PLAN YOUR VISIT
Worship Schedule
Holy Eucharist is Celebrated
SATURDAY
5 p.m.
SUNDAY
MONDAY
7 p.m. in Sanctuary
August 17- Labyrinth walk
September 21- Taizé
October 19- Iona healing
November 16- Taizé
Dec 21- Longest Night 7-8pm
WEDNESDAY
3 p.m. at The Moorings
4 p.m. at The Lodge
7 p.m. at St. Peter's Church
WHAT TO EXPECT
CHILDREN IN CHURCH
God put the wiggle in children. Don't feel you have to suppress it in God's house. The presence of children is a gift to the Church!
If your child would enjoy a little extra support during the service, you're welcome to visit the Mende George Lending Library as you enter the church. There you'll find books and fidget bags available to borrow for use during worship.
WHAT TO WEAR
Wear clothes . . . and shoes. 'Sunday Best' means something different to everyone. You are welcome.
ALL ARE WELCOME
All are welcome to receive Holy Communion. Those who do not wish to receive, may come forward for a blessing. Gluten free wafers are available.
Nursery
St. Peter's Nursery offers a safe, welcoming space for children, infants through age 5 during our 10:15am Sunday service. Located on the second floor of Hart House, our Safe Church-certified caregiver Ms. G will provide loving care, play, and activities while parents participate in worship.
Children
We gather on Sundays from 9:30–10:15 a.m. in Har to enter into Godly Play together. After our time of wondering, children may rejoin their families in the Sanctuary or remain for extra response time. This extended space allows them to continue their work, move around, and let their bodies settle so that they are ready to join the congregation at the Peace. At that time, children are invited to take an active part in worship by gathering around the altar with our priest to watch and wonder at Communion up close.
Our goal is to inspire wonder and curiosity about God, the Bible, and the Church, helping children deepen their faith through exploration and discovery.
Newcomers Connect
“Let’s Have Lunch”: Sharing Our Stories
One of the best ways to get to know other people is to share a meal and share our stories. We follow the example of Jesus in breaking bread together—at lunch, brunch, and dinner! Please join us for one of our upcoming gatherings of newcomers and not-so-newcomers where we will enjoy a meal together and strengthen our friendships and faith through conversation, laughter, and unhurried time together.
Whether you’re new to St. Peter’s or have been part of our parish for years, come meet one another and get to know the people who make up our community. We’d love to have you join us!
Watch this space for upcoming dates and times in 2026!
When: October 25, 2026 at 1pm in the Parish Hall.
Worship Style
Each of our Sunday services has its own style, size, and rhythm, but all include beautiful music, meaningful prayer, thoughtful preaching, and Eucharist where all are welcome. Our 10:15 a.m. service includes nursery care and children's programs, making it an especially family friendly time to worship together.
Coffee Hour
Following each Sunday worship service, you're invited to join us for Coffee Hour. It's one of the ways we build community at St. Peter's. Enjoy coffee, light refreshments, and conversation as you reconnect with friends or meet someone new. Whether you're a longtime member or visiting for the first time, we'd love for you to stay awhile and get to know us.
Meet Our Clergy
THE REV. JEFFREY AUSTIN ROSS
RECTOR AND PASTOR
As the Rector and Pastor of Saint Peter's Episcopal Church, I would like to welcome you to our parish webpage! We are glad you have found us and want you to know that if you are looking for a spiritual home, you would be most welcome in our community. Here is a little about me. Since August of 2005, I have served as the Rector of Saint Peter's Episcopal Church which has been in existence for over 300 years and is an active and growing community. We have a strong ministry reaching out to youth, young families, and newly retired adults. We are passionate about our local outreach ministries. I am a life-long Episcopalian and have been ordained since 1998 (my sister is also a priest!). Prior to ordination, I worked as a family therapist as well as on Bishop's staff for Christian Formation. I am a graduate of the General Theological Seminary and I also hold a Master of Science degree in Pastoral Counseling from Neumann University. My wife has a PhD in Corporate Leadership and she currently serves as the Executive Director of the Delaware Alliance for Non-Profit Advancement. We have a grown daughter and a son. We enjoy swimming, skiing, and traveling. Personally, I am trying to enhance my novice skills in photography and playing the penny whistle as my official hobbies (along with loving movies, books and theater!).
THE REV. JEFFREY AUSTIN ROSS
RECTOR AND PASTOR
The Rev. Celeste O. Cox, S.T.M., B.C.C.(r),
Priest Associate, St. Peter’s, Lewes.
Previously Celeste served as supply priest for All Saints/St. George’s Parish (Rehoboth, Harbeson) and St. John the Baptist, Milton, and as Priest-in-Residence at St. Anne’s, Middletown. She served as rector of Christ Church, Dover, 1999-2013, and chaired the Commission on Ministry for the Diocese of Delaware for 8 years. Celeste has particular interests in the biblical foundations of pastoral theology and in a variety of contemplative prayer practices. Presently she facilitates Sunlit Seasons, a weekly contemplative spirituality group (via Zoom) that includes quiet prayer and group reflection on texts by poets and writers.
Celeste is a clinically trained, board-certified chaplain (retired status, Association of Professional Chaplains). Celeste served for a number of years as a member of the Professional Advisory Group for the Pastoral Care Department at Christiana Care Health System where she also led didactic sessions for CPE students on the topic of self-care. Celeste’s husband Lou plays oboe and English horn in the Southern Delaware Orchestra and sings in the All Saints/St. George’s choirs.
THE REV. CELESTE COX,
PRIEST ASSOCIATE
The Rev. Deacon Chris Miller-Marcin
Assistant to the Rector
Chris started a career as a Medical Technician in Chemistry and Hematology Labs at Children’s hospital in Philadelphia. Later, I attended The Walnut Street College and graduated with a culinary degree. She worked with notables such as Ted Turner in Atlanta, Archbishop of Philadelphia, the Black Coalition and various chairs of the board in a corporate setting. She retired as a Senior Manager, Bench Executive Chef of Bayhealth in Delaware.
Before her retirement, she was received as an Episcopalian in 2012 and heard the call to ordained life, shortly after. She was ordained as a Deacon on July 11, 2019 at St. Peter’s Church in Lewes, Delaware, and completed Education for Ministry, Clinical Pastoral Education and all classes required for Holy Orders.
She was on the Board of Primeros Pasos for seven years and is avidly involved with feeding the poor and marginalized. She was also Christian formation Director at Camp Arrowhead for a year. Currently I am on the board for Commission on Ministry, College of Clergy and just elected to Disciplinary Board. Rotated off Diocesan Council and Racial Justice, Beloved Community. I am also a shepherd for an upcoming deacon who
is now in her Postulancy.
Her call to the diaconate centers around those in need, especially feeding programs, which is still her ministry today. She started and founded Heart and Soul Ministry, “The Little Cupboard” which is in the courtyard at
St. Peter’s Church since 2015. Also, a resolution was presented to the convention several years ago. That every Episcopal Church needed some kind of feeding program for the needy and marginalized. She also partnered with Cape Henlopen School and Heart and Soul Ministry to feed and give out books to surrounding marginalized areas of Sussex County.
Chris was born in South Philadelphia and is a former Roman Catholic. She raised two children in Drexel Hill, Pa and has four grandchildren and one great-grandchild. She lives in Lewes with her spouse Joann and their dogs Fallon and Hank.
THE REV. CHRIS MILLER-MARCIN
ASSISTANT TO THE RECTOR
THE REV. PAULA J. WAITE, M.TH., ACC
DIOCESAN CHAPLAIN TO BEEBE HOSPITAL
Paula is a vocational deacon whose service within the Diocese of Delaware is fulfilled by her ministry as a Staff Chaplain at Beebe Healthcare at the main campus in Lewes. Paula graduated from St. Mary’s Seminary and University in Baltimore Maryland and was ordained to the diaconate by Bishop Chilton Knudsen in 2018. Paula completed her residency in chaplaincy at Christiana Hospital in 2017 and joined Beebe Healthcare upon graduation. Paula has a certificate in the Foundations of Palliative Chaplaincy and is Board Certified by the Association of Professional Chaplains. Paula created and offers a community education program, Life Before Death, that focuses on Advance Care Planning. Paula and her husband Tom reside in Milton with their cat Samantha. Please contact Chaplain Paula at Beebe Healthcare if you or your loved ones are hospitalized.
THE REV. PAULA J. WAITE, M.TH., ACC
DIOCESAN CHAPLAIN TO
BEEBE HOSPITAL
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