Clergy and Staff

The Reverend Roy Cole is a transplant from the West Coast. Born in San Diego, California into a Navy family, moving regularly and making new friends was just part of growing up. He entered ministry when he was 28 and served various parishes on the West Coast. In 2002 Roy made his way to New York and, after completing a Masters in Sacred Theology at the General Seminary in Chelsea, and his dissertation for a Doctor of Ministry degree from San Francisco Theological Seminary, he became the Priest-in-Charge of two parishes in Yonkers, New York. In the fall of 2008, Fr. Roy accepted a Call to serve as Rector of St. John’s, Staten Island where he was also appointed Canon Missioner. After ten years of ministry there, he accepted the call to be Interim Rector at the Church of the Epiphany.

A born and raised New Yorker, The Reverend Elise A. Hanley attended the General Theological Seminary, graduated from Union Theological Seminary in May 2016, and was ordained a priest by Bishop Andrew ML Dietsche in October 2016. Prior to seminary, Mo. Elise worked at Marble Collegiate Church as Director of Mission and Outreach, as well as Coordinator for its Women’s, Arts, and LGBTQ fellowship groups. She also helped to oversee the outreach programs of her sponsoring parish, St. Bart's, including their 365-night a year women’s shelter. Elise is a graduate of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, and worked as a stage and production manager on, off, and way off Broadway prior to discerning a call to the priesthood.

She is married to Chris Ashley, who serves as the Administrative Chaplain at New York Presbyterian Hospital. They make their home with two outgoing, friendly cats. A longtime vegetarian and animal lover, she also enjoys running, documentary films, traveling, Irish step dancing and learning the Irish language.

Deacon Whyte was born in Jamaica, West Indies, where he received most of his education. He grew up in a rather large family of nine brothers and three sisters. He moved to New York City in 1965 and continued his studies. After graduation he began to work for Random House Publishers where his entire career was spent working in various positions until retiring in 2003. He did voluntary work for Roosevelt Hospital for five years, ministering to HIV/AIDS patients.

His home parish, St. Matthew and St. Timothy, was very instrumental in sponsoring him for his vocation. He was ordained deacon in 1997. He remained in that parish until 2004, doing liturgical and pastoral outreach, and visiting the sick. He founded the feeding program, with 35 volunteers feeding up to 75 hungry and homeless guests, which continues to be a success.

Deacon Whyte was called to the Church of the Epiphany in 2004, where he continues to volunteer his time. He works with the volunteers and guests at the weekly dinner program for the homeless, offering pastoral care to all. His liturgical ministry in the parish is to proclaim the Gospel, prepare the table for Holy Communion, and receive gifts at the altar. He preaches at least once a year. And every Sunday he dismisses the congregation at the end of the mass.

A deacon’s ministry is that of servanthood, as stated in the ordination examination on page 543 of the Book of Common Prayer. “You are to serve all people, particularly the poor, the weak, the sick and the lonely.” This ministry Deacon Whyte takes very seriously.

Joe Zorawick grew up in Manhattan on 70th and 69th street between York and First Avenue. He went to public schools on the East Side and then to Collegiate and Columbia on the West Side. After the Army and a time in business he went to the General Theological Seminary, where he first met the Reverend Andrew Mullins.

After graduating from General he became curate of what was then St. Stephen’s Church. A year and a half later he was called to be rector after the death of the former rector. In 1976, he and the vestry of St. Stephen’s accomplished the merger with Christ Church (which was two blocks away) and the joint parish became known as Christ & St. Stephen’s Church. During his ministry he was involved with acquiring neighborhood buildings to provide housing for the elderly poor and in developing an arts program at the parish with concerts, plays , dance and musicals. The parish also sold their air rights which greatly aided the financial footing of the place. Rev. Zorawick retired in 1996.

In 1997 the then-Interim Rector at Epiphany, George Packard, recommended Joe for that position as Father Packard had committed himself to another parish. When Andrew Mullins arrived their friendship was revived, and he remained at Epiphany as an Associate. He preaches and celebrates regularly except in the summer when he and his wife retreat to their place on Cape Cod.

The Day School is where children ages 2-5 are involved in various programs including art, music, yoga, etc. that further develop their mind and character. Click here to go to the Church of the Epiphany Day School home page.

Robert Howard is an active member of the Episcopal Church, serving on the Vestry at Christ & Saint Stephen’s Church, and as a delegate to the Diocesan Convention. He also serves as Treasurer of the church’s Brown Bag Program, which provides packed lunches every weekday for over 16,000 guests each year. Robert’s education concentrated in Classics and Philosophy, with a BA from Saint Peter’s College and was Shorey Fellow in Classical Philosophy at Harvard University. His career in finance began at Chase Manhattan, and continued at Merrill Lynch and BNP Paribas. A keen interest in the global markets allowed him to spend 10 years in France, 3 years in Japan and 2 years in the UK. Robert was Deputy Head of Corporate Investment Banking for North America at BNP Paribas in 2005 when he moved on to found GLC Management, a merchant banking business specializing in alternative asset management and financial advisory services. He retired from GLC in 2012, and is currently a Senior Adviser to the firm. Robert is delighted to join the clergy and staff as the parish moves into its new home in Spring 2022 and help expand its ministries. An amateur organist, Robert enjoys classical music and looks forward to the arrival of the new Bigelow organ at Epiphany.

A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Stephen Rapp has held Episcopal church positions at St. Paul’s on the Green, Norwalk, Connecticut and Christ’s Church, Rye, New York before serving St. John’s Lutheran Church, Stamford, Connecticut. Assistant Organist for over eight years at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York until March 2020, he has simultaneously been Director of Music and Organist at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in the Bronx’s Little Italy where he just completed six years there this month.

Consultant since January 2021 on the Bigelow Opus 44 organ going into Epiphany 351, he will begin as Interim Organist and Choir Director at The Church of the Epiphany on Monday, January 24.

Stephen holds a bachelor’s degree and performer’s certificate from the Eastman School of Music and master’s and doctoral degrees from the Yale School of Music with certificates from the Institute of Sacred Music. In addition he studied at the Cologne Conservatory under the auspices of a DAAD (German Academic Exchange) grant and holds the AAGO (Associate of the American Guild of Organist) certificate. He is a noted collaborator and soloist at the organ, harpsichord and piano both in the US and abroad.

“Please pray for me as I pray for Epiphany as you go through this exciting juncture in your parish’s life!”

Pronouns: he, him, his

Joe is involved with cleaning, maintenance, and repair for the Church and Day School.

Marilyn is a true Tex/Mex, bilingual teacher with a flavor all her own. When she’s not teaching Sunday School at Epiphany she is singing with kids in Bilingual Birdies or El Taller Latinoamericano; she’s out playing with her own music group Adderesound (a Mexican Fusion band), YeraSon (a Cuban Charanga Orchestra), or with Mariachi Flor de Toloache, or leading the prayers at La Gracia–Grace Episcopal Church in White Plains, NY.

She encourages parents and parishioners to volunteer as a Sunday School helper once or twice per semester and be a kid again for a couple of hours.

If you would like more information about the program, please email her.

Gerald is involved with cleaning, maintenance, and repair for the Church and Day School.