Robert Christian
Robert Christian moved to Reading in 2003. A transplanted Texan, he arrived in Massachusetts in 1998 and has enjoyed exploring New England ever since. He has undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Texas at Austin. A partner in Fox & Christian, a small law firm in Melrose, he devotes much of his practice to court-appointed trial work, representing indigent defendants in criminal and mental health cases in the district, superior and probate courts. He also serves as a court-appointed guardian for persons with mental illness and developmental disabilities. He has an amateur interest in theology and a few years ago completed a Bachelor of Divinity degree through the University of London’s distance learning program. He is a cradle Episcopalian and his late father and grandfather served on vestries in different parishes in Texas. |
Sumi Sinnatamby
Sumi, Earle, and their children, Vidhya and Jhai, moved to Reading in early 1987 and became members of CGS soon after. Over the years Sumi has volunteered at the church in various ways, such as the vestry, participated and chaired the church fair's, organized the service auctions and progressive suppers. She continues to involve herself in other town civic and charitable organizations and is on her 28th year as a local realtor at Century 21 Commonwealth. Sumi and Earle grew up in Sri Lanka and lived in the Middle East prior to being relocated to the United States. Accompanying her passion for traveling the world she continues to peruse many hobbies, most of all, Sumi loves being a grandmother. |
Joyce Witham
Joyce grew up in Maine, and as the daughter of church music director experienced several different denominations before choosing to be confirmed in the Episcopal church as a teenager. After attending Bates College in Maine, Joyce became passionate about safety and continues to pursue a career as a safety and business continuity professional at an insurance company. Joyce met her husband Kevin while still in high school and they were married in St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Rockland, Maine after college. They are the proud parents of three children, one of whom is now an adult living in Iowa, and two younger children who are active in the church. Together they have lived in Texas and Florida before moving to Reading. Joyce has been active in many different activities at the church and looks forward to her work on the vestry. |
Spencer Dalby
Spencer is a Hoosier. Born & raised in Indiana. After graduating from Indiana University school of business in 1970 he moved to Stowe, VT for two years. In 1973, he married Susan the love of his life. They are still in the home in North Reading they purchased in 1976. They have two children and five grandkids. Always involved with the kids he coached little league and was Cubmaster. There have been many family trips throughout the USA and abroad. For many years a member of the North Reading Gourmet Club and still loves to cook. Spencer is an amateur athlete participating in marathons, triathlons and long distance lake swimming. Now retired he continues to sign up for events and travels with his Director of Logistics, Susan, at his side. Spencer and Susan joined the CGS in 2008. They love the close relationships formed in the small and welcoming church and the family values and spirituality afforded to all. This is Spencer's second term on the Vestry. He also serves as Eucharistic Minister. Is on the lawn mowing committee and together with Susan are a cleaning team. |
Mary Ines
Mary grew up in Reading and married her high school sweetheart, Dana, at COGS in 1992. They moved to North Reading in 1998 and have four children, Luke, Sarah, Laura and Kathryn. Raised Roman Catholic, Mary was received into the Episcopal church in 2002. The whole family have been active members at Good Shepherd over the years. Elected to the vestry in January 2017, former chairman of the Spring Auction and Falliday Fair. She is still involved with the crafts table at the fair and is an active member of the church choir and has played the flute on many occasions. Mary works full time as Office Manager of SMART Physical Therapy in Reading/Malden. She enjoys music, cooking/baking, knitting/spinning and spending time at her family camp in Maine. |
Kathy McDormand
Member of Church of Good Shepherd since 5/22/11. I grew up and lived in Lynn, MA for my first 30 years, and have resided in Reading since that time. Paul and I found Good Shepherd about 6 years ago, after being raised in the Catholic Church. I am still working in the insurance industry after 40+ years, and looking forward to retirement some day. I enjoy a close family relationship with my 2 sisters, my brother, nephew, nieces, great nieces, and great nephew. The Church of Good Shepherd seems like a family too, and I look forward to serving on the vestry. |
Merri Duross
Paul and I moved to Reading in 2005 with our two boys, Colin and Patrick. Shortly after, we began attending Church of the Good Shepherd. In 2008, we welcomed our twins, Sean and Kyle. In 2009, we had the twins baptized at the church. Since then we have been involved in many aspects of the Church. I look forward to serving in this new role as a Vestry member. |
Ben Sands
Ben was elected Clerk in 2013. Prior to that he served as Senior Warden. Ben was born in 1933 and his family moved to North Reading in 1945. He graduated from Reading High School in 1950, from Tufts in 1954, then served for three years in the United States Marine Corps. He married Judy in 1954, then raised 5 children. Ben and Judy have 12 grandchildren. He was active in town government, served as a selectman for six years and many years as Chairman of the Housing Authority. Ben has been active in hockey, coaching at North Reading High School and at Tufts where he was named New England Coach of the Year. He is also very active in alumni affairs at Tufts. Ben and Judy take a yearly trip to Guatemala bringing toys to children in remote villages. They have been members of Church of the Good Shepherd since 1957. |
Joan Wall
Joan Wall was elected to the Vestry for a three year term in January 2016. She has previously served two terms in the 90’s and is the former Christian Ed Director and Youth Group Director from the early 80’s to the very early 2003. Joan is a CGS “born and bred” parishioner and was baptized, confirmed and married at CGS over the years. Her family, along with her aunts, uncles and cousins have all been coming to CGS for decades. During her tenure as Christian Ed Director, Joan started a Liturgical Dance Team that performed for many special services as well as part of the Annual Christmas Pageant, started a variety of mother’s groups that met monthly according to Kindergarten and pre-school schedules that were prevalent during those earlier years in the 80’s and 90’s for the area, started some babysitting clubs on Saturdays, so parents could do holiday shopping and coordinated retreats with our then youth group which included camping, rope courses, rock climbing and going to retreat centers. She also taught the Confirmation class series with Barbara Luddy over the years. Joan and her husband, Richard (deceased) have three children, Caitlin, Christopher and Meaghan, who all came through the CGS rigors of Sunday School and Youth Group and at the time Children’s Choir and who still consider CGS “home” despite their far flung adventures around the globe. |
