CLERGY & STAFF
The Rev. Laurie Wurm, Rector
The Reverend Laurie J. Wurm joined St. Peter’s as our rector in 2025. Born and raised in South Jersey, Rev. Laurie is thrilled to be at St. Peter’s, back in the first city she ever loved. Rev. Laurie loves to preach, teach, and empower the people of St. Peter’s in their ministries. She guides us as we share Christ’s love with each other and the larger community in tangible ways. She has two children, John and Lucy, who are just beginning their adult lives.
During her 20 years of ordained ministry, Rev. Laurie has served as the rector of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Boonton and Grace Church Van Vorst in Jersey City. She is the co-founder of the Triangle Park Community Center, which provides services in an under-resourced neighborhood in Jersey City; the former Director of Grace Community Services (a feeding and senior program provider); and the former President of Family Promise of Jersey City, which provides temporary housing and social services to unhoused families.
Prior to ordination, Rev. Laurie was the Parish Missioner of All Saints Episcopal Church in Hoboken. During this time, she offered morning prayer and creative writing workshops at the Hoboken Shelter, co-founded Hoboken’s September 11th Support Group, and built relationships with residents of the public housing community that led to the construction of the Jubilee Center, an after-school and summer program center.
The Rev. Sarah Hedgis-Kligerman, Associate Rector
Kate has been parish administrator at St Peter’s since 1997. She and her husband, Mark, were introduced to St. Peter’s earlier in that decade when their son, Clint, started singing in the choir. She lives in Center City and has – for no apparent reason in retrospect – a master’s degree in history from Duquesne University.
Lauri manages the church website, email communications, graphic design, fundraising, and organizes special outreach events and projects for St. Peter’s. She and her husband, Chris, and their three children have been members of St. Peter’s Church since 2009.
William was born and raised in the Philippines. After obtaining a degree in Psychology, he moved to the United States to pursue music degrees at Indiana University. He has an active career as a musician—singing for various professional choral groups and opera productions in the region.
BEN LEAPHART
Ben takes care of St. Peter’s property, including our historic church building and our Parish House across the street. He also assists with set-up, clean up, and event management on Sunday mornings during worship services and other events.
CHARLES JOHNSON
Professor Johnson, M.Ed, has more than 30 years experience in music and is an Assistant Professor at Drexel University where he leads the Gospel Choir, as well as Adjunct Faculty at the University of Pennsylvania. He has served as past Music Director/Organist to the General Association of Baptists in Kentucky and the Alabama Association of Baptists. Most recently, Professor Johnson served as Organist/Minister of Music of historic Mount Carmel Baptist Church in West Philadelphia.
DANIELLE DEFASSIO
Danielle grew up as a pastor’s kid in the Lutheran Church, where her love of music blossomed. She is an actor, primarily focusing on Theatre for Young Audiences, and has performed all over the US and Canada. She has taught early childhood development classes in New York City, and has also worked as a teaching artist in both NYC and Philadelphia.
Mara moved to Philadelphia to get her Master’s degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages or TESOL at the University of Pennsylvania after spending four years teaching in Tokyo. She has worked both teaching and administering ESL programs. She is passionate about feeding people and has volunteered at local food cupboards and soup kitchens.
MARY CAMPBELL
Mary is a CPA who has had her own accounting practice in Philadelphia since 2007. A native of Delaware, she received her B.S. in accounting from the University of Delaware. Mary provides her clients, primarily non-profits, with accounting, financial reporting and bookkeeping services. She lives in Center City and has one son who lives near Atlanta.