Gilead Presbyterian Church
Leaders of Gilead Presbyterian Church
Martin McGeachy Pastor Fred Knieriem Pastor Emeritus Mary Temple Music Director Fran Croughan Youth Coordinator Ann Clark Secretary Penny Cameron Pianist Donna Engler Clerk of Session Sandy Regan Co-Treasurer Brenda Verdesi Co-Treasurer Diana Drake Behan Church School Superintendent Ellen Nielsen Assistant Church School Superintendent Sue Stone Co-Director
Carmel Nursery SchoolSue O'Brien Co-Director
Carmel Nursery SchoolMicah Emerson Missionary Warren W. Behan Webmaster
Margery Amato Elaine Cole Donna Engler Shirley Devries Margaret Karell Bridget Kessman Louis Lent Dolores Knapp Rob LoAlbo Sean Lent David Moody Ellen Nielsen Pauline Silberquit Lucy Lee Ojeda Erik Vandenberg Ann Rand Theresa Vanderhoff Joyce Scott John Vangor Casey Van Vlack Brenda Verdesi Mariah Warren John Warren
Prior to coming to Carmel and Gilead in the fall of 2002, Martin McGeachy served as the organizing pastor of Baker House Presbyterian Church in Little Rock, Arkansas. Founded as a ministry to the arts community in 1994, Baker House eventually broadened its scope to reach out to the artist in everyone – anyone who gives of him or herself in a creative outpouring is an artist, by the power of God, from whom all art and creation pours. Martin also worked for many years as a professional actor, playwright, and comedian, with credits from regional theatres all across the country, and also his own original one-man plays, which he toured through his production company, Theatrical Touring Productions. While in Little Rock, Martin appeared in over 75 plays, hundreds of regional and national radio & TV commercials, and was on staff as a theatre instructor at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Because of his creative ministry in both theatre and church, he has been invited to speak and lead worship at many churches, youth retreats and adult conferences around the country.
Martin is a graduate of Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Texas, where he worked as a hospital chaplain. He also served as an intern pastor at First Presbyterian Church of Marianna, Florida. Martin has two delightful daughters, Rebekah and Rachel.
Fran joined the Gilead Staff in September 2004. She resides in Mahopac with her husband and 2 college-age daughters. Fran has a BS in Education and a Masters Degree in Organizational Leadership. Currently she is the Recreation Administrator for the City of White Plains and has worked extensively with youth for the past 20 years.
Mary Temple originally hails from the small community of Albion in southern Illinois. After graduating from the University of Illinois with a Bachelor's degree in Music Education, Mary spent six years teaching music in the public school systems of
Des Plains, IL and Peekskill, NY. She came to Gilead in 1978, and soon thereafter began serving the church in a wide variety of roles.Mary also teaches piano and flute privately at her studio in Carmel.
As Music Director, Mary sees her responsibilities as that of an educator as well as a worship leader. As such, she tries to expose the congregation to music from a wide variety of traditions. "No single type of music speaks to everyone in the same way…some may prefer classical music and traditional hymns, while others are moved by contemporary music or gospel." Mary explains: "Whatever music touches people, that's the music we want to include."
As Mary says: "Music is another way that we communicate with God." Any who wish to share their musical gifts by participating in Gilead's music programs are encouraged to contact Mary or come to any of the rehearsals.
If you have any used ink cartridges, please bring them to the church in a plastic baggie. All cartridges will be recycled, with the church receiving $4 for each of certain brands.
The Gilead Music Department's two compact disks, The Sounds of Gilead and A Gilead Christmas are available during the coffee hour for $15.