By Vincent Preti
May 18, 2022: With a full church and a choir singing, the people of Christ Church Bronxville welcomed The Rev. Kurt Gerhard as their tenth Rector on May 8th. Jenn Redman and Gillian Goddard, Senior and Junior Wardens, handed over the keys to the building to Father Kurt, a tradition in the Episcopal Church.
Father Kurt comes to Bronxville from St. Patrick's Episcopal Church and Day School in Washington, D.C., where he served as Rector for 12 years.
During his introductory sermon, Father Kurt recalled a label on an assembly manual he read many years ago: "Assembly could be lengthy. Get someone's help, and feel free to take a break or two." Father Kurt went on to explain that these words do not only apply to putting together an Ikea desk or couch: they also apply to our spiritual development. We need each other as we journey to find meaning and purpose in our lives. The congregation was encouraged to look around at one another: "These are your guides on this journey… and we need each other to build lives that stretch beyond ourselves."
Prior to his time as Rector of St. Patrick's D.C., Father Kurt was the Senior Chaplain at St. Andrew's Episcopal School in Austin, TX for nearly nine years. He has a Doctorate of Ministry from Virginia Theological Seminary and a Masters of Divinity from Seminary of the Southwest. He served in a variety of leadership roles in the Diocese of Washington and earned a reputation for his pastoral care, concern, and gentle approach with people.
He is married to Jennifer, a palliative care physician and an active Episcopalian, and they are parents to Esther. The Gerhard family is looking forward to getting to know the people of Bronxville and the surrounding neighborhoods.
Father Kurt's greatest passion is to connect with people and help them find new paths in life. He often preaches about the effect of current events on our spiritual lives and the Christian responsibility to bring about heaven here on earth.
We invite all in the community to join us on Sunday mornings at 10:00 am and 5:00 pm to meet Father Kurt in person!
Christ Church Bronxville
Christ Church Bronxville, or "CCBNY" as it's known in the community, is the village's Episcopal church, whose beginnings date back to 1898. The current church, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was completed in 1926 and was designed by Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue, who also designed St. Bartholomew's in New York City and the Chapel at West Point.
CCBNY offers a wide array of programs to its parishioners, who live throughout southern Westchester. The acclaimed music program boasts five choirs; international outreach efforts to Cuba; and education and service programs for family members of all ages. CCBNY is also home to the renowned children's music program Young at Arts (http://www.youngatartsny.org), and Eliza Corwin Frost (www.elizafrostschool.org), a nursery school for children ages 1 to 5.
Our services are as follows:
8:00AM Rite I Spoken Eucharist
10:00AM Family Choral Eucharist, with 11:00 AM Coffee Hour
5:00PM Informal Eucharist or Choral Evensong
"No matter where you are on your spiritual journey there is a home for you at Christ Church. Our worship, music, education and outreach challenge us to embrace holiness and fearlessly share Christ's love."
First Baptist Church
The First Baptist Church was organized in 1854. Its mission is “to reach out as a caring and Christ centered Church to people of all culture and races, helping them to know God and find fellowship with each other through Jesus Christ to the glory of God.”
407 New Rochelle Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-793-2560
http://www.firstbaptistchurchbronxville.com/
Reformed Church of Bronxville
The Reformed Church of Bronxville is the community church in the heart of the village. We welcome people of all faiths and persuasions to be a part of our church family. We have exciting programs to meet your interests including music and the arts, service and outreach, children's ministry and a wonderful Nursery School.
Starting Sept. 7th, we have three Sunday services held at 8:30 am, 10:30 am and 5:00 pm. A Fellowship Coffee Hour is offered after the 10:30 am service. Childcare is available during our 10:30 am service along with Church School classes for children from 2 years old through the 8th grade.
The Reformed Church
180 Pondfield Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-6776
www.reformedchurch.org
St. Joseph’s Church
St. Joseph Church, which opened its doors in 1925, is the Catholic Church in Bronxville. It offers services on Saturday, Sunday, weekdays and Holy Days. It offers a religious education program for K - 8th grade which takes place on Wednesday during the school year. It also offers a myriad of opportunities for parishioners to meet, share ideas and experiences and help others. The St. Joseph’s School offers classes for K – 8th grade.
15 Cedar Street
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-1660
http://www.saintjosephsbronxville.org/
Village Lutheran Church
The Village Lutheran Church “is a ministry of word and sacraments. This ministry gives opportunities for witness, nurture, fellowship, stewardship and service.” The Chapel School, which goes from pre-school three-year olds through 8th grade, is an integral part of the Church’s ministry for children.
172 White Plains Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-0207
West Center Congregational Church
West Center Congregational Church is a member of The United Church of Christ. It welcomes “all who seek to find, know and serve the living God better in all they are and do.”
101 Pondfield Road West
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-3829
Sinai Free Synagogue
Sinai Free Synagogue is Westchester`s "newest" Reform congregation but its roots go back almost 100 years. Formed in 1999 by a merger of Mount Vernon`s Sinai Temple (founded in 1906 and the first Reform congregation in Westchester County) and the Free Synagogue of Westchester (founded in 1927), the 250-member congregation has a long, distinguished history.
Please check the Calendar for dates and times.
550 North Columbus Avenue
914-664-1727