Lay Leadership
Our Wardens
Denise Robinson Lewis, Warden
Denise is a busy working woman, wife, mother, sister and friend who is always willing to lend a supportive ear or helping hand.
Her family were raised in the Episcopal Church with roots in the Church of England. When looking for church to call home visiting St Paul's, she experienced a warm and genuine welcome and a feeling that I saw myself represented in the congregation. St Paul’s was diverse and 30 years later Denise and her family are part of the threads that make St. Paul’s a place where all are welcome! Denise currently serves on the Vestry and is a former member of the St Paul’s Community Development Corporation Board. She continues to serve as a Lector. Besides being a Human Resources Professional she loves travel; shopping and enjoys time in her garden. She has gardened numerous times around the church sharing her talents and gifts for all to enjoy.
Pat Yankus, Warden
Our Vestry
Doris Salgado
Doris Salgado became a member of St. Paul's in 1987. She was led to come to St. Paul’s on invitation of her life-long and best friend, Sarah Sterling-Laldee. She recalls having tried several other churches once she left for college, but she says that St. Paul's is her home and has “always accepted me with open arms.”
She is an active member within our ministries, as she has been part of the youth group, as well as led the youth group. She has also served as an acolyte, as a member of the choir, and now serves as Treasurer of the Vestry.
Doris currently serves as Program Director for the Paterson Education Fund (PEF). Outside of work, she absolutely loves singing and being a mom to her son, Lucas Sky.
Mary Lindie
Mary Lindie is a resident of Lodi, New Jersey. She has been a member for several years, having been invited to St. Paul’s by a family member. Citing a warm welcome and diversity, she decided to become a member. Ten years later, the rest is history. She serves on the Parish Life Committee. Outside of St. Paul’s, she works as a Medical Assistant/Patient Care Associate at a regional hospital. She says that her passion is “Being True To Myself.”
Sarah Sterling-Laldee
Sarah Sterling-Laldee joined the vestry in 2019. She has been a member of St. Paul's since 1984. Over the years, Sarah has been an active member of both the youth and adult choir, served as co-leader of St. Paul's Senior High School youth group, and represented the Diocese of Newark at the Episcopal Youth Event as both a delegate and a member of the music ministry team. Sarah has participated in Diocesan Convention as a member of the Arrangements Committee.
Sarah works for the New Brunswick, NJ Public Schools as their K-12 Supervisor of Science and facilitates a variety of student and teacher STEAM enrichment programs for the Paterson Education Fund. Sarah's husband, Christopher Laldee, daughter Leila Laldee, and mother Irene Sterling, are also church members.
Richard McDowell
”here I am Lord”
Rich was brought to the Episcopal Church by a neighbor who asked his grandmother if she could take her two grandsons to church. Since they were not attending their family church on a regular basis, she said "yes" and they started attending St. Aidan's Episcopal Church, Paterson. There, Rich was baptized, confirmed, and served as an Acolyte. When the congregation became too small to support the church, they merged with Church of the Holy Communion, where he would attend for the next 46 years, serving as an acolyte, Sub-Deacon, Eucharistic Minister, vestryman, Senior Warden, Treasurer, Sexton, Junior Warden and Acolyte Master.
Rich and his late wife Sandi were married at Holy Communion and presented their son Richard, Jr. for Baptism and Confirmation there. Prior to Sandi’s passing, the vestry of Holy Communion made the decision to move their worship to St. Paul's Episcopal Church. November 5, 2017, The Feast of All Saints, marked the first service as a combined congregation. Since that time, Rich has been asked to serve on the altar and bring a Holy Communion tradition to St. Paul’s as serving as our Verger. Rich was elected to the Vestry, where he has added his experience and commitment. He states, “St Paul's family has been very welcoming and supportive, and I will continue to do whatever I can to help my St. Paul's family.”
