Staff and Clergy
REV. Dave Friedrich, Rector
Dave was born and raised in Canada. After studying philosophy at York University in Toronto and completing his master’s degree in spiritual theology at Regent College in Vancouver, he made his way to Europe. Eventually he landed in Switzerland where he lived and worked at L’Abri, a ministry of Christian hospitality and cultural engagement. There he met his wife Anna, to whom he has been joyfully married for 18 years. Besides serving at L’Abri for a decade, Dave has worked at a bank, been a professional fire fighter/paramedic, a swing dance instructor, and a youth pastor. He was ordained as an Anglican priest in 2013 and was received into the Anglican Church in North America in 2018. Dave and Anna are (prayerfully!) raising their two teenage sons, Cole and Adam.
Ryan Ruffing, ASSISTANT PASTOR
Ryan is originally from Ohio and has lived in Boston since 2007. After studying philosophy and biology at Kenyon College in Ohio, he worked in Boston’s nonprofit sector for five years, and then worked in campus ministry for two years. He graduated from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and has a deep love for the arts, philosophy, social justice, and dialoguing with friends about life’s big questions. He has been a member of CotC since 2009, served as music director from 2013 to 2018, and then as director for college and young adults ministry. Ryan is married and the Ruffings have 3 children.
SARA WILLIAMS, Director of Children’s Ministry
A native New Englander, Sara was born and raised in Massachusetts 45 minutes outside of Boston. She now lives in Brookline with her husband Kyle. Sara attended Gordon College and received her bachelors in Early Childhood Education and Linguistics. She then completed her M.Ed in Curriculum & Instruction with a concentration in Trauma & Resilience in Educational Settings from Concordia Nebraska. Filling a variety of roles in the MA public schools, Sara has taught 2nd grade, long-term subbed, and worked as a special education teacher’s assistant. Sara has always had a passion for helping children learn and grow and is excited to now help children and families learn and grow in their faith as Director of Children’s Ministry. In her free time, Sara enjoys making and eating yummy gluten-free foods (especially involving potatoes or chocolate), crafting, going to the beach, and reading memoirs.
Anna Burden, Director for Youth Ministry
Anna grew up in North Carolina before attending Eastern University to study Youth Ministry and Dance. She met her husband, Colin, in college and they moved to Quincy in 2022. Anna cares about inviting young people into the full life of the church and also works part time supporting student ministry and the next generation of leaders for the ACNA. In addition to her church work, Anna also teaches dance in Newton. Anna loves a good cup of coffee, an empty dance studio, and her two cats: Carl and Mr. Pickles.
GARRETT RICE, DIRECTOR FOR COLLEGIATE AND YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY
Garrett is originally from California. He and his family moved to the Boston area in 2021 for him to attend the Master of Theology program at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary which he completed in 2023. Garrett also holds a BA in church ministry from Hope International University and an MDiv from Fuller Theological Seminary. He loves all things ancient history and dreams about one day going on an archeological dig. He enjoys working with his hands, fixing things, and can usually be found cooking in the kitchen. Garrett serves college students and young adults in our community through a partnership with the Coalition for Christian Outreach. Garrett is married to his wife, Shayna. They have one rambunctious daughter.
DANIEL AND MEGAN TAVANI, Directors of Music
Daniel and Megan are originally from Virginia and both ended up at Rice University in Houston, studying classical cello performance. Their shared faith, musical interests, and time together worship-leading at various ministries naturally brought them together. After school (and a couple years of Daniel working in campus ministry), they got married in 2019 and moved to Boston, sensing God’s call to pursue other avenues of music-making. Daniel recently completed the Music Production and Engineering program at the Berklee College of Music, and Megan is releasing her own songs under her artist name, davy. They love Church of the Cross and are so blessed to be able to lead their community in worship!
KARA RAPP, LIAISON FOR FOSTERING HOPE
Kara grew up in the Chicago area, where she first learned to endure harsh, long winters. After several moves around the country, the Rapp family (including husband Peter and their three kids) landed in Boston in early 2021 and are grateful to dig deep roots in this city and church community. Kara has work experience in education and business management, and is currently a part-time Associate Director of Business at a local elementary school. She is also pursuing a Master's degree in Mental Health Counseling at Regis College. She is thrilled to see her work experience integrate with her field of academic study in her role at CotC, supporting families who are called to care for vulnerable children.
REV. PETE WILLIAMSON, Deacon of Mission and Catechesis
Pete moved to Boston from New Zealand in 2011 to pursue an MDiv at Harvard Divinity School which he completed in 2014. He joined CotC in 2011 and was ordained as a Deacon in 2018. Pete serves as a Campus Minister with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship as Team Leader for Grad Ministry at Harvard. Before coming to Boston he was a High School teacher, teaching Physics and Math. He has a passion for Biblical Studies, particularly the Old Testament, but will also talk your ears off about cricket, spaceflight, or electric vehicles. At CotC he leads Catechesis, including the Foundations Group, and evangelistic initiatives. He met his wife, Kelly, in Boston, and they have four sons.
Rev. Anna Friedrich, ARTS Pastor
Anna Friedrich was ordained in October 2022. She is wife to Dave, Mama to Cole and Adam, and adoring pet owner to Fiona and Virginia. She loves textiles, words, and cinnamon — but still hasn’t found a way to bring those together meaningfully. Anna has attended CotC since 2017 and has especially loved being a part of our Easter Vigil. As a poet herself, Anna longs to see the local church become a more welcoming place for artists to be known, discipled, blessed, and released to do their craft excellently, as well as to embrace their work as essential to the kingdom of God.
corinne sampson, Justice and Mercy Neighborhood Group Liaison
Corinne grew up around the country and the world but considers New England her home base. She moved to Boston in 2022 to pursue a Master's degree in Macro Social Work with an emphasis in health at the community level and hopes to continue work in the health equity sphere after graduation. Corinne is passionate about the call of the Church to love and know our neighbors across all neighborhoods. She is excited to develop connections with organizations, churches, and people across our city who are passionate about the care of those within the context of Greater Boston. With an undergrad degree in music, Corinne loves to discover new artists and creative art spaces within the city. In her down time, you will find her crocheting and exploring new coffee shops in the city.