Leadership

Staff

The Rev. Michael K. Fincher, Rector

Prior to becoming a priest, Fr. Michael had a 20-year career in environmental consulting, specializing in transportation planning. In 2003, he left his previous career to pursue a calling to the priesthood. He attended Seabury-Western Theological Seminary in Evanston, IL, graduating with his Masters of Divinity degree in 2006. He was ordained deacon in June, 2006 and as priest in January, 2007. Since then, Fr. Michael has served as curate at St. Alban’s in Westwood and Episcopal chaplain at UCLA; associate rector at Trinity in Redlands; and as priest-in-charge of the blended congregation of St. Paul’s Episcopal & Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Santa Paula. Fr. Michael began serving St. Gregory’s on November 1, 2016 and was formally installed as the parish’s fourth rector on October 29, 2017. While not engaged in church activities, Fr. Michael enjoys traveling, cooking, fine dining, attending theatrical productions, hiking, spending time with close friends, and watching political news.

E-MAIL: rector@stgregoryschurch.com

 

 

 David Feit-Pretzer, Music Director

David did his undergraduate and graduate work in Choral Conducting at California State University in Fullerton studying with David Thorsen and Gordon Paine. He was the founder and director of the Canterbury Carolers who entertained audiences for over twenty-five years. He has arranged music for, conducted and accompanied both the Master Chorale of Orange County and the Californians, a select group from the Master Chorale. He is the representative of the Orange County Chapter of the National Association of Church Musicians and is a past National President of NACM. David also currently serves as Dean of the Long Beach Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. He has toured Europe with the University Singers from CSUF and the Master Chorale. In 2000 he led a group from First Presbyterian Church of Westminster on a tour of Germany and Austria with performances in Salzburg and Vienna. Several of his choral ensembles have participated in concerts at Carnegie Hall in New York. He began his tenure as Director of Music and Resident Organist at St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church in Long Beach in August 2004, where he founded the Festival Choir and the highly successful Music at Four concert series.

 

 

Kevin Wood, Parish Administrator

Kevin Wood is a singer/songwriter and pianist who started attending St. Gregory’s as a tenor in the Chancel Choir. Since then, he helped coordinate an alternative worship service at St. Greg’s called SPARK, and now has taken on the responsibility of Parish Administrator. He is very active in the Episcopal Church, being the Music Director at Christ Episcopal Church in Redondo Beach, where he leads music in both Sunday services and a once-a-month Taize-style worship service called “Holy Spirit – South Bay.” Kevin has 3 full-length albums of original material, plays at various venues around Long Beach, and has traveled the world singing and performing. He loves the people of St. Gregory’s and is very happy to be of service in the Parish Office.

E-MAIL: info@stgregoryschurch.com

 

Sarah Spencer, Director of Christian Education

E-MAIL: spencer.victoria.sarah@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 Vestry

2020 Vestry members at their annual retreat: (from L to R) Bruce Graham, Melanie Gonzalez, Donna Woolverton, Sarah Spencer, Kris Brooks, Fr. Michael Fincher, Susan Mora, Michael Johnston, Alfonso Lemus, Diane Kela, and Larry Curry.

Fr. Michael K. Fincher
rector@stgregoryschurch.com

2020-2023

• Cheryl Rodi
• Michael Johnston
• Sarah Spencer

2021-2024

• Tamera Benedict
• Dana Lindsay
• Lea Southwick

2022-2025

• Holly Graham
• Carol Roberts Corb
• Charlotte Nelson

Senior Warden:     Tamera Benedict
Junior Warden:     Holly Graham
Treasurer:                 Bob McRae
Clerk:                         Cheryl Rodi

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CONTACT INFORMATION

The Reverend Michael K. Fincher, Rector
562-420-1311
rector@stgregoryschurch.com

David J. Feit-Pretzer, Director of Music
714-899-1902

Kevin Wood,  Parish Administrator
562-420-1311
info@stgregoryschurch.com