The Rev. Ayden J. Petrone (Pronouns: they/them/their) is the Priest-in-Charge here at St. Francis. Originally from the Ewing area, Ayden most recently returned to live in Ewing after living in the Richmond & Hampton Roads area of Virginia for over 25 years. Ayden is happily married to their wife, Sarah Petrone, who is a US Navy, Combat Veteran, and works as a mechanical engineer within the Federal Government. Together, they have a young son who is elementary school aged. 

Ayden received their Master of Divinity degree with a concentration in Anglican Studies from United Lutheran Seminary in May of 2022 and was ordained to the Sacred Order of Priests on June 3, 2023. Outside of ministry, Ayden is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and owns their own private psychotherapy practice. Ayden has been in the clinical field for 15+ years and specializes in LGBTQIA* populations, trauma work, substance use disorders, life transitions, and pastoral counseling. 

In Ayden’s spare time, Ayden enjoys spending time with their family, being outside, hiking, road biking, and swimming. Ayden also conducts trainings, speaking engagements, and provides support and consultation to churches, hospitals, universities, etc. in regard to gender and sexuality training and education.

Rachel first served at St. Francis as an Interim Music Director from November, 2018 through April, 2019, and became St. Francis' permanent Music Director in September, 2022.

Rachel is the proud owner and director of Sixteenth Notes Music Studio in Bloomfield, NJ which she founded in 2014.  Here she offers instrumental, vocal and music theory lessons. Besides the music school, she is also a college music professor for Essex County Community College.  She teaches multiple subjects in music, including piano and music appreciation.

Following on her undergraduate work in sound engineering and piano, she completed her Masters degree in Jazz Performance at New Jersey City University in June of 2022. 

When Rachel is not teaching, she works as an accompanist in New Jersey and New York City for different musical events, participates in spoken word poetry and attends open mic events. 

Rachel lives with her wife, Cristina, and their daughter and son, Evan Rose and Avery Jae. They also have a 14 year old dog named Max. 

Trina is a passionate community advocate and a dedicated professional. She serves as a staff member of St. Francis Church and a councilwoman of the Borough of Dunellen where she volunteers extensively.  Trina's connections to the community help inform St. Francis' involvement in Dunellen.

Trina has been married for 30 years and is a proud mother of two sons, Jaxon (17) and Hudsun (11). She enjoys traveling cross-country in her RV with her family every year, finding joy in giving back and helping others. 

Pam is a life-long Episcopalian & a member of St. Francis since 1980. Her love & dedication to St. Francis Church developed over her early years at St. Francis.  Building a new facility & dealing with new challenges truly brought the congregation together as a family. That family has seen old members pass & new members arrive, but the fellowship & camaraderie remain.  All are welcome to worship.

Pam has served on the vestry & has been Sr. Warden 5 times in 44yrs. She has been a convocation delegate & convention delegate. She serves on varied ministries including outreach, buildings & grounds, finance & altar guild.  She also was a member of the Diocesan Women's Commission for many years. 

Pam was intimately involved in the calling of Ayden Petrone as our Priest-in-Charge. During the absence of a priest Pam was the primary lay leader for the congregation.

Pam retired in 2007 from AAA Mid Atlantic, where she served as the manager of Public & Government Relations for NJ. She & her husband Vincent live in Hillsborough & have one adult daughter, Susan married to their son-in-law Carlo.

Pam loves to garden at home, at the church Memorial Garden & as a member of Duke Farms Community Garden. She also is a devoted Aquacise participant at the Piscataway Y.