Lay Leadership
Our Wardens
Rosie Grant, Warden
Rosie Grant has been a member of St Paul’s Church since 1986, shortly after she and her family moved to Paterson. Having grown up in an Anglican faith in Jamaica, she recalls spotting the sign on Broadway which said “Anglican,” so she found that to be very welcoming. She recounts, “The first time I walked through the door, I was warmly welcomed by the greeters and soon after, invited to join the choir.”
She joined the Vestry in 1990 and has served several terms over the years. In addition to choir, she has served as a Warden, Treasurer, a member of the Altar Guild, Sunday School teacher, Youth leader, Search Team, and Outreach ministry. At the Diocesan level, she has been a District 10 representative, Convention Delegate and youth chaperone. In addition, she has been a member of the Butts Scholarship Fund board for 20 years and is a founding board member of the St. Paul’s CDC. Rosie currently serves as the Executive Director of Paterson Education Fund, whose work is to “engage the community in the improvement of Paterson Public Schools so that every child is educated to high standards.”
Her passion is to live into her Baptismal Covenant, to respect the dignity of every human being, with special attention to our children and youth as well as those less fortunate. She says, “I find joy in singing, reading, gardening and spending time with those I love and care about. I love laughter, it really is the best medicine.” She, as well as her 2 children and husband of 37 years, continue to be long-time members of St. Paul’s.
Lisa Smith, Warden
Lisa Smith has been attending St. Paul’s for 27 years. She came to St. Paul’s at the invitation of a former Minister of Music and stayed ever since. She states, “I was drawn to St. Paul’s because of our diversity, our striving towards inclusion and our commitment to urban ministry.”
She considers herself blessed to participate in many worship activities, which include: Lay Preacher, Liturgical Coordinator, Lector, Intercessor, Eucharistic Minister, Bible Study, and singing in the St. Paul’s Choir when possible. She can also catch her volunteering with our Souper Café, when available. She has served on the Vestry twice and is currently in her second term as Warden.
Outside of St. Paul’s, Lisa works for for the Office for Violence Prevention and Victim Assistance for Rutgers New Brunswick. In her spare time, she is an avid reader, a Jeopardy enthusiast, and considers the Adirondack Mountains to be “a bit of heaven on earth!”
Our Vestry
Vestry Zoom Call from Summer 2020
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.”
Dolores Most
”a woman for all seasons”
Dolores Davidson Most a lifelong Patersonian and member of St. Paul’s for eight decades and counting. When Mrs. Noteboom introduced Dolores to St. Paul’s little did either know how she would thrive in a congregation dedicated to Social Justice. Dolores’s service with and to St. Paul’s started as a member of the Blue Choir, (all girls wearing blue robes and white coronets). Eventually joining the adult choir. In 1954 Dolores joined St. Martha’s Guild for young mothers and served as President and active until the late 1960’s when the group ended their ministry.
Throughout the years Dolores has served in numerous capacities including the Altar Guild; Parish Life; Eucharistic Minister; Lay Reader. In 1972 Dolores was elected along with Eleanor Bond as the first women to serve on the Vestry. She has served as a Warden and member of three Rector Search Committees. Dolores has served numerous times as a Diocesan Convention Deputy and a member of the Bishop Committee for Human Resources. Reverend Leon asked her to serve as the liaison from St. Paul’s to Eva’s Shelter Program.
Dolores has an historic career in Law Enforcement starting with her being sworn in as the third female Police Officer in the City of Paterson. She served in this capacity for 25 years and returned in 1988 to become a member of the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Staff working with victims of domestic and sexual violence and child abuse.
Dolores has served with many fraternal and civic organizations some of which she is still active. She was recently appointed as Honorary Deputy Mayor for Parks and Fields. She is still active with the International Association of Women Police founded in 1928. Dolores is a former Board Member and a recipient of their Heritage Award. Her involvement in this group has contributed to her love of international travel and adventure.
Dolores is a graduate of William Paterson University and a recipient of their Heritage Award. She has been recognized by many civic and religious awards including Eastside Paterson Hall of Fame and The Diocese of Newark David Hegg Lifetime Achievement Award. Dolores was honored by St. Paul’s for her 80 years of continual service in our Bicentennial year of 2017.
Lynette Rowe
“offering a welcome smile”
Lynette Rowe was raised in the Congregational Church in her native country of Guyana. She came to the Episcopal Church through her husband who was raised in the Anglican Tradition. Lynette attended services in Guyana at St. George’s Cathedral in Georgetown – originally the tallest wooden building in the world.
Lynette and her husband with five children in tow moved to the United States and settled in Brooklyn in 1996. The following year 1997 they relocated to Paterson. One day, while walking through Paterson, she noticed St. Paul’s Church and immediately decided, “that is where I will join.”
Lynette enjoys volunteering and helping with church activities. Very soon after joining St. Paul’s, she served as a Greeter. Later she was recruited by Dolores Most to become a member of the Altar Guild. She has been a member of the Vestry since 2015.
Lynette’s 2 daughters still live in the Paterson area; and each of her 3 sons live out of state or abroad – Florida, Virginia, and Guyana. At last count, she has 15 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.
Denise Robinson Lewis
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.