The congregation of St. Peter's gathered for Sunday worship

Parish News · September 2026

A New Chapter for St. Peter's

Thanks Be to God

The Rev. Pierre-Henry Buisson and his wife, Sophie, smiling together outdoors

Welcome, Pierre-Henry & Sophie

It is with great joy that we welcome the Reverend Pierre-Henry Buisson and his wife, Sophie, into the St. Peter's church family. On Sunday, September 27, 2026, Pierre-Henry celebrated his first service as the tenth full-time rector in our more than 150-year history.

Pierre-Henry comes to us with more than 35 years of ordained ministry in France and the United States, most recently as Rector of the Church of the Ascension in Westminster, Maryland. We look forward to all that we will share together — in worship, in fellowship, and in service to Geneva and the Finger Lakes.

Above all, we give thanks to God, who walked with us through this season of transition and guided us to one another. Please keep Pierre-Henry and Sophie in your prayers as they make their home among us.

Meet our rector

With Gratitude to Our Search Committee

For more than two years, the members of our Search Committee gave faithfully of their time, their wisdom, and their prayers — listening to the voice of our parish, preparing our Parish Profile, and discerning with great care whom God was calling to lead us. This new chapter is the fruit of their devoted work, and we are deeply grateful to each of them.

Deborah J. Proffitt Co-Chair

Deb is a retired school administrator from the Canandaigua City School District, who served over 30 years in education. Upon receiving her school administrative degree, Deb held various positions including Director of Special Programs, Elementary Principal, and Assistant Superintendent of Instruction. She also served on several boards, including the Geneva Boys and Girls Club, Ontario ARC, and Ontario Ethics Committee. Deb and her husband Stan were both active members of St. Peter's from approximately 1995–2002, serving as ushers, chalice bearers, and readers. They returned to St. Peter's in June 2023.

Greg Van Laeken Co-Chair

Greg has been a dedicated member of St. Peter's since 1999. He served on the Vestry from 2008 to 2017 and has been a member of the Diocesan Investment Committee since 2013. Greg and his wife Gwen were married at St. Peter's, and their three children were baptized and confirmed here. Professionally, Greg is the Managing Director for Investments at Rochester Institute of Technology, where he oversees multiple investment portfolios and teaches international finance and derivatives as an adjunct professor at the Saunders College of Business. He holds a bachelor's degree in economics and an MBA, both from RIT.

CB Edgar

CB identifies as a cradle Episcopalian, having been baptized and confirmed at the same church where his grandparents and great-grandparents were buried. He has been continuously active in the Episcopal Church as a youth advisor, confirmation sponsor, and godparent, and is active in Cursillo and the Order of Saint Luke the Physician. He has completed extensive Christian education, including Logos Bible Study and Education for Ministry. Before retirement, CB was an engineer and manager at Qualcomm.

Dave Gallaher

Dave considers himself a cradle Episcopalian, having grown up in Christ Church in Hornell, NY. He served in the Navy during Vietnam and joined St. Peter's in 1972. Over his 50+ years as a member, he has served as an acolyte, chalice bearer, visiting lay eucharistic minister, and has held multiple vestry terms including Junior and Senior Warden. Upon retirement, he completed the four-year Education for Ministry program through the University of the South. Dave has also served on the Diocesan Commission on Ministry.

Sue Mook

Sue was born and raised in Geneva and has attended St. Peter's her whole life. She was confirmed, married, and has three children baptized at St. Peter's. Sue served on the vestry for two terms and remains active in services. She has been an RN since graduating from Keuka College in 1996 and currently serves as Director of Quality Improvement and Accreditation for Ontario County Public Health.

Josephine Perry

Josephine grew up in Rochester and attended Catholic schools before receiving her BS (1962) and MS (1965) from SUNY Geneseo, where she and her husband Kenneth joined the Episcopal Church. The couple joined St. Peter's in 1962. Josephine retired from a 35-year teaching career in 1997. Over the years she has served on the Diocesan Council, the Vestry, and as Junior and Senior Warden, and as church treasurer. In 2000 she received the Diocesan Award for Distinguished Community Service from Bishop McKelvey.

James Trowbridge

Jim and his wife Wendra joined St. Peter's in 1994. Jim can often be heard playing instruments, singing, or coordinating the Neighbors' Night program. He is a recently retired instrumental music educator from Midlakes High School and is an adjunct faculty member at HWS through their education department. Jim and Wendra have been members of St. Peter's for 30 years and have raised their three sons in the parish.

Wendra Trowbridge

Wendra is the Director of Music at St. Peter's and Director of the Community Children's Choir at the St. Peter's Community Arts Academy. She also serves as an adjunct vocal instructor at Hobart and William Smith Colleges. Wendra came to St. Peter's in 1994 with her husband Jim, joined the adult choir, and was hired as director of the children's choir program. Her experience teaching vocal music in New York public schools and time spent singing with a missionary group prepared her for the position.