All church members play a role in governance, from decisions in parish life to our national policy-making body, the General Convention. Lay and ordained people, together with the church's bishops, share the responsibilities of ministry, oversight and legislation. The ministers of the church are lay persons, deacons, priests and bishops.

Our Clergy

The Rev. Michael Greene, Rector

rector@cgsnashua.org

Pastor Michael Greene has come to us recently from the Midwest, where he served as Dean of Christ Church Cathedral, Eau Claire for the past eight years. Mike is married to Hope, and they have two children, Aidan and Miriam. His interests include Scientific Theology, Environmental Stewardship, music, literature, art, and travel. Having devoted a lot of time to the study and math and physics, he is passionate about building bridges between the sciences and the Church, and expanding the dialogue between their disciplines. Mike and his family love to travel and explore new cultures and meet new people; he regularly leads pilgrimages to historical holy sites in Europe as well as mission trips to Africa. Mike loves music and always happy when singing or playing with group or ensemble. He studied Math and Physics at University of Pennsylvania, Theology and Pastoral Studies at the College of the Resurrection in Mirfield and the University of Leeds, and did doctoral work in Theology and Modern Physics at the University of Durham.

The Rev. Gregory Baker, Curate

curate@cgsnashua.org

Greg just graduated from Yale Divinity School and Berkeley Seminary at Yale. He went to St. Michael’s College in Burlington, VT, where he studied political science and religious studies. In between college and seminary, he served as a Fellow for Life Together, the Episcopal Service Corp’s program in Boston. He lived in an intentional community with seven other fellows and worked at a mobile health clinic that provided free preventative health screenings to those who could not otherwise afford them. Despite spending a large chunk of the last 15 years in New England, Greg was born in Hawaii and has also lived in Seattle and southwest Georgia. Greg also spent a year living in England to play soccer before college and studied abroad in South Africa.

Greg began to discern a call to the priesthood during his senior year of college, when an interest in theology and a deep desire to serve his neighbor began to manifest in a path towards ordained ministry. He believes that the Church – the Body of Christ – has a vital role to play in caring for the most vulnerable in our communities and is a home for everyone, a place where we work to re-knit broken bonds and strengthen existing ones while always stretching towards realizing that kingdom to come that we’ve only seen glimpses of.

Greg has a number of passions and interests that keep him busy when he's not working. He has played soccer since he was able to stand, and continues to play when he can. He loves photography and the way that a camera can capture and tell stories in ways words cannot, and in a “past life” explored becoming a photojournalist. Volunteering and community service have been an important part of his life since he was a kid when his Mom would take he & his sister to work at local food pantries. Greg is also interested in the reform of the prison industrial complex and working with the incarcerated. He enjoys cooking and experimenting with new ingredients in the kitchen, usually while listening to a wide variety of music. He loves to laugh, tell stories, and is beginning to explore getting a dog!

The Rev. Nancy R. Meyer, Deacon

Nancy moved to Nashua in March 2019 from Chicago to be closer to her brother/sister-in-law and her sister who all live in Vermont. Living at The Huntington at Nashua she is trying to successfully retire while continuing to serve as a deacon. Ordained a Deacon in January 2008 in Chicago diocesan deacon formation program, she served at St. Peter's, Chicago until moving to Nashua. She has also studied at Bexley Seabury Seminary in Chicago to continue her education. A nurse by profession, she completed degrees at University of Washington, Seattle, and Wayne State University in Detroit. She served in the Army Nurse Corps doing her active duty at Fort Devens, MA and spent many years in the Army Reserves. She developed and led Staff Development and Patient Education, and then devoted most of her career to caring for the elderly as a Geriatric Clinical Specialist and Nurse Practitioner. Nancy loves to knit scarves and hats to give to the homeless, and pocket prayer squares for anyone who would like one, do just about anything with and for cats, read, and study the Bible and theology. Since coming to Nashua she has felt led to get involved in immigration issues which is a slowly developing ministry. She loves music and singing and has recently joined the chime choir at The Huntington. Nancy is a deacon at her core and finds great joy in serving others and serving God.

Our Staff

John Budzyna, Parish Administrator

administrator@cgsnashua.org

ohn is excited to join the CGS team. He has worked in non-profit settings for 25 years and comes to CGS from Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center in Newburyport, MA where he and his wife Deirdre live. When he is not at CGS, John supports other non-profits and small businesses through his company Solutions Bookkeeping. John’s wife Deirdre is a Professor at Northern Essex Community College in Haverhill, MA teaching Early Childhood Education. Having met on stage in The Wizard of Oz in Summer Stock, John and Deirdre continue their theatre endeavors directing and producing community theatre that involve actors aged 4 to 84 through Acting Out Productions and The Actor’s Studio of Newburyport. They have three grown children Colin, Erin and Maggie.

Abbie Law, Communications Secretary

communications@cgsnashua.org

Abbie grew up in Hollis. She received a Bachelor of Science Degree from Keene State College. Abbie was married at CGS

in 1992, and she and her husband, Scott, settled in Hollis. She left a career in banking to raise her family then joined CGS staff in 2015. Abbie enjoys scrap-booking, gardening, and reading in her free time.

Brett Greene, Music Director

music@cgsnashua.org

Brett grew up in rural Wooster, Ohio and began piano study at age 7 and organ study at age 13. As an adolescent, he served two churches as organist. Brett graduated from the Greatbatch School of Music at Houghton College with a Bachelor of Music degree in Organ Performance and a Master of Music in Organ from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.

Recently, Brett has served St. Paul Lutheran Church, Reading, Ohio and Worthington Presbyterian Church, Worthington, Ohio. He has worked as an organ tuner, organ maintenance technician, and craftsman for the Muller Pipe Organ Company and presently builds organs with the Noack Organ Company.

Brett has been involved in professional organizations and served for two years on the Executive Committee of the Columbus Ohio Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. An advocate for the development of organists and church musicians, Brett maintains a private piano and organ studio and gives lessons to students of all ages.

Nancy Madeira, Youth Ministry

youth@cgsnashua.org

Nancy is a cradle Episcopalian who has been a parishioner of Church of the Good Shephard since the age of 6. She was active in the youth group (EYC), past member of the Vestry and was a Sunday School teacher for 17 years working with the 3-4 year olds and 5th and 6th Grade Riser’s. A graduate of Plymouth State with a BA in Art has worked in the print and packaging industry for over 30 years. Nancy is very excited to be involved with youth ministry and working with the youth, parents, advisers and clergy.

Mary O'Reilly, Sunday School Coordinator

sundayschool@cgsnashua.org

Mary has a passion for Children's Christian Formation, she is a seasoned Sunday School teacher and is excited about sharing her gifts as Sunday School Coordinator.

Our Vergers

John Townsend

vixca@comcast.net

John Townsend is a lifelong Episcopalian, who came to the Church of the Good Shepherd in 1986 and became involved in many aspects of parish life. He has served as a Lay Eucharistic Minister and a Eucharistic Visitor and is on the Altar Guild. John has served on various committees, including a three-year term on the vestry. A graduate of the University of New Hampshire and Rivier College, John has completed the Vergers’ Training Course offered by the Vergers’ Guild of the Episcopal Church. Appointed Verger in April 2001, he trained under the late Paul Jauron. Working with John as assisting Vergers are Howard Titus and John Rowntree.

Howard Titus

Howard Titus is a life long Episcopalian, baptized in St. John's Episcopal Church in Winthrop, MA. He has been a member of Good Shepherd since 1989. He is a retired engineer for BAE Systems, and has been privileged to travel extensively both within the USA and overseas for his work. Married to Sharon, they have one son, Prescott, who currently lives in Quincy, MA. Howard enjoys reading history and biography as well as umpiring baseball.

John Rowntree

John Rowntree has been a member of the parish for over 20 years. In addition to his role as verger, he has represents Good Shepherd in the Nashua Interfaith Council, serving as the organization's treasurer. In the past he served on the vestry for five years and as a Diocesan delegate for nine years. John serves on Diocesan Mission Resources Committee and Nominating Committee and Nominating committee. He is also co-mentor of our Education for Ministry group for Adult Christian Formation.

Brian Wisnosky, Sexton

Our Vestry

Vestry members are elected by the congregation at the January Annual Meeting as the governing body of the parish. The Vestry gives support and guidance to the Clergy and Congregation.

Our Vestry is comprised of about a dozen at large members who serve alongside four Executive Committee Members: Senior Warden (President), Junior Warden (Vice President), Clerk and Treasurer. For a current Vestry listing and their assigned liaison ministries please see our Newsletter.

Sue Corman, Senior Warden

Sue has been a member of CGS since 2002. She and her wife Mary have lived in Merrimack since 1992, and have teenage twins, Anastasia and Ross. Most recently she has been Clerk of the Vestry, and on the Worship and Fundraising Committees. Additionally Sue is an Usher and helps with the Scrip program and has been co-coordinator for the Parish Photo Directory. She has also been on the Fellowship team and Stewardship Committee. Sue loves to spend her leisure time with family; RV-ing, time at the lake, going for a paddle in the canoe and hiking.

Sandy Desharnais, Junior Warden

Sandy is a life-long Episcopalian and became a member of CGS more than 40 years ago. During these years she has served CGS in many roles including Sunday School teacher, Annual Fair coordinator, Prayer Shawl ministry, Lay Companion Ministry, Treasurer of CGS Women, Vestry member, and Usher Coordinator. Sandy enjoys volunteering at SNHMC, the RISE program at Rivier College, reading and travel.