Disciples of Christ Chalice

Everyone is welcome.

We think with our heart and our mind.

Our creed is love.

We honor all paths to the Holy.

Open and Affirming Ministries

We are an inclusive people openly welcoming persons of all sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, race, ethnicity, socio-economic status or any other designation of individuals who have known the pain of exclusion and discrimination by the church and society. We declare ourselves to be an Open and Affirming congregation, professing that all people are God’s children and deserve full inclusion in the life, leadership, ministry, fellowship, worship, sacraments of communion and baptism, as well as the church rites of marriage, death, and ordination, and the responsibilities, and blessings of participation in our congregation. With open hearts, open minds, and open doors, we invite anyone who seeks God’s amazing grace to join our church family. As Disciples, we find identity at the Lord’s table, practicing open communion for all and embracing our mission of building bridges of grace from the welcome table to every table.

Ministry Leaders

J. David Griffin

J. David Griffin, D.Min. - Minister

David has been the minister at Wake Forest Christian Church since Advent 2016. Throughout David’s life he has felt an “incendent” presence in his life. This presence was greatly enriched when, through active imagination, he experienced his own origin of creation in the wine cellar at the C. G. Jung Institute in Küsnacht, Switzerland. In more recent years he has felt called to study wisdom literature and the mystics, especially his beloved Meister Eckhart.

David is a certified teacher of the Enneagram and conducts classes at WFCC and other locations training people on how to better understand the multidimensional nature of our personality. 

David has been an active parish minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) for fifty years — and counting. Throughout his ministry of preaching, counseling, social justice, and during his own sacred times of retreat, David has felt the yearning to bless others. That yearning led him to write the book Forest Blessings, a compilation of the blessings with which he ends each worship.

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Marisa Chilton

Marisa Chilton - Music Director

Marisa grew up in Fairfax, VA and first realized her love of music as a kid singing in church. She served as cantor and sang in various school and church choirs throughout elementary and high schools, eventually studying voice at James Madison University for 2 years. Marisa graduated with a BBA in Business Management and worked various stressful desk jobs until becoming a stay-at-home parent upon the birth of her son, Nathan, in 2014. She has lived in Wake Forest for the past 9 years with her family: husband Jim, son Nathan, daughter Lia, cat Maddy, and dog Momo. 

She began streaming WFCC services during the pandemic and immediately connected with its liturgy, which she shared with her husband and children. Marisa is thrilled to be a member of this warm, religiously open-minded community.

 
Cheryl Crews

Cheryl Crews - Accompanist

Our talented accompanist, Cheryl, has been playing piano since age seven. She received her Bachelors Degree in Piano Performance from Bowling Green State University where she received a Music Talent Award Scholarship. She also holds a Master’s Degree in Piano Performance from Ohio State University. In addition to being accompanist at WFCC, she works as a piano instructor for MFMusic Studio in Holly Springs.

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Lori Hubbard - Communications

Lori knew she wanted to spread the word about WFCC after her very first worship experience when she heard that they were a church that thinks with heart and mind, welcomes all, has love as their creed, and honors all paths to the holy. An NC native and 30+ year native of Wake Forest, she loves creating newsletters, emails and Facebook posts letting the community know what is happening in the life of our church.

Loye Messina

Loye Messina - Green Chalice Team

Loye loves being outside, hiking, backpacking, kayaking in God's wonderful creation. She leads the WFCC Green Chalice team, working with others to develop this ministry. Last year the team installed water coolers to replace plastic water bottles, provided education on composting, and coordinated the purchase of compost bins for the church and its members. Loye is passionate about learning more about how we can have a positive impact on climate change.

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Chuck Rice, Leslie Rice, Steve Divens, Gary Ushino

Our behind the scenes sound team getting us online each week and making sure we can hear the message and the music. 

Kathleen Laughlin

Kathleen Laughlin - Missions

Kathleen has attended WFCC since November 2019. She loves cycling, hanging with her grandson, and participating in life at WFCC (not necessarily in that order!). "The message that drew me to this community and that keeps me coming back is this: there is nothing you can do to keep God from loving you. How had I attended church for so long without understanding the pure immensity of God’s love for me? And there is nothing I can do to stop it!" Kathleen is a Missions Leader, serves on Admin Council and as an elder, and is treasurer of the WF Crop Hunger Walk.

We Are a Certified Green Chalice Congregation

What Does That Mean?

Wake Forest Christian Church Is committed to Honoring and Preserving God's Creation.  

What We Do

In the day to day activities of the Church, we strive to be mindful of recycling, composting, and making purchases that derive from sustainable practice.

More Info...

Green Chalice Program