(215) 855-5489 | Worship every Sunday @ 10:15 a.m.
(215) 855-5489 | Worship every Sunday @ 10:15 a.m.
Get to know our leaders and staff.
A native Midwesterner, Pastor Linda has spent the last thirty-five years of ministry between South Africa and the United States as a congregational pastor, hospice and hospital chaplain, overseas mission personnel, and teacher. She has an MDiv from Chicago Theological Seminary and a PhD in Religion and Social Change from the United Lutheran Seminary in Philadelphia, where she is also an adjunct professor. She is currently writing a book on the power of people organizing together across lines of faith and race to create change in their communities. As part of her wider commitment to the UCC, Linda serves as Co-Chair of the national UCC Movement for Palestinian Solidarity, and writes biblical commentary for the “Liturgy That Matters” series of Enfleshed. Singing, photography, brewing kombucha, and writing are favorite pastimes. Linda and her spouse, Zolani, live with their two adult children, Sonja and Rah, along with Maggie (Margaret Mead), the big, red Irish Doodle, and Boney M, the Dumpster Cat. Together they grow native and medicinal plants, make music, and spend as much time as they can with family in Washington Island, Wisconsin and South Africa.
Pastor Tom Adil came to St. John’s after a nearly 30-year career at Reading Hospital, where he served in various roles including Director of Adolescent Services in the Department of Psychiatry and Director of the Department of Spiritual Care. He’s also served part-time as an Interim Pastor in around 20 local UCC churches. Pastor Tom is a trained Art Therapist and Licensed Professional Counselor. As a Christian and as a Pastor, he has learned how increasingly important it has become to be more comfortable with managing the demands of change. He is married to a Spiritual Director/Minister of Christian Spirituality in the UCC, and a proud father of a grown daughter who resides near Pittsburgh.
Andrew Paulson serves the congregation of St. John’s United Church of Christ in Lansdale, Pennsylvania as Minister of Music and as Artistic Director of The Artist Series at St. John’s. He is a pastoral musician, pianist, organist, conductor, and educator, holding degrees from Augustana University, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and University of St. Thomas. Andrew, a passionate leader of congregational song, is also a solo artist, recently performing in A Longwood Christmas, Longwood Gardens Organ Series, the American Guild of Organists Philadelphia Chapter Tuesday Noon Recital Series and the Kenneth and Evelyn Hales Memorial Organ Recital Series, and a collaborator, working with liturgical composers Michael Burkhardt and Ralph Johnson, the Minneapolis/St. Paul based choral ensembles Magnum Chorum and Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus, and members of Philadelphia Ballet Orchestra, Opera Philadelphia Orchestra, and The Philly Pops. Additionally, Andrew serves on the Executive Committee of the Philadelphia Chapter of the American Guild of Organists.
Abbie Lampe began as our Minister of Music for Children and Youth in January, 2018. Abbie had recently returned to St. John’s and the Lansdale area to be the Director of Nursing at the Kirkbride Center in Philadelphia. Abbie has a degree in Music Education from West Chester University and many years of experience working with church youth and children’s choirs and Sunday School. Abbie’s passion for music education was evident in her interview sessions and this quote from her application “I believe music is an exciting way to engage children in learning, and a fun way to teach them about God. I consider it an honor to assist with this part of the music program at St. John’s.” During the COVID time, Abbie worked with the Children’s Choir to learn and present Zoom virtual choir performances!
Kay joined St. John’s as Church Office Manager in spring of 2024. She is an avid reader, loves science fiction, fantasy, and horror, and aspires to be an author in her own right. Her favorite things to do are watch action and horror movies, play Dead by Daylight, and be a Dungeon Master for her thrice weekly Dungeons & Dragons games! Kay has been a loyal member of the Light Brigade Color Guard from 2016-2023, competing internationally for 8 consecutive years. Before serving St. John’s, Kay volunteered at her previous congregations as a youth group leader for middle and high schoolers, a worship leader for Pre-K to Elementary, sang in choirs and church bands, and happily baptized many of her small group members! She is passionate about the work it takes to bring community together, and showing appreciation for every person who brings what they can to the table. As a member of the LGBT+ community, she strives to make sure all voices are heard, and that all feel welcome at St. John’s.
Andrew Jay, or “Andy,” joined St. John’s as the Facilities Manager at the beginning of January 2025. He attended Lincoln Tech for IT, and gained the CompTIA A+ Certification and Lenovo/Del Certifications. Before serving our congregation, he served in the United States Army for six years as a Support System Specialist and Infantry. For a decade, he was a Corrections Maintenance and Security Officer in the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections. He moved down south, serving the Texas Department of Criminal Justice while living in Texas for a year and a half. Andy has been doing private contracting and freelance maintenance work for over a decade. In his spare time he loves spending time with family and friends, watching horror and sci-fi movies, and loves RPG style video games.
Grace joined St. John’s as Communications Coordinator in spring 2024. Coming from a family of musicians and artists, she deeply values the role of creative expression in life and work. In her marketing and communications career, she’s found particular joy and fulfillment working with local nonprofits. She looks forward to learning all there is to know about St. John’s and helping to grow its presence in the community. Grace loves nature walks, cooking, yoga, knitting and crochet, and thrift and antique shopping.
The life of St. John’s is guided by democratically elected lay leadership, called the Council. The Church Council meets monthly and consists of the chairpersons of the Task forces, committees, and ministry teams along with ex officio members at large. The council is elected each January and installed in early February. Learn more about our Church Council below!
Deborah Dayton
President
Dan Panachyda
Vice President
De’Jon Salmon
Secretary
Susan Donahue
Treasurer
Chriss Bodde
Chair
The focus of the Board of Elders is the spiritual health and well being of the church, its members, and the worship life of the congregation. The Elders work with St. John’s pastors by attending to such important matters as welcoming visitors and worshipers, and being alert to the overall atmosphere experienced when attending the church. They also provide support for the music ministry of the church and for its staff members.
Alan Malachowski & Steve Hendricks
co-chairs
The care and custody of the property of the Church is vested in the Church Council, but the ministry of property and equipment (whether real or personal, except securities) is delegated to the Board of Trustees as a sacred trust, in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution and By-Laws.
Judy Leslie
Chair
The social life of the Church is entrusted to the care of the Board of Deacons. Overseeing activities which provide fellowship opportunities for the Church family is a primary responsibility of this Board, along with reaching out into the community and responding to needs beyond the local Congregation. Stewardship shall also be a concern of this Board as it seeks to educate and guide the Congregation in matters related to the use of time, talents, and resources.
Mary Billy
Chair
The Board of Educators is tasked with the Educational Ministries of St. John’s. The Educators seek to provide the children, youth, individuals, and families of our community opportunities with education, fellowship, and fun.
Grace Bruen
Finance Committee Chair
The Finance Committee prepares and proposes the annual budget for St. John’s UCC. In addition, this committee oversees the Church’s investments, special funds, its receipts and expenditures, and ensures that all bequest giving is properly administered from year to year with reports to the Church Council.
Bill Leslie
Personnel Committee Chair
The Personnel Committee acts as a resource for, and a guide to, both the members of St. John’s Staff and the members of the Church Council, regarding such matters as staff performance and compensation, staff recruiting and hiring, and other related and appropriate personnel activity.
Karen Methlie
Stewardship Committee Chair
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