Officers & Board

Bio coming soon.

John “Jock” Bourneuf is currently the VP., Operations for Helix Power Corp, an early-stage company in the energy storage market. 

John has been married to Vicki for 40 years, and together they have two wonderful sons, Sam & Peter. Sam is married to Sewell Robinson and they live in Concord with their two children, Eleanor (Ebbie) age 3 and Theo age 1. They are expecting their third child in February 2025. Peter, age 35, was recently married to Hailey Cosseboom in late September 2024. 

John’s pastimes include working for start-ups and climate change, reading, cycling, competitive rowing, racket sports, fitness and “training for life”.

John has degrees from the MIT Sloan School of Management (MS, Mgt), Northeastern University (MSME) and the University of Notre Dame (BSME & BA). 

Margaret M. (Peg) Brady and her husband, Captain David A. Condino, have been AVC members since in 1993 and were married in the church in 1996.

Peg visited Cape Ann for the first time as student arriving on the schooner, R/V Westward, and was captivated by the natural beauty of Cape Ann. After graduate school, she accepted a position with Massachusetts Audubon Society (MAS) as their North Shore Director.

Following her work at MAS, Peg served as the Assistant Secretary within the MA Executive Office of Environmental Affairs, the Director of the MA Coastal Zone Management Program and the Deputy Director of MA DEP Wetlands & Waterways Program.

Peg received a Bachelor and Master of Science degrees from the University of Rhode Island and attended M.I.T.’s Environmental Policy Group, U.S. Federal Executive Institute, and Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.

Currently, Peg works within NOAA Fisheries’ Office of Science & Technology originally based at the agency’s headquarters and now is based at the regional Gloucester office. Beginning in 2003, Peg served in a number senior policy and strategic planning positons within NOAA, in addition to a detail with the White House Council on Environmental Quality.

Since returning full time to Cape Ann in 2020, Peg has enjoyed volunteering with the Creation Care Team, organizing a number of talks and events. In their spare time, Peg and David enjoy volunteering as lighthouse keepers for the Thacher Straitsmouth Island Association. Peg relishes swimming, gardening and long walks with her fur friend, Thacher.

Clare Byrne grew up in Wenham MA and spent summers with her family in Annisquam. She recently moved with her husband Michael to Annisquam 4 years ago. 

Clare has three grown children that spend much of their time on the water in Annisquam. 

Clare has worked in education for 20 years. Teaching and working in development and fundraising. She has held several board leadership roles at Glen Urquhart School and Pingree School.  

Clare has sat on the AVC Stewardship Committee and currently volunteers for Care Dimensions in Danvers visiting with Hospice patients. Clare feels passionately about service to others and volunteering her time.

I am honored to join the AVC board again.

So much has happened since I was last on the board, when we were settling into a new era lead by our beloved Reverend Sue Koehler-Arsenault. We were defining who we were as a church, and beginning to make policy decisions based on the guiding principles of openness, welcome and love.

These principles are also central to Buddhism, which I studied and taught for many years, and they are foundational to the theater, where I have worked as an actor my entire life.

I look forward to offering whatever I can to the current board, finding ways to open our mission wide. I hope to encourage the congregation to offer their skills and talents, and support Reverend Sue as she continues to inspire us to broaden our reach and deepen our faith.

In addition to serving as Treasurer, Al sits on the Advisory Committee and the Finance Committee.

Al states that “I’m fortunate to participate in a community that sustains and expands my spiritual growth, supports our neighbors and offers me the opportunity to commune with thoughtful, kind and generous people who are living examples for me to emulate.”

Tom Mannle has lived in Gloucester on Wheeler’s Point, Bennett Street, and now Lanesville for more than 25 years. He first started coming in the 1950s in the summer to his Grandparent’s house on Wingaersheek Beach.

In their first period of residence in the 1980s Tom and Ann were parishioners at Sacred Heart Church. Two of his sisters were married at AVC. Encouraged by Jaye Whittier, Tom and Ann started attending Zoom worship in the early pandemic, and found a community as comforting and welcoming as their beloved Sacred Heart used to be. Tom became a member in November 2020 and currently serves on the Finance committee.

Professionally, Tom has been an independent health care consultant for over 20 years; his main clients have been the health care components of the Federal Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs.

Tom has been on the Board of the Cape Ann Symphony for a dozen years, serving also as a past President and currently Treasurer.

Tom is a proud member of the West Point Class of 1971 and served as Class President for 10 years. He’s also been an active US Rowing Referee for 24 seasons, and is looking forward to warm weather and chasing races once again.

Since living in Gloucester briefly in the mid-90s, Laura returned to Cape Ann frequently and decided to move permanently to Lanesville in 2015. She was seeking a greater sense of community and belonging and discovered a welcoming spirit at the AVC.

Becoming a member in 2017, Laura helped with an online auction, tried her hand at the chimes, and attended book groups. She has since participated in DEI and Creation Care team activities and has been attending the Thursday night prayer group regularly. “The Thursday prayer group has been a surprising source of joy and has broadened my concept of faith.”

Laura has worked in educational publishing for over 40 years as an editorial manager of elementary classroom programs in art, social studies, and reading/language arts. She strives to create children’s books in which all readers can see themselves. She is an avid reader of contemporary fiction and nonfiction—and, on occasional Sundays at AVC, assists with the “child in all of us” book readings during worship.

“It has been exciting to see the growth at AVC in recent years,” she says. “Reverend Sue has an amazing ability to ground us in God’s grace each week. There are so many ways that this community makes a difference in our world.”

My husband and I joined the AVC shortly after moving to Gloucester from Salem in 2015. How could we not? The building is just across the street! AVC’s non-doctrinal services and the opportunity to meet our new neighbors made joining an easy decision—one that we have not regretted.

I look forward to serving as Clerk and feel confident that a forty-some-year stint in the publishing industry has laid the groundwork for success in the role. Having just retired as Interim Clerk, my husband has thoughtfully handed off his quill to me.

John has been coming to Annisquam Village Church since he lived in the house across the street in the early 90’s. He loves the community focus of the church and the church’s welcome to people of all spiritual backgrounds.

Jim O’Neill first came in contact with the AVC community on Zoom when the pandemic hit. “I have been impressed with the church’s concern about climate issues, racial issues, and the lgbtqi acceptance. I find the services transformative, inspiring and engaging. I love the way Rev. Sue harmonizes faith, culture and everyday life in her sermons.

I live in Lawrence and retired from teaching Religious Studies last June at Central Catholic High School after 44 years. Currently I am director of the Marist House in Lawrence where we host people while they volunteer at the Lazarus House Ministry.”

Bud Ris has attended the Annisquam Village Church for many years, first as a summer resident starting in the early eighties, then as a more regular participant when he and his wife, Peg, bought a home in Annisquam in 2015. They have been active in many Church and Village activities, ranging from the Wax Works to the Annisquam Farmers Market. What he appreciates most about the AVC is the role it serves in bringing the community together.

Bud has a long history working with non-profits, having served on many boards and as CEO of the Union of Concerned Scientists and the New England Aquarium.

Bud is currently Chair of Boston Harbor Now, a trustee at the Boston Society of Architects, and a Senior Advisor to the Boston Green Ribbon Commission. Much of his professional work in these roles has focused on climate change mitigation and adaptation.

In Annisquam, Bud has been delighted to share his expertise on climate change with the AVC Creation Care Committee and various public forums on sea level rise.

Emma Sprague, and her husband Matt White (member of the choir), moved to Gloucester in December 2019, got married at the Annisquam Village Church in June 2023, and became members of the congregation in January 2024.

Emma’s relationship with Annisquam began as a child, gathering each summer with her grandparents and extended family on Norwood Heights.

Emma is Managing Partner of KNP Communications, a firm that specializes in helping its clients become great communicators. She has 15 years of experience designing and executing training programs for leading national foundations, nonprofit, policy and advocacy organizations.

Emma has honed an individual coaching practice focused on amplifying the voices of successful women and young leaders across sectors, and has a wealth of experience in management and high-visibility event execution.

Emma attended Bates College, where she now serves on the Board of Trustees, and received an MPA from Harvard Kennedy School of Government. 

Outside of AVC, Emma can be spotted at dog hour on Lighthouse Beach, walking around the village, or selling crafts at the Annisquam Farmer’s Market or Annual AVC Art Show!