Meet the Staff

The Reverend C. John Thompson-Quartey, Rector

I am a native of Ghana, West Africa. I received my Bachelor of Science from Rutgers University, Newark, NJ in 1993. I earned my Master of Divinity from the General Theological Seminary, New York City, NY in 1997, and ordained to the Sacred Order of Priests in December of 1997.

Before joining the wonderful St. Mary’s family in August of 2005, I served as Associate Rector for Youth and Family Ministries at Christ Episcopal Church in Ridgewood, NJ from 1997 until 1999. I then served as Chaplain for Pastoral Care and Director of Community Outreach Program at St. Paul’s School in Concord, New Hampshire from 1999 until July 2005.

I am a member of the Christian Formation Commission of the Diocese of New Jersey. I am currently serving on the Alumni/ae Executive Committee of the General Theological Seminary as the Province II representative. I also serve on the Board of Trustees for the Trinity Cathedral Academy, Trenton, NJ; the Interfaith Hospitality Network of Ocean County, NJ; and the Episcopal Evangelical Society. I am married to Jerlyn (Jeri) Thompson-Quartey, and we have three daughters: Chauncey, Chyanne and Cheyne.

I love listening to classical music and Jazz in my spare time.

The Reverend Dr. Kathleen Bishop, Priest Associate

The Reverend Dr. Kathleen Bishop was ordained to the Priesthood on December 16, 2011. Prior to then she assisted at several churches, most recently at St. George's in Rumson NJ.

Kathleen resides in Long Branch NJ with her husband, the Rev. Dr. James Jones and her faithful canine companion Rufus. She has two grown children: Liz, age 26 and Graham, age 24.

Presently Kathleen maintains a private practice of pastoral psychotherapy and teaches in the department of Religion at Rutgers University in New Brunswick.

She received her M. Div. from Drew Theological School and continued at Drew for her Ph.D (2002).
She is delighted to be a new Priest Associate at St. Mary's and feels privileged and grateful that the Parish has agreed to mentor her as she grows into her new role.

Esther Graham, Choir Director

I was born and raised in a minister’s home in Pennsylvania. I took piano lessons from the age of four until I went off to college and I studied voice through high school. I always loved to play the piano and sing and at a very early age I knew I was called to the ministry.

I attended Zion Bible College in East Providence Rhode Island and studied Theology. I was the choir pianist and the chapel organist for three years and accompanied many soloists and vocal groups. I also met my future husband there when we traveled and sang with the school’s traveling vocal ensemble.

In 1980, I married Ray Graham and shortly after that we were asked to pastor Ray’s home church, a small inner-city church in Perth Amboy where I was the music minister for 25 years. I played the piano for services, directed choirs, led a contemporary worship band, as well as taught every age of Sunday school from nursery to adults. I was ordained in the Assembly of God denomination in 1998 and became the associate pastor. Since leaving our church in Perth Amboy, I have been the interim music minister in Grace and Peace Church in Clark, NJ and for the last two years, the music director at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Fords, NJ.

We have two Children, Christopher who is 21 and studying for the music ministry in Missouri, and Jennifer, 25 years old, who is a missionary’s wife in an Eskimo village in Alaska. Jennifer and Austin have blessed us with a beautiful one year old grandson and another one due in October.

I am fortunate that I get to do the things I love to do and still get paid for it. I drive a school bus and I give piano lessons. In my free time I love to hike, ride my bicycle, and bird watch with Ray.