The Rev. Charlotte LaForest, Rector
Please note, Charlotte is currently on sabbatical and will return in December. Until then, feel free to contact the office with any questions or pastoral needs.
The Rev. Charlotte LaForest came to St. Andrew’s from the Episcopal Church in Connecticut, where she served parishes in West Hartford and Essex, CT. Prior to parish ministry in Connecticut, she served as a hospice chaplain throughout Eastern Massachusetts.
She completed her her seminary education at the Berkeley Divinity School at Yale, and has also received graduate degrees in Pastoral Ministry and Social Work from Boston College.
Charlotte loves to accompany others on the search for the presence of God in their lives, and to imagine together how they might connect more deeply with God in the midst of busy schedules and at every life stage. She enjoys exploring new perspectives in familiar biblical stories and proclaiming the radical, life-changing love of God.
She has served the Diocese of Western MA and the wider community in a variety of ways, from serving on the Longmeadow Coalition for Racial Justice, and on Diocesan Council and Budget and Finance Committees.
Charlotte currently serves as the Co-Chair for the new Commission of the Diocese of Western Massachusetts, Reclaiming Hope: The Commission on Mental Health and Substance Abuse. In addition, she is a member of the Steering Committee for the CLOSE Community Coalition in the a substance abuse reduction initiative of the Longmeadow Public Schools, and serves on the Board of Directors for Alianza Domestic Violence Shelter. She is also an active member of the Longmeadow/East Longmeadow Interfaith Clergy Group and the Hampden County Deanery.
In the past she has served as Vice Chair of the Longmeadow Coalition for Racial Justice, as well as member of Diocesan Council and Budget and Finance Committees of the Diocese of Western Massachusetts. She has served as a Writer in Residence and a member of the Editorial Board for Young Clergy Women International. You can find some of her writing here and here.
Charlotte is married to Eric LaForest, a member of the faculty at the Loomis Chaffee School in Windsor, CT. They live in the rectory with their three children and their Spinone Italiano, Benny.
Charlotte is an avid reader, a writer, a knitter always looking for an interesting pattern, and a lover of single-origin coffee, She is drawn to contemplative prayer and medieval mystics, not to mention TV medical dramas, early 00’s pop music, and chocolate chip cookies.
You can reach her at : charlotte@st-andrews-longmeadow.org
The Very Rev. James Munroe, Associate Priest for Congregational Development
The Very Rev. James Munroe came to St. Andrew’s from Calvary/St. George’s Church in New York City, where he served as part-time associate since his retirement in 2015. Prior to his retirement, Jim served for 17 years as Dean of Christ Church Cathedral in Springfield. Before then, he was Rector of St. John’s Church in Northampton for 14 years.
Jim graduated from Williams College, with a 2 year pause for service in the Marine Corps. His first year of seminary was at Wycliffe Hall in Oxford, England. He completed his seminary education at Virginia Theological Seminary.
Jim is married to Gilda Garcia, who is a clinical mental health counselor. They live in Springfield and have 2 daughters – Perla, who is a computer programmer for Intuit, and Ambar, who is a student at Columbia Medical School. Their dog, Lola, has an anxiety attack if you stop loving her for 10 seconds
You can reach Jim at jamesgmunroe@gmail.com.
Sue Riley, Director of Music Ministry
Sue came to St. Andrew’s in the fall of 2016, after having served as director of music at St. John’s Episcopal Church in East Windsor, CT for 9+ years. After graduating from Pennsylvania State University (We are …) with a B.S. in Music Education and a concentration on organ, she taught both choral and instrumental music for 35 years in South Windsor, CT. Her eclectic approach, using a variety of instruments and musical styles, matches St. Andrew’s appreciation for a diversity of musical styles including traditional hymns, contemporary pieces, and African American spirituals. When Sue isn’t playing an instrument, she enjoys hiking, biking, reading, crocheting and knitting. Family is important to her and she enjoys spending time with her son, daughter-in-law and 3 granddaughters.
Sue can be reached at music@st-andrews-longmeadow.org
MaryEllen Brush, Director of Children, Youth and Family Ministries
St. Andrew’s welcomes our new Director of Children, Youth and Family Ministries, MaryEllen Brush.
MaryEllen is a Retired Assistant Principal, Mathematics Educator, and Educational Consultant with extensive experience in early-childhood care and development, core and advanced mathematics at the middle school and high school level, and instructional system design. MaryEllen is driven by opportunities to use her skills to promote teaching and learning on all levels.
MaryEllen has served St. Andrew’s as a former Sunday School teacher for all levels, Senior and Junior Warden, Pastoral Care chair, Small Group Cooking Ministry, Lay Eucharistic Minister, Usher, and other volunteer positions. She is currently the President of ACTS Tutoring, a faith-based tutoring and mentoring program for Springfield Public School students, and volunteers here at St. Andrew’s. She loves working with people of all ages and is excited to develop faith programs for our children and young adults. Her experience includes working with children and parents enrolled in her family daycare in Springfield as well as students in the alternative high school. Her philosophy is that all students have the ability to learn.
MaryEllen felt called to be our director and praises God for the opportunity. MaryEllen is married to her husband Ed, has three children and three grandchildren.
Carla Forbes, Parish Operations and Communications Manager
Carla has a passion for creating and fostering supportive communities. Believing firmly in the adage “it takes a village,” Carla works tirelessly to ensure that every individual receives the care and support they deserve. With a wealth of experience in community-building, office management, and effective communication, she is eager to bring her skills and enthusiasm to the St Andrew Episcopal community.
Carla has an internal drive to get things right. When her child was diagnosed with a rare genetic condition called SCN2A, she immersed herself in learning more and became a leader in an online group for families. Carla’s passion for community and connection led her to co-found the FamilieSCN2A Foundation, a 501(c)3 set up to find a cure for SCN2A. She serves as a family mentor and a member of the board of trustees, engaging her life mission to share hope with others.
She can be reached at admin@st-andrews-longmeadow.org