in Beijing. She has been an advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion in the church for years as a founding member of Claiming the Blessing and as a part of the Integrity legislative team for General Convention. In 2006, Cynthia was awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from the Church Divinity School of the Pacific, Berkeley, Calif., in recognition of her service to the Episcopal Church. Former Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold praised her, saying, “Her ability to grasp the many dimensions of any situation and to articulate them clearly and boldly have been a gift to the [Executive] Council and the church.” She received the Polly Bond Award of Excellence for the documentary Voices of Witness Africa, describing the experiences of LGBTQ+ Anglicans in Africa. Cynthia grew up outside of Boston, went to college in upstate New York, and seminary in California. Before ordination she worked as a house painter, pastry chef, and freelance trumpet player. The daughter of an architect and a travel agent, her myriad interests include travel, photography, cooking, woodworking, and filmmaking that promotes the Gospel values of peace and justice. She is married to Dr. Rebecca Walker, a mathematics professor.

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Chris Henke, Director of Music A native of Fort Wayne, Indiana, Chris earned his Bachelor’s in Music Education from Wittenberg University with an emphasis in Pipe Organ performance and Choral Conducting/Composition.

While at Wittenberg, Chris was an active member of the nationally known Wittenberg Choir. Later, he earned his master’s degree in education. Chris spent 10 years teaching middle and high school choir in Holland, Ohio. While there, his choirs earned regional and national honors. Chris now serves as a music teacher in the Kittatinny, NJ, public school system. He’s been active in sacred music for the last 32 years, leading worship in a wide variety of traditional and contemporary settings. Chris’s music is published by Morningstar Music and Augsburg Fortress. Chris is the father to three children: Drew, Dawn, and Natalie.

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Sandra is originally from Sunnyside, Queens and now lives in Boonton. She has been an Episcopalian since 1994 and is on the Vestry and is the Communications Chair at St. John's Church in Boonton, NJ. She also sings in the choir.

She was an active member of the Congregation of Saint Saviour at the Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine, where she was the warden, co-chair of the Communication committee, chair of the Education committee and lay leader of the Sunday Healing ministry. She ran a successful program for poets and writers that lasted ten years and produced a popular anthology. Her previously church experience was as the Administrative Assistant at the Church of Saint Mary the Virgin in Times Square and Christ and Saint Stephen’s.

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Curtis began as our part-time Sexton on the Monday of Holy Week, 2022. He excels in keeping our building spotless and in order!

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Originally from New Jersey, Peg’s background is in youth and music ministry, and her ministry in non-parish settings includes a prison, a military base, shelters, and youth programs. She has instructed wilderness courses professionally and experienced the beauty and awe and wonder of creation.

In addition, she became aware of the suffering of our Earth and inhabitants, and the need to work for justice and create a much better future for all. After completing a Masters in Spirituality from University of Creation Spirituality/Naropa University, she was involved in interfaith earth ministry in San Diego County, and later completed her Master of Divinity at Drew Theological School, focusing on Ecotheology. Peg is a GreenFaith Fellow, and her interests include all forms of justice, especially gender and environmental justice, worship, food and water issues, and interfaith work. In addition to serving on the Worship Committee, Peg works to educate about environmental crises and choose environmentally sustainable actions toward justice--work rooted in our baptismal covenant. She is happy to teach cross-country skiing and canoeing to Redeemerites!

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