Church Staff

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​We are pleased to serve you as your church staff.
Church Phone Number - 814-238-2422
​Church Email address - officescpc@gmail.com
Voicemail messages may be left after hours by entering the extension number when prompted

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Rev. John Porter, Interim Sr. Pastor (full-time)
voicemail extension 204

Pastor John Porter comes to us as Interim Pastor as we begin our search to call a new permanent Sr. Pastor.  John began his ministry as an Associate Pastor at Hill United Presbyterian Church in Butler Pennsylvania. In 2008 he left that position and pursued training for and followed God’s call into transitional ministry.  Since that time he has exclusively filled transitional positions serving eight different congregations within Beaver/Butler or Pittsburgh Presbytery.  He has served congregations ranging from rural and suburban to urban - some with multiple staff and some as a solo pastor.

John and his wife Heather have two adult children,  Kirkland and Tim, both graduates of the University of Pittsburgh.  Heather has taught Geography and World History to students in 7th to 9th grade for 26 years in Butler.  They love the outdoors and enjoy hiking, camping, and gardening.  In the winter months they spend their spare time playing board games, doing puzzles, and binge-watching PBS mystery series and BBC period dramas. 

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Rev. Allison Maus, Associate Pastor in Campus and Young Adult Ministries (full time)
voicemail extension 209
allisonscpc@gmail.com

Allison began work with us August 2018 as Associate in Ministry for College-Age and Young Adult Ministries.  She was inspired to work with college students while serving as a Graduate Ministry Intern at Whitworth University in Spokane, WA.  She graduated from Princeton Theological Seminary with a Master in Divinity with fieldwork in both a hospital setting, and as a Student Pastor at Beacon Church in Philadelphia leading people in faith, mission, art, and storytelling.  Here at SCPC she works with the Presbyterian Student Fellowship students on campus and supports Theology unTapped with Young Adults as well as the Spiritual Life Team. 
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Allison was ordained as Associate Pastor at SCPC on June 27, 2021.

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Deannine Shipman, Director of Education and Program (full-time)
voicemail extension 213
deanninescpc@gmail.com

Deannine spent her childhood years in North Carolina, California, and Virginia, while her family moved around the country. She graduated from Presbyterian College in 1982 and received her MA from Columbia Theological Seminary in 1984. She worked in churches in South Carolina, Georgia, and Birmingham, AL before coming to SCPC in November 1997.
Her responsibilities include guidance and oversight of the education programs such as Sunday School, LOGOS, Childcare, Confirmation, and Adult Education.  Deannine works closely with our Stay and Play Director, Childcare Coordinator, and Kitchen Coordinators (for youth programs) on a weekly basis. Deannine participates in leading worship and especially enjoys doing the Children's Messages on Sunday mornings. She has three children, Abby and Joshua are Penn State graduates and now teachers, and Brittany is a recent graduate of Lesley University in Boston.

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Ned Wetherald, Director of Music Ministry (full time)
voicemail extension 208
nedscpc@gmail.com

Ned has served SCPC since 1994 after nine years of service at The Hagerstown, Maryland Presbyterian Church. He holds a Bachelor of Music in Church Music and Master of Music in Choral Conducting from Shenandoah University in Winchester, Virginia. Ned is our organist, he directs or supervises all choirs and the handbell choir, works with the pastors in planning worship, and edits the PresbyPost — our monthly newsletter.
Ned and his wife, Karen, a musician and retired teacher, live in Bellefonte with their cats.

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Reed Dressler, Director of Youth Ministry (full time)
youthministryscpc@gmail.com 

Reed began working in this newly formed position in September 2022. 
He was born in Trenton, NJ and grew up in the Ozarks region of southwest Missouri.  He received his undergraduate degree in Philosophy and Religion and then was awarded a Master's of Theological Studies from Phillips Theological Seminary in Tulsa Oklahoma.
Reed sees experiencing the love of God as a lifelong journey. and hopes to always live on that eternal path. In the nonprofit world Reed has worked as a Domestic Violence Shelter Victim Advocate, and as a Chapter Executive Director for a non-profit. In church settings he  worked as Youth Director, a Children's Church Director, and assisted an AV team.  Reed's goal as a Youth Director is to always create a safe, open, and loving environment that is inclusive and creative. Together with our youth, he hopes to find our True Selves and create a Beloved Community! 

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Martha Trout, Membership and Program Associate (3/4 time)
voicemail extension 202
marthascpc@gmail.com

​Martha is a lifelong resident of State College and member of SCPC.  She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Penn State University.  After operating an Administrative Consulting business and managing a local independent psychologist's private practice for several years, she joined the SCPC staff in this position that was formed in 2003.
As Membership and Program Associate, Martha manages the membership arm of the church management system, the church website and the church's many communication efforts.  She resources church programs with the development and publication of informational materials, and compiles the Annual Report of the Congregation.  She staffs the Membership Ministry Unit, facilitates the membership opportunities, and works closely with the Session, the Education Ministries, FISH and LOGOS.
She is an ordained Elder and has volunteered with LOGOS and FISH. Martha and husband Kerry live in State College with Henry the cat and have a daughter, Kristi, who resides in Massachusetts.
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Martha is normally in the office from  9:00 am - 4:00 pm Monday thru Thursday; 9:00 am - noon on Friday.

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Michelle Fortin, Financial Administrator (3/4 time)
voicemail extension 207
finadmscpc@gmail.com

Michelle was born and raised in Maine and went to college and graduate school in Maine.  She and her family came to State College several years ago for husband, Jeff's work. They have two daughters - Abby is a graduate of Penn State, now based in Charlston, SC, and Libby is a nursing student at Hartwick College and plays field hockey.  They live in State College with their 2 cats.
 Her normal office hours are 8:00 am - 2:30 pm, Monday thru Friday.

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Anne Thomas, Assistant Financial Administrator(part time)
voicemail extension 207
annescpc@gmail.com

Anne grew up in Princeton, NJ.  She graduated from the University of Michigan with both a Bachelor's degree in Voice Performance and an MBA.  Because she was a Navy wife, she has lived extensively overseas as well as in various locations on the Eastern Seaboard.  She has two children, Hunter and Alexandra.
Anne's responsibilities include deposits, quarterly financial statements and managing the database for Safeguarding our Children and Youth at SCPC.

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Laura Green, Church Secretary (part time)
voicemail extension 201
officescpc@gmail.com

Laura began work with us in August 2021. She grew up in Huntingdon, PA and graduated from Huntingdon Area High School. She received her Bachelors degree from Liberty University's Online Campus (Lynchburg, VA) in Paralegal Studies in 2020. Her most recent work experience was as a legal assistant and office manager for a local attorney. Laura's husband, Terrance, is a physical education teacher and girl's basketball coach in the Penns Valley School District. They live in PA Furnace with their three children, Abby, Timmy, and Quinlynn.

Laura's regular office hours are Monday through Thursday from 8:30 am - 2:30 pm during the program year and 8:30 am - 2:30 pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays  in the summer.

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Cricket Hunter, Mission Associate (part-time)
voicemail extension 206
missionatscpc@gmail.com

Cricket began working with us as Mission Associate in April 2022.  She serves as a connecting point between small groups, the Social Justice and Mission Team, staff, service organizations in the community, and our congregation at large. She comes to us as a 23-year resident of State College who loves connecting people and helping people combine their talents, enthusiasm, and wisdom to meet needs and build community.  You may spot Cricket walking to church from home, where she lives with her spouse, Dave, and three chickens.   Their extended families and daughters are in Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Colorado, and beyond.  
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Cricket’s normal office hours are Mondays and Tuesdays and she will be in worship two Sundays a month.  She would welcome the chance to sit (or walk!) with you to hear about your love and concerns for the communities we live in.  

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Laura Essinger-Hileman, Chrysalis Coordinator (LOGOS Middle School) (part time)
scpcchrysalis@gmail.com

Laura Essinger-Hileman took over the coordinating of the Chrysalis program (the middle school component of our mid-week LOGOS program for children and youth) in summer 2021.  Laura became a member of SCPC in 2008 while a college student and has been active here in college-age and young adult programs since then.  She is a teacher in the State College area and had been a Chrysalis leader for several years before taking over as Coordinator.

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Laura Seeley, Stay and Play Director (3/4 time)
Stay and Play direct phone: 814-237-1154
814-238-2422 - voicemail extension 221
stayandplayscpc@gmail.com

Laura Seeley joined us recently as our new Stay and Play Director.  Laura was born and raised in Toms River, NJ, and graduated from Rider University with a degree in Sociology and minors in Social Work and History.  She went on to work in the social work field, but quickly moved into working with various pre schools as a lead teacher and as an Assistant Director in several locations, all in New Jersey.  Following that she went on to be a Preschool Director, and helped the owner open a series of daycare centers from 2009 – 2016.
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In 2016 she moved to Happy Valley and married her husband, Bryant, who works for Penn State.  Together they have three children:  Kennedy, Kall, & Kordelia.
Bryant works for Penn State, and grew up on a dairy farm here in PA, which his parents still own and operate.
Laura likes to spend her time with her family, and if there is any extra time she does cross stitch, all kinds of crafting, using her Cricut, and is a Color Street consultant.
She enjoys the beach, Penn State football, the NY Giants, the dairy farm, and visiting Cape Cod. 

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Dianna Danko, Stay and Play Administrative Assistant (part-time)
Stay and Play direct phone:  814-237-1154
814-238-2422 - voicemail extension 221
stayandplayassistant@gmail.com

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 Mike and Amy Gordon, Kitchen Coordinators for FISH and LOGOS  (part time)
814-234-3564
scamygordon@aol.com

​Amy and Mike serve as the Kitchen Coordinators for LOGOS and FISH.  They organize menus and coordinate cooking crews, shop for food and help prepare meals.  If your youth has special dietary needs, you can contact them directly. Amy and Mike have lots of energy and knowledge and we are lucky to have them in this position!

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Todd Hockenberry, Building Manager/Head Custodian (full time)
bldgmgrscpc@gmail.com

Todd began work with us at the beginning of November 2018.  He was born and raised in Central PA and worked as a line clearance tree trimmer for 20 years until needing a change which took him into Facilities Maintenance.  He and his wife, Jill, live in Bellefonte. They have 3 adult daughters and 2 grandchildren.
Todd spends his free time watching Penn State or Pittsburgh sports.

Todd's normal hours are 7:30 am - 3:30 pm  Monday - Thursday and 7:30 - 12:30 on Sundays.

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Chelsea Hockenberry, Assistant Custodian (part time)
 asstcustodianscpc@gmail.com

Chelsea began working at SCPC in January 2022 as a sub for her sister, Lindsey, when she was off for maternity leave.  She did such a great job that we asked her to come back after Lindsey moved on to a full time job in her field in May 2022!  Chelsea  grew up in Central PA with her mother, sister, and father (who you might be familiar with), Building Manager Todd Hockenberry.  

Chelsea's hours vary with the needs of the building, but she is generally here in the evening.