Rev. Caroline E. Saxton
Pastor
Email: pastor@sjucc1811.org
The Rev. Caroline E. Saxton serves as pastor of St. John’s UCC. Pastor Caroline was ordained as a Minister of Word and Sacrament in the United Church of Christ in 2018. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Smith College and holds a Master of Divinity from Candler School of Theology, Emory University. She has certificates in Religion and Health and Women’s Studies in Theology and Ministry. An Iowa native, Pastor Caroline has roots in southeast Pennsylvania. She values relationship, collaboration, and curiosity. And she loves God. If you’re ever not certain about how to pronounce her name, you can always start singing “Sweet Caroline” and you’ll get it right. Pastor Caroline shares her home with two beautiful polydactyl cats, Leah and Naomi.
Loretta Zimmerman
Office Manager
Email: manager@sjucc1811.org
Loretta began her office management career right out of high school when she was hired as a secretary in the Personnel Department of the Chambersburg Area School District, as she attended College. She finds joy in working with people and helping them in any way she can. Loretta is a devoted mother of her son, Carter and likes being an active participant in his activities. She enjoys the outdoors and life in general. Her position as Office Manager at St. John’s United Church of Christ is a real blessing to her and her hope is to be a blessing to her co-workers and the members of this church.
Roxanne Davenport
Youth Director
Email: youth@sjucc1811.org
Roxanne Davenport serves St. John’s as Director of Children and Youth Ministries after retiring from 35 years in public school education here in Chambersburg. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Bloomsburg University and a Master’s in Education degree from Shippensburg University. She has worked in Christian Education with the United Church of Christ for more than 25 years. Roxanne is originally from Red Lion, PA and resides with 1 dog, 2 cats, and 2 turtles here in Chambersburg. Besides family, Roxanne enjoys gardening, cooking, cross stitch, music, reading, cycling, camping, kayaking and therapy dog work.
Barbara Motichka
Organist
Barb Motichka started her musical journey in the second grade studying piano under Winifred J. Ross. During her sophomore year Winifred offered to start giving Barb organ lessons and she enjoyed an addition 5 years under her direction.
Barb played for The Hagerstown Community Players Mad Cap Follies for the grand opening of the Maryland Theatre after the fire in 1977.
She also played for the Hagerstown Community Singer rehearsals of HMS Pinafore at the Maryland Theatre.
While in high school Barb started playing the organ for the Second Lutheran Church in Chambersburg for seven years and then returned after her children were older for 10 more years.
After returning to Chambersburg in 2010, Barb became the organist and choir director at St. Stephens Lutheran Church in Upton, PA for four years.
In 2014 she became the organist and choir director at Evangelical Lutheran Church and played there for 9 years.
In December of 2022 Barb became the organist at St. Johns United Church of Christ, where she came full circle with a beautiful newly refurbished organ just like the one she started with.
Gary Crum
Choir Director
Gary studied Music Education at Susquehanna University and Ithaca College and taught instrumental music for 38 years and the Bells of St. John’s for 22 years. In 2008 a summer choir was formed and sposored by St. John’s and named St. John’s Summer Singers. This group is comprised of singers from many churches in the Chambersburg area and gives concerts in many venues as Retirement Homes and churches.
Kari Rock
Nursery School Director
Email: nsdirector@sjucc.net
Kari serves as the director of St. John’s Nursery School, a ministry of St. John’s United Church of Christ. She first joined the Nursery School in 2014 as a substitute, working her way to teacher, and then hired as director in 2019. Kari graduated with a BSBA in accounting from Shippensburg University. Kari is a proud soccer mom of 2 boys and enjoys watching them play each weekend. She has always loved being around children and has passion for helping children grow and succeed during their preschool years.