Meet Our Church Staff

	The Rev. Liz Johnson Blythe, Co-Pastor Liz was born in Monroe, LA, the daughter of a United Methodist and Southern Baptist who did not settle into a town or church until she was in elementary school. By then, she lived in a suburb of Dallas, TX, and her parents came together theologically long enough to become Presbyterian for about a year. As a child she was constantly asked her parents to take her to church. She didn't know why, now she'd call it the Holy Spirit, but she was drawn there. So when she was 16 and could drive she went to worship, then Sunday School, then to everything it had to offer. Liz went on her first mission trip, followed by two more before she graduated from high school. She experienced something incredible - a sense of community among the youth where thee had not been one before, a sense of common purpose as they worked together to complete strenuous physical tasks, and a sense of Christ's body at work in the world. After graduating in 1998 from the University of Texas at Austin with a B.A. in History and a minor in Religious Studies, Liz returned to Dallas and put her degree to work - writing software! The next year she moved to Charlotte, NC, and the Myers Park Presbyterian Church. Instead of just going on mission trips, now she was leading them - and loved it. It was during this time that Liz experienced her own call to ministry. Others had suggested it, but it was not until then did she really comprehend God's call for her. Once enrolled at Princeton Theological Seminary, Liz came to fully understand her call to pastoral ministry. Through internships and the leading of the Holy Spirit, Liz came to realize she did not have to choose between serving in a congregation and serving in mission. In 2005, Liz moved to Baltimore, MD, became a solo pastor, and led the church on its first three mission trips ever. Worship is still her first and greatest love. Liz loves to read, cook, be outside, share a sense of humor, sing (though perhaps not well), fellowship, and being creative in thinking about how we approach and adore God. Liz enjoys working with youth of all ages, participating in adult education, and of course she loves mission locally and abroad. Contact Liz at 973-539-3481 ext 13 or L.Blythe@mppresby.org.
	The Rev. Scott Blythe, Co-Pastor Scott was born in Paisley, Scotland. Most of his family still reside there; however, Scott's father moved them to another town outside of Glasgow when Scott was just over two years old. Scott grew up there and attended a large church through his mother. The church was Moncrieff Parish Church within the Presbyterian Church of Scotland and had, on average, 1,100-1,500 people attending every week. Scott's main connection to church was through the Boys Brigade, an organization similar to Scouting that had been created by a church elder in 1883. Scott grew up in the organization and at age 17 was asked to come back and help lead the boys ages 8-10. He was soon confronted with teaching basic Christianity and found himself returning to the church and the Youth Fellowship within the church. The journey soon took an amazing twist when Scott was 19 and midway through his first degree in Chemistry. Before long he was helping to lead a national Youth Body and was representing the Scottish Church Youth Work Networks at conferences in Europe. At the same time Scott experienced what he believed was a call to ministry and applied tot he Church of Scotland and was accepted as a candidate. Scott graduated from Chemistry and then began his studies in theology at the University of Glasgow. He completed his Divinity course and was ordained in 1997 to the position of Program Director within the Youth and Family Center of the Iona Community on Iona. From there, Scott went on to be a Campus Minister and for a few years worked as a detective within Essex and Metropolitan Police Forces. Scott returned then to the parish ministry in Southeast of Edinburgh before taking a post as Interim Pastor in Northeast Baltimore for the last several years. He has a deep interest in spirituality and enabling creative bible study in congregations. Scott loves developing creative worship within a team context. He loves to walk (he has walked the 500 mile great pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compstella), to cycle, to build and restore computers as well as program them and finally to read. Contact Scott at 973-539-3481 ext 13 or S.Blythe@mppresby.org.
	Skip Yingling, Minister of Music Skip Yingling is a graduate of Stetson University in Florida, where he received degrees of Bachelor of Music and Masters in Business Administration. He has recently returned to Morris Plains after living in Los Angeles where he worked at both an independent record label and a music branding company as an associate for business development. Skip was baptized, confirmed, involved in the music program (including the Walsh Bell Choir, Angel Singers, Carol Choir, and Praise Band), and was a contributing member of the PCMP family. Today, Skip has taken on the roles of director of the Chancel Choir, teacher for the Joyful Noise Preschool music classes, organist, and pianist. He looks forward to continuing to share his God-given gifts for worship. Contact Skip at 973-539-3481 ext 15 or S.Yingling@mppresby.org.

	Jane Whitehead, Director of Joyful Noise Nursery School and Day Care Jane Whitehead began as Director of the Joyful Noise Nursery School & Day Care on June 28, 2010. Jane most recently served 10 years as the Director of the Mendham Cooperative Nursery School. We are excited to have Jane on our staff and we are confident that Joyful Noise will continue its growth under Jane’s guidance. Contact Jane at 973-539-9514 or J.Whitehead@joyfulnoisemorrisplains.org.
	Kim Smith, Director of Youth Ministries Kim Smith and her husband live in Randolph. They have two adult "kids." Kim loves to expand her world through travel. Kim is passionate about teenagers, loves to spend time with them, work on mission trips together and share in their faith journeys. She feels it is a privilege to be included in this very special time in a young person's life and is very proud of the teens and their amazing accomplishments. She also works in the church office, maintains the website and creates the monthly newsletter, Good Tidings. Contact Kim at 973-539-3481 ext. 11 or K.Smith@mppresby.org.
	Ginny Jerr, Administrative Assistant Virginia (Ginny) Jerr is the Administrative Assistant in the Church Office. She sets up the church calendar and arranges room assignments for ministry meetings or outside groups. Ginny handles various administrative functions for the church such as printing the bulletin, keeping information up to date on new or current members, posting contributions and paying the church bills. Ginny considers it a blessing to be able serve the members of the Presbyterian Church of Morris Plains. Contact Ginny at 973-539-3481 ext. 10 or G.Jerr@mppresby.org.
	Leo Ramirez, Facilities Manager Leo Ramirez was born in Uruguay and raised in Rockaway, NJ. When not managing the church facilities, Leo can be found playing semi-pro soccer in the NY metro area. Leo lives with his wife and sons in Morris Plains. He also enjoys playing on the church softball team. Contact Leo at 973-539-3481 or L.Ramirez@mppresby.org.
	Austin Vallies, Director of the Walsh Memorial Bell Choir Austin Vallies is the Director of the Walsh Memorial Bell Choir. He is from south Jersey, and graduated from Gateway Regional High School in Woodbury Heights. He received a Bachelor of Music in Music Education in 2006 from Westminster Choir College in Princeton, where he participated in several choral groups. He was also a ringer there for four years in the highly regarded Westminster Concert Bell Choir.Austin directed men’s and women’s choruses and taught general music for three years at Macopin Middlle School in West Milford,NJ. He is currently a teacher of choral and general music at Westwood Regional Middle School in Westwood, NJ. In additional to his choral activities, Austin also plays brass instruments. He was an active member for many years of the Jersey Surf Drum and Bugle Corps, and served one year as Drum Major. Contact Austin at 973-539-3481 ext. 15 or a.vallies@mppresby.org

Meet Our Volunteer Staff

Frank Poage, Business Manager

Frank is a retired Computer Systems Analyst having worked in that field since 1956. Frank is an active member, teaching Bible Study, ringing English Handbells in the Grazio Handbell Choir, serving on the Finance Ministry and as an advocate for Jersey Battered Womens Services. Frank is an ordained Deacon and Elder.

Contact Frank at 973-539-3481 or frank.poage@verizon.net.

Carl Loutzenheiser, Director of the Walsh Memorial Bell Choir Program

Carl has been in the Chancel Choir since he joined The Presbyterian Church of Morris Plains in 1968. He became involved in the bell choir program as a parent in the mid 1970's and has been a part of the Grazio (adult) Bell Choir since it began in 1981. He directed the Mezza Bell Choir for 11 years and has directed the Grazio Bell Choir since 1998. Carl lives in Morris Plains and is enjoying retirement after a career as a Civil Engineer.

Contact Carl at carl.bells@mppresby.org.