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Staff & Vestry Members
Rector
The Rev. Brian K. Gross
Brian earned his Master of Divinity from Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, MA, in 2014. He was ordained in the Diocese of Wyoming—first as a deacon in 2013 and then as a priest in 2014. After serving as Dean of the Cathedral in Laramie, he became Rector of Christ Church in Iowa in 2023. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa, represents the Three Rivers Chapter, and is a member of the Diocesan Safe Church Advisory Team. He values the strong lay leadership at Christ Church and welcomes your email at briang@christepiscopal.org.
Deacon
The Rev. Melody Rockwell
Raised up to the diaconate by Christ Episcopal Church in Cedar Rapids, Melody was ordained here on February 21, 2009. She finds deep joy in her ministry at Christ Church—serving at the altar, proclaiming the Gospel at both Sunday morning worship and the evening Celtic service, offering pastoral care, and occasionally preaching or delivering eulogies. Her ministry also includes supporting the Beloved Community and Eswatini Companions initiatives, helping to develop spiritual retreats, and fostering shared ministry and community among all members of Christ Episcopal Church.
Deacon
The Rev. Kate Hogg
Kate was ordained to the Sacred Order of Deacons on April 11, 2026 at Christ Episcopal Church. She completed her coursework at Bishop Kemper School for Ministry. Kate’s ministry is rooted in building community, seeking justice, and showing goodwill to all. She serves in the public schools, and her neighborhood association. For every member ministry, she administers Safe Church and Education for Ministry, a sacred community for everyday discipleship
Sexton
Roland Burns
Roland cares for the church property, ensuring the church and parish buildings are ready for meetings and events, maintaining equipment, and handling various other tasks as needed. He has served at Christ Church for over a decade and brings additional experience from working with other local churches and various trades.
Office Manager
Hannah Sherbon Powell
Hannah is our creative team member who manages various office-related tasks, including overseeing social media events and updates, maintaining the calendar, and managing the church's website. She has years of experience working with youth for the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa and facilitates ELCA High School Youth Ministry Activities at LCR in Marion.
Business Manager
Becky Palmer
Becky manages the church database (Breeze), oversees accounting and accounts receivable, maintains the church calendar, and coordinates facilities. She is a graduate of the University of Minnesota and is also a wife and proud mother of three beautiful children.
Treasurer
Gary Streit
Gary handles employee benefits, taxation, finances, budget, and planning for the church. He is an attorney and senior vice president of Shuttleworth & Ingersoll, P.L.C. He has a B.S. in Industrial Administration Accounting, J.D. of law, and has received many awards and recognition in his community and profession.
Celtic Pianist
Lena Nichols
Lena plays the piano and organ for evening Celtic church services. She received a Master of Fine Arts in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Iowa in 2008 and a Master of Arts in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Iowa in 1997. Lena earned her Bachelor of Music in Piano from Idaho State University in 1994.
Organist and Choir Director
Steve Berg
Steve is the choir director and Sunday church organist. He went to Luther College where he majored in computer science but also took organ lessons, sang in a choir, and played clarinet in band. He enrolled at the University of Minnesota and earned a Bachelor of Music degree with a major in organ performance. He went to Luther Seminary and earned a Master of Sacred Music degree. Steve has served churches in Minneapolis and his hometown of Fairfield, and the past few years he has been organist and choir director at First United Methodist Church in Boone, Iowa.
Senior Warden
Janet Leary
Janet is the liason for Worship. Janet retired from Pearson as a software developer-test/assessment analyst. She loves to bake and cook, gets crafty, and help others. She is the Godly Play educator and is involved in many ministries within the church as well as a part of several task forces to continue the mission of the church.
Junior Warden
Jerry Jackson
Jerry is the liaison for Buildings & Grounds. He is also involved in many commissions with the church, helps to serve as the main contact and liaison for Loaves and Fishes, a local food pantry. Jerry graduated with a Ph.D in Physics and worked at Pitney Bowes Inc, as an R&D engineer and printing specialist.
Secretary
Melinda Hoffmann
Melinda serves as the vestry clerk and the liaison for the Communications Commission. She is also the contact person for submissions to the church's monthly print newsletter, involved with the Outreach Commission, Welcome Committee, and organizing small group dinners each Spring and Fall.
Melinda is employed at Discovery Living as a training coordinator. She enjoys binge-watching old TV shows with her husband, Jay.
Vestry
Benjamin Helppi
Ben is the liaison for Outreach. He works as a software engineer at Collins Aerospace, and graduated with a M.S. from University of Iowa, and a Bachelors of Computer Science from Michigan Tech. Other interests include being a volunteer soccer coach, and working to establish a personal vineyard.
Vestry
Kay Jahnel
Kay is the liason for Finance here at Christ Episcopal Church.
Vestry
Chris Hubbs
Chris is the liaison for Community Education and Advocacy. He also plays a large role in the Church Matters podcast. He works as a senior technical fellow at Collins Aerospace, and graduated with a B.S. in Computer Engineering from LeTourneau University. If he isn't doing something nerdy with technology, Chris can probably be found reading a book, playing the piano, or blogging at chrishubbs.com.
Vestry
Brad Kurtz
Brad is the liason for the Pastoral Care Commission.
Vestry
Cheryl Valenta
Cheryl is the liason for the Education & Formation Commission.
Vestry
Trish Varnum
Trish is the liason for
Hospitality.