STAY - Key Persons
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!
Job Titles:
- Assistant
- Financial Administrator
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.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Custodian ( Part Time )
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.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Teacher ( M / W / F )
Job Titles:
- Administrative Assistant
- and Play Administrative Assistant ( Part - Time )
Dianna Danko joins the Stay and Play staff as Administrative Assistant beginning Summer 2022.
Job Titles:
- Chrysalis Coordinator ( LOGOS Middle School ) ( Part Time )
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.
Job Titles:
- Church Secretary ( Part Time )
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.
Job Titles:
- Director
- and Play Director
- New Stay and Play Director
Laura Seeley was hired recently to be our new Stay and Play Director. She will be working closely with the Education Ministry Unit and Deannine Shipman, and also the Stay and Play Advisory Team. Laura is originally from Toms River, NJ - born and raised there! She 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 - also in NJ. In 2016 she moved to Happy Valley and married her husband, Bryant. 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.
Job Titles:
- Program Associate
- Membership and Program
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.
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.
Job Titles:
- Director of Music Ministry ( Full Time )
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.
Job Titles:
- Director of Youth Ministry ( Full Time )
Reed has been a Youth Minister for 4 years and has a Masters of theological studies. He is excited to bring an atmosphere of fun and growth that will help all of our youth live their lives in joy and kindness. He will be coordinating FISH and Laura Essinger-Hileman will continue to coordinate Chrysalis. Reed will be joining the SCPC staff on September 1.
Job Titles:
- Associate Pastor in Campus and Young Adult Ministries ( Full Time )
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.
Job Titles:
- Interim Sr. Pastor ( Full - Time )
Job Titles:
- Building Manager / Head Custodian ( Full Time )
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.
Job Titles:
- Lead Teacher
- Lead Teacher ( See above under Wonderful Wolves )