Beloved priest celebrates 30 years

By Laurie Gordon
NEWTON — Christ Episcopal Church may be made of bricks and mortar, but it's cornerstone is a man named Father Robert Griner. The chuch's rector since 2003 is known and loved for his faith and dedication as well as his sermons where he delivers lessons in his own style which include some great stories, wit and wisdom. On Sunday morning, the congregation celebrated his 30 years of being a priest with a breakfast and tributes.
The church's kitchen started things off by presenting Rev. Griner with a breakfast in the shape of a cross, and then Rev. Randy Parks took the floor. “I didn't know what to say, so thought I'd sing.” The chaplain at Newton Memorial Hospital and frequent guest preacher at Christ Church proceeded to sing a song he composed all about Rev. Griner.
A slide show included friends from Panama wishing him well. Christ Church has partnered with the Diocese of Panama with the goal of creating mutual understanding, and assisting each other with achieving a shared mission of being Christ's presence in their respective communities. The support provided by Christ Church, Newton, has helped the Diocese of Panama to build a new church in the village of Lajas Lisas, add a new roof and purchase pews for the church in San Jose in La Chorerra, and assist with other construction projects in the diocese.
Others in the slide show wished him congratulations including the Bishop of the Diocese of Newark, of which Christ Church is a part. The Rt. Rev. Mark M. Beckwith said, “I want to celebrate with you,” to the congregation. “His commitment, faith and especially his joy he brings.” Bishop Beckwith also applauded Rev. Griner's family --his wife, Erika, and children, Jesse and Elliot-- for their support of his ministry.
Rev. Griner received a bachelor's degree in psychology from Drew University and studied at The University of Oxford before completing his Master of Divinity Degree at Yale University.
Christ Church is the oldest church in Newton and the third oldest in the Diocese of Newark. The parish traces its origin to December 29, 1769, when a Congregation in Communion with the Church of England was organized in what was then called New Town. The parish was incorporated by royal charter on August 15, 1774. The sheepskin charter currently hangs under glass on the west wall of the nave. Today Christ Church, Newton, is renowned for its beautiful architecture, breathtaking music program, lively children's activities, and its outreach to the community. The congregation continues to grow, church official said.
Rev. Griner is known for intrinsically incorporating anecdotes and humor into his sermons and one time even climbed the scaffolding that had been erected in the church for renovations. He is extremely encouraging of the church's youth members and is very vested in both his family and the community. He's done things like forge a bond between Christ Church and Mount Calvary Baptist Church and Rev. Geroge Martinez in wake of the 2015 South Carolina massacre. He speaks with all due pomp and circumstance at weddings and somehow always knows what to say at a funeral. He also pulls out a special hat called at biretta for such ceremonies as The Annual Blessing of the Animals, the church's annual Palm Sunday procession from the Newton Green up to the church and most recently, to bless the business of one of his parishioners.
“Robert’s feels he has one primary role as the Rector of Christ Church,” said Nick Pachnos, former Christ Church Warden and Vestry Person, “To have Christ become the center of all of his parishioner’s lives. He does it without judgment and/or political leanings. It is all done with the love and grace that Jesus provides of all. This is why Robert is able to lead a growing diverse congregation: all are truly welcomed at Christ Church.”
Pachnos along with Hank Blum and Agnes Beatty were the three people on the search committee who were instrumental in bringing Rev. Griner to the parish.
After all of the tributes, including ones by the ECW (The Episcopalian Women's Group) and the church's vestry, it was Rev. Griner's turn to address the congregation and reflect on the 30 years since his ordination.
He humbly spoke about times he felt he'd “messed up,” and how “God's power is made perfect in weakness.” He reminisced about the day of his ordination 30 years ago and the advice he'd received from a sage shoe-shine man in Morristown. Rev. Griner closed with, “Thanks for putting up with my humanity,” and then, with his trademark, broad smile, he said, “This has been a blast.”
The crowd rose to their feet to give him a well-deserved ovation.