Clergy
Rector

The Reverend Brenda Husson

Brenda Husson has been Rector of St. James’ since All Saints Day (Nov. 1), 1996. Her history here is a bit longer, however, as she was also Associate Rector from 1988 until 1991 and then Interim Pastor from 1991-1992. As Rector, Brenda’s work leads her into every aspect of St. James’ life – from worship and preaching, to pastoral care and leadership development, to budgets and administration. She is passionate about preaching, loves pastoral care and teaching, and those opportunities to talk with parishioners about their own journeys into deeper relationship with God through Christ. She and her husband Tom Faulkner, an artist and Episcopal priest, have a son, Chris. When not at St. James’, Brenda can be found swimming laps, at the theater, spending time with the men in her life and enjoying tim  with the furry members of the family:  Quique, Alma (dogs) and ChiChi (chinchilla).

212-774-4250

bhusson@stjames.org

Vicar

The Reverend Zachary Thompson

Zack has been at St. James’ since 2017. Prior to joining the staff at St. James’, Zack served as the Episcopal Chaplain to Emory University, and as an Associate Rector, and then as a Rector, in parishes in the Diocese of Atlanta. As Vicar, Zack works with the Rector, lay leadership and staff to focus everything we do as a parish on our core mission of forming disciples of Jesus who will actively share God’s love with each other, our city, and the world. Originally from Princeton, New Jersey, Zack earned his M.Div. at Emory University and a Master of Sacred Theology at Sewanee: The University of the South, where he defended a thesis on the theological vision of Rowan Williams. Zack is married to Amy, and they have two sons, Rowan and Ezra.

212-774-4255

zthompson@stjames.org

Associate for Formation

The Reverend Jay Sidebotham

Jay joined the St. James staff in September 2020, although COVID precluded in-person presence until Easter 2021. He serves as Associate for Formation, working half-time at St. James’ while continuing with work with the wider church through Forward Movement and RenewalWorks. He has been a priest for 31 years, and views a return to St. James as a homecoming, since he served as seminarian at St. James while he attended Union Seminary. In intervening years he served churches in Rhode Island, Washington D.C., North Carolina, New York City (St. Bart’s) and Lake Forest, Illinois. In addition to his ministry in parishes, he enjoys cartooning and illustrating for the sake of church. Jay is married to Frances Murchison. They live in Wilmington, NC, where Jay heads when he’s not working at St. James. They have two young adult children who are each married, and two grandchildren.

212-774-4239

jsidebotham@stjames.org

Interim Assistant Rector

The Reverend David Cobb

Interim Assistant Rector

The Reverend Petero Sabune

Lay Staff
Associate for Parish Life

Grace Beacham

Donations, Thrift Sales, Parish Events, Altar Guild

It seems that everyone at St. James’ knows Grace Beacham, our resident Southern Belle and Jill of all trades. Grace has been a part of St. James’ 1990, as a parishioner, staff-person, or both! Grace’s deep faith, real love of people, and attention to detail help make St. James’ retreats, workshops, newcomer events, and parish-wide functions places where parishioners can come to better know each other and Jesus. Grace and her volunteers are also responsible for the thrift and antique sales that raise money for St. James’ Grants Program to support social service agencies throughout the city. Grace loves her job for the many parishioners and visitors she gets to work with all year. Her other great love is, of course, New York City.

212-774-4231

gbeacham@stjames.org

Hospitality Manager

Zoraida Benitez

Associate for Mission

Co'Relous Bryant

Co’Relous grew up in Jacksonville, FL. He completed his undergraduate studies at New York University (NYU) where he focused on political science and theater. He obtained a Master of Divinity degree from Emory University’s Candler School of Theology in Atlanta, GA, specializing in homiletics and pastoral care. Co’Relous has worked as a community organizer, nonprofit manager at United Way, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and the Jacksonville Public Education Fund. He is especially proud of his work at Rethreaded, a social enterprise that combats human trafficking.

212-774-4236

cbryant@stjames.org

Associate for Youth and Young Adults

Calvin Bushman

Originally from North Jersey, Calvin completed his undergraduate degree in Biblical and Theological Studies at Nyack College before completing his Master of Divinity at Boston University School of Theology.  Calvin has previously been involved with several youth ministries, and recently completed a one-year residency as a hospital chaplain at Mount Sinai Hospital prior to coming to St. James’.  Calvin is beyond excited to be a part of the St. James’ community, and looks forward to the fun of exploring faith and formation with youth and young adults.

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.

cbushman@stjames.org

212-774-4242

Director of Communications

Marisa Curcio

Marisa has been a soprano in the Compostela Choir since September 2021, and joined the staff as Director of Communications in February 2022. Originally from near Saratoga Springs, NY, she relocated to Princeton, NJ for school at Westminster Choir College, earning a B.M. in Music Education and a B.M. in Sacred Music. Previously, she worked at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia as their Associate for Communications, where she facilitated a website build, oversaw the implementation of new live-streaming equipment, and helped the parish feel connected in the height of the COVID-19 pandemic by making worship services available weekly. In addition to her work in communications, she is a professional choral singer and teacher, singing all over NY, NJ, and PA (sometimes all three in one day!) and maintaining a private studio of fifteen voice, piano, and strings students at a Central NJ music school.

mcurcio@stjames.org

212-774-4244

Administrator for Stewardship and Operations

Sandra De La Cruz

Stewardship, Annual Commitment, Financial Gifts

Sandra joined St. James’ staff at the end of January, 2017. She has many years of experience in organizational administration, most recently at the Board of Global Missions of the Methodist Church. Sandra was also at one time an assistant in the office of the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church.

sdelacruz@stjames.org

212-774-4243

Sexton & Verger

Saadik Desane

Saadik began working at St. James’ in 2015. Born and raise in Queens,  he is the father of one son, Robert Saadik DeSane. His responsibilities include maintenance and verger duties and he always available whenever we need him.
Associate for Music, Children's Choirs

Loraine Enlow

Loraine Enlow joined St. James’ staff in January 2015.  As Music Associate, she is responsible for the Children’s and Youth Choirs, assists with the adult choirs, and helps manage the many details that go into our vibrant music program at St. James’. Mrs. Enlow completed her undergraduate work at The New England Conservatory of Music, did graduate work at The University of Chicago in ethnomusicology, and post-graduate study in music education at both the Catholic University of America and the Hartt School of Music.  She regularly serves as guest conductor and clinician for choral festivals across North America. She is also working part-time on a doctorate in Biblical Interpretation at the Jewish Theological Seminary.

212-774-4200

lenlow@stjames.org

Creative Producer Audio & Video

Andrew Filippone Jr.

Andrew is a filmmaker and two-time New York EMMY Award winner.
Hospitality Assistant

Josefina Franco

Bio
Administrative Assistant to the Rector

Rosa Gentile

Weddings, Funerals, Baptisms

Rosa Gentile has been the administrative assistant to the rector, Brenda Husson, 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.

rgentile@stjames.org

212-774-4251

Director of Children's and Family Ministries

Vicki Hall

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.

212-774-4232

Vhall@stjames.org

Sexton & Verger

Stephen Hurst

Bio
Accounting Manager

Cathy McAleer

Cathy joined the staff of St. James’ in June 2014 with 15 years’ experience in public and corporate accounting. Her work experience began in brokerage after college before spending many years working for a hedge fund manager. She was later employed as Accounting Manager at both a medical communications firm and government contract agency.  A longtime resident of East Brunswick, NJ, she and her husband Kevin raised two sons Kevin and Daniel. Empty nesters, they moved to NYC where they now enjoy spending their free time exploring and embracing  the city and spending quality time with their growing family.

cmcaleer@stjames.org

212-774-4238

Part-Time Assistant

Eva McCoy

Eva has been a member of St James’ Church for the past 5 years. She assists Vicki with Children and Family Ministries (CFM) and now assists Marisa in production of printed materials. She has served in the youth choir, is currently a chalice bearer, and has been part of the Tuesday meal program and various Mission outreach programs. She will be starting at Hunter College this fall and is proud to be a part of St. James’ lay staff. Eva is excited for this journey and continued growth at St. James’!
Property Manager

Francis Piraino

Requests for Space Rental

Bio

fpiraino@stjames.org

212-774-4279

Sexton & Verger

Emil Ramirez

Emil has worked at St. James’ Church since the summer of 2006. Prior to working here, he worked part-time at Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church. He and his longtime girlfriend, Jennifer, were married in March 2013. He enjoys working at St. James’ and helping keep God’s house clean and maintained.
Receptionist

Mercedes Rosario

Born and raised in Manhattan, I began at St. James’ as a temp receptionist in February 2006, and three months later was hired as full time staff. I have met many interesting people at St. James’. I love that things are never the same here at the receptionist desk, and it helps that I am a people person. (My family likes to call me “a social butterfly!”) I have a wonderful husband, Miguel Rosario, who I have shared my life with for the last 29 years. God has blessed us with six wonderful children—Miguel, Christina, Megan, Manuel, Mia, Matthew—and four grandchildren—Miguel the 4th, Madison, Benjamin, and Luis. My family loves going to the mountains in Glens Falls, NY, where we camp all summer long, and the little ones love fishing, canoeing and just exploring nature in all its wonders. Mike and I have volunteered for many years in amateur boxing. He began as a boxer at the age of 6, has won numerous titles, and today is an international referee and judge. I began as fan and became a computer scoring technician, both nationally and internationally. Today I am happy to say that I spend the better part of my day in a place I love with the people I have come to love as my family, the staff at St. James’.

mrosario@stjames.org

212-774-4200

Director of Administration & Finance

Jerry Sgambati

Artist in Residence

Stephen Tharp

Stephen Tharp has been Artist-in-Residence at St. James’ Church since November 2014, serving as the principal organist for the 9:10 and 11:15 a.m. liturgies on Sunday. Stephen is an internationally-acclaimed concert organist, recording artist, and composer.

Learn more at www.stephentharp.com.

stharp@stjames.org

Fellow for Mission

Eloise Williams

A member of the 2022-2023 cohort of the New York Service and Justice Collaborative, Eloise supports Co’Relous in all things mission. She and four other fellows live in Mt. Vernon, NY where they are graciously hosted by the congregation at the Church of the Ascension. Part of the nationwide Episcopal Service Corps, the group will spend a year in vocational discernment while learning through experience what the work of justice looks like in either the parish or non-profit context.

In 2022, Eloise graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill with degrees in Political Science and Contemporary European Studies, focusing on Eastern Europe, and was able to take classes spanning many disciplines. Outside of her studies and work, Eloise’s soul is fed by art. She was Co-Director for a theatre group on campus that produced up to five shows per year, took on various roles on production staff, and occasionally performed, too!

212-774-4257

intern@stjames.org

Director of Music, Organist

Davis Wortman

Davis Wortman has been the Director of Music and organist for St. James’ since September 2000.  He was formerly the Choirmaster and Organist for St. Matthew’s Episcopal Cathedral in Dallas. His graduate studies were at the Yale University Institute of Sacred Music, followed by post-graduate studies at Yale Divinity School. He received his Doctorate of Musical Arts from Manhattan School of Music. True to his roots as an organist, he designed and installed St. James’ 96-rank Schoenstein organ as part of the 2010 Bicentennial Celebration of the founding of the church in 1810. He enjoys travel, fine foods and is extremely partial to the care and joy of canine companions.

212-774-4233

dwortman@stjames.org