The Rev. Ann Kathryne Urinoski - A Special Announcement
Dear Christ Church Community,
As I shared at worship services this past weekend, I am leaving our affiliation, Christ Church South Amboy and Trinity Church Matawan. I have accepted a call to be the next rector of All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Scotch Plains.
It has been an adventure to journey with you all these almost-five years together. I’ve loved walking alongside you in your devoted service to South Amboy and your growth after the pandemic. We’ve come so far since those first Zoom services together in 2020! Christ Church and South Amboy have left a mark on me that I will never forget, like your warmth and support, when Tommy and I got married in 2023. I hope to spend these last weeks celebrating our time together.
As per the guidelines for clergy departures, after my departure, I will no longer serve as pastor or priest in the life of this parish, nor will I maintain any role in the parish social media. In accordance with diocesan guidelines and in support of your next priest, I will be distancing myself from all relationships here most especially for the first twelve months after my departure.
My last Sunday service will be on Sunday, February 9, and my last Saturday service will be on Saturday, February 15. My last day with the affiliation will be on Sunday,
February 16. 2025.
Yours in Christ,
Mother Ann
The Rev. Ann Kathryne Urinoski Strazza
Mother Ann Urinoski has been serving as our Priest-in-Charge since May 2020.
Mother Ann is a lifelong Episcopalian who grew up worshipping at the Church of the Holy Cross in North Plainfield. She studied English Education at the University of Delaware and discerned her call to ordained ministry during her years in campus ministry there. After college, Mother Ann spent a year in the Young Adult Service Corps (YASC), a mission program run by the Episcopal Church Mission Personnel Office. As a YASCer, Mother Ann lived and served in Cape Town, South Africa, where she worked in the provincial campus ministry office and served at local campus ministry branches.
After graduating from General Seminary in 2016, Mother Ann was ordained in the Diocese of New Jersey. Then, she served for three years as Priest Associate at Christ Church Christiana Hundred in Wilmington, Delaware.
When she's not at Christ Church, Mother Ann enjoys spending time with her family and friends, reading, playing video games, and exploring antique stores.
Welcome Message
Welcome! Christ Church warmly welcomes you – no matter where you are on your spiritual journey. Christ Church has been serving South Amboy since we first opened our doors on Easter 1858. We are a small and diverse community who enjoy sharing in worship and fellowship with one another each weekend. We worship together every weekend at 10am on Sunday morning and at 5pm on Saturday evening.
At Christ Church, we have many opportunities to engage in outreach. Our Thrift Store is open every Saturday morning from 9am to 12 noon. Our Christ Church Women with Purpose group has a new outreach project for every season from food drives and wish trees to scholarships and coloring contests.
Come join us for worship this weekend or email one of our clergy if you'd like to know more!
Deacon Magdalena Aders
Deacon Magdalena was born in Red Bank, New Jersey, and grew up in Shrewsbury.
She spent her formative years as an Episcopalian at the Church of the Holy Communion, Fair Haven (now closed), and was later a communicant at Christ Church, Shrewsbury.
Deacon M first discerned her calling to the diaconate while still at Fair Haven and serving in various capacities of lay ministry; she began attending The School for Deacons in 2012. As an intern, she served at Trinity Episcopal Church in Matawan and remained there after her ordination in 2015.
She is also a Daughter of the King and serves as chaplain to Trinity's Immaculata Chapter of the DOK.
When she is not serving at Christ Church or at Trinity Matawan, Deacon M spends her time working at a group home for women with developmental disabilities, being a cat lady at home, playing and writing trivia quizzes, and enjoying good books. She occasionally performs at Christ Church Shrewsbury with the Dead Actors Guild, which teaches local history by enactment and portrayal.
Magdalena treasures her time with the parishioners and looks forward to lunch at the diner after Sunday Service.
