The Clergy, Staff & Leaders
of St. George's

Our Rector
The Rev. Bernard W. Poppe

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,

Our Priest Associate
The Rev. Christian Carroll

The Rev. Christian Carroll has served as Priest Associate at St. George's since her ordination to the priesthood on December 8, 2007.

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.

Our Organist & Choirmaster
John Ayer

John Ayer began as Organist and Choirmaster in April 2008.

John came 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.

Our Parish Administrator
Karen Comi

Karen Comi has served as Parish Administrator of St. George's since 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 add someone to the prayer list; to reserve a room or space at St. George's for a group, committee or private use; to inquire about baptism or confirmation; or to submit bulletin announcements.

Our Wardens
Tom Savoth & Cheryl Notari

Tom Savoth, Senior Warden

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. His area of oversight is Finance.

Cheryl Notari, Junior Warden

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.

The Vestry of St. George's

Class of 2011

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. His area of oversight is Parish Growth & Development.

Cathy Jameson was elected to the Vestry in 2008. She sings in the Choir, is chair of the Finance Committee and is a Mentor of the Dragons Middle School Youth Group. Her area of oversight is Music & Choirs.

 
Valyrie Laedlein was elected to the Vestry in 2008. She is a member of the Outreach Committee and teaches Church School. Her area of oversight is Education.

Class of 2012

Cheryl Thompson Sard was elected to the Vestry in 2006. She has served on several discernment committees and has also been a delegate for two terms to Diocesan Convention, including the one that elected Bishop Croneberger. Her area of oversight is Outreach.

Elaine Bennett was elected to the Vestry in 2007. She is a Layreader and chair of the Communications Committee.

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. His area of oversight is Property.

 
Class of 2013

Tom Edwards was elected to the Vestry in 2009 and serves as Clerk of the Vestry. He is a Youth Mentor to the Senior Youth Group, a member of the Finance Committee, and serves as an acolyte, crucifer, thurifer and Layreader.

Ron Garner was elected to the Vestry in 2010. He is a long-time member of the Absalom Jones Committee. His area of oversight is Communication.

 
Lisa Heher was elected to the Vestry in 2010. She is an Usher and serves on the Altar Guild and the the Coffee Hour Committee. Her area of oversight is Youth.