Saint Andrew's Episcopal Church
New Providence, New Jersey
The Vestry
The Vestry are an elected body of parishioners responsible for the church's finances and properties. Under the leadership of the two Wardens they meet on the third Tuesday of each month at 7:30 pm. All parishioners are welcome to attend these meetings. If you would like to discuss a topic of interest, please share your topic with the church office or by emailing vestry@standrewschurch.org for inclusion in the meeting agenda. Minutes of monthly meetings are posted on the church bulletin board and can be viewed here. The wardens can be contacted by sending email to wardens@standrewschurch.org.
The Rev. Dr. Daniel Gunn, Priest-in-Charge
The Rev'd Dr. Daniel C. Gunn, aka "Fr. Daniel," served as Assistant Rector of Christ Church Bronxville, NY (2002-2006), Rector of St. Stephen's Pro-cathedral, Wilkes Barre, PA (2006-2013), and Interim Rector of St. Peter's Clarksboro, NJ and Christ Church Ridgewood, NJ (2014-2017). Prior to parish ministry, he spent two years as a hospital chaplain, and two years a s a prison chaplain. He has also served as an adjunct professor of Philosophy, Ethics, World Religions, and Biblical Studies. In 2013 he returned to Drew University to complete his doctoral studies in American Religious History. His dissertation was entitled, "Hugh Hefner's God: Religion in Playboy Magazine," wherein he examined the religious content of the magazine during the 1960s and 70s. In addition to his doctorate, he holds the Master of Sacred Theology, Master of Arts, and the Master of Divinity degrees. His interests are exploring the intersection of religion, politics, and civil society. He's also spent much time working with individuals who live on the economic and social margins of society. He loves to travel having visited five continents. In his spare time he takes ballroom dance lessons, gardens (or works with house plants), cooks, reads, and enjoys going to the gym.
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Bob Cavanagh, Warden
In looking for spiritual enrichment for their family, Bob’s wife, Tara, suggested that since their eldest daughter attends St. Andrew’s pre-school, they should explore the offerings of the Church, as well. Upon experiencing the spirituality of the Church and the family orientation of the congregation, Bob and Tara knew that St. Andrew’s provided the fulfillment for which they were seeking. Both their daughters attend the pre-school and are active in the Sunday school program, while Tara is a Sunday school teacher and lay reader. Since they discovered St. Andrew’s Church in 2013, Bob, too, has taken on an active role in the congregation, attending vestry meetings and organizing and leading the Pumpkin Patch Fundraiser. Bob is honored and feels privileged to have been elected into the Junior Warden position and looks forward to a successful tenure. Please feel free to reach out to Bob to discuss any Church related business.
Joe LaPara, Junior Warden
When the LaPara's first attended the Palm Sunday service at St. Andrew’s in 1995 they knew that they had found a spiritual home. Their three daughters – Cailley, Melissa and Juliana - were baptized at the church and are active members of the church community. Both Joe and his wife Diane have served on vestry, school board and search committees as well as being active with other ministries at the church. Joe works at WarnerMedia as Director of IT and Engineering.
John Batzer, Treasurer
John lives in New Providence with his wife Beth. They have four children and seven grandchildren who live in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. John has been a member of St. Andrew's since 1986. John has a BS in Engineering Physics from Lehigh University and an MBA in Computer Aided Information Systems from New York University. John served on the vestry from 1996-1998, from 2009-2011, including two years as Treasurer from 2010-2011, and from 2015 to present. John was a Senior Staff Scientist at ITT Exelis in Clifton, NJ, where he worked from 1978 until his retirement in 2013.
Nancy Cropper
I joined the St Andrew's church about 18 years ago I was looking for a church home and upon entering St. Andrews, I knew I had found it. I’ve been living in New Providence for over 20 years and two of my boys were baptized at St. Andrews and attended the preschool and kindergarten program. I have taught Sunday School for many years and have worked on various outreach committees. I have a Masters in Special Education from NYU and currently work at The Winston School in Short Hills. I am looking forward to serving on the Vestry.
Bob Davies
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Bob has been a member of Saint Andrews Church since the mid 1960’s. He has worked in a family insurance business (Davies Insurance Management) for over 30 years. Bob is active and strongly believes in giving back to his community. Among his current and past activities include Board member of the Professional Insurance Agent’s of New Jersey, Summit/New Providence Rotary Club, Suburban Chamber of Commerce, HomeTowne Television and the United Way of Summit, New Providence and Berkeley Heights. Bob has also served on the Vestry in the past and looks forward to the opportunities ahead
Melinda Donsky
Melinda lives in Chatham with her husband, Doug, and two children. She has been a member of St. Andrew’s Church since 2000. She received a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Richmond and worked in the banking industry for ten years, including time at BNY Mellon and Chase. Her two children were baptized at St. Andrew’s and attended the nursery school when they were little. Over the years, Melinda has been involved at the church teaching Sunday school, working in the nursery, and serving as an usher and on Altar Guild. She is also a substitute teacher at St. Andrew’s Nursery School and Kindergarten and volunteers with Meals on Wheels.
Jim Conover
Jim lives in New Providence with his wife Jenny and their three children Cate (11), Annie (9) and James (4), who have attended the St. Andrew’s nursery school. Jim has been a lifelong member of St. Andrew’s since being baptized by Cannon Shreve. He has been on the Vestry twice before for terms between 2007-2010 and 2013-2016. He is the past Co-Chair of Building & Grounds from 2008 to 2016 were he was intimately involved with every project on campus large and small. A member of the Brotherhood of St. Andrew, and also an Usher, Jim tries to keep involved with different ministries in the church. He is the founder /owner of PROMAINCO, LLC a facility services company here in New Providence.
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Jackie "Dwarnick" Hagerty
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My parents Stephen and Nancy Dwarnick were founding members of St Andrews. They attended the first outdoor Church service in 1960 on Easter Sunday, and were very active members of the Church. My two sisters and I were all baptized, attended Sunday school, and were all confirmed at St. Andrews. I am a graduate of Widener University and currently work at Honeywell International. I returned to New Providence in 2000, after purchasing a home on the street I grew up on. In 2004, I was married at St Andrews, with the first wedding to have a dog as the ring bearer. After the loss of my husband I have become more involved in the Church Community and I am currently the Head of the Flower Guild, and volunteer at various fundraising functions. I love to cook, garden, and enjoy the beach.
Margery Ashmun
Margery and her family joined the St Andrew's community some 18 years ago when her two children began attending preschool here. She is originally from the Cleveland, Ohio area, but is now a long-time Summit resident, having settled there with her husband Bob about 25 years ago. Margery currently works as an academic librarian at Drew University in Madison NJ. She is new to the Vestry, but has been involved in managing St Andrew's Sunday hospitality efforts for 10-plus years and regularly volunteers with her husband to usher at the 8:00AM Sunday service.
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Bernie Heer
Bernie has been a member of St. Andrew's since 2000, and lives in Berkeley Heights with his family. Bernie has been active in the parish in a number of ways over the years - as a member of the Brotherhood of St. Andrew, as an usher, and as a member of the Endowment Committee. He is perhaps best known as head chef for the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper. This is his first term serving as a member of the vestry, and he is happy to be contributing to the well being of this wonderful church.
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Susan Dragos
Susan is an active member of St. Andrew's leading numerous ministries and volunteering to support many events at the church.
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