ABOUT CHRIST CHURCH

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Together we are a community of believers. What does that mean, the word community? We believe that together in fellowship we grow closer to God and one another. The bible speaks about iron sharpening iron. We believe that together we grow stronger. We are a community of believers. 

 

We strive to be a church without walls. Jesus calls for us to go outside the walls to reach the lost and the broken. It is there that the lost will be found. Most churches find it is comfortable to stay within the walls, but we make it an effort to be like the church from the book of Acts, to see our city changed.

 

We highly value our relationships with one another. We look to grow through fellowship, and ultimately growing closer to God. We value the word of God, and the leadership of the Holy Spirit. We look to extend grace to all of the lost and broken, and lead those with no hope to the hope of Jesus Christ.

WHO WE ARE

OUR MISSION

Know - we are in a personal relationship with the Living God.

Grow - in our faith day-by-day by reading scripture and prayer.

Serve - Each other and the communities around us.

OUR VISION

As a church of Jesus Christ, Christ Church Westshore exists to help build a great community of all people through a movement of the gospel that brings personal conversion, discipleship in community, meeting the needs in the neighborhood, and cultural renewal / revival to the Westshore and, through it, to the world.  

OUR VALUES

We highly value our relationships with one another. We look to grow through fellowship, and ultimately growing closer to God. We value the word of God, and the leadership of the Holy Spirit. We look to extend grace to all of the lost and broken, and lead those with no hope to the hope of Jesus Christ.

OUR HISTORY

A FAITHFUL JOURNEY

Our congregation was established in 1947, embracing faithful, historic Anglican beliefs and traditions.  The Anglican Church is a worldwide faith, reaching back to the Protestant Reformation in England, while incorporating some of the church’s valuable catholic traditions that have been in place for over two millennia.  We are part of the worldwide Anglican Communion; churches that recognize the Bible as the infallible word of God.  The Apostles’ and Nicene creeds, the 39 Articles of Religion and The Book of Common Prayer connect us and keep us accountable to God’s Word.  Christ Church Westshore is part of the Anglican Diocese of the Great Lakes, which is part of the Anglican Church in North America. 

 

In 2011 the congregation adopted a new name, Christ Church Westshore, reflecting our commitment to the surrounding communities on the westshore of the Cleveland area.  Originally located in Bay Village, in 2022 we moved to our current home in Avon Lake, where we continue to flourish and grow. 

OUR STAFF

Gene Sherman

Rector (Senior Pastor)

After serving 11 years as a teacher, Gene, his wife Kim, and his family followed God’s call into full-time Christian ministry.  Gene graduated from Trinity Anglican Seminary in 2003 and was called to be the Rector of Christ Church Westshore (then known as St. Barnabas Anglican Church) in 2007.  Gene enjoys reading, watching hockey and baseball, playing golf and “chilling out” with Sherlock, his Bassett Hound.  Gene and Kim have four children and nine grandchildren.  .

Carol Ball

Pastoral Associate

Carol, a native of Sheffield, Yorkshire, has a B.Sc. from the University of Leeds, U.K. (1967), an M.A. in Counseling (1987), and an M.Div. (2000) both from Ashland Theological Seminary, where she has also served as an Adjunct Professor. A State Licensed Clinical Counselor and Supervisor, she retired in 2016.  In January 2024, Carol joined the staff of CCW as a volunteer Pastoral Counselor.  She is passionate about mentoring Christian faith development and providing spiritual guidance to individuals and groups.  Carol and her husband, David, moved to the U.S. in 1973.  They love gardening, people, their three children and 10 grandchildren. 

Gary Conaway

Financial Secretary

Gary is a graduate of Cleveland State University. He is a CPA (inactive status) and is semi-retired. His career was spent in private accounting with manufacturing, distribution and service companies.  He is currently working with several local churches and non-profit organizations providing financial reporting and guidance. Gary and his wife, Carole, have been residents of North Olmsted for over 50 years.  

Sybil Mundy

Adminstrative Assistant / Assistant Financial Secretary

Sybil has been a member of Christ Church Westshore for over 30 years and has been on staff in various capacities since 2005.  She currently serves as an Administrative Assistant and Assistant Financial Secretary.  She is responsible for management of the membership database, volunteer scheduling, and a variety of special projects.  Sybil received her B.A. from Denison University, a Paralegal Certificate from Roosevelt University, an M.B.A. from The College of William and Mary in Virginia and spent 28 years working in banking and financial services. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, needlecrafts, word puzzles, and singing with the True North Chorale

Iris Neel

Administrative Assistant

Iris has been a member of Christ Church Westshore for over 11 years. After many years in medical device marketing for Cardinal Health, she joined the CCW staff in 2015. She is responsible for weekly bulletins, coordinating various outreach ministries, and event planning. Iris is a native of Tel Aviv, Israel and migrated to Chicago with her family at the age of 4. She is a graduate of the University of Illinois (Chicago Campus) with a BA in Marketing. Iris married Gary in 2014, enjoys spending time at home with family (puppy included), reading, gardening, shopping, traveling, games, & spending time with dear friends!

Lisa Kurak

Accompanist

Lisa attended the Cleveland Institute of Music and Cleveland State University majoring in voice. She has been married to Rich since June 25, 1988 (the hottest day ever in Cleveland). They have 2 adult daughters, Rachel and Ruth. One of her favorite hobbies is Fairy Gardening.

Katie Middlemiss

KidCat Director (Sunday School)

Katie directs the KidCat (Sunday School) program for our kids in 1st through 5th grades. 

She received her undergraduate degree in  Environmental Science and a Masters in Education, both from Ohio University.  Katie is the junior high science teacher at St. Joseph Parish School in Avon Lake.  Katie and her husband Rob, have two children, RJ and Emma.  

Sarah Shackelford

Nursery Director

Sarah has been involved in children's ministry at CCW since 2012. She also teaches at Westside Christian Academy.  Sarah and her husband, John, moved from Cedar Rapids, Iowa to the Cleveland area in 2011 and love being a part of the Christ Church family. They have seven children ranging from 2-23 yrs.