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 York, Music Director

A native of the Pacific Northwest, David York began piano studies at age 7, organ at age 12 and received his first job as a church organist at age 16. After graduating with honors from the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington, David completed a Master’s Degree in Organ Performance at the University of Southern California. His teachers have included Edward A. Hansen and Ladd Thomas.

David has served as Director of Music at several churches in Southern California including First Presbyterian, San Pedro and St. Luke’s Episcopal, Long Beach. He served as Interim Organist and Choir Director at St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral in Los Angeles and as Minister of Music at Lutheran Church of the Master in Westwood. David comes to St. Gregory’s from St. George’s, Laguna Hills. He is organist/Choir Director at Temple Israel in Long Beach and has served as a Lecturer in Music on the faculty of the Bob Cole School of Music, California State University Long Beach.

E-MAIL: york1635@aol.com

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 Vestry

Fr. Michael K. Fincher
rector@stgregoryschurch.com

2021-2024

• Tamera Benedict
• Dana Lindsay
• Leah Southwick

2022-2025

• Holly Graham
• Carol Roberts-Corb
• Charlotte Nelson

2023-2026

• Malcolm Finney
• John Mora
• Elizabeth Spencer

 

Senior Warden:     Tamera Benedict
Junior Warden:     Dana Lindsay
Treasurer:                 Bob McRae
Clerk:                         Holly Graham

 

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CONTACT INFORMATION

The Rev. Michael K. Fincher, Rector
rector@stgregoryschurch.com

David York, Music Director
york1635@aol.com

Kevin Wood,  Parish Administrator
info@stgregoryschurch.com