MEET OUR TEAM
PASTOR AND STAFF
Striving to create a welcoming
and inclusive community where
everyone feels valued and loved.
Pastor
VACANT
Choir Director
Samantha Palmer currently studies Music Education and Vocal Performance at the University of Michigan-Flint with a minor in Violin Performance and Psychology. Since entry in 2020, Samantha has completed a Junior and Senior Recital, acts as the choral librarian for the University’s vocal ensembles, and is the recipient of the Friends of Music scholarship and the Fesmire String scholarship. In 2023, she attended a fully-funded music education trip to San Antonio, Texas to study mariachi music.
Samantha found a great love of music at the young age of eight. She learned violin at an after school program, and quickly received a scholarship for private instruction at the Flint Institute of Music. She continues to thrive, and participated in the Flint Youth String Orchestra for three years. Immediately following her time in orchestra, Samantha decided to also participate in her school’s choir, of which she fell in love. Choir has given her great experience with many different instruction and methods of teaching, which inspired her to teach. Upon arriving at the university, she studied voice with Dr. Matthew Daniels and Hannah Wikaryasz. In the 2022-2023 school year, she studied conducting with Dr. Gabriella Hristova, which has inspired her to consider conducting for her masters degree.
In the next few years, Samantha looks forward to conducting a masterclass at the ACDA Conference (American Choral Directors Association) and graduating from U of M-Flint.
SAMANTHA PALMER
Organist
Jun started playing piano when she was five years old, and continued until entering college in order to earn a pipe organ degree. She studied classical organ music and church music while there, with a focus on early baroque, modern classics, and classic hymns. “The pipe organ offers so much flexibility, and I believe this is why it’s called the ‘king of instruments.’ It is said that organ music is so beautiful that God sends angels down to listen to it! While playing for the church, the organ is the leader for the congregation to sing along with the hymns.” Jun has also accompanied numerous other instruments such as the cello, violin, trumpet, flute, and saxophone, as well as many vocalists. “Music is my passion; it truly brings joy into my life, when I play I feel closer to God.” Jun’s hobbies include sewing, crafts, finding restaurants with good food, and going on motorcycle rides with her husband.
JUN BERNIER
Linda Warren
Office Assistant
Linda Warren joined our staff in November 2019. She has lived in the Lapeer area all her life and is a long-time member of the church. She graduated from Lapeer High School, owned two businesses, and then went into marketing where she was in supervision. Linda married her high school sweetheart, and together they had two children. They now also have four grandchildren, a chocolate Lab named Holli, and a crazy cat named Cooper. When not working you can find her either working in her gardens or camping with her family. Linda feels blessed to be in this position in the Lapeer area, and to work within her church family.
MEET OUR CHURCH OFFICERS
We’re a community
of regular people
discovering a vibrant
faith in Jesus.
CHURCH SESSION
Our session consists of church elders elected by the congregation to discern the will of God for our church and faithfully lead us in worship, witness, and service of God’s kingdom. Elders are elected for three-year terms and typically serve as committee chairs, and together as a session they work to empower others in faithful ministry across our church, community, and world. Our committees and the ruling elder appointed to them are:
TJ Craven, Clerk of Session
Scott Placeway, Personnel, House/Technology
Barbara Skirmants, Finance
Robert Glasgow, Finance
Kathy Craven, Personnel
Cerise Dixon, House/Technology
Brad Haggadone, Worship
Linda Hamilton, Health Ministry
and Mission/Outreach
"For we are God's servants, working together; you are God's field, God's building.”
1 Corinthians 3:9
DEACONS
Our Deacons have a Biblical mandate to a ministry of compassion, witness, service, and sharing the redeeming love of Jesus Christ for the poor, the hungry, the sick, the lost, the friendless, the oppressed, those burdened by injustice, or anyone in distress. From visiting people recovering from injury or illness to providing financial or emotional support to those in distress, the deacons are elected to three-year terms by our congregation to lead our efforts to show God’s love in word and deed.
Deb Moore
Darlene Placeway
Carol Jaeger
Francis Pitts
Nancy Pitts
Kim Herderich
Virgina Harris
Julene Van Dyke
OTHER MINISTRY LEADERS
Scott Bodell (Ushers)
Carol Jaeger (Presbyterian Woman)