Clergy


She has a passion for Mission. Her faith leans heavily on the words of our Baptismal Covenant, particularly our call to seek and serve Christ in all persons, respecting the dignity of every human being.
While born and raised in Buffalo, New York, Marisa has lived in Virginia, Georgia, and North Carolina most recently. Moving to New York has brought her back North for the first time in many years. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania and a law degree from the University of Michigan. She actively practiced law for twenty years before being ordained.
Marisa has two college-aged sons, Cole and Max, unwittingly practices tsundoku, and is almost always planning her next trip.

Lay Staff


Outside of church, Calvin loves going to the movies and considers it a spiritual practice to go once a week. Currently, Calvin lives in East Harlem with his partner, Sophie and their dog, Moses.





Rosa Gentile has been the administrative assistant to Rectors Brenda Husson and Zachary Thompson since February 2001. But that wasn’t how Rosa first came to know St. James’. That was in the distant August of 2000 when she arrived as temporary assistant to then Associate Rectors, Craig Townsend and Susannah Smith. Working with Craig and Susannah and getting to know the parish, its people and the caring staff, all contributed to her appreciation of the synergy and the good deeds that are manifested when people work together as one caring and loving body. As administrative assistant to the Rector, Rosa assists parishioners in many aspects of parish matters and is typically the first person to receive requests for baptisms, weddings and funerals. Those new to the parish or life-long parishioners are sure to find a caring ear and an answer to their administrative and sometimes pastoral queries when they call her office.

Vicki has been shepherding children and families into the St. James’ community since 1997. A Band Director in her previous life, Vicki received her MA in Christian Education from the Presbyterian School of Christian Education (now Union Presbyterian Seminary) in Virginia. At St. James’, she oversees all of our family and children’s programming – helping little ones become engaged in worship, understand what it means to be Christian, and love their neighbors. Our kids are integral to all aspects of our life in the church, from music to mission and everywhere in between. When she isn’t at St. James’, Vicki loves her morning exercise time and her great big family.





