As we carry out our rector search, we are blessed with two wonderful interim Clergy.
Our staff are responsible for programs, administration, music/liturgy and the preschool.
The Vestry is the governing body of the church. This dedicated group of volunteers is responsible for supporting the staff, overseeing the budget, and managing personnel and property decisions. Our Vestry is led by three Wardens and has four members-at-large.
Our Staff
Clergy
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The Reverend Matthew McDermott
INTERIM PRIEST
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The Reverend Lauren P. McCombs
INTERIM DEACON
Staff
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Chantal Eshghipour
PARISH ADMINISTRATOR
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Lauren Wittine
MUSIC DIRECTOR
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Cara O'Connell
CARILLON PRESCHOOL DIRECTOR
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Jocelyn A. Sideco
PROGRAM DIRECTOR
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Michel Hardbarger
SUNDAY SCHOOL DIRECTOR
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Katy Darrow
CHILDREN’S CHOIR CO-DIRECTOR
Vestry
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Paul Lovoi
CO-SENIOR WARDEN
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Lena Perkins
CO-SENIOR WARDEN
JUNIOR WARDEN
Ruth Ann Wrucke
TERM ENDING JAN 2026
Liz Laderman
TERM ENDING JAN 2027
Betsy Alexander
TERM ENDING JAN 2028
Sarah Halsey
Andy Pflaum
Our Culture
Christ Church Portola Valley and Woodside is a small, friendly church that fosters learning, kindness and generosity. We embrace a legacy of inclusion, welcoming individuals of all genders, races, sexual orientations and backgrounds with open arms.
Community volunteers help our outreach team serve food and donate goods for those in need. We have activities for all ages, particularly around the holidays of Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Our Beliefs
Episcopalian
Our church belongs to the Episcopal denomination, which is part of the global Anglican Communion. “Episcopal” means it is governed by bishops. The Anglican Communion is led by the Archbishop of Canterbury. In the USA, the Presiding Bishop leads the Episcopal church.
In the Episcopal denomination, bishops trace their heritage back to the apostles, and churches are served by ordained clergy. In addition to being the Ecclesiastical Authority, the Bishop is the Chief Pastor of the Diocese and may preside and officiate in the worship of the Church within any parish, mission or elsewhere in the Diocese.
Our parish is in the Diocese of California that covers the Bay Area from Palo Alto north to Marin and Alameda counties. The Diocese of California is divided into Deaneries and we belong to the Peninsula Deanery that covers San Mateo County and the very north of Santa Clara County.
Foundations
Episcopalians base their services on three foundations:
the Holy Bible
church tradition
reason
Other resources are the Book of Common Prayer and the Lectionary. The Constitution, Canons and Rules of Order of the Episcopal Church provide guidance as to how each church, its clergy and its members operate.
Open and Affirming
We welcome all to our Holy Eucharist or Holy Communion table. You don’t have to be an Episcopalian or a member of the church to participate in Communion. Episcopalians believe that when wafer, bread or wine is given to someone it is to remember the crucifixion of Jesus for the forgiveness of sins, the wafer/bread representing his body, and the wine representing his blood. Christ is present in the elements and the Holy Communion strengthens the relationship between participants, as well as between them and God. Unlike Roman Catholics, Episcopalians do not generally believe that the elements literally become Christ’s body and blood.
Church Membership
To join the church, one has to be baptized. It is not necessary to be baptized in an Episcopal church. All persons who have received the Sacrament of Holy Baptism with water in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and whose baptism has been duly recorded in the parish register and all persons confirmed or received in the church whose confirmation, reception or transfer is duly recorded in the parish register are members of the parish.
Our Mission
The mission of Christ Episcopal Church, Portola Valley and Woodside, California, is to build Christian community in the Episcopal tradition by ministering to individuals, the parish and society, and working together to proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God in tangible ways.
Our History
In 1954, young couples met at the summer cottage of Bill and Kay Eitel on Family Farm Road to discuss establishing a protestant church in Portola Valley. The first meeting was a gathering of neighbors who were interested in starting a Sunday School. There were about 10 adults, 14 children and a family dog in attendance, according to an Almanac article of November 17th, 2004.
Originally called Portola Community Church (Protestant Episcopal), the Reverend Harold Brumbaum from the Church Divinity School of the Pacific was sent by the Diocese of California to be the “minister in charge”. He served as the Rector for 15 years. Subsequent rectors were the Reverends John Oda-Burns (1971-1996), Scott Hayashi (1998-2005), Mitch Lindeman (2006-2014) and Beth Phillips (2015-2023). Rev. Scott Hayashi became the Bishop of Utah in 2010.
In 1956, three acres of a plum orchard were purchased from S. J. Morshead. John Jessup Company of Redwood City built the church which is constructed of redwood, pine, and alder and features award-winning stained-glass windows by Arthur Stern. In 1958, the church became a self-supporting parish. The church offices and parish hall, that now houses the Carillon Preschool, were built in 1963.
In 1984, to celebrate the church’s 30th anniversary, Christ Church undertook a projected called “Vision ‘87” which involved reimagining the church building (including a new narthex) and the installation of a pipe organ. The bell tower, originally wooden, was erected in 1963 and replaced by a steel one in 1989 as part of this project.
Carillon School
OUR MISSION
Carillon Preschool offers families with children ages 16 months through 4 years 9 months a developmentally-appropriate environment for social, physical, cognitive, and spiritual growth in which each child has opportunities to learn, grow, succeed and flourish. It is a unique balance of creative expression through play, academic readiness and spiritual nurturing.
OUR FOUR PILLARS
Spiritual and Character Development.
At Carillon Preschool, Wonder Time is a special program where children gather twice a month to explore meaningful themes like Wondering Continuously, Working Together, Showing Kindness, and Respecting Nature. Rooted in the love of God, we nurture spiritual growth, mindfulness, and a sense of community through the diverse cultures and traditions of our teachers and families. Children engage in group activities, stories, and reflections in our beautiful chapel, as well as in the inspiring indoor and outdoor spaces. Wonder Time is a joyful opportunity for children to learn, connect, and grow together in faith and love.
Kindergarten Preparedness.
Our pedagogy is a blend of play and academics. The curriculum is based on monthly thematic units which may be either teacher or student motivated. During the month, the dramatic play area, art projects, and circle time reflect the theme. Our program is enriched with a music program and field trips. In addition, we integrate age appropriate science, phonics, handwriting and math using the following programs as guides:
Zoo-phonics
Handwriting Without Tears
Small Classes
We build classroom community through Helping Hands - a weekly responsibility for each child that includes jobs such as setting napkins on the table for snack, ringing the bell for cleanup, or being the line leader to chapel.
Our classes are limited in size in order to provide a more intimate learning environment and more individual attention. Each class has no more than 14 students accompanied by two teachers. The intimate class size that creates a nurturing, secure, and loving environment so that teachers can build relationships with each child and help them learn to the best of their abilities.
Enrichment.
Our curriculum is further enriched through weekly cooking projects, science, chapel, and music.
Our classroom extends outside to the shed (which is filled with bikes and balls), our outdoor playhouse, our set of "Imagination Playground" giant blue blocks, and our large garden.
Our curriculum is structured around monthly thematic units. Art projects are open ended.
