Bishop Stokes has called two Task Forces to advise the Diocese as we move to the next stage of the COVID-19 crisis.
The COVID-19 Learnings and Breakthroughs (L&B) Task Force is looking at “lessons learned” during the crisis, ways of connecting with our congregations and communicating more effectively. The Task Force will develop recommendations and guidance to help us retain all the good things we’ve learned during this period. Contact the Learnings and Breakthroughs Task Force.
The COVID-19 Reentering, Reopening, Reimagining (RRR) Task Force is developing guidelines and advice as our church buildings move through the phases of re-opening. Their initial report is due June 5.
RRR Task Force Members
This team is committed to providing preliminary guidance by June 5th so that parishes may begin the planning process. Each parish will create its own plan and submit it for review to the Task Force. We anticipate that the time it takes each parish to create and implement their plan will vary greatly. While some parishes may be able to resume limited use of their buildings shortly after the release of the guidelines, others may plan to open months later based upon the unique needs, composition, staffing and location of each parish. –The RRR Task Force
Title |
First Name |
Last Name |
Church |
Position |
The Rev. Canon |
Valerie |
Balling |
St. Peter’s, Medford |
Committee Chair; Rector; Chair – Commission on Liturgy |
Ms. |
Annette |
Buchanan |
St. Augustine’s, Asbury Park |
Vestry Member; Chair – Commission on Black Ministries |
Captain |
Louis |
Cavaliere |
Grace, Merchantville |
Treas.; Asst. Diocesan Disaster Recovery Coord.; US Navy (Ret.) |
Mr. |
Anthony |
Conrad |
Christ Church, South Amboy |
Sr. Warden |
The Rev. |
Paul |
Jeanes |
Trinity, Princeton |
Rector |
The Very Rev. |
Rene |
John |
Trinity Cathedral, Trenton |
Cathedral Dean; Diocesan Council; Black Clergy Caucus |
Dr. |
Philip |
Lewis, MD, MPH |
Trinity Cathedral, Trenton |
Congregational Dev. Comm.; Epidemiologist – Bishop’s Advisor |
Mr. |
Tom |
MacArthur |
St. Peter’s, Barnegat Light |
Sr. Warden |
The Rev. |
Jorge |
Martinez, Dcn. |
St. John’s, Elizabeth |
Priest-in-Charge (PIC); Hispanic Commission |
The Rev. |
Emily |
Mellott |
Trinity, Moorestown |
Rector; Chair – Discerning Our Common Call Committee |
Ms. |
Carolann |
Nicholas |
St. Augustine’s, Asbury Park |
Senior Warden |
Mr. |
Michael |
Redpath |
St. John’s, Little Silver |
Transitions Consultant; Cong. Dev. Comm. |
The Rev. |
Maria |
Sanzo |
St. Raphael’s, Brick |
Vicar; Public Health Nurse |
Ms. |
Michelle |
Scarpulla |
St. Peter’s, Medford |
Sr. Warden; Public Health Educator |
The Rev. Canon Dr. |
Kara |
Slade |
Trinity, Princeton |
Associate Priest; College Chaplain; Diocesan Canon Theologian |
The Rev. |
Megan |
Thomas |
St. Luke’s, Ewing |
Priest-in-Charge; Lawyer |
The Very Rev. |
Matt |
Tucker |
Christ Church, Bordentown |
Rector; Convoc. Dean; Standing Comm. VP; Cong. Dev. Comm. |
Mrs. |
Sandy |
Van Sant |
St. Thomas’, Red Bank |
Public Health Nurse |
The Rev. |
Angelo |
Wildgoose |
St. Mark’s, Plainfield |
Rector; Convoc. Dean; Diocesan Council; Black Clergy Caucus |
The Rev. |
Gregory |
Wilson |
Trinity, Swedesboro |
PIC; Lic. Clinical Social Worker; Chair – Mental Health TF |
L&B Task Force Members
Bishop Stokes has called the COVID-19 Learnings and Breakthroughs Task Force with the following mandate:
1. To research, explore, catalog, curate, and reflect upon the variety of adaptive and creative ways in which the Church and the Diocese of New Jersey and its people have responded to the COVID-19 pandemic in the areas of worship, study, social justice and service and fellowship. Reflect upon the theological/ecclesiological implications of this experience in order to discern how the Holy Spirit appears to have moved the church through this crisis in ways that have served Christ’s mission and ministry.
2. To reflect upon the fears, grief and losses experienced by the people of God in this crisis and to ask about the impact of these upon the church and our common life.
3. To reflect upon the injustices experienced by the people of our nation and communities in this crisis and to ask about our role in this and what we can do to address these.
4. To determine from the above what practices and learnings the church needs to celebrate, continue and build upon as it lives out Christ’s mission and ministry moving forward.
5. To consider how the church could be better prepared and equipped should the COVID-19 crisis continue or another pandemic impact us.
6. To prepare a report (s) summarizing its learnings and guidance.
Members
Title |
First Name |
Last Name |
Church |
Position |
The Very Rev. |
Gregory |
Bezilla |
Holy Trinity, South River |
Rector; Convocation Dean |
The Rev. |
Genevieve |
Bishop |
St. Mary’s, Haddon Heights |
Priest-in-Charge (PIC); Director – Diocesan School for Ministry |
Ms. |
Bonnie |
Bivins |
Trinity, Princeton |
Chair – Committee on Lifelong Christian Formation |
The Rev. |
Rose Marie |
Broderick, Dcn. |
St. Mark’s, Keansburg |
Deacon Administrator; Director – Center for Community Renewal |
The Rev. |
Amy |
Cornell |
Grace-St. Paul’s, Mercerville |
Rector; Coaching Network Coord.; Disc. our Common Call Comm. |
Ms. |
Anne |
Delgado |
St. Peter’s, Freehold |
Sunday School Director; Comm. on Lifelong Christian Formation |
The Rev. |
Justin |
Falciani |
Christ Church, Somers Point |
Rector; Board of Consultation |
The Rev. |
Robert |
Fitzpatrick |
Grace, Merchantville |
Rector; Chair – Project Resource |
Mr. |
Jonathan |
Gloster |
Christ Church, New Brunswick |
Vestry Member |
The Rev. |
Juan |
Monge-Santiago |
All Saints’, Lakewood |
PIC; Hispanic Commission; Discerning our Common Call Comm. |
The Rev. |
Andy |
Moore |
St. Elizabeth’s, Elizabeth |
Rector; Black Clergy Caucus |
The Rev. Canon |
Jayne |
Oasin |
St. Mary’s, Clementon |
Supply Priest; Clergy Cont. Ed./Form. Comm.; Black Clergy Caucus |
The Rev. |
Jennifer |
Ovenstone Smith |
Grace, Haddonfield |
Committee Co-Chair; Rector |
The Rev. |
Dirk |
Reinken |
St. Peter’s, Freehold |
Committee Co-Chair; Rector; Anti-Racism Commission |
The Rev. Canon Dr. |
Kara |
Slade |
Trinity, Princeton |
Associate Priest; College Chaplain; Diocesan Canon Theologian |
Ms. |
Mary |
Testori |
St. James’, Edison |
Senior Warden |
Mr. |
Sebastian |
Vazquez |
San Andres, Camden |
Hispanic Commission; Anti-Racism Commission |