Church elects 1st female sr. warden in 251 years
Bonamici looks to bolster outreach efforts, keep church growing
BY MARY ANNE ROSS Correspondent

SPOTSWOOD - Parishioners at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Main Street, made history recently when they elected Laura Bonamici as senior warden.

It is the first time a woman has held the position since the church was founded 251 years ago.

Bonamici ran unopposed and will serve a two-year term.As senior warden, she will lead the nine-member vestry, which supports and develops the church's ministries, such as outreach, fellowship, fundraising and stewardship.

"Being a senior warden is an important leadership role," said the Rev. Charles Lochner, pastor at St. Peter's. "I really look at that person as a partner with myself in running the church."

Lochner isn't quite sure why it took so long for a woman to have the job.

"I guess people get into the habit of doing things a certain way," he mused. "Several people brought up Laura's name, and no one thought of only considering men."

Lochner is happy Bonamici accepted.

"She brings a very different kind of energy to the position. She is deeply sensitive to being in a service role. She connects well with all kinds of people," he said.

Laura's husband Kirk agreed.

"She's the kind of person who can bring people together," he said, also noting her administrative andmanagement skills. He added that she "does a wonderful job" in her role as office manager of Bonamici, Colletti CPA, the family's busy accounting firm in Spotswood.

Laura Bonamici didmuch soul searching before she accepting the senior warden position.

"I spent a lot of time praying about it, talking tomy husband and having conversations with Father Charles. I needed to feel confident that this was what I was meant to do," she said.

Bonamici joined St. Peter's nine years ago and has volunteered as an assistant treasurer and usher. "I like to roll up my sleeves and see what I can do," she noted. She was a member of the vestry for a year prior to taking on the role of senior warden.

Bonamici's focus has been on stewardship.

"Stewardship is about taking care of the church. 'How can I take care of St. Peter's?' We have parishioners that volunteer in the Sunday school, or with theWednesday night suppers [for local people in need]. Some come by and shovel when it snows or mow the lawn," she said.

Although St. Peter's is a relatively small parish of about 500 people, their programs have touched the lives of hundreds of local families.

"Outreach is at the heart of our parish," Rev. Lochner said. The church serves meals to approximately 80 people eachWednesday night. It also runs a food pantry and thrift store. "We are known as a jubilee parish within the Episcopalian church because of our community services."

Bonamici is proud of the work that the church does.

"I don't want to change anything. I want to keep the church growing and strong, and welcoming to the community for worship and outreach. I want it to always be a place where people can come and feel God's love," she said.

Besides being the senior warden of the church and having a full-time job, Laura is the mother of two teenage daughters.

"My children and husband have been very supportive of me," she said.