About us and our staff: The Presbyterian Church of Toms River is greatly blessed to have a terrific staff who love working together




The Presbyterian Church of Toms River is greatly blessed to have a terrific staff who love working together. These positive working relationships help to foster the caring environment found at PCTR. Our wonderful staff is led by our senior pastor, two associate pastors, our music minister and two associate ministers of music, committed elders and eight other full and part-time staff members.

	You can't surpass the great faith statements we've inherited from our foreparents in the faith, like the Apostles Creed. When it comes to faith we all walk on roadways we did not construct and shelter under oaks we did not plant. But our faith, even though shaped by others who've prayed and led and written and witnessed on the past, is still our faith. Here is a creed I composed for Easter three years ago: Dr. David M. Joynt, Senior Pastor
We believe in God, the Almighty, Who creates, restores, and renews all things Who works in the hidden stillness of every dawn Opening the darkest tomb and birthing hope and peace. We believe in Jesus, the risen Christ, Who is Lord of life and king of glory Conqueror of all dark and deadly powers He meets us on every path and calls us to be children of the light We believe in the Holy Spirit Who works through the lame and the little, the wrinkled and the newborn, the hurting and the hopeful; Nudging our prayers, kindling our longings and prompting our praise. We believe in the Church, The community of Easter people, called to caring and sharing, seeking and finding, loving and laughing, life beyond dying.

My faith was nurtured by my Mom and Dad, Anne and Carey Joynt, and by a great Presbyterian Church in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. My theological stance is Reformed and might be called progressively evangelical. I love Scripture, embrace learning, and enjoy finding connectivity between the truths of the Bible and the truths I learn from my colleagues and parishioners.
We are grateful for the leadership, inspiration and spiritual guidance provided by David. Since 1997 David has been active with planning worship, preaching, teaching, and helping members grow and find places to belong. Prior to coming to PCTR David was a Parish Associate in Hopewell, NJ and Pastor in New Castle, Delaware. His academic background includes a Bachelor of Arts degree in Classics from Lehigh University, a Bachelor of Arts/Master of Arts in Theology from Oxford University, and a Ph.D. from Princeton Theological Seminary in Theology and International Politics.

	A passage that has inspired me throughout my life is Matthew 7:7 - 12. "Our Lord is the One who gives us all we could ever need but calls us to ask, seek and knock and challenges us to live out our lives doing to others as we would have them do to us." Victoria A.P. Pruner, Associate Pastor for Children and their Families

We are blessed that Tory has been sharing her uplifting and hopeful style with us at PCTR for many years. After receiving Bachelor of Arts degrees in Psychology and Elementary Education from Cedar Crest College and her Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary she was an Associate Pastor in Pennsylvania. Upon returning to PCTR Tory became involved with our Children's Ministries. Currently she oversees our Church School Program, AIM Club, Star Club, Vacation Bible School, and many other special programming events and administrative operations.

	I believe that God has brought us together at The Presbyterian Church of Toms River to accomplish amazing things in His name. I believe that we only need to be willing for God's Spirit to equip and empower us for the task ahead. Wayne Lowe, Associate Pastor for Youth Ministries

Wayne’s academic background includes a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences and Nutrition from Rutgers University and a Master of Divinity from Palmer Theological Seminary (formerly Eastern Seminary) in Philadelphia. In addition to dabbling in Petroleum Bioremediation, Wayne has worked in Youth Ministry at churches in Delaware and Illinois. Currently he uses his talents and special abilities to lead PCTR’s youth ministry. Wayne is also developing our new Evangelism commission, leads the Monday night adult Bible study and plays guitar in the “Sounds of Truth” worship team.

	With the inspiration and guidance of God and the constant presence of the Holy Spirit, I am called to lead God's people in an ongoing Ministry of Music. "Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!" Psalm 150:6a Kay Healy-Wedsworth, Minister of Music

Each week we enjoy the musical gifts Kay Healy-Wedsworth contributes to our worship services. Kay oversees the Sanctuary Choir, Chancel Handbell Choir, and Voices in Bronze Handbell Choir. She is also involved with the Concert Series Council, and collaborates with our Associate Minister of Music each week to provide meaningful musical selections. Kay's academic background includes a Bachelor of Music Degree from Lewis and Clark College and Master of Sacred Music from The School of Sacred Music, Union Theological Seminary. Previously Kay served as Minister of Music in several New Jersey churches.


	It is such a blessing and a privilege to be a vessel for the Lord, through the music that He puts within me. I move forward in this position with excitement to see all of the continued blessings that God has planned for this wonderful church, and anxious to do His calling in this place. "God, please bless my music, that it might always glorify your name, and may using it to serve you always be my aim." (Ramona K. Cecil) Michael Barozzie, Associate Minister of Music

We are very grateful to have Michael join our music staff. Michael attended Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where he studied music as a vocal major. He worked for three years as a worship leader in the Presbyterian church of West Newton, Pa. before coming to PCTR as a part time music associate for three years. Michael currently directs the “Sounds of Truth” instrumentalists and vocalists, who perform the music for the Saturday Celebration service; directs the Star Club Choir, the Aim Club Choir, and the Junior High Choir; plays for the Church School, leading them in song for their yearly Christmas program and other special musical events throughout the year; and directs the music for the church’s annual Vacation Bible School. He also participates frequently in Sunday worship doing musical offerings, playing preludes and accompanying choirs when needed.


	It is a great privilege to join together to worship God each week. As we lift our songs of praise, remember John Wesley's famous directions for singing: "...Sing lustily and with a good courage. Beware of singing as if you were half dead, or half asleep; but lift up your voice with strength... Above all sing spiritually. Have an eye to God in every word you sing..." With those words in mind, let us follow the directions of the psalmist as we gather to worship, and "Let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into His presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!" (Ps. 95:1-2) Josh Melson, Associate Minister of Music

With great joy we welcome Josh to the PCTR staff. Josh directs the Women's Ensemble, Onevoice, the Senior High Choir, and the Junior and Senior High Bell Choirs. Additionally, Josh plays the organ in worship, accompanies the Sanctuary Choir, and works closely with the other Music Ministers to plan and lead worship. Josh's academic background includes a Bachelor of Music degree from Centenary College of Louisiana and a Master's Degree in Music from The University of Kansas. He has previously served churches in Kansas, Missouri, and Louisiana.
Office Staff Church Secretary: Linda Calvillo Pastoral Secretary: Linda DelVecchio Financial Administrator: Kathryn Greenway Program Secretary: Barbara Hickey Sexton: Joseph Lelievre Westminster Nursery School Director: Barbara Newsom The Session and Board of Trustees Moderator of Session: David M. Joynt President, Board of Trustees: Thomas W. Hudson Clerk of Session/Secretary, Board of Trustees: Mary Ellen Hudson Vice President, Board of Trustees: Patricia Grill Church Treasurer: John Forsythe Westminster Nursery School Treasurer: Richard E. Lane

Updated 2/22/07

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© 2003–2007 Presbyterian Church of Toms River

We believe in God, the Almighty, Who creates, restores, and renews all things Who works in the hidden stillness of every dawn Opening the darkest tomb and birthing hope and peace.

We believe in Jesus, the risen Christ, Who is Lord of life and king of glory Conqueror of all dark and deadly powers He meets us on every path and calls us to be children of the light

We believe in the Holy Spirit Who works through the lame and the little, the wrinkled and the newborn, the hurting and the hopeful; Nudging our prayers, kindling our longings and prompting our praise.

We believe in the Church, The community of Easter people, called to caring and sharing, seeking and finding, loving and laughing, life beyond dying.

Office Staff

Westminster Nursery School

The Session and Board of Trustees

Updated 2/22/07

We believe in God, the Almighty,
Who creates, restores, and renews all things
Who works in the hidden stillness of every dawn
Opening the darkest tomb and birthing hope and peace.

We believe in Jesus, the risen Christ,
Who is Lord of life and king of glory
Conqueror of all dark and deadly powers
He meets us on every path and calls us to be children of the light

We believe in the Holy Spirit
Who works through the lame and the little, the wrinkled and the newborn, the hurting and the hopeful;
Nudging our prayers, kindling our longings and prompting our praise.

We believe in the Church,
The community of Easter people, called to caring and sharing, seeking and finding, loving and laughing, life beyond dying.