Leadership
At State College Presbyterian Church
Our leadership is shared among pastors, elders, and deacons — each serving in distinct but connected ways to nurture faith, guide ministry, and care for the community.
The Session
The Governing Board of the State College Presbyterian Church, called the Session, consists of the pastor(s), and elected elders in active service. The Senior Pastor serves as the moderator of the session.
Elders are elected by the congregation for a term of three years of service but are ordained for life.
The Session generally meets on the third Sunday of the month and as needed for special circumstances.
The Session is responsible for the mission and government of the church and the work of the session is delegated to numerous ministry units/committees.
Elders Serving on the Session for 2026
- Jamie Bauman: CAYAM, Nominating
- Heather Bruhn: Adult Education (chair)
- Dick Bundy: SJMT (chair); Personnel
- Scott Cole: Education
- Jill Curley: Worship, Membership
- Joan Hartman: Worship, Nominating
- Anne Layng: Worship (chair)
- Rob Leicht: Personnel
- Ken Manno: Generosity (chair), Finance
- John Marsden: Membership (chair)
- Bizz Maser: CAYAM (chair)
- Tod McPherson: Adult Education, Finance
- Laura Millard: CAYAM, Finance
- Meg Moose: Finance (chair), Generosity
- Paul Mortimore: Education (chair), Worship
- Kelly Nguyen: Strategic Plan Implementation (co-chair), Congregational Fellowship
- Jamey Perry: Congregational Fellowship (chair), Worship
- Cheryl Price: Worship, Education
- Danielle Rhubart: Personnel (chair)
- Laura Robinson: SJMT, Personnel
- Scott Sesler: Building and Property (chair), Personnel
- Ann Wheeler: Nominating (chair); Worship
- Tom Wheeler: Membership, Building and Property
- *Ginny Rainey: Clerk of Session
Officers of the Corporation for 2026
President: Scott Sesler
Treasurer: Meg Moose
Secretary and Vice President: Ginny Rainey
The Board of Deacons
The Board of Deacons (or Diaconate), serves through witnessing, service, and sympathy, modeling after Christ. The board consists of members of the congregation elected by the congregation for a term of three years of service but are ordained for life.
The board generally meets the first Sunday of the month and as needed for special circumstances.
The Deacons have two units to share the responsibility of caring for the church: Caregiving and Service. The Caregiving Unit provided meals for members of the congregation in need, outreach to shut-ins including flower delivery for Easter and Christmas, and support for funeral receptions and the Visitation Deacons. The Service Unit organized fellowship events including the Presbytery Church Bingo, the Palm Sunday Breakfast, the Church Picnic at Tudek Park, Social at Big Spring Spirits, Christmas Caroling, and Soup Supper following the Candlelight service. The Deacons also take turns delivering donated items to the State College Food Bank.
Deacons also provide much-needed financial support to various projects and organizations, such as the LOGOS and Krislund Camp scholarships, Mission Trips, and the Pastor’s Discretionary Fund.
Deacons Serving on the Diaconate for 2026
- Sharon Ambrose: Service Chair
- Kevin Astare
- Chip Clark
- Curt Dell
- Nancy Dreschel
- Greg Elliott
- Greg Giles
- Bruce Grinder
- Terrance Green
- Natalie Hernandez
- Tracy Massaglia: Moderator
- Stuart McCrory
- Gail Miller: Caregiving Chair
- Annie Moose
- Katie Nurmi: Vice Moderator
- Melissa Pike
- Liane Roe
- Marti Sawyer
- Doug Schaufler
- Jon Schwantes
- Mary Ann Sesler: Secretary
- Phil Spangler
- Katie Stone
- Steve Van Hook
- Margaret VanFossan: Treasurer
The Visitation Deacons
An additional Board was added to the Diaconate structure in 1993 for a ministry of visitation. Visitation Deacons are members of the congregation who are specifically ordained and installed to call on shut-ins. Every month each Visitation Deacon visits one or more of our members who are confined to their homes, living in retirement communities or nursing homes, or limited in their ability to be a physical part of the life of the congregation.
Deacons servicing as Visitation Deacons for 2026 are as follows:
- Molly Buchanan
- Carol Graham
- Jack McKinley
- Jane McKinley
- Mary Jane Kistler
- Bitsey Robertson
- Mimi St. Clair
- Carolyn Tothero
- Anita Thies: Chair