About

Governing Bodies

2023 Diocesan Convention. CYNTHIA L. BLACK PHOTO

About our governance

The Episcopal Church formed out of the colonial congregations separated from the Church of England after the American Revolution, and its constitution, adopted in 1789, was, like the U.S. Constitution, written by people who sought to replace hierarchical rule with democratic government.

As a result all our members – both lay people and clergy – play a role in our governance, from decisions in congregational life, to the diocesan level, and up to The Episcopal Church’s highest policy-making body, the General Convention.

Governing Bodies

The task of governing the Diocese of Newark is described in our Constitution and Canons. The diocesan governing bodies are:

  • Annual Diocesan Convention

    Our Annual Diocesan Convention is a democratic body which elects various leaders and committee members; provides oversight and approval of the diocesan Budget; and considers and votes upon resolutions concerning our church and the world.

    Our Convention has a rich, proud history of engaging in social justice issues. The Diocese of Newark has been on the forefront of discussions about racial discrimination, the ordination of women, marriage equality and child welfare. Clergy and lay people alike provide dynamic leadership that enlivens our discussions and enriches our common narrative.

    The Bishop serves as President of Convention. Convention Deputies consist of three elected lay members from each congregation; one youth member from each geographical subdivision of the diocese; and all canonically resident clergy.

    Learn more about our next Annual Diocesan Convention.

  • Diocesan Council

    Functioning as the “Convention between Conventions,” Diocesan Council is responsible for long-range planning and determining program priorities. It also has oversight of the diocesan Budget and all grants and loans. Membership consists of 18 clergy and lay representatives elected at Convention and nine Bishop’s appointees.

    Officers

    The Rt. Rev. Carlye J. Hughes, President
    John King, Secretary
    Sam Reckford, Treasurer
    Diane Sammons, Esq., Chancellor

    Class of 2024

    The Rev. Deacon Nancy Hansen, Steering Committee
    Larysa Cohen (St. Luke’s, Montclair)
    The Rev. Asa David Coulson (Grace, Nutley)
    The Rev. Grant Mansfield (St. George’s, Maplewood)
    Jerrick Rutherford (St. Andrew & Holy Communion, South Orange)
    Robert C. Ross (St. Agnes & St. Paul’s, East Orange)
    Vanessa Wigfall (Trinity & St. Philip’s Cathedral, Newark)
    Ross Wisnewski (St. Mary’s, Sparta)
    The Rev. Lorna Woodham (Christ Church, Budd Lake)

    Class of 2025

    The Rev. Bill Cruse, Steering Committee (St. John’s Memorial Church, Ramsey)
    Laura Amerman (Grace Church, Nutley)
    Juanita Barrow (All Saints Church, Leonia)
    The Rev. Brent Bates (Grace Church, Newark)
    The Rev. Joan Conley (St. Mark’s Church, Teaneck)
    The Rev. Lorna Erixson (St. Mark’s Mendham)
    The Rev. Deacon Len Roberts (Holy Trinity, Hillsdale & Grace, Westwood)
    [Vacant]

    Class of 2026

    Carol Harrison-Arnold, Vice President (St. Paul and Incarnation, Jersey City)
    The Rev. Tom Mathews, Steering Committee (Christ Church, Ridgewood)
    The Rev. Raul Ausa (Trinity, Allendale)
    Robert Cottingham (Epiphany and Christ Church, Orange)
    David Drislane (Christ Church, Bloomfield/Glen Ridge)
    Suzanne Hesse (St. Clement’s, Hawthorne)
    Jewels Quelly (St. James’, Hackettstown)
    The Rev. Jon Richardson (St. David’s, Kinnelon)

    Staff Resources

    The Rev. Canon Margo Peckham Clark, Canon for Congregational Life
    The Rev. Canon Andrew R. Wright, ThD, Canon to the Ordinary

  • Standing Committee

    The Standing Committee acts as a council of advice for the Bishop; approves the lease, mortgage or sale of properties held by active parishes in the diocese; and consents to the ordination of priests and deacons of the diocese and to the consecration of bishops throughout The Episcopal Church. It is comprised of four lay members and four clergy elected to serve no more than two four-year terms in succession.

    Class of 2024

    Bernard J. Milano, President
    The Rev. Susan Ironside

    Class of 2025

    Nerissa Boccino
    The Rev. Nathaniel Darville

    Class of 2026

    Janelle Grant
    The Rev. Andy Olivo

    Class of 2027

    The Rev. Danielle Baker
    Michele Simon

  • Trustees

    The Trustees of the Episcopal Fund & Diocesan Properties consists of 12 elected members who are responsible for managing all diocesan funds and property; for the disposition of closed church property; and for administering all real and personal property and endowment funds of incorporated missions of the diocese. They meet four times a year, in March, June, September and December.

    Members

    The Rt. Rev. Carlye J. Hughes, Bishop of Newark

    Class of 2024

    John Garde, Esq.
    Geraldine Livengood
    Rhonda Lutz

    Class of 2026

    Patrice M. Henderson
    Tim Carpenter
    The Rev. Dean Weber

    Class of 2027

    Howard Mackey
    Karen Roy
    The Rev. Deacon Erik Soldwedel

    Class of 2028

    Tom Bisdale
    Walton Clark
    Pat Yankus

The Diocesan Headquarters and Bishop’s Staff

The administrative headquarters of the Diocese of Newark, known as Episcopal House, is the location of the diocesan offices and archives. The Bishop’s Staff works in conjunction with the Bishop, the Standing Committee, the Trustees, and Diocesan Council to manage the affairs of the diocese, and also facilitates and supports the work of the congregations, diocesan committees and commissions.

Episcopal House has been located at 31 Mulberry Street in Newark since 1997. In early 2025 it is relocating to 94 E. Mt. Pleasant Avenue in Livingston, to take residence in the former St. Peter’s Church in Livingston, which closed in 2022.

Director of Administration & Secretary of Convention

John King

John A. King

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