Revd John Magisano (Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches)  served as Chelsea Community Church's Pastoral Counselor for 11 years (2004 - 2015). He has served various churches and currently serves All Souls Bethlehem Church in Brooklyn as their interim pastoral counselor.  He earned his Master of Divinity Degree at New York Theological Seminary in 1999.  John recently retired from NYC Office of Technology & Innovation (OTI) as Senior Coordinator for Learning & Organizational Development.  He lives in Brooklyn with his husband Xris and their feline overlord, Wolverina.  

Lay Leader: Edie Diane Nichols, Reception Host: Jennifer Lynch, Usher: Mary Sheeran

Hilda M. Regier - May 1, 1934 - February 15, 2026

Hilda Mae Regier passed away peacefully during the early morning hours of Feb. 15, 2026, at Kidron Bethel Healthcare, where she had resided for the last three and a half years. Hilda was born May 1, 1934, in Goessel, KS to Theodore and Anna Voth Regier. She was given her middle name to mark that she’d been born on the first of May. Hilda attended school in Walton, KS. After graduating from high school, she pursued studies at Bethel College in North Newton, earning a BA. She then attended Iowa State University, earning her MA degree in journalism, continuing those studies toward earning a PhD. At the end of her first semester of PhD studies, she was advised to go to NYC to gain practical experience. Once there, she fell in love with the city where she spent most of her remaining life. Choosing initially to work in the trade press, she eventually wrote for medical journals and later as a freelance journalist.

In 1973, Hilda, as president of the Council of Chelsea Block Associations, led community opposition against the US Postal Service’s proposed $35-millions, 15-story mail truck garage in Chelsea, citing environmental and quality-of-life concerns. She and residents sought to block the project. As a leader in the Council, she was pivotal in bringing together residents to fight the federal project.

In 1977 Hilda purchased an 1847 brownstone in the Chelsea District of Manhattan. She painstakingly restored the Victorian details of the main floor apartment which became her home. She was a strong force for historic preservation in the city.

Hilda was a founding member of the Chelsea Community Church, giving countless hours to write and distribute the church newsletter and organizing various pastors and guest speakers to preach to the congregation for many years. Hilda was an active member of the Victorian Society of New York City, organizing tours for them and serving on their board for many years and as president from 2014 to 2017.

Hilda loved the garden she created behind her brownstone. The sapling white dogwood she planted is now majestic. She delighted in spring bulbs as they appeared and the red rose that would bloom beside her front stoop. It was, and remains, a soothing green oasis away from the noise and hubbub of the city.

Family was important to Hilda, and she returned to KS for visits whenever she was able. She took great delight in her nephews. As various grandnephews and grandnieces appeared she was always keen to know what they were doing.

Hilda is predeceased by Elma Ruth Harms and Marvin Regier. She leaves behind sister-in-law Grace Nickel Regier, nephew Wayne Harms and Barbara, nephew Larry Harms and Mary, niece Sherry Unruh and Bill Unruh, and niece Vickie Schmidt and Emil Schmidt.

Petersen Funeral Home arranged the service at Kidron on 2/23/26 at 3pm and a private burial at Tabor Mennonite Church, Newton Ks on 2/23/26. Donations and remembrances may be offered to Chelsea Community Church. In Manhattan, NY

Lay Leader: Joanne Downes, Reception Host: TBA, Usher: TBA

Revd Joseph J. Nicholson (Non-denominational Protestant) spent the first 30 years of his career as an entrepreneur.  He founded a dozen companies, mostly related to software and the financial services industry.

Following the sale of his operating businesses and a brief retirement, he was called to seminary.  He received a Master of Divinity degree from Union Theological Seminary in 2016 and a Masters degree of Sacred Theology from Union Theological Seminary in 2020.  He was ordained in 2017 by the Non-Denominational Protestant American Fellowship Church.

From September 2014 to January 2021, he served as chaplain to the uniformed personnel of the EMS division of the New York City Fire Department.  Since April 2019, he has served as pastoral counselor at Chelsea Community Church.

Lay Leader: Wayne Kammerer, Reception Host: TBA, Usher: Gloria Schofner

Revd Dr. Valerie H. Holly (American Baptist/United Church of Christ) has worked in various ministerial positions at Judson Memorial Church in the West Village. Previously she was Senior Pastor at Unity Fellowship Church of Christ New York City in Brooklyn.  Dr. Holly has also held managerial social work positions in substance abuse, HIV/AIDS, and Employee Assistance Programs.

Dr. Holly received both a Master of Divinity degree and a Doctorate in Ministry degree from New York Theological Seminary. She also holds a Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW) from Columbia University.

Lay Leader: Pam Palmieri, Reception Host: Wayne Kammerer, Usher: Scott Barbarino

Revd Raquel Irizarry (United Church of Christ/Unitarian Universalist)is a graduate of Union Theological Seminary and Columbia School of Social Work.  She is an activist, a writer, a guest minister, as well as lead facilitator of a Brain Training program for adults with early to mid-stage memory loss.  She is currently a member of both the UCC Metro Association Board of Directors and their Social Justice Committee, and is a member of the NYS/NYC Coordinating Committees for the Poor People's Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival.  She is also a long-time member and the Council President of All Souls Bethlehem Church in Brooklyn.  Raquel loves/does photography, sings a little, and is a believer in the power of God's abundant Love.

Lay Leader:Edie Diane Nichols, Reception Host:Wayne Kammerer, Usher: Mary Sheeran

Kimberly Malone (Episcopalian) is a spiritual director, workshop facilitator, and educator whose work centers on formation, reflection, and hope at the margins. For over twenty years, she has guided individuals and communities in practices of intentional living and discernment. She serves as an administrator and adjunct professor in New York college-in-prison programs and holds master’s degrees in Theology and Intercultural Studies from Fuller Seminary, along with a certificate in Spiritual Direction. She lives in northern New Jersey with her family.

Lay Leader: Mary Sheeran, Reception Host: TBA, Usher: Gloria Schofner

Abigail Hastings (Alliance of Baptists) is a writer, editor, occasional producer and occasional preacher and most of all, a “Tex Yorker” (from Dallas, 45 years in NYC). These days she writes mitigation reports for immigrants, helps lead retreats, and is working on a film about her activist mentor, Arlene Carmen. She loves her work as an archivist at Judson Church (Alliance of Baptists, American Baptist and UCC) and hanging out with rescue dog Henry.

Lay Leader: Wayne Kammerer, Reception Host: TBA, Usher: Mary Sheeran

Revd Linda Tarry-Chard (United Church of Christ) served as Associate Minister for Membership, Care and Parish Life at The Riverside Church of New York City for nearly 14 years.   The Founding President of the Project People Foundation (PPF), a nonprofit organization that funds education and social justice programs for adults and children in South Africa and the United States.   Since 2008 PPF has collaborated with Splash Fit Swim Club to provide free life-saving swimming skills and a healthy outlet for fitness and fun to students living in Harlem and the South Bronx.  Tarry-Chard provides clergy supply for churches in the tri-state area.   She holds an M.S. degree in education from Fordham University and an Masters of divinity degree from Union Theological Seminary.  

Lay Leader: Jeff Cubeta, Reception Host: Gloria Schofner, Usher: Wayne Kammerer

Revd Joseph J. Nicholson (Non-denominational Protestant) spent the first 30 years of his career as an entrepreneur.  He founded a dozen companies, mostly related to software and the financial services industry.

Following the sale of his operating businesses and a brief retirement, he was called to seminary.  He received a Master of Divinity degree from Union Theological Seminary in 2016 and a Masters degree of Sacred Theology from Union Theological Seminary in 2020.  He was ordained in 2017 by the Non-Denominational Protestant American Fellowship Church.

From September 2014 to January 2021, he served as chaplain to the uniformed personnel of the EMS division of the New York City Fire Department.  Since April 2019, he has served as pastoral counselor at Chelsea Community Church.

Lay Leader: Mary Sheeran, Reception Host: Edie Diane Nichols, Usher: TBA

Guy Wasko (Association of Vineyard Churches) is a pastor, chaplain and non-profit executive. With more than 25 years of experience leading in the church, charity and community organizing fields he serves as the founder and executive director of For NYC - a collective impact city platform that strengthens leaders and unites churches for the flourishing of New York City. He lives in the East Village of Manhattan with his wife and three daughters.

Lay Leader: Wayne Kammerer, Reception Host: TBA, Usher: Gloria Schofner

Mary Sheeran (Episcopalian/Chelsea Community Church) has been a member of Chelsea Community Church since 1987.  After earning her Bachelor of Arts degree in History, Humanistic Studies, and Theater at Saint Mary's College in Notre Dame, she taught at the Foxhollow School in Lenox, Massachusetts.  She performed leading roles in regional theater productions, off-Broadway plays, and in operas in New York City.   She also worked as a theater critic for the trade papers Show Business and Backstage.  Mary also has had a career as a medical editor, and she served on the board of Chelsea Community Church for several years.   As board Chair, she was invited to audit a class at Union Theological Seminary; and inspired,she enrolled at nondenominational New York Theological Seminary, earning her Master of Divinity degree.  She did field service at St. Peter's Chelsea, where she was active in their liturgy and education committees, on the vestry, and in the choir.  In 2006, her first novel, Who Have the Power, was published about the effects of silver mining in the west on the Native peoples.  She has since had five other novels published, two of which have won awards; and she is working on number six.

Lay Leader: Mary Sheeran, Reception Host: TBA, Usher: Gloria Schofner

Gary Ryan ThM (Episcopalian) Gary studied basic Clinical Pastoral Education while a chaplain at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, and did his advanced psychotherapeutic training and supervision at Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital in NYC where he was the Chief Resident Chaplain during the height of the AIDS crisis.  More recently he also worked at Mt. Sinai Hospital in NYC as a chaplain during the height of the Covid crisis. 

Gary studied philosophy at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) and theology at Harvard Divinity School.  He has written for the Associated Press, represented the Archbishop of Canterbury at the United Nations, and taught chess in NYC’s inner city, where the present World Rank No. 2 player was one of his early students. 

From Mississippi, Gary presently lives in Brooklyn, writes poetry and short stories.   He loves art, travel, and flyfishing; and he claims New Orleans as his second city.

Lay Leader: Wayne Kammerer, Reception Host: Jennifer Lynch, Usher: TBA

Revd Nindyo Sasongko (Mennonite) is pursuing a Ph.D. in systematic theology at Fordham University. He is a teaching fellow at Fordham and a theologian in residence at Manhattan Mennonite Fellowship. He served as a pastor in his native Indonesia from 2005-2013, with time out as a youth minister in Ethiopia for nearly a year. After receiving an M.A. from Seattle University’s School of Theology and Ministry in 2015, he became the Elias Pohan visiting research fellow at Jakarta Theological Seminary in Indonesia. In 2019 he was selected to participate in a climate change task force sponsored by Mennonite World Conference.

Lay Leader: Jeff Cubeta, Reception Host: Edie Diane Nichols, Usher: TBA

Rabbi Jill Hausman has been the Rabbi and Cantor of the historic Actors’ Temple, Congregation Ezrath Israel, in Manhattan since 2006, and is the Assistant Dean of the Rabbinical Seminary International (RSI).  She previously served as Cantor/Assistant Rabbi at Boro Park Progressive Synagogue in Brooklyn, and has been an aquatic biologist, a singer, and actor.  Her commentaries on the weekly Torah portion have been published by The Jewish Week in New York City, now online at the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, by Tikkun Magazine, and her poems and prayers can be found at www.ritualwell.org.

Lay Leader: Wayne Kammerer, Reception Host: Gloria Schofner, Usher: Edie Diane Nichols

Revd Joseph J. Nicholson (Non-denominational Protestant) spent the first 30 years of his career as an entrepreneur.  He founded a dozen companies, mostly related to software and the financial services industry.

Following the sale of his operating businesses and a brief retirement, he was called to seminary.  He received a Master of Divinity degree from Union Theological Seminary in 2016 and a Masters degree of Sacred Theology from Union Theological Seminary in 2020.  He was ordained in 2017 by the Non-Denominational Protestant American Fellowship Church.

From September 2014 to January 2021, he served as chaplain to the uniformed personnel of the EMS division of the New York City Fire Department.  Since April 2019, he has served as pastoral counselor at Chelsea Community Church.

Lay Leader: Mary Sheeran, Reception Host: TBA, Usher: Gloria Schofner

Mel Lehman (Mennonite) grew up in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.  He received a Master of Arts in theology from Union Theological Seminary and an Master of Arts in literature from Columbia University.  He worked for the first 20 years of his career at the National Council of Churches as an editor in international humanitarian issues.
In 2009, he founded a non-profit organization called Common Humanity which works to build understanding, respect, and friendship between Americans and the Middle East and Arab world.  Common Humanity organizes exhibits of paintings by Middle East artists to help Americans better understand the humanity and rich culture of the people there.
He is a long-time deacon at his home congregation, Manhattan Mennonite Fellowship, and a lay preacher.
Mel recently returned from a friendship-building trip to Baghdad in December during which he took holiday cards from Americans to Iraqis and received cards in return.

Lay Leader: Edie Diane Nichols, Reception Host: Wayne Kammerer, Usher: Mary Sheeran

Revd Christine Lee (Episcopalian) came to St. Peter’s, Chelsea, in October 2019 with a team of 20 members from All Angels' Church and Church of the Heavenly Rest to join the existing St. Peter's congregation in an experiment in revitalization, part of the Diocese of New York’s larger vision for church renewal. She previously served as Vicar at All Angels' Church on the Upper West Side and Interim Minister at St. Mary's in Harlem. 

Rev. Christine has worked as professionally as a community organizer and a campus minister. She completed a year of Anglican Studies at the General Theological Seminary and is currently a Doctor of Ministry student at Fuller Theological Seminary, focusing on leading congregational and organizational change.  She is married to Jimmy and is dog mom to Baxter, her adorable rescue.

Lay Leader: Wayne Kammerer, Reception Host: TBA, Usher: Gloria Schofner

Rasheed Hart (Nondenominational) Following his release in 2017, Rasheed Hart graduated from both Baylor University's Hankamer School of Business and CUNY Urban School of Labor.  He held an internship in community organizing at The Black Institute, and in 2018 he established the renowned NYC Barbershop Museum, a center dedicated to preserving cultural heritage.  Rasheed has been deeply committed to addressing the pressing issue of gun violence, and he began working with the Center for Justice Innovation in 2020.   In 2021, he was recognized with a Certificate of Appreciation from the Department of Probation for his contributions to the Echoes Be Ready program, which addresses the ongoing challenges of employment and gun violence.  Rasheed has also served as a job developer, facilitating the placement of over 70 unemployed participants and providing hope and opportunities to those facing adversity.  He had a longtime friendship with the late CCC member Kathy Reid. Rasheed holds certifications in Ministry and Human Services from Rising Hope Inc.

Lay Leader: Joanne Downes, Reception Host: TBA, Usher: TBA

Rachel Rim (Episcopalian) is a board-certified chaplain at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital where she provides spiritual care to pediatric palliative care patients and their families.  She attends St. Peter's Chelsea.  She earned her BA in English literature at Wheaton College and her MDiv at Princeton Theological Seminary.

Lay Leader: Pam Palmieri, Reception Host: Wayne Kammerer, Usher: Edie Diane Nichols

Revd Joseph J. Nicholson (Non-denominational Protestant) spent the first 30 years of his career as an entrepreneur.  He founded a dozen companies, mostly related to software and the financial services industry.

Following the sale of his operating businesses and a brief retirement, he was called to seminary.  He received a Master of Divinity degree from Union Theological Seminary in 2016 and a Masters degree of Sacred Theology from Union Theological Seminary in 2020.  He was ordained in 2017 by the Non-Denominational Protestant American Fellowship Church.

From September 2014 to January 2021, he served as chaplain to the uniformed personnel of the EMS division of the New York City Fire Department.  Since April 2019, he has served as pastoral counselor at Chelsea Community Church.

Lay Leader: Wayne Kammerer, Reception Host: Jennifer Lynch, Usher: Mary Sheeran

Revd John Magisano (Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches)  served as Chelsea Community Church's Pastoral Counselor for 11 years (2004 - 2015). He has served various churches and currently serves All Souls Bethlehem Church in Brooklyn as their interim pastoral counselor.  He earned his Master of Divinity Degree at New York Theological Seminary in 1999.  John recently retired from NYC Office of Technology & Innovation (OTI) as Senior Coordinator for Learning & Organizational Development.  He lives in Brooklyn with his husband Xris and their feline overlord, Wolverina.  

Lay Leader: Mary Sheeran, Reception Host: TBA, Usher: Joanne Downes

Nathalie E. Amazan is a Muslim, writer, and law student from New York. She was a Wednesday Night Slam Winner at the Nuyorican Poets Café, a nominee for the 2024 Pushcart Prize for her poem “Ayiti,” and released her first poetry collection, Still, with Finishing Line Press in 2023. Her writing is informed by her belief in the Oneness at the heart of all of creation and she prays that her words can move people to recognize that power within their souls to create empowering and loving ways of being. In 2022, she was a co-creator of the Al-Wasi’ Collective, a NYC based Muslim queer inclusive prayer community, and is currently a dervish of the Nur Ashki Jerrahi Sufi Order. You can connect with her @natamazan on all online platforms.

Lay Leader: Wayne Kammerer, Reception Host: Edie Diane Nichols, Usher: Gloria Schofner

Mary Sheeran (Episcopalian/Chelsea Community Church) has been a member of Chelsea Community Church since 1987.  After earning her Bachelor of Arts degree in History, Humanistic Studies, and Theater at Saint Mary's College in Notre Dame, she taught at the Foxhollow School in Lenox, Massachusetts.  She performed leading roles in regional theater productions, off-Broadway plays, and in operas in New York City.   She also worked as a theater critic for the trade papers Show Business and Backstage.  Mary also has had a career as a medical editor, and she served on the board of Chelsea Community Church for several years.   As board Chair, she was invited to audit a class at Union Theological Seminary; and inspired,she enrolled at nondenominational New York Theological Seminary, earning her Master of Divinity degree.  She did field service at St. Peter's Chelsea, where she was active in their liturgy and education committees, on the vestry, and in the choir.  In 2006, her first novel, Who Have the Power, was published about the effects of silver mining in the west on the Native peoples.  She has since had five other novels published, two of which have won awards; and she is working on number six.

Lay Leader: Edie Diane Nichols, Reception Host: Gloria Schofner, Usher: Wayne Kammerer, Special Music: Lucille Carr-Kaffashan

Revd Gloria Jean Skeete (National Association of Congregational Christian Churches) is on the ministerial staff of the Flatbush-Tompkins Congregational Church in Brooklyn, where she has served since 2015.  She occasionally fills in as Pastor while Flatbush-Tompkins conducts their current pastor search.  She was previously a pastor at the New York Congregational Nursing Center in Brooklyn.  She graduated from New York Theological Seminary in 2012 with an Masters of Divinity degree.  Her seminary education included internships at Salem Missionary Baptist Church in Brooklyn and Jan Hus Presbyterian Church in Manhattan.  Before going to seminary she worked in the fashion industry.

Lay Leader: Mary Sheeran, Reception Host: Jennifer Lynch, Usher: TBA

Father Vince Corso is a member of CITI Ministries, an organization of married and resigned Roman Catholic priests serving the spiritual needs of those under-served, overlooked or rejected by the institutional church. Vince entered the Franciscan Order in 1971 and received his undergraduate degree in Philosophy in 1976. After earning a Master of Divinity in 1980 Vince was ordained in May of that year. He served as a parish priest, vocation director for the Friars and as spiritual director for the Covenant House Faith Community in NYC and North and Central America. Vince earned the Master of Social Work degree in 1996 from Syracuse University and worked in hospice and palliative care in NYC until 2016. Now retired, Vince ministers as a wedding officiant, helping prepare couples for marriage and celebrating their nuptials! Vince and Christine reside in Cedar Grove, NJ and celebrated 34 years of marriage this past September. They have 2 children, Peter who lives in NJ and Julia, who is married to Will Roper and who lives in Boston. 

Lay Leader: Joanne Downes, Reception Host: Wayne Kammerer, Usher: TBA, Special Music: Pam Palmieri

Revd Joseph J. Nicholson (Non-denominational Protestant) spent the first 30 years of his career as an entrepreneur.  He founded a dozen companies, mostly related to software and the financial services industry.

Following the sale of his operating businesses and a brief retirement, he was called to seminary.  He received a Master of Divinity degree from Union Theological Seminary in 2016 and a Masters degree of Sacred Theology from Union Theological Seminary in 2020.  He was ordained in 2017 by the Non-Denominational Protestant American Fellowship Church.

From September 2014 to January 2021, he served as chaplain to the uniformed personnel of the EMS division of the New York City Fire Department.  Since April 2019, he has served as pastoral counselor at Chelsea Community Church.

Lay Leader: Joanne Downes, Reception Host: Scott Barbarino, Usher: Gloria Schofner, Special Music: Otto Walberg

Lay Leader: Wayne Kammerer, Reception Host: Jennifer Lynch, Usher: TBA, Special Music: Aaron Lee Battle

Revd Dr. Valerie H. Holly (American Baptist/United Church of Christ) has worked in various ministerial positions at Judson Memorial Church in the West Village. Previously she was Senior Pastor at Unity Fellowship Church of Christ New York City in Brooklyn.  Dr. Holly has also held managerial social work positions in substance abuse, HIV/AIDS, and Employee Assistance Programs.

Dr. Holly received both a Master of Divinity degree and a Doctorate in Ministry degree from New York Theological Seminary. She also holds a Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW) from Columbia University.

Lay Leader: Mary Sheeran, Reception Host: Edie Diane Nichols, Usher: Joanne Downes