Clergy and Staff

The Reverend Doctor Walter Brownridge - Transitional Priest

The Rev’d Dr. Walter Brownridge has recently concluded his service as Canon to the Ordinary for Cultural Transformation in the Diocese of Vermont. Walter spearheaded the diocese’s work in such areas as Christian Formation, Racial Justice, Stewardship, and Creation Care. Canon Walter has served as a Cathedral Dean and a Seminary Associate Dean at the School of Theology at Sewanee: University of the South. He served parishes in Ohio, Michigan, Delaware, and New York City and as a Canon at St. George’s Cathedral in Cape Town, South Africa. 

Walter is a graduate of General Theological Seminary, The University of San Diego Graduate School of International Relations, and the Georgetown University Law Center. He has written on law and theology, practical theology, and Church & Society. His articles have appeared in several publications, including the Anglican Theological Review. He was co-editor and contributor to a special volume of the ATR dedicated to the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Fr. Brownridge is the author of a forthcoming ATR article on Law, Theology, and Reproductive Choice in the Episcopal Church. He is also a contributor to the book Preaching Black Lives Matter. 

Walter is a Marine Corps Veteran (Lieutenant). Walter and his wife of 38 years, Christina Nader, are the parents of two adult sons: Alec Thurgood, who is married to Kimberley Quong Charles and living in Austin, Texas, and Martin Desmond of Los Angeles, CA

The Reverend Beth Ann Maier - Regional Deacon

The Rev. Beth Ann Maier is a vocational deacon, assigned by the Bishop to serve both Christ Church in Montpelier, and the Church of the Good Shepherd in Barre. The charge to the deacon particularly resonates and informs her diaconal work: “to make Christ and his redemptive love known” and “to interpret to the Church the needs, concerns, and hopes of the world” (BCP p.543). Beth Ann was ordained to the diaconate on Epiphany, 2009, toward the end of a 35 year career as a practicing pediatrician. She lives in Waterbury with her husband Bob Finucane and has three adult children and four amazing grandchildren. When not playing with the kids at Camp Agape (summer camp for children with a parent in prison), or testifying at the Statehouse on matters of economic justice, she can be found singing with several choral groups.

The Reverend Steve Reynes - Vocational Deacon

Steve is an actively practicing attorney in Vermont, specializing in land use law. Steve has also served the people of Vermont by advocating for Vermonters in state government. Ordained a vocational deacon in 2015, Steve has a passion for serving United States veterans currently living in Vermont. Beyond his professional and vocational life, Steve enjoys hiking the mountains of Vermont and hiking and mountaineering in the Alps in central Europe. Steve is an outdoors person who also enjoys skiing and actively participating in all the seasons that make Vermont such a special place. On Sundays during our Eucharistic celebrations, you will also see Steve preaching the gospel and serving at the Lord's Table.

Michael Halloran - Music Director and Keyboardist

Taking over from our beloved Lynnette Combs, Michael Halloran was brought on board in November of 2025 to be responsible for the music ministry at Christ Church, a ministry that has been a hallmark of our parish for decades.

Michael has been living in Vermont for more than twenty years, and is active in both music and theatre throughout the region.  From his skills as a pianist and vocalist, he offers voice lessons locally; he has frequently directed theatre and musical theatre productions for both local acting companies and schools, and has served as an accompanist and vocal coach.  As a church musician and organist, he has served for twenty years as the musician at Montpelier’s First Church of Christ, Scientist, and also played organ for Saturday evening Masses at Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church in Waitsfield for seven years.