Our Church Leadership St. Paul's United Church of Christ thrives because of the energy and style of the people who have stepped up to lead. Here are a few of the people that make our church community special:
See Pastor Ken's bio at Pastor's Page.
An Ohio native, Justin Dilley began playing the piano at age 5. He started playing as a substitute organist/pianist in the 8th grade for his home church. Justin studied both piano and organ at Wittenberg University (minoring in music) and received his M.A. from Emerson College in musical theatre. He has performed in or staged over 30 musicals in the Boston and New York areas in addition to working as musician in churches around the East Coast and Ohio. Justin brings to St. Paul’s a diverse background of musical training as both a keyboardist and singer, as well as his experience as a teacher: teaching children music for more than 10 years in urban classrooms, summer camps, afterschool programs and private instruction. He enjoys running, hiking, cooking and spending time with his wife, Mala and son, Kalyan.
Ruth Nead has been the Church Secretary for about 12 years and has been a member of St. Paul's UCC since 1956, however the Nead Family was one of the earliest members of the church. Ruth retired from the business world in 1995 where she had been an Executive Administrator and Statistical Typist for all of her business career. She is now enjoying the job of Church Secretary. She had been a member of St. Paul's Sanctuary Choir for more than 40 years; served as a Deacon for several terms and President of Consistory; and has the distinction of being the first female Elder ordained by St. Paul's. Her duties as Church Secretary include preparing the weekly worship service bulletin and St. Paul's newsletter, "The Herald", from September through June. She also prepares special mailings when needed.
Ruth was born in Newark, New Jersey and for a time resided at the Masonic Home in Burlington, New Jersey. She attended New Jersey public schools and graduated from high school in 1947. She married Richard W. Nead in 1952 and was blessed with three children, Richard W. Nead Jr, Cheryl Nead Macik and Alison Ruth Nead. She has been a resident of Garwood since 1955.
