Making St. Peter's such a welcoming and friendly place is result of a lot of people working together, sharing in the common life of the Parish.  The individuals below dedicate a lot of their lives to helping others feel welcome here and to oversee the finances, buildings, and services that St. Peter's provides.  If you are interested in helping us administer the Church, please email us at office@stpeterschelsea.org.

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​Melissa Morgenweck,
Warden

 I love hearing the church bells when my boyfriend Gary Johnson and I walk to St. Peter’s on Sunday mornings. I first started coming for the liturgy, but soon realized how much I felt at home within the community, whether it’s catching up at coffee hour, attending book group, learning to knit with the women’s group or saying Evening Prayer in the garden. Life can be hectic between my work in the communications department at a NYC hospital and taking care of family, but I’m always able to center myself when I walk through the doors of St. Peter’s.

Brian Crowson
Vestry Member

​For years Susan and I walked by St. Peter's, wondering what lay behind the red doors of this stone church that looked as if it had been plucked from the English countryside. But at that point, Sundays were defined by Little League baseball and soccer, so that's as far as the curiosity went. 

Three years ago, however, I saw The New York Times article profiling St. Peter's restoration program and Fr. Stephen. As a historian, I was intrigued by the church's story, from its connection to Clement Clark Moore to its significant role in the life of the Chelsea neighborhood. Since our boys had finally outgrown Sunday sports, I felt it was time to find an Episcopal church and get involved. I thought a visit to St. Peter's might be in order, albeit after a couple of months of foot-dragging.

I attended my first service on October 2, 2016, with a bit of trepidation. Like many, I initially found St. Peter's method of "passing the peace" a bit jarring. But I received a warm welcome, enjoyed the service and coffee hour, and vowed to bring Susan back the following Sunday, especially given her personal connection to Fr. Stephen from her time as Parish Administrator at Church of the Epiphany. We've been here ever since.

St. Peter's has shepherded us through a great deal in the last two-plus years, from serious illness and moments of crisis to joyous days of worship and fellowship. And since joining the vestry last year, I've gotten involved in the parish in ways I could not have foreseen that first October Sunday. 

As we get ready to start a new chapter in the life of St. Peter's this Fall, Susan and I look forward to new opportunities for worship, education, and service. In short, this parish is our church home and family, and we love everything that encompasses, from the members and clergy that hold St. Peter's together, to the very stones and mortar that bind the walls and anchor us in this community. -Brian Crowson

Jen Maguire,
Vestry Member, 
​Public Relations Volunteer

I have been a member of St. Peter's since 1996.  At that time, I was told I had a 50% chance of losing my unborn child. Single and scared, I remembered my friend and Chelsea neighbor Catherine telling me about her wonderful church, St. Peter's. So I went there to pray and have been coming ever since. With God's grace, my daughter was born healthy and baptized at St. Peter's. The people at St. Peter's are warm, loving and inclusive. Because our family is mixed race, and I am a longtime volunteer for AREA, an LGBT nonprofit, it was extremely important to me to bring my daughter up in a church with a congregation that represents the diverse fabric of NYC. We found that and more at St. Peter's. I am the owner of Maguire Public Relations, Inc.  
ST. PETER'S MEDIA CONTACT:
​jen@maguirepr.com

Yahaira Lorenzo,
Jr. Warden

I stumbled upon St. Peter's one day while galavanting the streets of Chelsea. I was curious, so a few days later, I found myself at the Sunday service and then their coffee hour. Here I am a few years later reading the new Book Group selection and brainstorming with the Women's Group. It's a wonderful and warm community that keeps me grounded and hopeful, a jewel among the chaos of the city. A Francophile and Art History buff, I can be found strolling the Galleries on a Saturday afternoon or reading a French novel at one of Chelsea's coffee shops.

Bill Koch
Vestry Member

My first encounter with St. Peter’s Chelsea was in the 1980s when a friend introduced me to Father Tim, who became my spiritual advisor (and role model) and assured me that God really loves me and cares for me exactly as I am.  Now, feeling his presence, I love coming early and meditating with him in the garden. 
 
I’ve come to St. Peter’s with various 12-step and community groups over the years and, thanks to Father Stephen’s hospitality, became a member two years ago.  Mainly, I love sharing the Eucharist with others.  I am a long-time friend of this parish because I believe in and support its Christ-following and spiritually-inclusive welcome mat to anyone wishing to connect with their Higher Power (whom I usually call God). 
 
St. Peter’s is truly a church that’s part of the local community, not just in the community.  My current ministry is as a playwright and director; in 1958, I received an MDiv from Union Theological Seminary, New York City —my thesis being a full-length play “The G.I.s” (“The Grand Inquisitors”);

​Three years ago, I began offering (in lieu of funds) readings of my plays as fundraisers for St. Peter’s, for which the vestry invited me to be Playwright in Residence —much gratitude.  I’m honored (and enjoy) serving on the Vestry and the Altar Guild.  I’ve come to love our ever-growing congregation of varied folks, and I delight in sharing worship and fellowship here.  Come, join us! 

Tony Mahn, 
Parish Office

After more than 40 years as a producer in the News and Public Affairs Division of the PBS flagship station WNET/13 in New York City, I retired in 2009.  I then became a volunteer at St. Peter's Episcopal Church in my Chelsea, N.Y., neighborhood, working in their food pantry distributing food to the needy and assisting the pastor in the church office.  In my free time, I am active in the Taster's Guild of New York and the Culinary Historians of New York, belong to both Lincoln Center Theater and the Theatre Development Fund, and a local mystery book club.  In 2012, I was honored by F&M's African-American Alumni Council as one of the five inaugural recipients of the Sydney N. Bridgett '51 Award for outstanding achievement in my chosen profession.

Troy Austin,
​Sexton

In 1979 Troy studied Liberal Arts at the University of Wisconsin at Madison, where he grew up.  In 1983 he moved to California to study massage therapy, yoga, nutrition, and Eastern Philosophy.  In 1985 after finishing massage school, he moved to New York City.  
​Troy worked for the NYC Superintendents' Union (Local 32BJ) for ten years.  Currently, Troy is an active member of the Art Students League where he studied full time.  Presently Troy is working on a project of forty paintings he hopes to complete before the end of the year.

The Reverend Victoria Duncan, Priest

​The Reverend 
Denise LaVetty, Deacon

I'm a native New Yorker, having lived in Brooklyn and Queens, and in Manhattan on the East Side since 1992. In addition to serving as Deacon for St. Peter's, I also serve at Ecclesia Ministries of Madison Square Park, where a Eucharist is offered in the park at 2pm on Sundays, making "church" available to homeless and needy in and around the park
 
I was ordained Deacon in 2011.  As Director of Deacon Formation for the Episcopal Diocese of New York, I am privileged to shepherd our Deacon Postulants through this program. 
 
A 2013 graduate of General Theological Seminary (MA Christian Spirituality), I am happy to be in such close proximity to them as GTS will always have a special place in my heart.
 
My secular career is in Human Resources, currently on a consulting basis, which keeps my schedule somewhat flexible
 
I am so blessed to be a part of St Peter's Chelsea during this exciting time of growth and renewal!

Alice Blount-Fenney, Director,
St. Peter's Food Pantry

​Alice Blount Fenney has served as the Director of the St. Peter's Food Pantry for the past  5 years.   Alice has over a decade of experience working for religious organizations including other parishes within the network of the Episcopal Diocese of NY.   

In addition to her work with the NY Diocese, Alice has 8 years of audit experience working for the Archdiocese of  Newark.  In this capacity she has made recommendations on enhancing controls and conditions for shelters, feeding programs and health care facilities. As the Audit Director at a NJ based University, Alice has recruited and worked with many organizations to join our family of volunteers.   On Saturdays Alice and the team of volunteers are at the Rectory to greet the clients that use the services of the Food Pantry. 

In September 2015 Alice was recognized by the Vito Mazza Salon and Day Spa for her dedication to community service.