:
His story begins in Woodbury,
New Jersey, where he attended public
school and participated in musical
theater and choir. He also developed
a strong interest in history.
In junior high school he started
volunteering at the Gloucester County
Historical Society – the youngest
member in its history. He helped with
tours and archiving, and began doing
Chris and Annika Barber with their son, Jaiell
his own research on the side.
He was stationed in the museum’s basement during open houses, where
the Betsy Ross Kitchen was located, along with archaeological exhibits. He
eventually moved up to greet visitors in the Sampler Room, filled with various
ABC samplers.
He loved his time there, including doing independent research into deeds
in the County Clerk’s office, next to the high school. He would pick a random
deed and follow the paperwork of the property from its most recent to its
earliest record. “Many of the research skills and stamina I have today come
from my research in the County Clerk’s office.”
Chris participated in People to People Student Ambassadors in 2003,
visiting England, France, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and Switzerland.
His favorite place was Meiringen, Switzerland.
But, he admits, he was not a very motivated student for a long time. “I
loved to learn and socialize, but didn’t so much enjoy the assigned work. I
didn’t really take charge of my own education until late college. Theological
School was the first time I felt 100% invested in my work. It was a new and
wonderful feeling.”
After his mother married Andrew Bown he became connected with the
New Church and tried out Bryn Athyn College “because I liked the people.”
He only intended to be here for a short time before transferring to study
political science and broadcast journalism, but ended up staying “because I
liked religion.”
“I owe a lot,” he says, “to the first class I took, Religion 101, with Scott
Frazier. His teaching continues to influence me and manifest itself in my own
classroom management and demeanor.”
The most perspective-changing course he took was Divine Love and
Wisdom from the Rev. Prescott Rogers. “His grasp of degrees forever shifted
my understanding of the world around me and the Word.”
“My absolute all-around favorite course in College was Egyptian Art and
Religion with Ed Gyllenhaal. It was a course on Egyptian magic, and it was my
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