Staff and Leadership

  Staff E-mail Addresses

Staff

Rev. Dr. Lisa Schrott

Head of Staff
517-355-9731 x 11
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Dr. Marlene Brewbaker

Director of Music and Organist
517-349-9536
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Shelby Laird headshot round

Shelby Laird

Chancel Choir Director
517-349-9536
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Anna Thiel

Office Manager
517-349-9536 x 10
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Edward Ennen

Sexton
517-349-9536
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Gabrielle Ghosh

517-349-9536
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Leadership Groups

Session

The Session is the governing body of our congregation. It is composed of twelve ordained Ruling Elders and the church pastor (Teaching Elder). Elders exercise leadership, government, spiritual discernment, and discipline and have responsibilities for the life of a congregation, as well as our interfaith partnerships. Ruling elders are elected for three-year terms. Each elder serves on one or more of our standing committees.

Jennifer Gordon – Class of ’27

Jack Harkema – Class of ’28

Catherine Holdway – Class of ’26

Kelly Locke – Class of ’27

Gail Lytle Lira – Class of ’27

Vickie Marcus – Class of ’28

Siri Rainone – Class of ’26

Tayna Stokes – Class of ’28

Ewen Todd – Class of ’26

Patty Wilson – Class of ’28

Kent Workman – Class of ’27

Board of Deacons

The ministry of the deacon as set forth in scripture is one of compassion, witness and service. The Board of Deacon members serve three-year terms assisting the pastors in congregational care with a focus on visitations, meals for those in difficult circumstances, sanctuary flower delivery, cards and special occasion greetings, and funeral/memorial service receptions.

To contact the Moderator of the Deacons, use the Deacon Contact Form.

Michele Arbour – Class of ’26

Bob Boldrey – Class of ’26

Sue Cobbett – Class of ’26

Sean Clark – Class of ’27

Linda Cravotta – Class of ’27

Barbara Fretwell-Cooke – Class of ’27

Joel Major – Class of ’26

Rich Martin – Class of ’28

Christine Meland – Class of ’28

Jill Tribell – Class of ’28

Gary VanKempen – Class of ’28

Standing Committees

Nominating Committee

Gail Lytle Lira

The nominating committee identifies and recruits members of the congregation to serve on standing committees of the Church. Four elders and four deacons are elected by the congregation at the annual meeting.

Jeff Conroy-Krutz

David Horner

Gail Lytle Lira

Christine Meland

Jane Paterson

Siri Rainone

Gary VanKempen

Endowment Committee

Bruce Timmons

The Presbyterian Church of Okemos Endowment Fund oversees investments and how the income is used by the church for special projects.

Lance Boldrey – Class of ’27

Jeff Conroy-Krutz – Class of ’28

Nancy Frank – Class of ’25

Jerri Gillett – Class of ’26

Barbara Given – Class of ’27

David Horner – Class of ’28

Mickey Martin – Class of ’26

Jane Paterson – Class of ’28

Bruce Timmons – Class of ’25

Administration

The Administration Committee supports financial and property-related activities for the church and use of the facility by outside groups. This is accomplished by church volunteers and, as needed, outside contractors.

Christian Education (Children and Youth) – Catherine Holdway

Christian education activities are offered for children 3 years of age through high school.  We begin with simple Bible stories for preschool children and progress through interpreting scriptures. We focus on putting faith into action.

Christian Education (Adults) – Ewen Todd

The Adult Christian Education Committee organizes learning opportunities for adults in our congregation. We include Bible study, contemplation, current events, book discussions, interfaith dialogues, and outside speakers throughout the year.

Communication and Engagement

The Communication and Engagement Committee updates our website, Facebook, and Instagram pages, and supervises our email lists and YouTube livestream.

Mission – Kent Workman

PCO’s Mission Committee seeks to extend the love and compassion of the congregation to our local community as well as any place in the world where people suffer.  The committee works closely with local and international programs and offers many areas where members of the congregation can be involved.

Parish Life – Jennifer Gordon

The Parish Life Committee is a vital part of our church family.  It  builds a network of caring relationships between friends, and  families by hosting events central to the spiritual life of our church community.

Personnel

The Personnel Committee fosters a healthy working environment for Church employees.  Members, together with paid staff, set and assess goals  and encourage their professional growth and development.

Stewardship – Patty Wilson

The stewardship committee engages the congregation toward contributing their time talent and treasure towards carrying out Gods calling by serving the needs of our Church, our Community, and the world at large. We communicate with the congregation, visitors, and new members the work of the church through annual Impact Budgets.

Worship and Music

The Worship & Music Committee works with staff and our congregation to plan and organize worship services on Sundays and other important days in the church calendar.  We coordinate Communion, greeters, ushers, and flowers for services and our chancel and bell choirs, to fill our sanctuary with music during worship.