Church Staff
We are pleased to serve you as your church staff.
Church Phone Number: 814-238-2422
Church Fax Number: 814-238-3524
Church Email address - officescpc@gmail.com
Voicemail messages may be left after hours by entering the extension number when prompted
Church Phone Number: 814-238-2422
Church Fax Number: 814-238-3524
Church Email address - officescpc@gmail.com
Voicemail messages may be left after hours by entering the extension number when prompted
Rev. John Porter, Interim Sr. Pastor (full-time)
voicemail extension 204 Pastor John Porter joined us as Interim Pastor in August 2022 as we search for 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 then, 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 7th to 9th-grade students for 26 years in Butler. They love the outdoors and enjoy hiking, camping, and gardening. In the winter, they spend their spare time playing board games, doing puzzles, and binge-watching PBS mystery series and BBC period dramas. |
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. Allison was ordained as Associate Pastor at SCPC on June 27, 2021. |
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, and Adult Education. Deannine works closely with our Stay and Play Director 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 both teachers in the Northern Virginia area, and Brittany is working part time in State College and a tattoo apprentice. |
Reed Dressler, Director of Youth Ministry (full time)
voicemail extension 206 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! |
Austin Norrid, Interim Choir Director (part time)
voicemail extension 208 musicatscpc@gmail.com The search for a full-time Director of Music Ministry is active and ongoing. Austin’s support as Interim Choir Director will allow us to continue our regular music programming without interruption allowing the search committee to conduct the search thoughtfully without distraction. Austin is working on his PhD. In Music Education at Penn State and anticipates graduating in May of 2025. He has been a Bass section leader at St. Andrews Episcopal Church and worked as a high-school music teacher in Louisville Kentucky while earning his master’s degree. |
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 is pursuing a second degree in nursing in Vermont. Martha is normally in the office from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm Monday thru Thursday; 9:00 am - noon on Friday. |
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 Centre Hall with their chickens and 2 cats. Her normal office hours are 8:00 am - 2:30 pm, Monday thru Friday. |
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.
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.
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. |
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. 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. |
Aaron King, LOGOS Worship Skills Coordinator (part time)
worshipskillsscpc@gmail.com Aaron is a graduate student working on his Master's of Music Education at Penn State. He will graduate in the spring of 2024. He gained student teaching experience at the elementary and middle school levels while living in Hattiesburg Mississippi. He will be planning for and leading the LOGOS worship skill classes on Tuesday evenings and directing those groups several times in worship over the fall semester and on Christmas eve for our early family service. |
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. |
Michael McGillian, Technology Coordinator (part time)
Michael is a senior majoring in Telecommunications at Penn State. He is currently working with Penn State Athletics as a part of their live broadcast of athletic events and has also worked as a part of the production team for Penn State Football post game shows. He will be with us each Sunday handling our live stream broadcast and projection system for worship and providing technical support to exploration hour programs. |
Laura Seeley, Stay and Play Preschool 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 in Fall 2022 as our 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. 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. 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. |
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 Dianna Danko joined our Stay and Play staff in Fall 2022 after spending the last six years as a member of the Stay and Play Advisory Team member. She is married with 3 children (two are current attenders and one is a Stay and Play graduate). Dianna graduate from Lock Haven University with a degree in Communications. She and her family live in Bellefonte - she loves spending time with her family, camping, play softball, Broadway shows and the beach! |
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! |
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. |
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.
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.
State College Presbyterian Church
132 West Beaver Avenue State College, PA 16801 Phone: 814-238-2422 Fax: 814-238-3524 email: officescpc@gmail.com Program Year Sunday Worship ~ In the Sanctuary at 9:00 am, followed by our Exploration Hour - face masks are optional Live-Streamed Worship ~ An email is sent out on Saturdays (to those on our mailing list) with a link to our live-stream of the worship service on YouTube at 9:00 am on Sundays. If you would like to join our mailing list, please click here Summer Sunday Worship ~ TBD - face masks are optional Stay and Play Preschool 814-237-1154 stayandplayscpc@gmail.com Church Office Hours:
Monday - Thursday: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm Friday: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm |