About Us

The Rector

Father Gary J. M. Barker

Father Gary was born in Los Angeles, California. He earned his B.A. in English and German Literatures from Tulane University in New Orleans in 1980. He also holds an M.A. in English and American Literature from the University of Virginia. He received his M.Div. with honors from Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, Virginia, and was ordained a priest of the church in 1991. He has four boys.

Gary began his ordained ministry at Emmanuel Church in Harrisonburg where he served as assistant rector and chaplain to the students of James Madison University, Eastern Mennonite College (now University) and Bridgewater College. In 1993, Gary began a new ministry as Vicar of Grace Church in the town of Stanardsville, Virginia. Then, in 2003, Gary was called to serve here at Christ Church, Smithfield. Over the years, Gary has served the larger church in ministries of Social Concerns, Christian Formation, College Ministries, Congregational Development, Prayer and Healing, and Status of Congregations and Missions.

In his Sabbath time, Gary likes to read, write, sing, and garden. Otherwise, he loves being with his boys and friends.

To contact Father Gary, please call (757) 371-9382 or send e-mail to:garyjmbarker@verizon.net. You may also follow Father Gary on his own blog at gentlesoulfire.blogspot.com.

Deacon Edith Raby

Edith Gilliam Raby, Our Deacon, was born and raised right here in Isle of Wight County.   She was baptized at Old St. Luke’s and confirmed at Christ Church.  She has a degree from Old Dominion University in English with a minor in Psychology.  Edith had a successful career in business sales and marketing in Philadelphia and Florida before becoming a Deacon of the Church.  In 1986, she suffered a serious stroke and had a vision of Jesus that changed her direction in life.   After four years of study in the Institute for Christian Studies in the Diocese of Central Florida, Edith was ordained a deacon in 2000.  First as a lay person and then as a deacon, she has served the disabled in many ways beginning with her work at Goodwill Industries in Central Florida.   She also has ministered to the homeless, those suffering from addictions, and unwed mothers.   She seeks to keep one foot in the church and one foot in the world as she reaches out to serve and advocate for the disabled and the poor.   She also has long had an active ministry of visitation to those in hospitals and nursing homes and encourages all the members of our church to serve God in the needy.  She served at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, Orlando, after her ordination until she moved home to care for her mother in Smithfield in 2006.  Since that time, she has had an active ministry at Christ Church singing in the choir, serving as chaplain to our Daughters of the King chapter, supporting the Sudanese and homeless shelter outreach ministries, supporting the rector and the entire congregation in their ministries. She is also active at the Presbyterian Home for Mentally Challenged Adults in conjunction with the Chuckatuck Possum Hollow Ruritan Club. We assist with the dinners, games, and other social events. Edith has a son, daughter-in-law, and two
grandchildren living in Florida and is grateful to God for the home she has in Christ Church.

The Vestry

The Vestry of Christ Church is charged with oversite and decision-making for the overall operation of the Church. Members are selected from the congregation to serve three-year terms. The Vestry meets once a month and determines the budget, sets policy, and oversees the ministry of the Church.

Demere Bates (Sr Warden)
Robert McGreevey(Jr Warden)
Bob Amato (Treasurer)
JoAnn Kirk (Secretary)
Other Vestry Members

Mary Cole, Pam Glanville, Ed Greskowiak, Eileen Locke,  Bob Amato, Donna Lowery, Peter Lowry and Ann Christian.

Deborah Webb (Admin/Secretary)

Deborah joined us in August 2008, following her administration and financial work at Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus & Mary in Wales, UK. Deborah is responsible for office administration and is actively involved in many of the volunteering ministries for Christ Episcopal Church.
Contact:  Email: cchurchsmfd@verizon.net     Tel: 757 357-2826

The Music Department

Christ Episcopal Church has an adult choir directed by Ms. Heidi Bloch. In addition to singing the liturgy, the Christ Church choir performs a variety of anthems and other music. The Adult Choir sings at all special occasion services. (e.g. Christmas Eve, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Vigil) Organ music, both monumental and subdued, sing equally well during worship services. Musicians with all levels of experience are urged to contribute their talents. Previous music experience is not necessary but patience, a sense of humor, commitment to rehearsals and attendance of the 11:00 a.m. Sunday morning service are helpful.

Christ Episcopal Church also has a Celebration Band, which is comprised of parish-member musicians of all ages. Led by John Deifenbacher, the Celebration Band often accompanies the choir at church services.


Ms. Heidi Bloch (Music Director)

Heidi Bloch has been the Organist and Choir Director for Christ Episcopal Church in Smithfield, VA since May of 2001. She has held a similar position at Temple Sinai in Newport News for the past 24 years and also teaches in the afternoon Hebrew School program.

Heidi maintains an active Suzuki piano-teaching studio both in Newport News and as part of Smithfield's Renaissance School of the Arts (a local home schooling network) where she also directs a chorus of young teenagers.

Occasional organ recitals, piano programs and a variety of volunteer responsibilities keep her idle hours at a minimum. She serves on the board of the Chamber Music Society of Williamsburg, chairing the committee responsible for selecting ensembles for each subscription season, and has twice served as Dean of the Tidewater Chapter of the American Guild of Organists.

Heidi earned her MM at the University of Michigan and her BS at Old Dominion University.
To contact our Music Director, please call: 757-357-2826 or e-mail: heidibloch@cox.net.
John Deifenbacher

The Choir Members

For many, music is a direct highway to a close encounter with God. At our 11:00 a.m. Eucharist, traditional choral music, accompanied by the organ, encompasses music of all styles.. from Renaissance, to music written in our own day.. even and often written for us by contemporary composers.. some of them local. Much of the liturgy is sung - with the choir providing leadership from the chancel, or from within the congregation, using texts from the Book of Common Prayer. Our worship is occasionally enhanced by soloists and guest instrumentalists. Hymns are chosen predominantly from the 1982 Hymnal, but other hymnals in the pew racks and in the church library provide a wealth of additional texts and tunes. Anthems, hymns, liturgical responses, Communion and organ music are all matched to the appointed texts of the day and reviewed for several weeks in advance during Thursday evening rehearsals. The Adult choir is an eclectic group of friendly, fun folks. Prior musical experience is not expected but is definitely helpful, as are patience, a sense of humor, commitment to Thursday evening rehearsals and attendance at the 11 a.m. Sunday service.

Other Departments & Committees

Ray Locke  Having been successful in the floral business, Ray is beginning a new journey on the path toward, if it is God's will, the priesthood. He completed his undergraduate studies in religion in June of 2011. Serving as Youth Director at Christ Church not only provides him an immediate opportunity to fulfill his dream of serving the church in a professional capacity, but also provides our community with a deeply committed individual who already has considerable experience in church affairs.

Ray Locke joined the Episcopal church at age ten in Rhinebeck, N.Y. He has been deeply involved in church activities ever since and is now nurturing his family in a Christian home. Ray served in the United States Air Force for four years and was honorably discharged. He attended SUNY in Cobleskill, N.Y., studying business management and Floriculture. Ray married Eileen Ocia Rogers in 1986 and they have two daughters: Meghan Rae and Shannon.

His list of activities is legion. In New York, Ray was in the choir, was involved in youth activities and performed a variety of church services from lay reader, junior and senior warden of the Vestry, a Diocesan delegate and a member of the Diocesan Council serving the Bishop. Now in Smithfield, Virginia, he is either leading or participating in many of the same activities: praise worship choir, lay reader, Outreach and worship committees and our JAM youth activities. His wife, Eileen, serves on the Vestry and is active in several ministries as well.