Vestry Election

Voting for this year’s vestry election is available online below, using your email address on file in our parish database. To vote by paper ballot, request one from the parish office or pick up a ballot after weekend services on May 3-4 or May 10-11, and return it to the parish office by 4:30 PM on Thursday, May 15.

The parish voting list contains those eligible to vote in the election according to our bylaws: "one who is baptized, 16 years of age, a regular attendant upon the services of Christ Church, and whose name has been entered on the active Parish list for at least six (6) months as pledging contributors of record to the financial support thereof."

Election results will be announced at our annual meeting on Sunday, May 18.

VOTE ONLINE

PARISH VOTING LIST

Our Vestry Nominees

Shelley Angela Kinsella

Shelley and her husband, Rafael Zahralddin, have been members of Christ Church for over 22 years and cherish the community in which they have raised their two children, Mikel (college senior) and Annabel (10th grade). Their family also includes two dogs and three rescue cats, reflecting Shelley’s love of all living creatures. Christ Church is an integral part of Shelley’s life. She serves weekly as a Rite-13 youth group leader, has been a parent volunteer for many years for the Christmas pageant, participates in two small church book groups, and helps with the St. Michael’s Book Nook. In addition, Shelley has served in multiple church ministries, including the Flower Ministry and Emmanuel Dining Room, as a member of the Chapel Organ Committee, the Children & Youth Ministry Advisory Team, the Adult Formation ministry, and has assisted with the Green Show, the planning of the Dominican Republic mission trip, and the formation of the Creations Care ministry. In addition to working as an attorney for the Delaware Department of Justice, Shelley has volunteered with Literacy Volunteers, Alternative Court for Teens, the Delaware pro bono Child Advocates program, and served on the Wilmington Ballet and Delaware Symphony Orchestra boards of directors. It is her intention to continue strengthening Christ Church’s connection to the community, and she believes that her legal and volunteer experience can benefit the vestry. She is grateful for this nomination and considers it a blessing to be able to serve others. Shelley remains committed to ensuring the well-being of the church and all of its members.

Kendall Drew Meldrum

After moving to the area full time in 2023, Christ Church quickly became a central part of Kendall’s family life. Originally from Albany, New York, she and her husband, Sam, have a blended family of five children, and two have been baptized at Christ Church. Sam, a native Delawarean, was also baptized at Christ Church. Their daughter, Genevieve, is currently a student at Christ Church Episcopal Preschool, and their youngest, Fitz, will be joining in the fall. They are regular attendees of the 9 AM ARK service in the Chapel, and their kids are actively involved in Sunday formation. Christ Church has been very welcoming and has made Kendall feel at home. Her involvement in parish activities has been both fulfilling and impactful. She has been involved in the community through CCEP, including the CCEP Parents’ Association. This experience has not only strengthened her connection with other parents but also deepened her commitment to supporting the church community. Professionally, Kendall leads a sales organization at Microsoft, where she has been working since 2017. In her role, she collaborates with U.S. manufacturers to drive their digital transformation initiatives. Kendall holds a B.S. in Industrial Engineering and Economics from Northwestern University and an MBA from Cornell Tech at Cornell University. Additionally, she previously served on the board of the Cornell Johnson College of Business NYC Alumni Club, which provided her with valuable experience in governance and community engagement. Kendall is dedicated to supporting the needs of young families and understands the importance of a strong foundation for young children. Through vestry service, she aims to contribute to the growth and vitality of Christ Church by using her professional skills and personal experiences to improve the parish’s outreach and engagement efforts. Kendall is committed to the mission of Christ Church and values the power of community. She is ready to serve and lead and looks forward to collaborating with fellow vestry members to achieve their collective goals for the future.

Robin Penn Moody

Robin is a third-generation member of Christ Church where she was both baptized and confirmed. She and her husband, Jay Downing, were married at Christ Church in 2023. Her sons, George and Henry, were baptized at Christ Church. George was confirmed in 2023, and Henry is presently attending Confirmation class. Robin serves on the Stewardship Committee. She is an attorney and practiced in Delaware for many years in the areas of personal injury, general litigation, and commercial litigation. Robin is also admitted to practice in Pennsylvania and has handled matters in Chester County, Delaware County, and Montgomery County. She is an active member of the Holly Ball Committee and volunteers at Faithful Friends Animal Shelter. She is also a member of the Colonial Dames where she previously served as a committee member. In the past, Robin held volunteer positions at Rodney Street Tennis and Tutoring Association. Robin received her B.A. in political science from Denison University. Prior to attending law school, she worked on Capitol Hill in the U.S. Senate. In her free time, Robin enjoys tennis, running, and spending time with her family, including her yellow Labrador and two rescue cats. If elected, she hopes to continue and enhance the important work and influence of Christ Church, strengthening its commitment to the work of the Lord. Robin is honored to be nominated for the vestry and looks forward to serving the Christ Church community.

John L. Olsen

John and his wife, Elaine, joined Christ Church in 1985 after relocating to Wilmington. They quickly became involved with the church’s young adult group, which met socially and engaged in philanthropic work. John and Elaine taught Sunday school and organized food/refreshments for the Green Show Preview Party. John also served as an acolyte advisor and usher. John and Elaine’s three children were baptized at Christ Church. (Bill Lane officiated at their daughter’s baptism and marriage—moments John will forever cherish). The family focused on church activities that enabled their children to grow in a loving, faith-based environment, including trips to the Delaware Children’s Theatre and Blue Rocks games, Friday evening church potlucks, and the Christmas pageant. In 2000, the Olsens joined Church of the Advent in Kennett Square, where their children engaged in activities with friends from the Unionville schools they attended. One ministry John found highly rewarding was driving senior members to and from Kendal-Crosslands on the Advent bus. After raising their children, the Olsens returned to Christ Church and essentially “picked up where they left off.” John joined the Outreach Committee, which he led in 2023-24, and participates in the Celebration of Life ministry. He is involved with several nonprofit agencies the church supports. In addition, for nearly 20 years the Olsen family prepared and served Christmas Eve dinner for patients and families at the Wilmington Ronald McDonald House. John earned his undergraduate degree from George Washington University and his law degree from the University of Pennsylvania. He practiced law for 39 years, retiring in 2022 as WSFS Bank General Counsel. John was recognized by the Delaware Superior Court for his critical role in shaping a mortgage foreclosure mediation program that promoted alternatives to sheriff’s sales for struggling homeowners. He served on several nonprofit boards and remains on the board of the WSFS Cares Foundation. John possesses strong Christian values, which guide him in his daily life. Joining the vestry would give John the opportunity to use his skills, experience, and compassion to help grow the parish, support the church’s many ministries, and assist those in need.

Susan Hess Scott

A strong foundation in the Episcopal faith, planted during her youth at Grace Episcopal Church in Haddonfield, New Jersey, underpins Susan’s commitment to service. Following significant life changes after college, she embarked on a journey that broadened her spiritual understanding, exploring traditions such as the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), the United Methodist Church, and the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). Ultimately, her son’s encouragement and her own reflective process led her back to her Episcopal roots, and she joined Christ Church in 2022. This homecoming held deep personal significance. Education has been the cornerstone of Susan’s professional life, equipping her with a diverse skill set valuable to the vestry. Possessing a B.A. in Child Development, a Masters in School Counseling, and specialized training in Reading, she currently provides crucial support to students with reading disabilities in private practice. Her leadership and collaborative abilities are evident in her extensive committee work and leadership roles within educational settings. Notably, she led the Lower School Language Arts Committee and developed and presented monthly child development programs for parents at Wilmington Friends School. These experiences underscore her capacity to nurture individuals, facilitate group dynamics, and contribute strategically. Christ Church witnesses Susan’s active engagement in its community. She regularly attends worship and various music, formation, and parish life events with her husband, David, son, Chris, and granddaughter, Amelia. Beyond attendance, she actively participates in the Friday Women’s Bible Study, assists with the Green Show, and contributes to the Flower Ministry. Susan enjoys spending time cooking, traveling, and sewing/craft projects. Her focus for the vestry centers on building stronger connections between families with young children and the wider parish and enhancing community outreach through meaningful, hands-on interactions. For Susan, vestry service represents a chance to listen attentively and contribute to the flourishing of the Christ Church community. Her lifelong connection to the Episcopal Church, coupled with her professional expertise and dedicated involvement, fuels her enthusiasm for this opportunity.

Wilmer C. Stith III

Wil was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, where his family was able to walk to the Cathedral of the Incarnation, an Episcopal church in Baltimore City. While there, Wil was baptized, attended Sunday school, was confirmed, and served as an acolyte for 12 years. His mother was Ukrainian, and he spent many Saturdays at “Ukrainian school” and was involved in youth group with the Ukrainian church, where he made his closest friends. Wil attended Gilman School in Baltimore City and thoroughly enjoyed his experience at Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio. He has worked for M&T Bank or its predecessor banks since college graduation. He received both an MBA from Loyola College in Baltimore and a chartered financial analyst (CFA) designation while working. He is an institutional fixed income portfolio manager at Wilmington Trust. After M&T purchased Wilmington Trust, he and his wife, Wendy, were asked to relocate to Wilmington, Delaware. They attended various churches in their first year after relocating and joined Christ Church in 2015. Wil has two adult children, Curtis and Christopher, and an eight-year-old daughter, Grace, who was baptized at Christ Church in 2017. Wil has been a member of the Confirmation class teaching team for three years and enjoys volunteering for the Green Show and other community outreach events and programs the church sponsors. Some of Wil’s favorite times at Christ Church have been in the Christ Church kitchen during the Green Show Preview Party, Family Promise dinners, and the youth group’s pancake breakfast.

B. Lynette Turner

Lynette was born and raised in Virginia and confirmed at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Orange Park, Florida in 1982. In 1997, she became a member of Christ Church, where she sang in the St. Cecilia Choir and participated in small groups. Currently, she serves on the Outreach Committee and the Elder and Parish Fellowship ministry teams. She is a Lay Eucharistic Visitor, co-facilitator of our Women’s Bible Study on first and third Fridays of the month, and is a member of Books, Brew, & Banter. In her community, she has served as secretary and president of the board of her condominium association. In 2011, Lynette retired from Amtrak, having worked in various departments of the corporation. She has gained vital experience in collaborating with many diverse groups, which enhanced her development of leadership skills professionally and in volunteerism. She received formal training from Hospice of Northeast Florida and served as a Hospice volunteer. Also, she has received formal training for The Stephen Ministry at the Church of the Good Samaritan in Paoli, Pennsylvania. She believes that both organizations helped foster her sense of empathy and compassion. At an early age, Lynette began developing her faith. She considers it a key responsibility to continue to grow our faith in Jesus Christ, both in the Church and in our community. She is very grateful for our clergy’s leadership, our church office staff, and our director of music’s ability to enrich our music ministry. Having been engaged in various ministries and committees at Christ Church over the years, Lynette appreciates the hard work and support of our parishioners. She strongly believes in everyone using their gifts and talents for the Lord and continuing to nurture our growth now and for generations to come.