Rev. Kristin Austew

I am originally from the Dallas/Fort Worth area and am the oldest of two daughters. From an early age, I have felt the importance of the Church in my life. My experience with Church prior to the age of 13 came through all of my grandparents. They took my sister and me to

Sunday services and Vacation Bible School as children. These experiences continue to shape me to this day. Following my parents’ divorce, it was no longer enough to simply attend with grandparents, and I began feeling a spiritual hole that could not be filled with anything else. I asked my dad if we could try out churches together, and we were fortunate to find (or be found by) the Presbyterian church in town.

 

About a year after this, my sister and I were baptized and confirmed together. As I began to understand the immense grace gifted to us through Christ’s love and life, I found both opportunity and responsibility in my community. Through my involvement at both the church and the presbytery level, I learned more about God's love and mystery. I also began to recognize a call to the health care setting, but did not understand what that call meant. I became heavily involved in my high school's Health Science Technology program and was able to do an internship as a nurse aide in a hospice house my senior year, with the thought that I was called to nursing. Continuing to be involved in my church's youth group and in activities at the

presbytery level, I also participated in a Youth in Mission trip with youth from other small churches throughout Grace Presbytery each summer. This is where I learned more about what it means to seek justice in a broken world. It was through these experiences that I began to discern a call to ministry. With the influence of all of these experiences I chose to attend Austin College in Sherman, Texas, a small liberal arts college affiliated with the PC (USA).

 

During my time at Austin College, I became very involved in the religious life of the campus, and graduated with a BA in Philosophy/Religion. I then began a Master of Divinity program at McCormick Theological Seminary, a seminary I chose due to its emphasis on social

justice and global ministry. I am grateful for what I learned and experienced during that year at McCormick. However it became clear around January that I needed to transfer to Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary for spiritual, financial, and familial reasons. I graduated from Austin Seminary in 2011, having completed a summer-long internship in urban ministry at First Presbyterian Church of Fort Worth and another internship in camp and urban ministry at

Government Street Presbyterian Church of Mobile, Alabama. I began to clarify a call to chaplaincy during CPE residency at Saint Luke's Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri. In 2014, I was called to full time chaplaincy with Kansas City Hospice and Palliative Care, soon after the

end of my CPE residency and was ordained to that ministry. Later that year I became Parish Associate for Central Presbyterian Church, where I established a young adult group and program.

 

Throughout my journey of faith and discernment, God has continued to surprise and bless me. Each time I attempt to “narrow down my call,” I find that it simply expands to encompass more ministry opportunities. These opportunities have helped me live more deeply

into God’s call upon my life to minister to people in whatever shape, color, or location they might find themselves. I look forward to this new chapter in my ministry adventure and how God will surprise me next.

 

Dr. Bob Lowden (piano, organ and interim choir director)

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.

 

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.

 

Charlie Reeder

 

Director/Teacher:  Jennifer Cicero

Teachers:  Raquel Parker

Cathy Robertshaw

 

 

Jane Erickson

Robert Joe Lee

John Burke

Judie Martin

Justin Clark

Kathie Ackerman

Donna Potts

Monica Seguin

Casey McEniry - Youth Representative

President:  Blake Bolinger

Vice President:  John Burke

Treasurer:  Don Ryba

Secretary:  Jane Erickson

George Carmichael - Chief

Jim Andrus

Dot Barnard

Jane Erickson

 

 

Kathie Ackerman

Simmee Darpino

Corinne Agins

 

Marlene Lyszczak

 

 

Jane Erickson (Session Rep.)

Nancy Grim