Nominations for Congregational Council

Thank you to our nominees for your prayerful discernment and saying yes to running for the Congregation Council.  

At our 2nd Regular Congregation Meeting we will be electing 4 members to our Council.

Take time to read their Bios!  Please note that the nominees are in alphabetical order.

For a list of current council members, please click here.

  • Julian Bell


    A little more than 13 years ago, my wife Robin, a lifelong Lutheran, was in search of a welcoming and dynamic Lutheran church for our family, in particular for our only child, Mackenzie, then a rising sixth grader about to begin her Confirmation journey. After just one visit and prayerful discernment, Robin knew that St. Paul was the perfect place for us – and she was absolutely right.

     

    For me, St. Paul has provided a spiritual anchor at so many levels, in the best of times but also during the most challenging of times. Whether it was when I was recovering from a serious hospitalization or grieving from the loss of a loved one, Pastor Jon and Rebecca have been there for us, leading the outpouring of prayers and support from the congregation that has been truly inspirational and uplifting.  Through all of this I have grown as a Christian and in my faith.

     

    I was, humbled was asked to run for council. In recent years I have participated on 2 Church task forces on financial matters.  The first was the preparation of future financial projections to support updating the strategic plan and the second involved assessing options to refinance the Church’s mortgage in order to reduce our monthly payments.  Both of these projects were quite enjoyable allowing me to give back and apply my background in administration and finance for the benefit of the Church.

     


    For the past 23 years, I have served as Chief Financial Officer of The Ohio State University James Cancer Hospital. Prior healthcare administration experience included positions with Mount Carmel Health System, OhioHealth and Mercy Health System-Greater Cincinnati.  A West Virginia native, I received my Master of Health Administration degree from OSU and an undergraduate degree in accounting and economics from Marshall University.

     

    Thank you for your consideration and I welcome the opportunity to serve on the Council and to give back to our St. Paul community and to those we serve.

    Type the content for this list item here. This is just example text to show you what it will look like when you enter text content into this list item. Your unique, authentic, and appropriate text will be filled into this section.

  • Amy Drake


     My family, Marshall, Cameron, Kaitlyn and I, have been members of St. Paul Lutheran Church since 2006. In that time I have volunteered or been involved in various aspects of our church including Sunday school, Vacation Bible School, SPYkids Coordinator, various youth fundraisers and chaperone for confirmation retreat. I have also served on Church Council, member of the Education Committee and the Property Committee at various times.  Cam was confirmed in 2017 and Kaitlyn will be confirmed when we can meet again.  Both enjoy being a part of the High School youth and are looking forward to the next National Youth Gathering.  Cam and Marshall participated in ASP, Appalachian Service Project in 2018, enjoying the helping of others and the fellowship of the other SPLC members that participated.  Both kids have enjoyed many summers at LOMO youth camps and we have all enjoyed the yearly family tradition of LOMO’s family camp, Camp Luther. Thank you for the opportunity to serve on Church Council.  

     


    Type the content for this list item here. This is just example text to show you what it will look like when you enter text content into this list item. Your unique, authentic, and appropriate text will be filled into this section.

  • Dave Gram


    I grew up in the Lutheran Church and have been a member of St. Paul since moving to Westerville in 2017.  I work for the State of Ohio as an Environmental Claims Analyst at the Ohio Petroleum Board and am a graduate of Ohio University.  My wife of 11 years, Rita, and I have two children, Jackson (9 years old in 4th grade at Emerson Elementary) and Annie (7 years old in 2nd grade at Robert Frost Elementary).  


    I have served as a member of Church Council this past year as well as council liaison to the youth and education committee.  Although it’s proven quite the challenging year, I am excited to see the growth around the church and would love to have the opportunity to serve you again on Church Council.

    Type the content for this list item here. This is just example text to show you what it will look like when you enter text content into this list item. Your unique, authentic, and appropriate text will be filled into this section.

  • Faith Kappeler-McCafferty


    I am a lifelong Lutheran, and have been involved in service of the church in some way since my teenaged years.   Whether I was teaching Sunday School, singing or ringing bells in the choir, serving as a lector or worship assistant, or serving on a board, I’ve always tried to keep Lutheran doctrine first in my mind.  I am married with a grown stepson/daughter-in-law and live in Gahanna.  I am a member of the St. Paul Bell Choir.

    I have loved being involved with St. Paul from the first time I walked in and was warmly greeted with handshakes, hugs and an invitation to sit together. I think our congregation is committed to its principles yet flexible, and I respect that and want to see it continue to flourish.  As a social worker and mental health therapist, I can bring to our council my skills of attentive listening, seeking to understand all sides, helping to clarify confusing issues and wanting the best for all involved.  I would welcome the opportunity to serve St. Paul in this way.  Thank you for considering me for this position. 

      

     

     


     


     

     

     


     



     

     

     


    Type the content for this list item here. This is just example text to show you what it will look like when you enter text content into this list item. Your unique, authentic, and appropriate text will be filled into this section.

  • Lori Keyser


    I am a life-long Lutheran baptized at St. John Lutheran Church in Shiremanstown, PA and confirmed at Mt. Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lewisberry, PA.  After graduating from Virginia Tech, I moved to Central Ohio and joined St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Newark. I served on Church Council there for 3 years including as Council President. I joined St. Paul Lutheran Church, Westerville in May 2005.

    At SPLC, I regularly serve as Assisting Minister during both of our Traditional services and I sing with the choir. I am currently a member of the quartet that records hymns for our 11:00 streaming services. I teach SpyKids songs that relate to their lessons and we share them once a month at the Contemporary service. I help the Confirmation and High School Youth programs with which my sons are involved. I also served on the Call Committee that recommended Pastor Rebecca as our Associate Pastor. When I’m not at church, I participate on the PTSA Board at Walnut Springs Middle School, cheer on my boys at their various soccer games for WASA, SP Football Club, and Westerville North High School. Most summers, I perform in the Westerville Parks & Rec Civic Theater musicals.

    I married Chris in 2002 and have a stepson, Cameron, and our sons Bennett and Miles. I have a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Virginia Tech and I am a licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Ohio. After working full-time for 17 years for ODOT and Civil Engineering consultants, I transitioned to a part-time position with Lawhon & Associates, Inc.


    Type the content for this list item here. This is just example text to show you what it will look like when you enter text content into this list item. Your unique, authentic, and appropriate text will be filled into this section.

  • Kevin McJunkin


    I studied engineering at The Ohio State University and graduated in 1987 with a degree in computer science. 

    The day after Monica and I graduated from Ohio State we got married in Akron, her hometown.  A week later we moved to Poughkeepsie NY and started our careers at IBM.


    Monica and I joined St Paul in the 1990s and raised our sons Adam and Tom here.  They are both now married and living in Michigan and Wisconsin respectively.   Long term members of the church will recognize me as Joseph from the live nativity. (wrangler of donkeys)


    I work at OCLC in Dublin, a non-profit organization that provides technology services to libraries around the world.  For the past 8 years I have volunteered and served on the Board of Trustees at Friendship Village Columbus.



    Type the content for this list item here. This is just example text to show you what it will look like when you enter text content into this list item. Your unique, authentic, and appropriate text will be filled into this section.