The Rev. Karin R. Mitchell, Rector
The Reverend Karin R. Mitchell, Rector of St. David’s, Cranbury, works with the Vestry toward expanding and enriching the life of the community, both in the church and outside of the church. Her many concerns involve ensuring St. David’s remains a friendly, family oriented church; ranging from singles, to families with children, to active seniors, to nursing home residents. She especially enjoys her role as pastor to her people and bringing the Word to new life through preaching and example.
She assumed the duties of Rector of St. David’s on November 4, 2005.
Mother Mitchell has made helping St. David’s live out its Mission Statement, “St. David’s welcomes all in the loving spirit of Christ, through faith, worship, nurture and community,” a priority of her ministry. St. David’s is an open and inclusive community of Christians living out their faith journey together. She enjoys her role as pastor and spiritual guide to those who are searching for a life of faith and a place where their questions are welcomed. Concerning the children, teenagers, and young adults of the church she writes, “Our young people are not just the future of the church, they are valued members of our church, right now, today, and they need all of our prayers and support and commitment as they grow in their love of and witness to Christ.”
She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biological Sciences from Rutgers University’s Douglass College and a Master of Science degree in Microbiology from Rutgers University. In 2001 she graduated from Princeton Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity degree. In 2002 she received a Certificate in Anglican Studies from General Theological Seminary, New York.
She was ordained in 2002 at Holy Innocents' Episcopal Church in Beach Haven, New Jersey, serving there as Deacon and Priest Associate, until being called as Vicar of St. Francis’ Episcopal Church, in Dunellen, NJ in 2003.
Today, in addition to her spiritual leadership, she brings wide experience in administration and organization from her previous work with civic organizations: as a member of the Hightstown Planning Board and Environmental Commission (1990-1992), the Borough Council of Maywood, NJ (1984-1986), President of the East Windsor-Hightstown League of Women Voters (1988-1992), President of the Rocky Hill Garden Club, and President of the Junior Friday Club of Hightstown. She is currently a member of the Rocky Brook Garden Club and the Friday Club of Hightstown, as well as the East Windsor-Hightstown League of Women Voters. She serves our diocese as a member of the Diocesan Council.
A native of New Jersey, and longtime resident of Hightstown, she and her husband, David, have three grown children, Scott, Sarah and Sam, two dogs, Cody and Molly, and two cats, Callie and Ralphie. She enjoys exercising, walking, yoga, gardening, reading and spending time at the beach.
She assumed the duties of Rector of St. David’s on November 4, 2005.
Mother Mitchell has made helping St. David’s live out its Mission Statement, “St. David’s welcomes all in the loving spirit of Christ, through faith, worship, nurture and community,” a priority of her ministry. St. David’s is an open and inclusive community of Christians living out their faith journey together. She enjoys her role as pastor and spiritual guide to those who are searching for a life of faith and a place where their questions are welcomed. Concerning the children, teenagers, and young adults of the church she writes, “Our young people are not just the future of the church, they are valued members of our church, right now, today, and they need all of our prayers and support and commitment as they grow in their love of and witness to Christ.”
She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biological Sciences from Rutgers University’s Douglass College and a Master of Science degree in Microbiology from Rutgers University. In 2001 she graduated from Princeton Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity degree. In 2002 she received a Certificate in Anglican Studies from General Theological Seminary, New York.
She was ordained in 2002 at Holy Innocents' Episcopal Church in Beach Haven, New Jersey, serving there as Deacon and Priest Associate, until being called as Vicar of St. Francis’ Episcopal Church, in Dunellen, NJ in 2003.
Today, in addition to her spiritual leadership, she brings wide experience in administration and organization from her previous work with civic organizations: as a member of the Hightstown Planning Board and Environmental Commission (1990-1992), the Borough Council of Maywood, NJ (1984-1986), President of the East Windsor-Hightstown League of Women Voters (1988-1992), President of the Rocky Hill Garden Club, and President of the Junior Friday Club of Hightstown. She is currently a member of the Rocky Brook Garden Club and the Friday Club of Hightstown, as well as the East Windsor-Hightstown League of Women Voters. She serves our diocese as a member of the Diocesan Council.
A native of New Jersey, and longtime resident of Hightstown, she and her husband, David, have three grown children, Scott, Sarah and Sam, two dogs, Cody and Molly, and two cats, Callie and Ralphie. She enjoys exercising, walking, yoga, gardening, reading and spending time at the beach.
The Rev. Hank Bristol, Deacon
Hank is a recent graduate of the School for Deacons at our Cathedral in Trenton. The Right Reverend George E. Councell ordained the class of six on May 5, 2012. Up until September, he served as intern and then deacon at Saint John’s Church in Somerville, NJ.
Hank and his wife, Susan, live in Rocky Hill with their children Benjamin (18) and Rachel (21). Their son Clark (24) lives in Washington, DC with his new bride, Jessie. Susan is an architect in private practice, as well as adjunct professor of Architecture at New Jersey Institute of Technology. She is a native to Wayne, NJ. Hank currently teaches 7th and 8th grade history at the Princeton Day School. He has taught at local private schools for the past 15 years.
Hank was born in Princeton where he grew up attending Trinity Church with his family. His father, Lee, was very active in the music program at Trinity and Westminster Choir College. For high school, Hank attended Saint George’s School in Newport, RI. In college he majored in studio art and economics at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, ME. Hank studied architecture in graduate school at the University of Virginia, where he met his wife Susan. They were married at Christ Church in Wayne, NJ in 1983. Hank spends much of his free time painting, working in both watercolors and oils. Over twenty years ago, Hank was part of the start of Habitat for Humanity chapter in Trenton. He is a recent board member of Trinity Counseling Service (Princeton). And currently, he serves on the board of the Mary Jacobs Memorial Library (Rocky Hill).
His roll at Saint David’s Episcopal Church will be to assist Mother Karin and the Church in a number of areas. He is excited to meet all of the parishioners, learn about Saint David’s history, and help in its journey forward.
Hank and his wife, Susan, live in Rocky Hill with their children Benjamin (18) and Rachel (21). Their son Clark (24) lives in Washington, DC with his new bride, Jessie. Susan is an architect in private practice, as well as adjunct professor of Architecture at New Jersey Institute of Technology. She is a native to Wayne, NJ. Hank currently teaches 7th and 8th grade history at the Princeton Day School. He has taught at local private schools for the past 15 years.
Hank was born in Princeton where he grew up attending Trinity Church with his family. His father, Lee, was very active in the music program at Trinity and Westminster Choir College. For high school, Hank attended Saint George’s School in Newport, RI. In college he majored in studio art and economics at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, ME. Hank studied architecture in graduate school at the University of Virginia, where he met his wife Susan. They were married at Christ Church in Wayne, NJ in 1983. Hank spends much of his free time painting, working in both watercolors and oils. Over twenty years ago, Hank was part of the start of Habitat for Humanity chapter in Trenton. He is a recent board member of Trinity Counseling Service (Princeton). And currently, he serves on the board of the Mary Jacobs Memorial Library (Rocky Hill).
His roll at Saint David’s Episcopal Church will be to assist Mother Karin and the Church in a number of areas. He is excited to meet all of the parishioners, learn about Saint David’s history, and help in its journey forward.
The Rev. Jacob David, Associate
The Rev. Dr. Jacob David is St. David's, Cranbury Priest Associate. He and his wife, Shanta, moved to Dayton, NJ after retiring from the Diocese of Newark in 2011. They became members of St. David's Episcopal Church in 2012.
Fr. Jacob holds a bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the University of Kerala, India. In 1984, he received a Masters Degree in Divinity from the Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, Virginia. He later went on to do his graduate studies at Drew University in Madison, NJ and graduated with a PhD in Liturgics and Homiletics. He was ordained a Deacon in 1984 and to the Priesthood in 1985 for the Diocese of Newark. He served at the Church of the Resurrection in East Rutherford, NJ as a Vicar from 1985-2000 and later on became rector of St. Paul’s and Resurrection Church in Wood-Ridge, NJ. In 1998 he received “the Priest of the year award” (Canterbury Scholar Award) from the diocese of Newark and was sent to Canterbury, England for studies in Anglicanism.
Fr. Jacob has been teaching in Unification Theological Seminary, NYC as an Adjunct until 2006. He was later appointed the Director of Field Studies and the Assistant Professor of Ministerial Studies and Homiletics.
Shanta, Fr. Jacob’s wife, is a Professor of English at Union County College in Elizabeth, NJ.
Their two daughters Anjana and Namita are married with children. Anjana is a social worker in Baltimore and Namita is an Administrator for Princeton Review living in NJ.
Father Jacob has recently published a collection of his musical compositions titled “Stairway to Grace”.
Fr. Jacob holds a bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the University of Kerala, India. In 1984, he received a Masters Degree in Divinity from the Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, Virginia. He later went on to do his graduate studies at Drew University in Madison, NJ and graduated with a PhD in Liturgics and Homiletics. He was ordained a Deacon in 1984 and to the Priesthood in 1985 for the Diocese of Newark. He served at the Church of the Resurrection in East Rutherford, NJ as a Vicar from 1985-2000 and later on became rector of St. Paul’s and Resurrection Church in Wood-Ridge, NJ. In 1998 he received “the Priest of the year award” (Canterbury Scholar Award) from the diocese of Newark and was sent to Canterbury, England for studies in Anglicanism.
Fr. Jacob has been teaching in Unification Theological Seminary, NYC as an Adjunct until 2006. He was later appointed the Director of Field Studies and the Assistant Professor of Ministerial Studies and Homiletics.
Shanta, Fr. Jacob’s wife, is a Professor of English at Union County College in Elizabeth, NJ.
Their two daughters Anjana and Namita are married with children. Anjana is a social worker in Baltimore and Namita is an Administrator for Princeton Review living in NJ.
Father Jacob has recently published a collection of his musical compositions titled “Stairway to Grace”.
Brother John Baptist, OSF
Brother John Baptist serves St. David’s in areas of pastoral care and spiritual leadership, and is on call at times of pastoral emergencies. He began his service to St. David’s in 1997.
Serving God in the area of chaplaincy is a very important part of Brother John’s ministry; he serves on the Princeton Hospital Committee on Religious Ministry and as Chaplain to 480 souls at Enable (an agency devoted to serving our developmentally disabled sisters and brothers). Brother also serves as Hospice Chaplain with the Visiting Nurses Association of Mercer County.
Brother John belongs to a worldwide Franciscan community within the Anglican Communion. His traditional garb of a brown and black habit symbolizes the Franciscan vows of simplicity, fidelity, purity and obedience.
When asked, Brother John explained his decision to pursue life as a religious in an Anglican branch of God’s One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. A testing process that began in 1999 culminated on September 30, 2006 when he made his perpetual vows before God and his Franciscan Community. At the offertory part of the Mass, his Rule for Life was placed on the altar, offered up to God, the Rule a binding covenant from which only the bishop can dispense him. Brother John reflects on the “Rule for Life,” quoted here in part:
“A rule of life is simply a structure in which spiritual formation is facilitated. The Latin term is regula, which does not have some of the negative connotations of the English word rule…Religious orders and groups commonly have a rule that must be adhered to for membership. A personal rule is entirely your own. Many people already have a personal rule and don’t even know it. Coming to church on Sundays and holy days is a rule. Daily prayer is a rule. Saying grace at meals is a rule. A rule is simply a way of bringing God into your life in a regular way.”
Brother John served as Diocesan Spiritual Director for the Cursillo community within the Diocese of New Jersey. Cursillo is a movement within the Episcopal and Roman Catholic churches that helps individuals renew the faith they received in Holy Baptism and Confirmation. Please speak to Brother John if you have any questions regarding Cursillo.
Serving God in the area of chaplaincy is a very important part of Brother John’s ministry; he serves on the Princeton Hospital Committee on Religious Ministry and as Chaplain to 480 souls at Enable (an agency devoted to serving our developmentally disabled sisters and brothers). Brother also serves as Hospice Chaplain with the Visiting Nurses Association of Mercer County.
Brother John belongs to a worldwide Franciscan community within the Anglican Communion. His traditional garb of a brown and black habit symbolizes the Franciscan vows of simplicity, fidelity, purity and obedience.
When asked, Brother John explained his decision to pursue life as a religious in an Anglican branch of God’s One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. A testing process that began in 1999 culminated on September 30, 2006 when he made his perpetual vows before God and his Franciscan Community. At the offertory part of the Mass, his Rule for Life was placed on the altar, offered up to God, the Rule a binding covenant from which only the bishop can dispense him. Brother John reflects on the “Rule for Life,” quoted here in part:
“A rule of life is simply a structure in which spiritual formation is facilitated. The Latin term is regula, which does not have some of the negative connotations of the English word rule…Religious orders and groups commonly have a rule that must be adhered to for membership. A personal rule is entirely your own. Many people already have a personal rule and don’t even know it. Coming to church on Sundays and holy days is a rule. Daily prayer is a rule. Saying grace at meals is a rule. A rule is simply a way of bringing God into your life in a regular way.”
Brother John served as Diocesan Spiritual Director for the Cursillo community within the Diocese of New Jersey. Cursillo is a movement within the Episcopal and Roman Catholic churches that helps individuals renew the faith they received in Holy Baptism and Confirmation. Please speak to Brother John if you have any questions regarding Cursillo.