Members of St. Andrew’s Church in Walden and St. Francis of Assisi Church in Montgomery welcomed Reverend Chanta Bhan as their new interim priest. Rev. Bhan took over for Canon Nicole Hanley, the churches’ former priest-in-charge, who became a regional canon for congregations across the West Hudson region.

Rev. Bhan lived in Upstate New York before moving to the Village of Walden this past June. She graduated from Barnard College in Columbia University with a concentration in Asian and Middle Eastern cultures, then taught 7th to 12th grade at a private high school for two years, and graduated from Harvard Divinity School with two master’s degrees in world religion and divinity.

Following Harvard Divinity School, Rev. Bhan pursued a career in chaplaincy and took on several different roles. Over the years, she served as a corporate hospice chaplain covering half of Massachusetts, a chaplain at Boston College, an interfaith chaplain at the Floating Hospital for Children, an interfaith chaplain at Tufts Medical Center, and an associate university chaplain at Tufts University.

In 2011, Rev. Bhan joined the Episcopal Church after several people invited her; she quickly learned about the church’s different services and made many new friends. She became an Episcopal priest in 2021 and served numerous churches and schools in New York, Texas, and Virginia for six years.

“A lot of people invited me to the Episcopal Church. When I first entered the church, I didn’t understand what was going on,” Rev. Bhan said on October 3. “But then I spent more time there; I learned about how Jesus is present in all aspects of the service and I made a lot of friends there.”

On June 1, Rev. Bhan became the interim priest for St. Andrew’s and St. Francis per the members’ invitation. She is responsible for assisting both churches with their services, community outreach, and other needs; creating an environment for the next priest to ensure a smooth transition; understanding the churches’ strengths, including things that they may take for granted; and overseeing St. Andrew’s child care program.

“I was invited to serve as interim priest here. They were looking for someone who understands these different types of church-based organizations,” Rev. Bhan said on October 3. “I am helping both churches in any areas where assistance is needed, creating an environment for the next priest to come in and meet people, and observing the churches’ gifts as I try to remind them of their strengths and what they do well.”

Rev. Bhan has greatly enjoyed serving St. Andrew’s and St. Francis over the last few months. She described the churches as very unique organizations with interesting experiences and “devoted, faithful, and loving” members. As a newcomer to Walden, she appreciates the small village feel, the area’s rural beauties, activities that bring the community together, and the camaraderie between residents. Rev. Chanta is eager to continue working with both churches and supporting them however she can.

“There have been so many interesting experiences here because of the partnership between St. Andrew’s and St. Francis. Both churches are very unique, and it’s been a valuable experience for me to work with both communities,” Rev. Bhan said on October 3. “The people are devoted, faithful, and loving people who want the best for their community. And they extend themselves so much! They’re taking on responsibilities at the churches that are normally paid positions, as they balance their jobs and families. This is all because they love their community. Each and every day, they are showing the love of Christ to each other and to the wider community!”

“I am so grateful for the warm welcome, it’s been so nice to get to know a lot of people,” she continued. “I appreciate that they’ve included me in so many activities; I’ve never lived in a small village before, and Walden has opened my mind to the natural beauty of this area and to all the people who care about each other.”