| 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. |
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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: |
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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. |
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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. |
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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) |
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With great joy we welcome Josh to his new role at PCTR. Josh directs the Sanctuary Choir, Onevoice, the Chancel Handbell Choir, the Voices in Bronze Handbell Choir, the Senior High Choir, and the Junior and Senior High Bell Choirs. Additionally, Josh plays the organ and piano in worship 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 is currently pursuing a Doctorate at the Institute for Worship Studies. He has previously served churches in Kansas, Missouri, and Louisiana. |
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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." |
| 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 churchs annual Vacation Bible School. He also participates
frequently in Sunday worship doing musical offerings, playing preludes and
accompanying choirs when needed. |
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Office StaffChurch Secretary: Linda Calvillo Westminster Nursery SchoolDirector: Barbara Newsom
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Updated 12/23/09 |
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