Staff

Denzel Donaldson grew up in Florida and came to New Jersey where he attended Neptune High School. After attending Rutgers University in New Brunswick and majoring in Psychology, he spent the next 30 years working in the field of Mental Health at Marlboro Psychiatric, Trenton  psychiatric, and the central office of the Division of Mental Health & Hospitals. Denzel combined legal training with his psychology training and advanced through the administrative ranks in positions from the Patient Advocate to Legal Administrator. Denzel also served in the New Jersey Army National Guard (Infantry) for 37 years. Upon retirement, Denzel entered service as a church leader and was licensed as a Lay Minister in the Baptist denomination. After transitioning to the Episcopal church, he was confirmed at St Thomas, Red Bank by Bishop Stokes and was licensed as a Lay Eucharistic Minister. Denzel comes to Christ Church, Shrewsbury after spending 2 years at Trinity Episcopal Church, Asbury Park where he discerned a calling to the priesthood. Denzel has been assigned By Bishop Sally French to spend the next year as a Seminarian working with and serving the parishioners of Christ Church as well as learning new skills for the priesthood from our Rector, Mother Lisa S. Mitchell.

Fiona is pleased to be serving the Christ Church Shrewsbury community. She also serves as the full-time Director of Traditional Music at Tower Hill Church in Red Bank, running a large program of choral and handbell ensembles, and an exciting concert series. A handbell expert, she also has begun a ministry of solo
handbell ringers, bringing a musical education to many teens in the church. Ms. Sutherland also is the staff accompanist and assistant director for the Lakeside Choraliers in Montvale, NJ. Since the Fall of 2021, she has also served as the Music Director of the Monmouth County based choral ensemble the Shrewsbury Chorale, and is pleased to be bringing them to sing Michael John Trotta’s new Requiem in Carnegie Hall this May.Ms. Sutherland has worked as Organist and Choirmaster at many
churches in NJ, PA, DE, NY, and CT over the past 33 years. Before returning to her home state of New Jersey, she worked at St.Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Wilton, CT, Trinity Episcopal Church in Newtown, CT, the Church of St. James the Less in Scarsdale, NY, and Christ Church Greenwich, CT, leading large choral programs of all levels. As an organist, Ms. Sutherland has played recitals in many states, as well as abroad.

She earned her Bachelor’s and Master of Music degrees at Westminster Choir College, studying Choral Conducting with Joseph Flummerfelt, Andrew Megill, and James Jordan, organ with Eugene Roan and voice with Lois Laverty and Dan Pratt. Ms. Sutherland has master classed and studied with many sacred musicians, conductors, and singers, including Robert Shaw, Sir David Willcocks, John Rutter, Gerre Hancock, Pierre Pincemalle, Rosephanye Powell, Dale Warland, Michael John Trotta, and Julianne Baird.

Francesca Parker was born in Venezuela where she lived as a young child. She was raised in southern Louisiana and then studied International Business and Marketing at the University of San Francisco. After completing her studies, Francesca moved to New York City where she worked in sales and marketing in the real estate industry. It was at work that she met her husband of 16 years, Gregory. They have 2 wonderful children, Alexander and Valentina, and a rescue dog named Lucky. Francesca has spent the last 15 years enjoying being a mother and spending her free time volunteering at various organizations and schools. She is happy to be back working with such a nice group of people.

Born in Poland, Halina came to the United States at the age of 10. She grew up in North Jersey, where her parents still live. Halina and her husband Larry (the love of her life who she describes as kind, sweet, and hilarious) currently reside in Middletown. Their kids, Chelsea and Charlie, have four paws. They also have two in heaven, Cheyenne and Shelby, who she misses everyday. Larry found Christ Church four years ago and they have loved being members of this community. She considers it a privilege to be a part of this church, and now a member of the staff. Halina also serves as an acolyte and chalice bearer and is a member of the Altar Guild. Previous to working here, she was a dental hygienist for 25 years.

Larry Nibbling