Governing Bodies

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.

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 A. King, Secretary
Sam P. Reckford, Treasurer
Diane Sammons, Esq., Chancellor

Class of 2025

The Rev. Bill Cruse, Steering Committee – St. John’s, Ramsey
Juanita Barrow – All Saints, Leonia
The Rev. Joan Conley – St. Mark’s, Teaneck
The Rev. Lorna Erixson – St. Mark’s Mendham
Nick Orichio – Christ Church, Newton
The Rev. Deacon Len Roberts, Steering Committee – Holy Trinity, Hillsdale & Grace, Westwood
Ross Wisnewski, Steering Committee – St. Mary’s, Sparta
The Rev. Deacon Virginia Jenkins-Whatley (Bishop’s Appointment)
Susan Cancelosi – St. James, Upper Montclair (Bishop’s Appointment)

Class of 2026

The Rev. Tom Mathews, Steering Committee – Christ Church, Ridgewood
The Rev. Raul Ausa – Trinity, Allendale
Robert Cottingham Vice President – Epiphany and Christ Church, Orange
David Drislane – Christ Church, Bloomfield/Glen Ridge
Suzanne Hesse – St. Clement’s, Hawthorne
Jewels Quelly – St. James’, Hackettstown
Vacancy (Smith)
Vacancy (Richardson)
Vacancy (Bates)

Class of 2027

Rhonda Lutz, Steering Committee – Saviour, Denville
Paula Cappel – St. Andrew & Holy Communion, South Orange
The Rev. Deacon Jacqueline McLeod – Christ Church, Bloomfield/Glen Ridge
The Rev. Rod Perez Vega – St. John’s, Dover
The Rev. Deacon Annie Pike – St. Luke’s, Phillipsburg
Robert Cox – Good Shepherd, Fort Lee (Bishop’s Appointment)
The Rev. Paul Rajan – Good Shepherd, Wantage (Bishop’s Appointment)
The Rev. Lorna Woodham (Bishop’s Appointment)
Vanessa Wigfall – Trinity & St. Philip’s Cathedral, Newark

Staff Resources

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

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 2025

Nerissa Boccino – St. Peter’s, Morristown
The Rev. Nathaniel Darville, President – St. Peter’s, Essex Fells

Class of 2026

Janelle Grant – St. Paul’s, Paterson
The Rev. Andy Olivo – St. Elizabeth’s, Ridgewood

Class of 2027

The Rev. Danielle Baker – St. Paul’s, Morris Plains
Michele Simon – St. Paul’s, Englewood

Class of 2028

The Rev. Mark Collins – All Saints’, Glen Rock
Bernie Milano – Trinity, Allendale

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 2026

Patrice M. Henderson – St. Andrew & Holy Communion, South Orange
Tim Carpenter – St. John’s, Montclair
The Rev. Dean Weber – Atonement, Tenafly

Class of 2027

Karen Roy – Trinity, Allendale
Robert Simmons – Epiphany and Christ Church, Orange
The Rev. Deacon Erik Soldwedel – St. Paul’s, Paterson & St. Clement’s, Hawthorne

Class of 2028

Tom Bisdale – Grace, Westwood
Walton Clark – Atonement, Tenafly
Pat Yankus – St. Paul’s, Paterson

Class of 2029

John Garde, Esq. – Grace, Madison
The Rev. Beverly Huck – St. Luke’s, Haworth
Geraldine Livengood – Christ Church, Newton