Clergy & Staff

The Rev. Dr. Richard M. Simpson, Rector — Rich Simpson was called to serve as Rector of St. Francis Church in February 1998. Prior to that he served as Associate Rector of Christ and Holy Trinity Church in Westport, Connecticut for four and a half years, and before that as Protestant Campus Minister at Central Connecticut State University in New Britain, Connecticut. Rich was born and raised in Hawley, Pennsylvania in the United Methodist Church. He has degrees from Georgetown University (AB), Drew Theological School (MDiv) and Princeton Theological Seminary (ThM). In 2005, Rich received a Doctorate in Ministry degree (D.Min.) from Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia. He and his wife, Hathy, live in Holden with their two sons.

The Rev. Jill Williams, Curate — Jill is a recent graduate of Virginia Theological Seminary where she completed a Masters of Divinity. After graduation she was welcomed home to Western Massachusetts as the Diocesan Christian Formation Missioner for the Worcester and Valley corridors as well as the Director of Bement Camp. Jill earned her undergraduate degree from Florida Southern College in both English literature and Theatre performance. In her spare time she teaches dance at a local studio and works with the Pioneer Valley community theater. As a newly ordained deacon Jill is looking forward to being part of a parish community where she can learn from others as well as share her own ministry gifts.

Karen Heath, Parish Administrator — A Holden native, Karen, her husband, Jeff, and their two daughters live in the family "homestead" where she grew up.  Although baptized at St. Francis, she and her family are long-time members of St. John’s, Worcester.  She has served on vestry and as Clerk and Senior Warden in addition to teaching church school, serving on the altar guild, and singing in the choir. Karen joined our staff in September of 2003, after serving as Administrator at Greendale People's Church for over four years.

Susan Bastardo, Church School Coordinator — Susan is from Seekonk, Massachusetts. She and her husband Michael have two children. They have lived in Holden and attended St. Francis Church since 1990. Susan has a Master's degree in Communication Disorders and is a speech/language pathologist in the Shrewsbury Public Schools. She taught Church School at St. Francis for five years before taking the position as Church School Coordinator in 1995.

Charles Nwachuku, Minister of Music — Charles joined the staff in August 2003. He is a native of Nigeria, who grew up in the New York area. He currently lives in Worcester with his with his wife and twin children, a boy and a girl. He is an accomplished pianist who also composes his own music.

Lori Churchill, Youth Minister — Born and raised in Massachusetts, she and her family returned in the Fall of 2000 after living in Maryland for a decade. She is a lifelong Episcopalian, and her own youth group experiences fueled her desire to become a youth minister. A social worker by profession, Lori has many years experience working with children and teens. She had been using these skills working with the youth group at St. John's Episcopal Church in Olney MD prior to joining St. Francis. She and her husband, Phil, live in Hubbardston with their three children.

James (Jim) F. Dowd, Sexton — Jim was born and raised in Worcester, moving to Holden in August of 2003. Jim was educated in the public school system, and attended Worcester State College on the GI Bill. After serving in the U.S. Coast Guard during the Vietnam Era, Jim began a 32 year career at N. E. Telephone, now known as Verizon. Jim and his wife Theresa have been married 38 years. They raised 2 children, and now have 3 grandchildren. Terry and Jim are communicants at St. Peters R.C. Church in Worcester. In addition to his duties at St. Francis, Jim is also the early morning desk clerk at the Higgins center of the Greendale YMCA on Friday mornings.

Mary Lindfors, Parish Nurse — Mary joined the Episcopal Church and the St. Francis family in May, 2001. A 1991 graduate of Becker College in Worcester, MA, she has worked as a Registered Nurse on orthopedic and obstetrical (L&D/maternal/neonatal) units. She is currently working in an acute care pediatric office setting. She has taken and completed the Parish Nurse Preparation Course at Anna Maria College and was commissioned as a Parish Nurse in December, 2002, after which she began to implement this ministry at St. Francis. Mary lives in Holden with her son and three daughters.