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Office Manager
Gail Schemm began as Office Manager in January 2008.
Gail was born and raised in Colorado, lived in Michigan for a few years, but
most recently moved here from Kansas where she had been a church
administrator with two different churches. She also spent many years
as an administrative assistant in the world of networking and software
sales. Gail and her husband, Jerry keep busy with four children and
two grandchildren. Jerry is an engineer employed with the Malish
Corporation here in Willoughby. Their hobbies of quilting, street rod cars,
and their middle-school-age son Ethan and all of his activities, keep them
very busy.
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Christian
Education Coordinator
Lisa Hillegass, born and raised in
Willoughby, Ohio. She has enjoyed a lifelong involvement with First
Presbyterian Church Willoughby. Currently serving as Christian Education
Director for the past two years. Some areas of church participation
includes Sunday School volunteer for several years, Christian Education
Elder and former Clerk of the Session.
Lisa graduated from
Kent State University with a BBA. She spent many years volunteering in many
capacities. Lisa and her husband, Todd, have two teenage children, Kayla and
Corey. They enjoy spending time at band events and playing with their dog,
Joule.
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Music Director
Don Brickman was born in Euclid and
raised in Wickliffe, Ohio. He began playing the organ at age ten, and by 15 he was playing for his church. While in high
school, he studied organ under Mr. Stephen Mozsi, a faculty member at the Cleveland
Music Settlement. In college, Don continued his studies under Mr. Ivan Licht. At
that time, he also served as a substitute organist at various churches in the Cleveland
area.
Don joined the FPCW family as Organist in March 2010, taking on the added responsibility of Interim Choir Director in October. In February 2011, Don
became our permanent Choir Director and Organist. Before joining FPCW, Don served as
organist at St. Mary Church, Painesville, and continues to serve as a
substitute organist at other local churches as his schedule permits. Don resides in Perry, Ohio.
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Director
of Student Ministries
Rachel
Door joined FPCW as Director of Student Ministries in November 2009, having
previously served as Director of Youth Ministries at First Presbyterian
Church in Owensboro, Kentucky, and Campus Ministry Intern in Murray,
Kentucky. She has served on the Kentucky Campus Ministry Board, Presbyterian
Campus Ministry Board (Murray State), Montreat Youth Conference Planning
Team, Leadership Development Committee (Presbytery of Western Kentucky), and
the Presbyterian Youth Council of Presbytery of Western Kentucky.
Rachel graduated
from Texas A&M University with a BA in history and from Murray State
University with a MA in American and European History. She grew up in San
Antonio, Texas, the youngest of 4 children (2 brothers and 1 sister). Today,
she is the proud aunt of 4 nieces, 3 nephews, 3 dogs, and 4 cats. These
days, she enjoys spending time with her new husband, Greg, whom she met at
FPC Willoughby. She is
excited to be in Northeast Ohio, and yes, she does love snow and cold
weather!
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Contemporary
Music Leader
Denny Carleton join
us as contemporary worship leader in the Fall of 2010. Denny has been a long lasting
figure in the Cleveland music scene, having played with notable '60s bands
such as The Choir ("It's Cold Outside") and the Lost Souls. As a gifted
guitarist, he is also singer and prolific songwriter who creates an
eclectic blend of original material utilizing Folk, Rock and Acoustic
influences. His original music has been aired on 300 college and public
radio stations in the U.S. and Canada. With his love for music, he
organizes concerts for various performers under the title of Denny
Carleton and Friends, which take place at the Willoughby Fine Arts
Association in Willoughby, Ohio.
In addition to his songwriting in the previously
mentioned genres, he has written music for five plays plus many short
essays including topics range from music therapy to cell phones.
Denny also volunteers as a worship leader for various
festivals in the area.
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Bell Choir Director
Our bell choir director, Shanti Blatnik, began in September of 1999.
She started ringing bells in her hometown church, United Presbyterian Church in Cortland,
New York, in the seventh grade. She continued all through high school and graduate
school at Bucknell University. She has attended many festivals and worked with top
people in the industry. Shanti and her husband, Frank, are the proud parents of twin
daughters Sophia and Lydia, son Scott, and daughter Katia.
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Christian
Life Coordinator
Jenn Puffer, born and raised in Willowick, Ohio, serves as the
Christian Life Coordinator and one of the Nursery
Attendants. Jenn’s true passions in life are God and her family. Jenn
and her husband, Brian, have two boys, Brayden & Carson, and a dog,
Guinness. Jenn is a full-time stay-at-home mother and watches children out
of her home. In the past she has worked in sales and event Planning. Jenn graduated from Ohio University with a
bachelor’s degree in Communications and a concentration in Event
Planning.
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Sunday Child Care
Molly Buchanan and Cailey Williams
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First
Presbyterian Church Willoughby Elders
Mission: To Guide the Church (1 Peter 5:1-4 )
To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ's sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers-not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
The current Elders serving at First Presbyterian Church Willoughby are:
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WORSHIP
Diane Jameson
Bill Henrich
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CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
Judy Smith
Amy Rogers
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MISSION & FELLOWSHIP
Cindy Oviatt
Tracy Phillips
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FINANCE & STEWARDSHIP
Glen Gross
Dave Kennedy
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BUILDING & GROUNDS
Dale Ralph
Steve Kall
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Alex Skrabski - Youth Elder
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First Presbyterian Church
Willoughby Deacons
Mission: To serve the Church (Acts 6:1-6)
The office of Deacon as set forth in Scripture is one of sympathy, witness, and service after the example of Jesus Christ. It is the duty of the Deacons to minister to those who are in need, to the sick, to the friendless, and to anyone who may be in distress. Deacons have responsibility for coordinating many benevolent ministries and coordinate Sunday morning ushers and greeters. The current deacons serving at
First Presbyterian Church Willoughby are:
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Kevin Amos
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Michelle Brocco
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Liz Stein
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Sue Hamilton
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Chuck Hamilton
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Kayla Hillegass - Youth
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Kristen Fink
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Lois Hann
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Lionel Mitchell
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Lee Roniger
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