Staff and Vestry
Our Rector:
We are in the discernment process of finding a new rector.
Interim Rector:
The Rev. Denise Guinta - Intentional Interim Rector, Transition Ministry Coach
The Rev. Denise Guinta ( “June-tah”) has been a priest for 18 years. She specializes in Interim Ministry and Congregational Consulting. She has been Interim Rector in 11 congregations varying in sizes from 5-850 members and Search Coach in at least six others, including multiple congregations in the Diocese of Southwestern Virginia. Rev. Guinta’s work as an Intentional Interim Rector includes conducting Parish-Wide meetings on such subjects as: parish history; parish habits, norms, expectations; family systems theory; and articulation of parish identity. She holds certifications from The Center for Congregational Health, Interim Ministry Network and The Clergy Leader Institute and was a Fresh Start facilitator. She is a graduate of Shalem Institute’s Contemplative Clergy Spiritual Life and Leadership Program. She has extensive experience in team building and creating collaborative models of leadership among clergy and congregations with a passion for group spiritual direction and leading contemplative retreats. Rev. Guinta brings her broad and recent experience in InterimMinistry to help the Parish articulate their identity as they enter a new era as a congregation and discern what qualities are needed in the new Rector to lead the Parish forward in the name of Christ.
Denise lives in Luray, Va. She is a Certified Interpretive and Naturalist Guide and loves the outdoors. She and Ron have been married for 33 years. Ron is a retired Master Chief Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer who is now a dog behaviorist. He divides his time between Florida and Virginia. They have two grown sons living in Florida.
We are in the discernment process of finding a new rector.
Interim Rector:
The Rev. Denise Guinta - Intentional Interim Rector, Transition Ministry Coach
The Rev. Denise Guinta ( “June-tah”) has been a priest for 18 years. She specializes in Interim Ministry and Congregational Consulting. She has been Interim Rector in 11 congregations varying in sizes from 5-850 members and Search Coach in at least six others, including multiple congregations in the Diocese of Southwestern Virginia. Rev. Guinta’s work as an Intentional Interim Rector includes conducting Parish-Wide meetings on such subjects as: parish history; parish habits, norms, expectations; family systems theory; and articulation of parish identity. She holds certifications from The Center for Congregational Health, Interim Ministry Network and The Clergy Leader Institute and was a Fresh Start facilitator. She is a graduate of Shalem Institute’s Contemplative Clergy Spiritual Life and Leadership Program. She has extensive experience in team building and creating collaborative models of leadership among clergy and congregations with a passion for group spiritual direction and leading contemplative retreats. Rev. Guinta brings her broad and recent experience in InterimMinistry to help the Parish articulate their identity as they enter a new era as a congregation and discern what qualities are needed in the new Rector to lead the Parish forward in the name of Christ.
Denise lives in Luray, Va. She is a Certified Interpretive and Naturalist Guide and loves the outdoors. She and Ron have been married for 33 years. Ron is a retired Master Chief Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer who is now a dog behaviorist. He divides his time between Florida and Virginia. They have two grown sons living in Florida.
Organist/Choir Director: Sarah Grove-Humphries
Our organist, Sarah, is a busy musician! In addition to serving Emmanuel on Sundays, she also serves as cantor at the Temple House of Israel, where she is a member. During the week, she teaches a variety of Musikgarten classes in Staunton and Waynesboro for children from infancy to age 9. For more information, see Sarah's Music Studio. For choir information, contact Sarah at sarahgh@verizon.net.
Our organist, Sarah, is a busy musician! In addition to serving Emmanuel on Sundays, she also serves as cantor at the Temple House of Israel, where she is a member. During the week, she teaches a variety of Musikgarten classes in Staunton and Waynesboro for children from infancy to age 9. For more information, see Sarah's Music Studio. For choir information, contact Sarah at sarahgh@verizon.net.
Secretary: Mrs. Lucy W. Dennison
Lucy, our Parish Secretary, has been serving in Emmanuel's office for 27 years, keeping everything running smoothly. She enjoys and appreciates working for the staff and people of Emmanuel and getting to know many members as friends. She and her husband, Charlie, have three loving adult sons and three daughters-in-law who are more like daughters. They have given Lucy and Charlie three super grandkids and seven granddogs. She and her husband enjoy going to their youngest grandson’s soccer games and treasure their beach vacations.
Nursery Care Provider: Barbara Bryant
Emmanuel's nursery care provider, Barbara Bryant, has been looking after Emmanuel's young children for 25 years. Many college students and young adults remember her loving care and come home for the holidays and hug "Ms. Barbara." A Staunton native, Barbara is a CNA, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She is retired from her previous employment at Western State Hospital. When she s not caring for Emmanuel's children, Barbara loves listening to music, dancing, sewing, and walking.
Members of the Vestry:
Senior Warden: Steve Berneking (2019-2023)
Junior Warden: Allan Hadfield (2020-2022)
Treasurer: George Sproul, Assistant Treasurer: Sue Buerkel
Clerk: Nicole Rutan (2019-2021)
Wendy Brown (2018-2021)
Mary Evans Lott (2020-2021)
Edwin O'Shea (2021-2022)
Marianne Miller (2020-2022)
James Lott (2021-2023)
Carter Hopkins (2021-2023)
The years refer to each member's term on the vestry.
The Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer participate in vestry meetings, but are not voting members.
Senior Warden: Steve Berneking (2019-2023)
Junior Warden: Allan Hadfield (2020-2022)
Treasurer: George Sproul, Assistant Treasurer: Sue Buerkel
Clerk: Nicole Rutan (2019-2021)
Wendy Brown (2018-2021)
Mary Evans Lott (2020-2021)
Edwin O'Shea (2021-2022)
Marianne Miller (2020-2022)
James Lott (2021-2023)
Carter Hopkins (2021-2023)
The years refer to each member's term on the vestry.
The Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer participate in vestry meetings, but are not voting members.
