Brief Bios of those in Church Leadership Positions

Val Jutsum, Warden Term (to 2027)

I’m Val Jutsum. A little more than fifty years ago I felt that I needed to look around myself in the world that is invisible. When I did, I ran smack into God and everything I wanted or thought that I wanted looked different to me. I really wanted to live in the world full of light, which is Christ. I answered a calling to be a mother. I was shaped by, as much as I shaped our nine children. David is my husband for even longer than that, and has been an outstanding partner as we shared this life of light together. 

Doing work that is both needful and impactive is the thing that brings me joy. I have been a member of CHRIST CHURCH for thirteen years. I have made things; like floral arrangements, the newsletter: The SONG, The CHRIST CHURCH website, and occasionally some food for parties. I have done some things; like serve on the vestry, work the livestream on Sunday, be a warden, and mind the office when we were between hired administrators.  

This past year I had the privilege of being on the Diocesan Search Team to find the next bishop. I look around in the world I can see and the world I can’t and I’m delighted to be just where I am. I love you all so much, CHRIST CHURCH. Thank you for the opportunity to serve you as your warden.

Deb VanderBilt, Warden Term (to 2026)

I'm Deb VanderBilt, and I found Christ Church while in town interviewing for a position in the English department at St. John Fisher University. I got the job and became a member of Christ Church in 1990! I was raised in an evangelical sect that did not ordain women or LGBTQ+ people, and when I left it to find something that aligned more with my values, I found the Episcopal church. I love Christ Church for many reasons: the affirmation and inclusion of all who come through the doors, the beautiful sanctuary and gorgeous music, and the opportunity to be part of various ministries serving downtown Rochester. 

Jim Kurmis, Vestry Term (to 2026)

My family and I have been members of Christ Church since 2013.We came for the music and stayed for the people! I have had the privilege of serving on the Vestry for several years and have served as Warden this past year. As Warden I have enjoyed working with Ruth, Val (my fellow Warden) as well as the other Vestry members. We have prayed and laughed, faced new challenges, and revisited old ones, always striving to do God's work in all that we do.  I would be honored to serve another term. 

I am a social worker by profession. For the past eleven years I have worked as a Crisis Responder for the VA's Veterans' Crisis Line. I consider it an honor to serve the men and women who have served our country.

Norma Hopcraft, Vestry Term (to 2027)

Norma Hopcraft has had a career as a journalist, corporate communications writer, and PR manager. In her most recent role, she raised money for a large healthcare non-profit as a major-donor proposal writer and manager of planned giving. She also writes as a personal passion, which has led her on adventures like a circumnavigation of the continental U.S. by bus and a year's creative writing sabbatical in Paris, plus a bonus 3 months in Barcelona. She's published three novels and is working on a memoir, a book of personal essays, and two more novels.  Norma has been on the Vestry since June 2023 and would enjoy to serve another term as a way of serving her beautiful Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, and his dear people.

Nancy Norwood: Vestry Term (to 2027)

I was baptized and raised Methodist in my home state of Texas, though familiar early on with the Episcopal Church due to my mother’s conviction that its priests could be relied upon for intelligent sermons. After a hiatus of many years, I was confirmed in the Episcopal Church, which drew me through its liturgy and music. A period of nomadism followed, when I lived in several different states and one other country. I moved to Rochester in 2000 to become the curator of European art at the Memorial Art Gallery. My special area of focus is late medieval devotional art, in which physical beauty and spirituality unite in service to liturgy and faith. For the same reason, I love the extraordinary art here at Christ Church—the building as well as the stained glass windows, the mosaic, and other works that all enhance both our space and our worship. 

I first learned of Christ Church through my longstanding connection with ESM’s organ faculty and the Italian Baroque Organ at MAG. I often visited when the Casparini organ was being constructed here, and then began to attend Compline and, eventually, Church. In the past several years, I’ve served on vestry, as a warden for one year, the Capital Campaign Committee, the Property Committee, and as a lector, usher, and member of the altar guild. 

I am honored to be part of a parish so dedicated to spiritual growth, service, and stewardship, and I thank you for nominating me to the Christ Church Vestry. I would be grateful for the continued opportunity to serve in this way.

Craig Smith, Vestry Term (to 2027)

I am a cradle Episcopalian.  I grew up outside of Houston where my church and my community expanded significantly throughout my childhood.  After leaving Houston, I lived in Germany, Austria, Michigan, and New York City before arriving in Rochester.  Throughout my life, I found the local Episcopal parish a blessing. While the size and membership of the churches varied considerably, each provided me with social connection, a sense of community, and spiritual nourishment. I would welcome the opportunity to contribute to the work here at Christ Church as a member of the vestry.

I am a proud husband and father. My wife Sue and I moved to Rochester with our five children in 2006.  We attended two other Episcopal churches before finding our home here at Christ Church about a decade ago.  We love the music, Ruth’s sermons, and the warmth of the parish. As our children are becoming young adults and spreading their wings, we are grateful that they carry with them fond memories of playing games like zombie tag and enjoying pizza during youth group activities. 

Professionally, I am an educator.  After pursuing an advanced degree in Economics at Michigan State University, I took an administrative/teaching post at New York University.  Eventually deciding to focus my energy on teaching full-time, I accepted a position as a math teacher at Brighton High School. I also enjoy teaching economics at RIT as an adjunct professor. 

Shirley Ricker, Vestry Term (to 2027)

It’s a true privilege to serve on the Vestry and to be part of the Christ Church community during this time of transition.   While our church navigates its own changes,  the nation and the world are grappling with the dismantling of norms and institutions.    In times like these it’s more important than ever that we remember the ethics and teaching of Jesus:  to love our neighbors,  to move toward something better. At Christ Church there is so much evidence of strength and love: the many people who give their time and resources, our interim rector, Julianne, the search committee,  the ordination of David and Joel.  I was particularly moved by Cindy Rasmussen’s ordination sermon. She turned to us – the congregants – and said, “You are all ordained”.  I thought “Wow!”.  Indeed we are – all of us - ordained to go out and do the work God has given us to do.  Continuing to serve on the Vestry for another term is one way I would like to do that.   

Jeremy Cooney, Vestry Team (to 2028)

Senator Cooney was adopted from an orphanage in Kolkata, India and raised by a single mother in the City of Rochester. He made history in 2020 as the first Asian American elected to state office from upstate New York, and the first state senator in decades to graduate from Rochester City School District (RCSD). Senator Cooney serves as the Chair of the Transportation Committee in the state Senate. He is focused on modernizing New York's infrastructure, increasing street safety, and advancing new forms of mass transit, including high speed rail.

Senator Cooney is active in Rochester and the Finger Lakes Region. He sits on the Board of Trustees for his alma mater, Hobart & William Smith Colleges, and is a member of the Vestry for Christ Church Rochester (Episcopal). He is also active in local scouting and is a proud Eagle Scout. Senator Cooney earned his B.A. with honors from Hobart College and his J.D. from Albany Law School. He resides in the City of Rochester and is married to Dr. Diane Lu, a urologic surgeon at the University of Rochester Medical Center.

James Ford, Vestry Team (to 2028)

John Fields, Vestry Team (to 20—)

Kristy Liddell, Vestry Team (to 20—)

 The vestry of Christ Church Rochester is composed of men and women called from the parish membership to be leaders. They have committed themselves to serve both the rector and the interests of the parish’s mission in the community. These volunteers are formally ratified at the Annual Meeting. This event, is a meeting of the members of a parish. The by-laws of the parish generally require an annual parish meeting and state the qualifications to be a voting member of the parish. Diocesan canons may state requirements concerning parish meetings. The annual parish meeting typically elects vestry members, and it may elect vestry officers. Delegates to diocesan convention and representatives to other diocesan, deanery, or parish entities may also be elected by the parish meeting. The budget of the parish may be presented and approved. The rector, vestry officers, music director, Christian education director, and other parish or program leaders may make presentations at the annual parish meeting. The parish by-laws may allow the rector or a majority of the vestry to call a special parish meeting at any time. The by-laws may specify the requirements for a special parish meeting, including the requirements for notice to the members of the parish.