Welcome to Christ Church Pompton

Hi. I'm Dave, and I'm the sort-of new priest here. I should tell you a few things about myself, because if you visit on a Sunday morning you're going to be stuck listening to me for several minutes, and you deserve to know what you're getting yourself into.

I was a bassoonist in college, which means I have a high tolerance for being slightly misunderstood. I was a United Methodist pastor straight out of graduate school, and I've served churches in some wonderfully different settings: a rural parish in Pond Eddy, New York (more cows than people), urban churches in Newark and Jersey City (definitely more people than cows), and most recently St. John on the Mountain in Bernardsville (more Mercedes than BMWs). Along the way I've also been a diocesan conference center director and a college vice president, because apparently I have trouble sitting still.

My husband Bob and I recently moved to West Milford, and we are deeply grateful for the patience of this congregation while we made offers on four (or was it five?) different lake houses before one finally stuck. We share our home with three rescue dogs, a feral cat who, in the move. has made it clear she is not interested in anyone's opinion, and a tortoise who is approximately 75 years old. Older, I should note, than me. Though not by as much as I'd like.

But you didn't come to this website to learn about my pets or my real estate saga. You came because you're looking for something.

I should be honest with you about what I have found here. Christ Church is growing. In a time when many churches are not, this one is. I'd love to take credit for that, but the truth is that this parish was carried through some lean years by the grace of God and by the power and persistence of its lay leadership, especially our wardens, Karen and Karen. (Yes, both of them. We're efficient like that.) And it definitely doesn't hurt that our Parish Administrator regularly leaps over tall buildings with a single bound. Thanks, Maureen. We have also recently been blessed to welcome members of the former St. Michael's parish in Wayne, whose generosity and hopefulness have been a gift to us that, frankly, I still don't have adequate words for.

So here's the thing. Christ Church is not a finished product. If you're looking for a place where everything is already built, every program polished, every path neatly paved, I want to be upfront: that's not quite us. Not yet. We are glad to have folks who come ready to enjoy what's here. But we have a special place in our hearts for the explorers, the ones who get excited about a trail that isn't fully marked, who'd rather help build something than simply walk into something complete. If that sounds like an adventure you'd be up for, you will find your people here.

Christ Church Pompton is a progressive, growing Episcopal parish with ancient prayers, a sacred table, and really good coffee. We'd love for you to join us some Sunday and see for yourself.

Come as you are. We'll set out an extra cup.

Dave+