Remembering Fr. Jim Warnke

On Saturday, January 24th, approximately 350 people gathered in person and online to celebrate the life and ministry of the Rev. James “Jim” Warnke, who died January 12th after many health challenges.  We were blessed with a cold but sunny day as Winter Storm Fern graciously delayed her arrival in our area. Besides a packed church, we had overflow seating in Carroll Hall with a live feed from the sanctuary.

Father Jim’s clergy colleagues were well represented among those who turned out to pay their respects.  Besides our own rector, the Rev. Joan F. Conley, participating in the service were:

• The Rt. Rev. Carlye J. Hughes, 
our current bishop and Fr. Jim’s pastor.
• The Rt. Rev. Mark M. Beckwith, who was Bishop of Newark from 2007 to 2018
• The Very Rev. Lucinda Rawlings Laird
, former rector of St. Mark’s (1986-1997) who went on to serve as the Dean of the Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity in Paris.
• The Rev. Michael Gerhardt
, who served as Clergy in Residence at St. Mark’s from 2008 to 2011, gave the sermon.
• The Rev. Deacon Jacqueline McLeod a longtime parishioner of St. Mark’s currently serving at Christ Church in Bloomfield
• The Rev. Jim Petroccione, currently serving at the Church of the Saviour in Denville
• The Rev. Dr. Michelle White, vicar of Christ Church in Teaneck.

Fr. Jim was eulogized by his children, Amy and Dave. Family and friends read the lessons and carried the gifts up to the altar. Director of Music George Wesner was joined by Mark Wright from Christ Church & St. John’s in Hackensack, and our choir was joined from members from there and St. Paul’s church in Englewood, where Fr. Jim also served.

After the committal of Fr. Jim’s ashes in the Memorial Garden we gathered for a repast in Carroll Hall. There was lots of wonderful food and memories being shared, along with a photo montage and playlist of some of his favorite music curated by his family.

We are so grateful to Fr. Jim and his family for sharing nearly thirty years of his life and ministry with us, and for the privilege of hosting his homecoming at St. Mark’s.