St. Francis' Episcopal Church
The Rev. Ayden Petrone, Priest-in-Charge
St. Francis' Episcopal Church is a diverse community, accepting all.
We gather to worship God, grow in faith, and share in fellowship.
We go out to serve Christ by serving others.
EVERYONE IS WELCOME HERE!
contactus@stfrancisdunellen.org
(732) 968-6781
Parish Staff
The Rev. Ayden Petrone, Priest-in-Charge
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 Gasataya, Music Director
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 owner and director of Sixteenth Notes Music Studio in Belleville, which she founded in 2014, and where she offers lessons in voice, piano, guitar, music theory, and more. 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. She works as an accompanist to singers in New Jersey and New York City, where she is also part of a jazz band. She has served as Music Director in several congregations in New Jersey over the years.
Rachel lives with her wife, Cristina and their daughter, Evan Rose, in Belleville. Evan Rose is soon to be a big sister as Cristina and Rachel are expecting their second child!