Clergy,
Lay Leaders
& Staff
Rector: The Reverend Bernard W. Poppe
The Reverend Bernard Poppe, Rector of St. George's
with the Most Reverend Katharine Jefferts Schori,
Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church
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Like so many in Maplewood, I’m a New York City transplant. I came to St. George's as Rector in the fall of 2002, drawn by the blend of neighborhood and family living with a commitment to progressive Christian faith and a practical grasp of the connections between urban and suburban issues, culture and spirit.
I grew up in Warwick, Rhode Island, as a "cradle Episcopalian," the last of four children. Life revolved around school, sports and church. I went to public schools until college brought me to Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts. Even during high school I felt called to the Episcopal priesthood, but let it stay on the back burner during college and for a couple years afterward, during which I taught school in the Alaskan panhandle and Eskimo villages.
The call to ordination was even greater than my love for classroom teaching and the rural life, so in 1981 I moved to New York City and the General Theological Seminary. After graduation and ordination in 1984, I spent the next 18 years in urban settings, serving as curate of Grace Church, Newark; Associate Rector of St. Anne and Holy Trinity, Brooklyn Heights; and for a decade as Rector of St. Mark's in Jackson Heights, Queens, before coming to Maplewood.
My ministry has taken many shapes over the years but the constant has been a love of the liturgy and experiencing God in the sacred and mystical. In the context of the neighborhoods of my churches, I organized or was part of housing programs, community organizations for local improvement, food banks, ESL programs, pre-schools, ecumenical movements and youth work.
After returning to the Diocese of Newark I joined the Commission on Ministry and am on its subcommittees of Education and Diaconal Formation, and in January 2007 I had the privilege of chairing the Consecration Committee for the Consecration of the Rt. Rev. Mark Beckwith as the 10th Bishop of Newark. I am a board member of the House of the Good Shepherd and of Turning Point Community Services, and I am a minister to Daytop, an alcohol and drug rehab center for adolescents. In Maplewood, I serve on the Municipal Alliance for Drug and Alcohol Prevention.
As a pastor, I have done much counseling, preparation for the sacraments of Baptism and Marriage, and grief work as well as burial of the dead. On a lighter note I like to cook and take a great deal of pleasure in hosting small and large church gatherings – or in being a very grateful guest! Jesus said wherever two or three are gathered, he will be there also. In work and fellowship I love meeting Jesus among other people.
Having personally experienced God's spiritual healing, I believe firmly that we are all healers, called to deepen our relationship to God through the healing we extend to others and turn to for ourselves. Our regular Wednesday healing service and the prayers we offer each week at the main Sunday worship demonstrate the inward desire to participate in this call, to reach out and claim the healing promised by God for our souls.
I welcome you to St. George's and hope that you will find a spiritual home here. We take our relationships to God and each other seriously and continually work to build a strong community of faith and fellowship. Come join us.
In faith,
Priest Associate
The Rev. Christian Carroll
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The Rev. Christian Carroll has served as Priest Associate at St. George's since her ordination to the priesthood on December 8, 2007. (See photos of Chris's ordination.)
Before earning a master's degree in divinity from Drew University's Theological School and entering the priesthood, Chris earned master's degrees in psychology and social work, and worked as a clinical social worker.
In addition to assisting the Rector, Chris will be involved in adult education and spiritual direction. She can be reached at 973-762-1319 or via
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Deacon Associate
The Rev. Deacon Christine McCloud
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The Rev. Deacon Christine McCloud has served as Deacon Associate since July 2007.
Chris and her partner Carla and their two sons came to St. George's in September 2002 where Chris served on a host of parish guilds and ministries, including the Vestry. During this time, Chris entered into discernment for the permanent Diaconate and was sponsored by the community of St. George's for ordination in June 2006.
Chris and her partner are the founders of Turning Point Community Services, Inc. which provides emergency housing, transitional housing, advocacy and a host of supportive services to women and their children. Chris currently serves as Board Chair and provides pastoral counseling to clients. As well, she is a member of the Diocese of Newark's Reparations Task Force, Liturgy and Music Task Force, and is a Trustee of the Newark School of Theology.
In addition to assisting the Rector, Chris will be involved in Healing Ministries, Pastoral Care and various Outreach ministries. She can be reached at 908-591-7191 or via
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Seminarian Intern
Mary Davis
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Mary Davis is a Postulant for Ordination in the Diocese of Newark and in her second year of the M.Div. Program at Drew University's Theological School. She will be serving as Seminarian Intern at St. George's for the 2007-2008 academic year.
Mary comes to St. George's from her home parish of 16 years, Calvary Episcopal Church in Summit. She and her husband reside in New Providence with their three sons.
Mary will be available at St. George's on Sundays and Mondays, and will be involved in the healing and visitation ministries. She can be reached at 973-762-1319 or via
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Tom Savoth
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Wardens
Tom Savoth has been a Warden since March 2007 and has served on the Vestry since 2004. He is co-chair of the Stewardship Task Force, a member of the Finance Committee, and has served as an Usher for many years.
Area of oversight: Finance.
Cheryl Notari
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Cheryl Notari has been a Warden since March 2008 and has served on the Vestry since 2003. She chairs the Committee on Youth Ministry and serves as a Youth Mentor to the Senior Youth Group. Cheryl is also a long-time member of the Diocesan Arrangements Committee, which is responsible for the smooth running of the annual Diocesan Convention.
Area of oversight: Youth.
Vestry - Class of 2009
Rob McGrath,
Cheryl Thompson Sard
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Rob McGrath was elected to the Vestry in 2006. He sings in the Choir, performs in Broadway Revues and Shakespearean events, and participates in organizing Parish Life activities.
Area of oversight: Parish Life.
Cheryl Thompson Sard was elected to the Vestry in 2006. She has served on several discernment committees and has been an usher and a Confirmation class mentor. She has also been a delegate for two terms to Diocesan Convention, including the one that elected Bishop Croneberger, and is currently an alternate delegate.
Kirk Petersen
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Area of oversight: Outreach.
Kirk Petersen was elected to the Vestry in 2008. He chairs the Property Committee and also serves on the Communications Committee and as a Lector.
Area of oversight: Property.
Vestry - Class of 2010
Beth Rauen Sciaino, Jane Cates, Elaine Bennett
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Beth Rauen Sciaino was elected to the Vestry in 2007. She is a Youth Mentor to the Senior Youth Group and serves as an acolyte/crucifer, Layreader, and healing intercessor. She is also a postulant for ordination in the Diocese of Newark.
Area of oversight: Worship.
Jane Cates was elected to the Vestry in 2004 and is currently Vestry Clerk. She has been the director of the Church School program for five years now, and taught Church School for several years before that. She chairs Spiritual Book Group and the Purls, is on the Youth Ministry Committee, and serves as a Layreader.
Area of oversight: Education.
Elaine Bennett was elected to the Vestry in 2007. She chairs the Communications Committee and is co-chair of Amicus/Amica. She also sings in the Choir, serves as a Layreader, and performs in Broadway Revues and Shakespearean events.
Area of oversight: Communications.
Vestry - Class of 2011
Cathy Jameson, Bill Jaglowski, Valyrie Laedlein
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Cathy Jameson was elected to the Vestry in 2008. She sings in the Choir and is a member of the Finance Committee and a Mentor of the Dragons Middle School Youth Group.
Area of oversight: Music & Choirs.
Bill Jaglowski was elected to the Vestry in 2004. He is the director of the Greeters Ministry, and also serves as an Usher, Layreader and Eucharistic Minister. In the Diocese of Newark he represents St. George's as a delegate to Diocesan Convention.
Area of oversight: Parish Growth & Development.
Valyrie Laedlein was elected to the Vestry in 2008. She is a member of the Outreach Committee and teaches Church School.
Area of oversight: Clerk of the Vestry.
Organist & Choirmaster
John Ayer
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John Ayer began as Organist & Choirmaster in April 2008.
John comes to St. George's from a similar position at Readington Reformed Church in Readington, NJ. He previously served as Interim Music Director at Trinity Church in Princeton, and before that for 17 years as Organist and Choirmaster at St. John's Episcopal Church in Memphis, TN.
John graduated from the Hartt College of Music with a double major in organ and choral conducting, received two master's degrees in organ and sacred music from Southern Methodist University, and pursued doctoral studies at the Eastman School of Music.
John can be reached in the parish office at 973-762-1319 ext. 2 or via
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See also Choirs & Music at St. George's.
Parish Administrator
Karen Comi began as Parish Administrator of St. George's in April 2003.
Karen is in the parish office Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. She is the person to contact to reserve a room or space at St. George's, to submit bulletin announcements and Dragon Tales articles, or to add someone to the prayer list. Karen can be reached at 973-762-1319 ext. 1 or via
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