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The Reverend Michael Bird Called to New Position of Vicar of Trinity Church Wall Street

(L-R): Father Michael Bird with Edelawit, Catherine and Patrick Bird and their dog Maximus

By Sarah Clifford

Jan. 6, 2020: After 16 years as Rector of Christ Church Bronxville, the Reverend Michael A. Bird, has been called to the new position of Vicar of Trinity Church Wall Street, starting on January 1, 2021. 

The highly regarded Father Bird is known for his powerful, direct and relevant sermons, wide smile, enthusiastic support of young people, considered questioning of the status quo, and commitment to, as he describes, "making our worship nourishing and challenging." 

Christ Church at Christmas 2019

Jennifer Redman, Junior Warden of the Christ Church Vestry, expressed her gratitude for Father Bird's "tireless work, generous offerings of liturgy, light, and love," and for the "transformation of the buildings" and making sure "they were filled with teens looking for love, acceptance, and community; children who were taught to pray and ask big questions; and joyous singing, meaningful liturgy, uplifting sermons, a flourishing youth ministry and performing arts program, a dedicated staff, animals to bless and, also, really delicious chili cook-offs."

Christ Church Bronxville is a beautiful church with a formal feel, but services with Father Bird were more like a get-together. He always connected each Sunday reading to an issue touching the lives of people today. He would make it relevant and important. He would also come down from the pulpit to be closer to the congregation to discuss an important issue in the world or community. Every passing and birthday was recognized.

Father Bird during a service at Christ Church

Over his time at Christ Church, Father Bird presided over 180 baptisms and 40 marriages, sponsored over 250 young people for Confirmation, and led annual youth trips to the Taizé monastery in France and to places like Cuba and Puerto Rico.

Father Bird during baptism at Christ Church Bronxville 

(L-R) Father Bird, Bishop of Cuba, Catherine Bird 

Christ Church Episcopal Youth Community ("EYC") around altar at Taizé

He encouraged growth in the Church's amazing music program and passionately supported both the Eliza Corwin Frost Child Center and the Young at Arts program. Finally and importantly, Bird also helped expand the neighborhood of Christ Church well beyond the borders of Bronxville.  

Christ Church Episcopal Youth Community ("EYC") and Young at Arts Mission trip to Puerto Rico

Selfie of Father Bird with students from Young at Arts on field trip to Philadelphia for Beyoncé concert

The Rev. Jennifer Brown, Assistant to the Rector of Christ Church, described Father Bird's leadership as "a beacon of light in Westchester. Father Bird's commitment to peace, justice, and the sharing of God's unfailing love and mercy has allowed our community to embrace our many differences."  

Mother Brown is also grateful for the part that Father Bird played in her development as a priest. "For the past 13 years, he has helped to shape and form my liturgical and theological outlook, and I am forever grateful for the influence he's had in my life."

Trinity Church Wall Street, located at Broadway and Wall Street in Manhattan, is one of the oldest Episcopal churches in the United States. It was granted a charter by King William III in 1697. The present building is the third on the site and was built in 1846. President Washington worshipped there when New York City was the capital of the United States and other parishioners from this time include John Jay and Alexander Hamilton. The building is a National Historic Landmark. This link to the past is not lost on Father Bird, who has a great appreciation for history.  

Trinity Church Wall Street has a community of more than 1,200 members and has a long history of ministry both locally and globally. It has programs in Music, Arts, and Social Justice and provides significant grants every year to many organizations in the local area and worldwide.

As Vicar of Trinity Church Wall Street, Father Bird will be responsible for setting thematic goals and defining objectives for the Church, being a leader of the priestly functions, fostering fellowship and community, and working with the Priest-in-Charge and Senior Ministry Team to build and maintain many important local and international partnerships.

Father Bird is so grateful for his years at Christ Church and in Bronxville. "To be part of this beloved community, and to participate in its growth, has been an undeserved, unexpected, and deeply appreciated honor," he said.

Father Bird will be greatly missed, but we know he will make a great impact at Trinity Church Wall Street and in all the communities it serves. We wish him all the very best.

Photos courtesy Christ Church Bronxville

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Christ Church Bronxville

Christ Church Bronxville, or "CCBNY" as it's known in the community, is the village's Episcopal church, whose beginnings date back to 1898. The current church, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was completed in 1926 and was designed by Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue, who also designed St. Bartholomew's in New York City and the Chapel at West Point.

CCBNY offers a wide array of programs to its parishioners, who live throughout southern Westchester. The acclaimed music program boasts five choirs; international outreach efforts to Cuba; and education and service programs for family members of all ages. CCBNY is also home to the renowned children's music program Young at Arts (http://www.youngatartsny.org), and Eliza Corwin Frost (www.elizafrostschool.org), a nursery school for children ages 1 to 5.

Our services are as follows:
8:00AM Rite I Spoken Eucharist
10:00AM Family Choral Eucharist, with 11:00 AM Coffee Hour
5:00PM Informal Eucharist or Choral Evensong

"No matter where you are on your spiritual journey there is a home for you at Christ Church. Our worship, music, education and outreach challenge us to embrace holiness and fearlessly share Christ's love."

The Rev. Dr. Kurt J. Gerhard, Rector
17 Sagamore Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-3544 

First Baptist Church

The First Baptist Church was organized in 1854. Its mission is “to reach out as a caring and Christ centered Church to people of all culture and races, helping them to know God and find fellowship with each other through Jesus Christ to the glory of God.”

407 New Rochelle Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-793-2560

http://www.firstbaptistchurchbronxville.com/


Reformed Church of Bronxville

The Reformed Church of Bronxville is the community church in the heart of the village. We welcome people of all faiths and persuasions to be a part of our church family. We have exciting programs to meet your interests including music and the arts, service and outreach, children's ministry and a wonderful Nursery School.

Starting Sept. 7th, we have three Sunday services held at 8:30 am, 10:30 am and 5:00 pm. A Fellowship Coffee Hour is offered after the 10:30 am service. Childcare is available during our 10:30 am service along with Church School classes for children from 2 years old through the 8th grade.

The Reformed Church
180 Pondfield Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-6776
www.reformedchurch.org 


St. Joseph’s Church

St. Joseph Church, which opened its doors in 1925, is the Catholic Church in Bronxville. It offers services on Saturday, Sunday, weekdays and Holy Days. It offers a religious education program for K - 8th grade which takes place on Wednesday during the school year. It also offers a myriad of opportunities for parishioners to meet, share ideas and experiences and help others. The St. Joseph’s School offers classes for K – 8th grade.

15 Cedar Street
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-1660

http://www.saintjosephsbronxville.org/


Village Lutheran Church

The Village Lutheran Church “is a ministry of word and sacraments. This ministry gives opportunities for witness, nurture, fellowship, stewardship and service.” The Chapel School, which goes from pre-school three-year olds through 8th grade, is an integral part of the Church’s ministry for children.

172 White Plains Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-0207

http://www.vlc-ny.org/


West Center Congregational Church

West Center Congregational Church is a member of The United Church of Christ. It welcomes “all who seek to find, know and serve the living God better in all they are and do.”

101 Pondfield Road West
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-3829

www.Westcenterchurch.org


Sinai Free Synagogue

Sinai Free Synagogue is Westchester`s "newest" Reform congregation but its roots go back almost 100 years. Formed in 1999 by a merger of Mount Vernon`s Sinai Temple (founded in 1906 and the first Reform congregation in Westchester County) and the Free Synagogue of Westchester (founded in 1927), the 250-member congregation has a long, distinguished history.

Please check the Calendar for dates and times.

550 North Columbus Avenue
914-664-1727

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