Grace Church Staff & Leaders
The Reverend Robert T. Brooks , Rector
Bob has been Rector of Grace since 2000. Bob and Rhea have two grown children, Laurie and Peter. Laurie and her family (husband Matthew and children Alexander and Heloise) live in Charlotte, Vermont. Peter and his wife Erin live in Hyde Park, Ma. Bob's favorite leisure time activity is cycling.
The Reverend Richard E. Bardusch , Associate Rector
Rich is a native of Virginia and grew up on the battlefield at Yorktown. He has a Siberian Husky named Neo-as in The Matrix. He enjoys gardening, biking, and reading science fiction.
Cathy Iacobucci , New Member Ministries Coordinator
Cathy Iacobucci, a life long Episcopalian, came to Grace in 2006 on the occasion of the merger of Grace and Church of the Messiah. She and her husband Steve live in Cranston and have 2 adult daughters Kayla and Carey. Cathy is passionate about her work with the Newcomer Ministry.
Mark Johnson, Organist and Choirmaster
Mark has directed the music at Grace Church since 1990. He enjoys traveling and exercise.
Lisa Almada , Office Manager and Bookkeeper
Lisa is the Back Office Manager and Bookkeeper. Lisa has been an active parishioner of Grace Church for the past 37 years. She was baptized and married here and actively on the Altar Guild. Lisa has three sons whom she loves to spend time with and you can always find her conversing about them. You 'll find Lisa enjoying a good book, vacationing on the Vineyard, participating in outdoor activities and most of all lounging in the pool during the summer.
Lisa's responsibilities include accounts payable/receivable, data base update, assisting all committees of the Church, supporting the Rectors and wearing multiple hats completing other various job duties.
Stop in and say hello and your guaranteed to receive a warm welcome.
Carolina Boyle , Office Manager and Receptionist
Carolina came to Grace Church as a volunteer in October, 2006. She was born in Malaysia and currently lives with her husband, Clifton, in Cumberland. She enjoys writing poetry and spending time with her daughter, Gwendlyn.
Meredith "Champ" Cooley
Champ (as everyone calls him) was born in Skowhegan, Maine. Champ has two step children with his wife Gail, Patrick and the late Colleen. His favorite hobby is being a DJ at Riverbend Campgrounds. He has been the DJ there for the past 12 years.
The Vestry
Lucia Bomster, Senior Warden
Lucia has been a member of Grace Church since the Grace & Messiah merge on Pentecost 2006. Lucia and Matt have made their home in Providence since 1989. They live with their three children~Galen, Colin, and Emma. Lucia wishes she had more time for reading, swimming, drumming, gardening and crafting!
Ed Nordstrom, Junior Warden
Ed grew up as a Methodist in Kansas and converted to the Episcopal Church while in college. Married for 40+ years [Jayne]. Three grown, out of state, children. Have lived in Kansas, Massachusetts, Minnesota and Illinois as well as North Kingstown and Providence. Talk to me about MIT, Univ. of Kansas, boilers, chalice bearing, soccer or whatever you have on your mind.
Cathy Iacobucci
Cathy Iacobucci, a life long Episcopalian, came to Grace in 2006 on the occasion of the merger of Grace and Church of the Messiah. She and her husband Steve live in Cranston and have 2 adult daughters Kayla and Carey. Cathy is passionate about her work with the Newcomer Ministry.
Lillian Bailey
Lillian was a member of the Church of the Messiah for 19 years before coming to Grace Church at the time of the merger. She has been married for 27 years to Charles R. (Chip) Jr. , has a daughter Jennifer , living in Atlanta, Georgia and a son Charles R.(Chip) III attending college. She is a third grade teacher whose hobbies include sewing and reading.
Debra Gomes
Born and raised in Rhode Island, my husband, Miguel, son, Nathan and I reside in Riverside. I have been a member of Grace Church for over 30 years having been confirmed and married here. Currently serving on the Altar Guild, I joined the Vestry in March 2006. For the past 10 years, I have been a paralegal for a large corporate law firm in Providence.
Dr. Nancy Kendrick
I began attending Grace Church in July 2003. I was looking for a dynamic, lively, and reflective parish, and felt drawn to the community at Grace even during my first few visits. I was raised in the Roman Church, but joined the Episcopal Church about 10 years ago. In addition to serving on the Vestry, I am a co-leader of the Sunday morning Bible Study. For the past couple of years, I've been scheduling the lectors, intercessors, and chalice bearers.
I am an associate professor of philosophy at Wheaton College in Norton, Massachusetts, where I have excellent students and fine colleagues. My primary area of research is in philosophers of the 17th and 18th centuries.
Paul Greene
I was born and raised near Charlotte, North Carolina in a Southern Baptist family. Someone has said that Baptists make good Episcopalians. I don't know if that's true, but when I came to the Episcopal Church in college, I knew it's where I belonged. Growing up in rural North Carolina, I also developed a wanderlust that has taken me all around the world. I currently work for Boston University in admissions and international projects. In addition to my service on the Grace Church Vestry, I am participate in our outreach ministries and am a co-leader of the adult Bible study group. Outside North Carolina, I've lived in the Congo, Hong Kong, Boston, and Providence. And I'm truly blessed that I now that I call Providence and Grace Church home.
Dr. Mary Hohenhaus
Choir member since 2003. Came to Providence in 2001 to train in Internal Medicine at Brown University. I teach residents and students at the Miriam Hospital and see patients in my own practice. Married to John Totter, music director at Emmanuel Church Newport. Besides music, we enjoy travel, cooking, and gardening.
Patrick Horrigan
Patrick lives in Attleboro, Ma with his girlfriend, Michelle and their kitten, Skitz. He is employed at the Miriam Hospital and Ruby Tuesday's. If you stand still on Sunday, he'll probably pass by you at least once. He enjoys reading, movies, and trips through Capron Park Zoo.
Mary Kesson
Mary Kesson is the Treasurer of Grace Church, serving on the Finance and Investment Committees. She works at Citizens Bank, and is a Certified Public Accountant. She is recently married, and she and her husband Ken Gould will soon be residing in Pawtucket.
James Poder
I began attending Grace Church on Christmas Eve 2004. Wanting to attend Christmas Eve Mass and seeing a sign at Grace Church brought me in that night. I was raised Catholic and was active in the Roman Catholic Church but had stopped attending for several years. I missed not having a church presence in my life so it wasn't long before I became a member of Grace Church. At Grace Church I serve as an usher/greeter, worked on the Crossroads sandwich brigade, walked with Team Grace Church for R.I. AIDS and participated in many other church activities. I was received by the Bishop in 2007. I graduated from Northeastern University with a Bachelors Degree in Mechanical Engineering and have spent my career working in metal cladding operations. I am currently employed by Engineered Materials Solutions, which was formerly part of Texas Instruments where I started twenty-four years ago. Originally from Long Island, NY, I have lived in Massachusetts since 1977. I am the father of three grown children and grandfather of two grandsons.
Geneva Letecia Walker
My entire Christian journey includes participation in children's missionary radio broadcast programs at ELWA, and being enrolled at Bromley Mission (Episcopal boarding school) - both in Liberia, - to various positions throughout my adult life. At Church of the Messiah I served as: Usher, Lector, Litanist, Vestry member, and Search Committee member. Having been raised Presbyterian; I found some similarities in the Episcopal liturgy. As a result, I am happy that as an active member of Church of the Messiah the merger with Grace Church has become a reality. At URI, I am part of a dynamic Research Administration community. My decision to relocate to Providence, Rhode Island nine years ago after residing in Boston, Massachusetts almost two decades has been a rewarding experience. My daughter and son-in-law, along with two grandchildren, reside in Massachusetts. I have an appreciation for almost all types of music. My stewardship commitment at Grace Church includes singing with the Grace Church choir, Lector, Litanist, and occasionally hosting coffee hour.
Ed Wing
I was raised in the Episcopal Church on Long Island, NY and began attending Grace Church 5 years ago. I was attracted to the mission of the church to care for the people of Providence, to the beauty of the building, and most of all to the congregation and the clergy. My family consists of my wife of 40 years, two grown boys, one a lawyer and one a high school history teacher plus two dogs, one fast and one slow. My wife and I are both professors at the Alpert Medical School of Brown University. She is a Professor of Psychiatry with a strong interest in the treatment of Diabetes and Obesity. I am the Chairman of the Department of Medicine where I am privileged to lead a talented group of physicians, residents, and staff. I have a strong interest in medicine in resource poor countries and the poor in this country. I recently joined the board of the Rhode Island Free Clinic on Broad Street and I hope to strengthen the relationship between the Clinic and Grace.