The Rev'd Charles H. Bauer, Associate Rector Christian Formation
The Rev'd Charlie Bauer serves the children, youth, and family communities at Bruton Parish, is Chaplain to the Episcopal Church at the College of William & Mary (Canterbury), and coordinates adult formation. A native of southeastern Wisconsin, Charlie first arrived in Williamsburg to attend the College of William & Mary, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, concentrating in medieval music theory. He was an active member of Canterbury throughout his undergraduate years. He left to attend seminary in New York City in 2013, graduating from The General Theological Seminary in 2016 with a Master of Divinity. Ordained in 2016, Charlie previously served as the Curate at Hickory Neck Episcopal Church in Toano, VA. Charlie is active in ministry beyond the parish, serving on the Board of Directors for Chanco on the James, and is a member of the diocesan Disciplinary Board, Program, Budget, & Review Committee, and chairs the Credentials Committee. Charlie is married to Kelly, a Williamsburg native and William & Mary graduate. She is a local pre-school teacher. Together, they have two young daughters and one cat. Charlie enjoys hiking, cooking, and is an avid fan of his hometown Milwaukee Brewers baseball team. He has a passion for uplifting all persons in ministry and discovering new ways for us all to engage in our faith.
The Rev'd Lauren M. McDonald, Associate Rector Outreach & Women's Ministries
The Rev. Lauren McDonald joined the staff of Bruton Parish in May of 2016 as a part-time Associate. In addition to working with Mission and Outreach and Women’s Ministries, Lauren leads labyrinth walks, online Bible studies, book groups, and retreats. She also serves as the Director of Spiritual and Community Programming at SpiritWorks Foundation, a recovery community organization in Williamsburg for individuals and families healing from the disease of addiction. One of her favorite ministires is planning and leading the First Fridays Recovery Eucharist, hosted by SpiritWorks and held at Bruton. Previously Lauren served as the Associate Rector at Hickory Neck Church in Toano and as the Episcopal Chaplain to Christopher Newport University. Ordained a priest in 2008, Lauren received her Master of Divinity degree from Seabury Western Theological Seminary. Her first vocation was to the theatre, receiving her B.A. in Theatre from the University of the South in Sewanee, TN and then working as a professional stage manager for 15 years, including 12 years at Virginia Stage Company in Norfolk. Born and raised in Georgia, Lauren considers Virginia her adult home. She enjoys exploring spiritual practices, hiking, reading, writing, and snuggling with her two cats, Spirit and Shadow.