Our Ministry Team
Rev. Dr. Kathy Barlow-Westmoreland
Pastor
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The Rev. Dr. Kathy Barlow Westmoreland comes to St. John's Westminster with 25 years in ordained ministry in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). She received her BA from Hanover College, her M.Div. from Louisville Seminary, and her D. Min. from McCormick. She has experience both in congregational ministry and the specialized ministry setting of a retirement community. She has a passion for intergenerational ministry, where the gifts and graces of all people are encouraged and developed.
Kathy is the mother of two sons- Sam, who is 24, and Aaron, who is 20, as well as mother in law for Sam's wife Genevieve. She makes her home in Colerain Township. Among the pastor's leisure activities are spending time with her adult children and friends, reading, gardening (herbs and veggies), traveling and baking!
Julie Chowning
Director of Family Ministry
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Julie graduated from Oak Hills High School in 1994. She has a BS in Communication from The College of Charleston. Julie has 2 year old son, Eli and a 6 year old daughter, Eden. Also in the family are 2 dogs and 1 cat. Julie loves the theatre/fine arts and also loves working with children/youth. Julie and her family are happy to be living back in Cincinnati (on the westside) after living in Charleston, South Carolina for 8 years.
Alex Mendelsohn
Director of Music
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Alex comes to us from Sycamore Presbyterian Church where he has been the Assistant Director of Music Ministries since 2007. He is also the Manager of Community Learning for the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and has in the past taught music in the Cincinnati Public Schools. Alex is a graduate of CCM in music education and organ performance. Among the things Alex would like you to know about him are:
- Born in Cincinnati, Ohio
- Grew up in Northminster Presbyterian Church where I first fell in love with organ, handbells, and choirs
- Lived in Albuquerque, New Mexico from 1993-1999
- Birthday is July 1st
- Hobbies include cycling, reading, and dabbling in all sorts of domestic activities, oh yeah, and music
- Currently trying to learn how to play bagpipes
- Cincinnati favorites: Dewey’s Pizza & Aglamesis ice cream (and I prefer Skyline over Gold Star) -Okay Westsiders- introduce him to the best pizza and ice cream over here!
- World favorites: traveling to Paris and all things French
- If I had an endless amount of spare time, I would spend it traveling.
- If I could attempt to do anything other than what I do, I would be a medical ethicist. or maybe a monk.
- Things I love: the number (or multiples of) 3; sharing a good laugh/smile/hug; sharing a good bottle of wine; perfectly in tune musical intervals; learning new things; live music or other performances; seeing people be creative and excited
Dr. Josh Nemith
Accompanist
Originally from Dover, Delaware, Josh moved to Cincinnati in 1997 to pursue a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Piano Performance at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. He has now completed that degree, and we are privileged to have him as our organist and piano accompanist on Sunday mornings. When he's not performing at the Union Church, Josh spends his time teaching at the Slater Music Academy, as an adjunct professor at CCM, and performing in Memphis, Tennessee with the IRIS Chamber Orchestra, which is conducted by Michael Stern.
Beverly Jostworth
Church Secretary
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Bev Jostworth has worked at The Union Church for many years. She started as the coordinator of the Before and Afterschool Program and Summer Camps before taking on the job as church secretary. Bev and her husband, Mike, enjoy spending as much time as possible with their two daughters, Kristie and Lisa, their two son-in-laws, and their four grandchildren, Luke, Brooklyn, Ava, and Jack. In their spare time, they also like to take day trips to their favorite place, Walnut Creek, Ohio.
Bev truly lives out Christ's command to love our neighbor. It is her kindness and thoughtfulness that make her so beloved to our congregation.
Woody Pemberton, Jr.
Pastoral Assistant
In Memoriam
Woody Pemberton, Pastoral Assistant Woody entered the Church Triumphant on April 17, 2011. His passing was unexpected and he leaves behind a loving family and church family. Woody devoted himself to serving Christ and His Church. He is already missed by so many- our homebound members, our choir, our youth and children. The difference he made in his ministry among us is a living legacy for the Union Church. May the joys of heaven be his for all eternity.
Theresa Beccaccio
Director of Day Care
Theresa has been part of our Learning Center staff for several years, both in our Before and After School program and as a teacher of our three year olds in the day care center. Theresa is a graduate of the College of Mount St. Joseph in Early Childhood Education. We are delighted that Theresa has accepted the Director of Day Care position. More about Theresa will be posted soon.
Ann Elleh
Director of Preschool
Ann is originally from Manitowoc, Wisconsin, a town built on the shores of Lake Michigan. After high school, she attended Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin where she received her Bachelor's of Music Education Degree. She taught for one year in Wisconsin, then moved to California for a short time. She worked for Social Services and was a tutor and aide for a client. Missing music and classroom education in particular, she moved to Minnesota to work in the public schools. In addition to music education, she has branched out into conflict resolution, learning styles, and cognitive development, and has been a camp counselor for the United Methodist Church. She married her husband, Nnamdi, in 2004 and moved here to Cincinnati that same year. Her future plans include going back to school at UC for administrative and early childhood work. We are truly thankful for Ann's dedication to our Learning Center.
Michelle Fischli
Learning Center Business Manager
Michelle was born and raised in Cincinnati Ohio. She graduated from Cincinnati State in 1998 with an Associates in Accounting. She then worked for nearly 10 years in the Corporate world, before coming to St Johns. She has always loved children and was excited to work in her field and be around them on a daily basis. She has been married to her wonderful husband Alan since May 2008 and they have a daughter named Austina. She is also a foster parent, and hopes to be able to adopt in the future.
Art Schneider
Building Maintenance
Art is an amazing witness to the love of Christ. We asked Art to write a bit about himself:
"Becky (Art's wife) and I met at Cincinnati Bible College in fall, 1974, when we were studying there. We were participants in the World Mission Volunteers. A team of 6-8 students was sent for a weekend to a church in the Tristate that needed us to teach and meet, and lead and preach and sing. It was a great time for us and them. I earned a degree in Missions in 1978 and another in 1988. Becky earned two degrees in 1980. She has worked for The Mercy Health Partners since 1985. I have cleaned churches since 1984. I have enjoyed being an important part of churches and getting to know the people on the basis of serving them as well. Becky and I have had serious health concerns the whole thirty years we have been married. Rachel (Art's daughter) had big health problems at first- yet she is also the one who was able to serve her country in the Air National Guard overseas. Emily (Art's daughter) is a third year student at UC in literature. Andy (Art's son) is a senior at Oak Hills. We love them all dearly and are just as close to them as we can be. We are certain that our God has made us strong for our tasks, and has worked through us. We make every effort to let Him lead and to follow Him faithfully."
Cindy Seery and Dick Worthing
Building Maintenance
Kris Freppon
Nursery Care Provider
St. John's Westminster Union Church
1085 Neeb Rd. Cincinnati, Ohio 45233
(513) 347-4613
A congregation of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and the United Church of Christ.
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Web Site by Kristin Zeller