Gene Sherman
Rector (Senior Pastor)
Gene Sherman is a native of Northern Virginia and attended George Mason University for his undergraduate studies in Education. He married Kim in 1985 and began a teaching career in the Maryland and Virginia public schools. After serving 11 years as a teacher, Gene and his family followed God’s call into full time Christian ministry serving at St. Paul Church in Bennettsville, SC in 1996. In 1999, God called the Sherman’s to seminary which involved a move to Ambridge, PA where Gene studied for the next four years at Trinity School for Ministry. Upon graduating with a Master in Divinity from Trinity in 2003, Gene served as the Assistant Rector at Trinity Church in Beaver, PA for four years. His responsibilities included Discipleship, Evangelism, and Student Ministry. In July, 2007 God called Gene to become the Rector of St. Barnabas Anglican Church. In November 2011 this congregation became Christ Church Westshore and Gene continues to serve as their Rector.
Gene enjoys reading, watching hockey and baseball with his family, and “chilling out” by the fireplace with Sherlock, his Basset Hound. Gene and Kim have four children: Rebecca and George (her husband) live in New York City; Zack and Mary (his wife), and Ida Belle & Penelope (their daughters) live in Cuyahoga Falls, OH; Ben and Amy (his wife) live in Elyria; and Daniel and Marissa (his wife) live in Cleveland.
Carol Ball
Pastoral Associate
Carol Ball was deeply impacted by the Revive weekend. After a process of spiritual discernment, God’s “Call” for her to volunteer a year of her time and talent to serve as a congregational resource was confirmed by Rev. Gene and the Vestry, then affirmed at the 2024 Annual Congregational Meeting.
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 In 1982, the Bay Village Board of Education invited her to be the Founding Director of the Glenview Center for Childcare and Learning. A State Licensed Clinical Counselor and Supervisor, she retired in 2016.
Active in the Westshore Order of St. Luke, healing ministry, and Christian Listeners International, she has a heart for prayer and enjoys teaching how to better listen to self, others, and God. Passionate about mentoring Christian faith development and speaking at Christian Conferences, she provides spiritual guidance to individuals and groups.
Carol was an undergraduate when she married David, a Welsh Ph.D. student. In 1973, his job transfer with Union Carbide brought them and their three young children to the U.S. They cherish regular interactions with their 10 grandchildren, (aged 11 to 27) who love to visit Bay Village and share in the joy of gardening and helping with the intricacies of technology that bewilder their grandparents!
Cody Lang
Curate
Cody is a recent graduate from Trinity School for Ministry in Ambridge, Pennsylvania. He previously earned a degree in Public Relations at the University of Oklahoma. He and his wife Amy were married on January 28, 2023. Amy works as a software developer with FedEx. Cody and Amy share their new home with their cat Peanut. Cody enjoys playing board games, bowling, reading epic fantasy books, and delighting in deep conversations about God and the world. He is an amateur cook and a coffee enthusiast. Cody is looking forward to getting to know all of you over the next few years as he serves as a curate here at CCW.
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 7 years ago. She is responsible for weekly bulletins, the website, 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 her family (puppy included), reading, gardening, shopping, traveling, games, & spending time with her dear friends!
Sybil Mundy
Administrative Assistant
Sybil Mundy has been a member of Christ Church Westshore for almost 30 years, serving on the Vestry for six years. After 28 years in banking and financial services consulting, she joined the CCW staff as Financial Secretary serving for three years. She has been an Administrative Assistant for 12 years, also currently serving as Assistant Financial Secretary. She is responsible for management of the membership database, volunteer scheduling, and a variety of special projects. Sybil is also a Realtor® with Howard Hanna Real Estate Services.
Sybil received her B.A. from Denison University, a Paralegal Certificate from Roosevelt University and an MBA from The College of William and Mary in Virginia. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, needlecrafts, word puzzles, and singing with the True North Chorale.
Kim Sherman
KidCat Director
Kim Sherman is a native of Northern Virginia and attended the University of Maryland for her undergraduate studies in Elementary Education. She married Gene in 1985 and upon completion of her degree, began a career raising their 4 children: Rebecca, Zack, Ben, & Daniel.
Kim has served alongside Gene for 35 years, moved 12 times, and is passionate about maturing in Christ and passing the faith along to all who cross her path.
Kim serves as the Christ Church Kid Cat Director assisting parents and their children to walk in the Covenant that they made in Baptizing their children.
Kim loves her early morning time with the Lord, exercising, reading, playing with her grandbabies, walking the Basset Hound, hiking, and Masterpiece Mystery.
Sarah Shackelford
Nursery Director
Sarah Shackelford has been involved in children's ministry since 2002 including the last eight years at Christ Church Westshore. Sarah and her husband, John, moved from Cedar Rapids, Iowa to the Cleveland area in 2011 and have loved being a part of the Christ Church family. They have seven children ranging from 2-19 yrs.
Gary Conaway
Financial Secretary
Mr. Conaway 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 also holds an Ohio Real Estate sales license. He is currently working with several local churches and non-profit organizations providing financial reporting and guidance. He has been a resident of North Olmsted for over 50 years.
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.
Julian Brill
Accompanist
Julian Brill attended Cleveland State University and holds degrees in Vocal Performance and Music Therapy. He currently works for Medina City Schools as their music therapist and is an avid computer enthusiast and programmer. He is married to Emily Brill, who is also a music therapist at Akron Children's Hospital. Together they have one daughter, Paisley Leia, and two dogs, Rey, and Link.
