Father Thomas E. Mathews
Rector

Fr. Tom was called to Christ Church in September 2017, following a 10 year Rectorship at St. Luke’s Church, Phillipsburg and a 4 year Assistant Rector position at Grace Church, Madison. He is a “cradle Episcopalian” who attended St. John’s in Boonton where he and his wife, Tanya, developed a vibrant youth ministry and where Fr. Tom also served on the Vestry before seminary.

His education is broad, earning a B.S. in Chemistry and a minor in Psychology, which enabled him to work in Oncology and other research for 4 years prior to attending seminary. His sense of calling began in his undergraduate years and he was supported by the Commission of Ministry and Bishop of Newark for ordination and graduated with his M.Div. from Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge in 2003.

Fr. Tom grew up in New Jersey and loves the state, especially the way in which all four seasons can be appreciated. He enjoys all aspects of parish ministry and feels especially called to the formation of community and church as a “family.” He also takes the role of leadership within the diocese seriously, volunteering and running for committees, including the recent Discernment Committee, which prayerfully worked over a year to prepare the profile, receive applications, interview and ultimately select the candidate slate that brought us our new Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Caryle J. Hughes in 2018.

In his pastime, he and Tanya love to spend time with their smart, funny and caring daughters, Ava and Elyse. He also enjoys pop culture and films, watching football, attending concerts and biking. Feel free to stop by during his posted office hours or schedule a time that is convenient.

The Reverend William Coats
Assistant to the Rector for Adult Formation

Fr. Bill served as rector of church in Pittsburgh, PA and Hawthorne, NJ. Now retired, Fr. Bill serves at Christ Episcopal Church in saying Mass, leading the 9am Adult Education Forum, providing pastoral care, and organizes the Old Retired Men's Group for Mass and Breakfast once a month.

He is married to Debby, a clinical social worker. Their children are grown and so they enjoy the spending time with friends and family, traveling, and watching the L.A. Dodgers.

William (Bill) K. Trafka
Director of Music and Organist

Bill is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY, where he was a student of the legendary American organist and teacher David Craighead and was awarded the Performer's Certificate in Organ Performance. He arrived in New York City in 1985 to serve as the Associate Organist at St. Bartholomew's Church, where he was appointed Director of Music in 1995.

At St. Bartholomew's, Bill directed music for three diverse services each Sunday and oversaw a choral program which includes a professional choir, a volunteer choir and an extensive program for boy and girl choristers. For 22 years, he directed St. Bartholomew's Summer Festival of Sacred Music, offering great mass settings for 13 Sundays as part of the 11 A.M. Eucharist. He was also the Artistic Director of The Mid-Manhattan Performing Arts Foundation which presented Great Music at St. Bart's, a concert series which included performances by St. Bartholomew's Choir, a host of guest artists and ensembles, and, in association with the Gotham Early Music Scene, a weekly noonday series of free concerts of early music.

Bill will be onsite two times per week in addition to Sundays, and he looks forward to joining Christ Church's community. When not at work, Bill enjoys spending time with his Lab/Border Collie rescue "Booster," checking out dog runs and exploring the caverns of the city. He is also an avid reader of contemporary fiction and has never turned down a good Pinot Blanc!