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 Swazi Companions initiatives, helping to develop spiritual retreats, and fostering shared ministry and community among all members of Christ Episcopal Church.
CEC Intern
Anna Venenga
Anna is originally from Washington, IA and graduated from Central College (Pella) in May 2025 with a double major in Religion and Philosophy and a minor in French. This is her third summer interning at Christ Church, where she loves leading and learning through Bible studies, prayer services, the Celtic Service, and occasional homilies. She enthusiastically joins any project or opportunity the parish offers. Anna especially treasures the relationships she has built at Christ Church and the sense of family she has found within the community. The parish has played a significant role in her discernment journey, with many members affirming her call to the priesthood. In the fall of 2025, she will begin her Master of Divinity at Virginia Theological Seminary in preparation for ordination.
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.
Sexton
Roland Burns
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.
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.
Communications and Technology
Tom Lewis, MDiv
Tom graduated from Trinity Lutheran Seminary, Columbus, Ohio, in 1985 with a Master of Divinity degree. Ordained a Lutheran Pastor in 1985, serving congregations in Iowa, Michigan, and Virginia. Coordinates internal and external communication activities, and technology efforts.
Organist and Choir Director
Steve Berg
Senior Warden
Mary Westcott
Mary is the liaison for Worship Commission. The worship commission includes Altar Guild, Lay Readers, Greeters, Music, Flower Committee, Healing Prayer Team, and worship duties of the Rector.
Junior Warden
Janet Leary
Janet is the liaison for Pastoral Care and the clerk. 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.
Secretary
Melinda Hoffmann
Bio Coming Soon
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.
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.
Vestry
Dot Sheldon
Dot is the liaison for Outreach Commission. The Outreach Commission helps with providing support to non-profit charities in the community like Loaves and Fishes, Helping Hands Ministry, and ECCF. She is retired from Collins as a senior business integration analyst and is a Air Force veteran.
Vestry
Jerry Jackson
Jerry is the liaison for Communications. 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.
Vestry
Benjamin Helppi
Ben is the liaison for Finance. 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
Bio Coming Soon
Vestry
Chris Hubbs
Bio Coming Soon
Vestry
Brad Kurtz
Bio Coming Soon