Carol Wetmore, 50 Years as Choir Director in Randolph, NJ

On Sunday, May 6, 2018 at Holy Trinity Church in Randolph, NJ, His Eminence, Archbishop Michael presented choir director Carol Wetmore with the St. Romanos Medal, one of only three awarded this year by the Holy Synod of Bishops for outstanding contributions to Orthodox liturgical music. Following the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy the parish hosted a banquet to celebrate Carol’s 50 years of devotion to the choir and her central place in building up the life of the community. Fr David Fox unveiled the architectural drawings for a new bell tower being built in her honor.

Archbishop Michael and many others spoke warmly about Carol’s dedication to the parish, the Diocese and Orthodox Church in America. Within the Diocese she serves as co-chair of the Commission on Liturgical Music, and has personally organized many music workshops to improve the musical skills of both singers and choir directors. Fr. John Jillions, the Chancellor of the OCA, was one of the many singers over the years who was welcomed into the choir. He was 16 when he moved to Randolph with his family, and Carol warmly drew him and his sisters into the choir. He noted Carol’s valuable consultation work for the OCA as a Human Resources specialist. Later Carol took up a career as a social worker, providing hospice counseling for patients and families.

May God grant Carol many blessed years of continued singing and directing.