Our Team
Rev. Dr. Eric Park
SENIOR MINISTER
Rev. Park spent his childhood in three western Pennsylvania towns (Washington, Grove City, and Indiana). He is the son of a United Methodist pastor and was nurtured in the rhythms, practices, and priorities of the church’s ministry throughout his life. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA; a Master of Divinity degree from Duke University in Durham, NC; and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Drew Theological School in Madison, NJ. Rev. Park is an Elder in the United Methodist Church and has been serving the church as a pastor under appointment since July of 1989. Contact Eric.
Rev. Tyler Heston
DIRECTOR OF SPIRITUAL FORMATION & LGBTQIA+ MINISTRIES
Tyler Heston was raised in an Evangelical congregation in Memphis, Tennessee, that deeply infused in him a love for God and neighbor. After a winding path of theological transformation, including a Bachelors degree in Religion in Society from the University of Memphis in Memphis, TN, and a Master of Divinity from Brite Divinity School in Fort Worth, TX, Tyler found a home within and was ordained into ministry by the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), a progressive, inclusive, and ecumenical denomination. He comes to Christ Church NYC after serving as Minister of Faith Formation with a historic Disciples of Christ church in Kansas City, MO, and with years of experience working to create more space for LGBTQIA+ folk exploring their faith and spirituality. Tyler is continuing his education with a PhD in Bible and Cultures at Drew Theological School, through which he contributes to the growing field of queer Biblical interpretation. Contact Tyler.
Dr. Steve Pilkington
DIRECTOR OF MUSIC & ORGANIST
Dr. Steve Pilkington began his service at Christ Church in 1994. He oversees all the music ministries at Christ Church, as well as serves on the faculty of Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ where he serves as Associate Professor of Sacred Music. A graduate of St. Olaf College and the University of Illinois, Steve earned a Ph.D. in Liturgics from Drew University. Contact Steve.
Brandon Batson
DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMMING & COMMUNICATIONS
Brandon Batson is our Director of Programming & Communications. For the past 20 years, Brandon has served in vocational ministry as a church planter, worship leader, and creative director for churches in SC, CA, and NYC. He is passionate about seeing the church reach the next generation, provide inclusive community, and engage with the greater culture. Brandon has a Bachelors degree in English and Mass Communication and is in the process of getting his Master of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary. Contact Brandon.
Lydia Prather
CHILDREN & FAMILIES COORDINATOR
Lydia is the Coordinator of Ministry for Children and Families at Christ Church. As the daughter of a United Methodist Minister, growing up attending Sunday School programs made a huge impact on Lydia’s faith journey. Since graduating from Indiana University, the majority of her time has been spent working with children and creating programming. Lydia is thrilled to be working with Christ Church Kids and bringing our families together in fellowship and in faith!
Contact Lydia.
Roseann DeGennaro
ADMINISTRATOR
A native of the Upper East Side, Roseann has served as parish Administrator since 1993. She oversees the daily operations of the building, coordinates capital projects, manages building staff, and administers the finances of the church and day school. A graduate of CUNY, Roseann has spent her entire professional career in church administration. Contact Roseann.
Robert Heckner
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Originally from southern Wisconsin, Robert is a recent graduate of Yale, with an MA in religion. He is excited to be a part of the Christ Church community and provide administrative support for the ministries of the Church. He is passionate about serving the Church in administrative and behind the scenes roles. Contact Robert.
David Lipe
COMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATE
David Lipe joined the staff of Christ Church in 2021 as a Communications Associate. The son of a music educator, David received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, TX, and taught middle school band in Plano, TX for seven years prior to moving to New York. In addition, he has served as a musician in numerous churches in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex and New York City. David currently lives on the Upper East Side with his wife, Jane, and their dog, Debbie.
Contact David.
Amanda Smith
DIRECTOR OF PARISH & CHILDREN’S CHOIRS
Amanda Page Smith holds a Masters in Music Education from Westminster Choir College, a B.M in Vocal Music Education from St. Olaf College, Kodály Music Education certification from New York University, and Music Together Certification. In addition to her position at Christ Church, Amanda is currently the Lower School Music Teacher at the Buckley School in NYC. She is active as a clinician and guest conductor for workshops and choir festivals throughout the United States. In 2006 she was named one of five “Outstanding Choir Leaders” by Choristers Guild, which led to a team role in the development of the Choristers Guild Institute and ten years on the CGI faculty. Amanda has written curriculum for Growing in Grace, she has published articles on early childhood music education through the Music Educators National Conference (MENC) and the Early Childhood Music and Movement Association (ECMMA), and she contributed to the book “Learning from Children: Research in Early Childhood Music” (Rowan & Littlefield, 2011). Amanda lives in Manhattan with her husband, violinist Justin Smith, and their two children. Contact Amanda.
Tyler Weakland
ORGAN SCHOLAR
Praised for his ‘verve and adroit collaborative piano playing’ by the Charleston City Paper, TYLER WEAKLAND is a pianist, conductor, composer, arranger/orchestrator, producer, and vocal coach. A member of the conducting faculty at Westminster Choir College of Rider University, he is the Associate Conductor of the Westminster Symphonic Choir and Westminster Choir and is the accompanist and assistant to the graduate conducting ensemble. As a vocal coach he has collaborated with many WCC faculty and professional singers including Benita Valente, Sharon Sweet, Laura Brooks Rice, Mark Moliterno, Theodora Hanslowe, Elizabeth Sutton, and Laquita Mitchell. He accompanies voice students at TCNJ and is a member of the artistic staff at Westrick Music Academy where he works with the Princeton Boychoir and Girlchoir.
Rev. Mickey Correa
PASTOR OF CHRIST CHURCH WASHINGTON HEIGHTS
Mickey a native of Brooklyn is of Puerto Rican descent. As a bi-vocational and bilingual pastor, Mickey serves as clergy at Christ Church Washington Heights, leading worship in English and Spanish and providing pastoral care. Mickey’s professional experience, in addition to ministry, includes working as a licensed psychotherapist. Mickey also serves as a lecturer at the City College of New York and has also lectured at Fordham University in the past. Mickey earned his B.A. at Hunter College, majoring in History and Religion, his M.S.W. at Fordham University focusing on Clinical Social Work and specializing in the treatment of addiction, and his M.Div. from New York Theological Seminary. Contact Mickey.
Rev. Dr. Stephen Bauman
PASTOR EMERITUS
Stephen was the Senior Minister of Christ Church for 35 years from 1987-2023. He led the revitalization of Christ Church, as well as the renovation that took place in 2020. A graduate of Occidental College and Yale University, Stephen earned a PhD in Leadership and Change at Antioch University. Contact Stephen.