CARYL TIPTON, INTERIM DIRECTOR OF MUSIC MINISTRY

 

A Westminster Choir College graduate, Caryl has worked in church music since high school as a choir director or section leader for many denominations!  She sang professionally and was a voice instructor in NY and the metropolitan area for many years.  She served as a soprano in the professional choir of the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church in NYC.  Simultaneously, Caryl developed a career in orchestra management with the NY Philharmonic, Music Sacra (NY), Congress of Strings and the Voice Institute at UC Santa Barbara.  She moved back to the Princeton area to marry her college sweetheart, Robert Joe Lee.  Robert Joe and their daughter, Hannah, have been involved at First Presbyterian Church of Bordentown for many years.  She has recently retired after serving as Director, Music Ministry at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Washington Crossing for 30 years.  Caryl is the Concert Manager with the Princeton University Summer Chamber Concerts.  She also followed a call as a grief counselor for hospice and suicide prevention and was recently recertified as an Advanced Grief Recovery Specialist, offering individual and group support.

 

As an Interim, Caryl hopes to help the music program become a healthy, thriving ministry.  In this way, the program will be ready for the called Minister to hire a permanent Director of Music Ministry in the future.  It’s been said that music is the universal language. It is only fitting then, that First Presbyterian Church of Bordentown encourages musicians to express themselves musically using many different resources — through different styles, modes, and instruments — encouraging people to express the inexpressible.

Dr. Bob Lowden (piano, organ)

Music became my real passion from the time I was a little boy. My mother claimed that I sang the song, “Now is the Hour” before I learned how to talk. I knew that when I started taking piano lessons at age 7 ½, that is what I wanted to do with my life as well as teach. Even as a child I was trying to teach my classmates how to play the piano. It always seemed that I lived and breathed music.  Throughout my career, I’ve been extremely fortunate to have studied with top notch teachers in the Boston, Trenton, and Philadelphia areas.

I was always taught that it is better to give to others than to receive. To be able to glorify God and make a difference in people’s lives is so very rewarding. I receive back more than people realize. Music is such a wonderful form of expression, and one mentioned many times in the Bible, particularly in the book of Psalms.  I receive such a blessing from the Almighty as I always tell people, Soli Deo Gloria-To God Be the Glory. It’s for Him that I serve.

I love performing and bringing to others a sense of gratification through music. The Lord wants me to witness through music-particularly performing, but it’s also wonderful to impart what I’ve learned to others via teaching. The older I get, the more passionate I’m becoming in my performing and my teaching.

I truly feel I was called to be a part of the ministry at First Presbyterian.  I’ve served in a variety of churches since 1966, and have always felt that regardless of my other musical duties, God always comes first, as is reflected in my programs.

 

 

Don Ryba

Don and his wife Dana first joined the congregation in 1998. He became actively involved in 2003 as a member of the Board of Trustees, which later became the Buildings & Grounds Team. Don was ordained as an Elder in 2006 and eventually served for 5 years as chair-person of Buildings & Grounds. Don is currently a member of Session and helps to oversee the financial affairs of the church including the development and management of the annual Budget.

 

Don was born and raised in the city of Trenton as part of a large Roman Catholic parish where his family was very active. He attended parochial schools in Trenton and earned a Bachelor's degree in Accounting from Rider University. When he and his wife moved to Bordentown City they were looking for a smaller church close to home. They immediately found our church to be a comfortable welcoming place and are very happy having their two sons grow up here.

 

Sheri Devlin

mail: bordentownpresbyterian@gmail.com

Sheri comes to us with 15 years of experience working in a Presbyterian Church office, and an additional 10 years of secretarial experience.  She has been a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Hightstown since 2001 and is currently spending 25 hours of her work week in their office.  At FPC Hightstown, she volunteers as the Kids Club Coordinator and has been teaching Sunday School for about 18 years.  Sheri was previously employed by Princeton University at Firestone Library for 10 years before taking time off to care for her family.  Sheri began working part-time to help out in the office at Hightstown during that time, and eventually took over as Office Manager when her predecessor retired.  Sheri has been married to her high school sweetheart Mark for 28 years at their home in Hightstown where together they raised 5 beautiful children.  They currently share their home with 2 cats and a small black dog (Jack Russell-Chihuahua) with a big chip on his shoulder.

When not working/volunteering at church, Sheri enjoys reading, crocheting, word puzzles and relaxing.  Between the months of April and November, she and her husband are frequently found in Rio Grande NJ (right between Cape May and Wildwood) at the Beachcomber Camping Resort in their small trailer at the beach.

Dana Maiuro

Dana grew up in the church, attending Sunday School, singing in children's choir, and participating as an active and enthusiastic member of Youth Group. Dana also served as a Youth Member of Session. These combined experiences prepared her well for her current position on the staff of the church. She worked with the Youth Group for the past 9 years, first as a helper and then as Youth Group Leader. In 2012 she assumed the role of Director of Christian Education, placing both areas, Christian education and Youth Group, under her leadership.

Dana attended Rider University majoring in Elementary Ed and Music, programs which enhanced the skills she uses in her work at the church. She has a gift for helping Sunday School kids and Youth Groupers find their place both inside and outside of the church.

 

Jacob Machado

Jacob is originally from Orange, CA and grew up attending a large Presbyterian church with family and friends. Participating in youth ministry as a student and then as a volunteer leader, he was always actively involved in the life of the church. Jacob loves computer science and learning more about any tech subject.  He started working AV at the church in college while majoring in computer science. He enjoys using his intellectual interests and talents to help people worship God.

Jacob and his wife Cece moved to Princeton so she could pursue an M. Div, and Jacob currently works at B&W Tek as a Software Engineer. In his free time, Jacob enjoys playing Dungeons and Dragons with his friends and spending time exploring his new home in New Jersey with Cece. They are both excited to worship with you!

Charlie Reeder

 

Director/Teacher:  Jennifer Cicero

Teachers:  Raquel Parker

Cathy Robertshaw