Rev. Jeffrey Potter - Pastor

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Rev. Jeff began his ministry at Parkwood in March 2006 after serving seven years as minister of Brockway (Pennsylvania) Presbyterian Church. He was born and raised in Leechburg, PA, the oldest of 4 children. He attended Clarion University for undergraduate work and received his Master of Divinity degree from the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. Jeff was ordained on April 6, 1997, but has been serving the Church since 1993.

His wife Gina is also a graduate of Clarion University where she received a Master of Arts degree in Education. Gina is busy with a number of things including photography and crafting.  Jeff and Gina have been blessed with 3 children: Cameron, Carson and Caleb. Jeff is a die-hard sports fan, specifically when it comes to his hometown Steelers and Pirates. In his free time he can be found spending time with Gina and the boys or out on the golf course practicing for future runs at a green jacket.

1. What is your all-time favorite movie? Scent of a Woman
2. If someone borrowed your car what would they hear when they turned on the radio? ESPN Radio
3. What is your ideal meal? Prime Rib & Fries
4. What is your favorite verse of scripture? Why? Jeremiah 1:4-10, because God calls us even when we think we aren't good enough.
5. If you could have dinner with one Biblical figure (besides Jesus) who would it be and why? Pontius Pilate, to find out what his thought process was.
6. Favorite sport? Favorite sports team?  Football (none other than the black & gold)
7. Who would play you in a movie about your life? Kevin James
8. Website most frequented? cbssportsline.com ( fantasy baseball/football)
9. What is the last book you read? "Unbinding the Gospel" by Martha Grace Reese
10. Favorite vacation destination? Myrtle Beach, SC

Pastor Barb returns to Parkwood as the part-time Associate Pastor of Discipleship after serving East Union Presbyterian for 5 years as Associate Pastor.  She previously served as interim youth director at Parkwood in 2005-2006.  She is a transplant from Ohio (don’t hold that against her!) and has been a Pittsburgh rooting fan since 1996 when she moved here after graduating from Kent State University with a BA in Special Education.  She attended Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and received her Masters of Divinity in 2004.

Barb has been married to her wonderful husband Ed for 4 years and has a precious ten month old daughter named Sonia.  She has spent the last 6 months as a full-time mom – a calling that is extremely demanding, but very rewarding.  She felt called to return to ministry, which was seconded by her husband when dinner prayers starting lasting 15-20 minutes – prompting Ed to say “You need an outlet!”  Barb loves to have fun, and gets very excited (not to mention competitive) with games and sports, but also likes to relax at Hartwood Acres with a book or summer concert. 

Getting to Know Pastor Barb

1. What is your all-time favorite movie? Ice Age and Ice Age 2
2. If someone borrowed your car what would they hear when they turned on the radio? K-Love
3. What is your ideal meal?  Mexican
4. What is your favorite verse of scripture? Why? Matthew 6:19-21 It was the first verse that I read as a child and understood what it meant to put God first in your life.
5. If you could have dinner with one Biblical figure (besides Jesus) who would it be and why?  The woman who touches Jesus’ cloak in Matthew. I would love to hear her life story.
6. Favorite sport? Basketball (ask Ed who won the basketball game we played on our first date!) Favorite sports team?  Steelers
7. Who would play you in a movie about your life? Tina Fey
8. Website most frequented? Facebook – to stay connected with people
9. What is the last book you read? “Heaven is For Real” by Todd Burpo
10.  Favorite vacation destination? On a sandy beach with a book and some sunscreen

R. Bryan Lassinger - Music Director

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Bryan joined the Parkwood Staff in November of 2006. The choir has been blessed with his skill and humor. He is busy with leading the chancel choir, bell choir, youth choir and krystal bells. He has also blessed the worshiping community with his wonderful voice. Bryan is married to Anne and they have a son named Alex.
 
Getting to know Bryan...

1. What is your all-time favorite movie? "Next of Kin" - Patrick Swayze, Liam Neesom
2. If somebody borrowed your car what would they hear when they turn on your radio? WORD FM 101.5 or WQED FM 89.3
3. What is your ideal meal? A thick, juicy Filet Mignon.
4. What is your favorite verse of scripture? Why? Matthew 28:16-20 - The Great Commission. This was the verse that was dedicated to my bible, by the Minister, when I joined the Church.
5. If you could have dinner with one Biblical figure (besides Jesus) who would it be and why? David, the great Psalm writer. I would like to get the tunes for the Psalms.
6. Favorite sport? Favorite sports team? Football, Steelers
7. If a movie was made about your life, who would play you in the movie? John Malkovich
8. Website most frequently visited? J. W. Pepper Music, and ebay.
9. Last book you read? "Buried Alive" by Dr. John Cuozzo
10. Favorite Vacation destination? Scotland

Nancy Burke - Administrative Assistant

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Nancy joined the Parkwood staff in January 2005 after retiring from Verizon where she worked in the Engineering Department for 30 years. She became a member our church in November 2006. Nancy has a son and daughter who both live locally, and is the proud grandma of 3 beautiful grandchildren: Kailey, Brandon and Cara.  When she's not busy keeping our church running smoothly, Nancy enjoy spending time with friends, traveling, reading, and taking walks with her Golden Retriever, Emma.

Getting to know Nancy...  

1. What is your all-time favorite movie? The American President
2. If someone borrowed your car what would they hear when they turned on the radio? 94.5 3WS
3. What is your ideal meal? Seafood (scallops, shrimp and lobster)
4. What is your favorite verse of scripture? Why? Psalm 23
5. If you could have dinner with one Biblical figure (besides Jesus) who would it be and why? Mary
6. Favorite sport? Favorite sports team?  Football, Steelers
7. Who would play you in a movie about your life? Diane Keaton
8. Website most frequented? http://www.tasteofhome.com/
9. What is the last book you read? "Front Porch Tales" by Philip Gulley
10. Favorite vacation destination? Any warm beach

Cindy has served as treasurer of Parkwood Church since 2003. She also served in the position on a voluntary basis from 1999 to 2001.  Cindy grew up in Altoona, Pennsylvania and graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) with a degree in accounting.  She became a CPA in 1984, and received her MBA from the University of Pittsburgh. She worked at Price Waterhouse and Consolidated Natural Gas as an auditor and corporate accountant until her son, Brooks was born.  Since then, she has held various positions including treasurer here at Parkwood and at Hampton Presbyterian Church. 

Cindy  and her husband Lee have been members of Parkwood since 1989. Lee is a Senior Sales Rep with Ortho McNeil Pharmaceuticals, and they live in Allison Park with their two teenagers, Brooks and Blair.  Much of their free time is spent watching Brooks play Ultimate Frisbee and play in the Hampton High School Marching Band, and watching Blair play girls’ lacrosse and cheer at the Hampton High School football and basketball games.    

1. What is your all-time favorite movie?  Shallow answer - Dirty Dancing, More Thoughtful - To Kill a Mockingbird with Gregory Peck
2. If someone borrowed your car what would they hear when they turned on the radio? Journey - they would also hear it if my cell phone rang
3. What is your ideal meal? I'm a pizza girl
4. What is your favorite verse of scripture? Why? John 3:16 – It was recited in Sunday school every week of my entire childhood. Plus, doesn't is sum it up?!
5. If you could have dinner with one Biblical figure (besides Jesus) who would it be and why? Tough one - I guess I'll say Noah because I marvel at the faith it would take to do something so extreme when everyone would think you were absolutely crazy.  Plus, I live with two teenagers, two dogs and two cats - I just couldn't fathom adding to that....  
6. Favorite sport? Favorite sports team? Football - the Steelers!!!!  Is there any other team??
7. Who would play you in a movie about your life? It would be a step down for her, but I love Meg Ryan!!!
8. Website most frequented?  The website for the Hampton Township School District because my children never give me any information!!!
9. What is the last book you read? "When Madeline Was Young" by Jane Hamilton.  I was the leader for my Book Club - I had to read it. 
10. Favorite vacation destination? At a lake, on a dock, in an Adirondack chair with a book.

Michael was born and raised in Switzerland.  After completing a commercial apprenticeship with the Swiss Federal Railway and his compulsory military training, he immigrated to Canada. There he attended McMaster University and became a Chartered Accountant. He held several positions in the field of finance and general management before choosing auditing as his profession of choice.
His last position was senior auditor for a Swiss multinational company, located in Zurich, with 136 locations around the world. He was transferred to Pittsburgh in 1990 to Contraves, Inc., located in RIDC Park. His assignment was to expose fraudulent accounting practices which resulted in the termination of the complete executive team. Michael retired from active employment in 1995. Since his retirement Michael has served in the positions of treasurer and custodian at Parkwood. He currently serves as financial secretary and custodian.

Michael is married to Dr. Fritzie Meier, PhD, who is retired from teaching secondary education at Slippery Rock University. Michael and Fritzie have been members of Parkwood since Spring 1991.  

Getting to know Michael... 

1. What is your all-time favorite movie? Gone with the Wind
2. If someone borrowed your car what would they hear when they turned on the radio? It is set on CD, Puccini: Arias
3. What is your ideal meal? Smoked salmon with onions and capers served on toast, Hearts of Palm Salad, a Steak Dianne rare, a glass of good Burgundy or Bordeaux, Champagne Sabayon, and a good glass of Port.
4. What is your favorite verse of scripture? Why? Romans 14:8. It was the verse given to me on my confirmation document on Good Friday, 1951 and I have had it in my memory ever since.
5. If you could have dinner with one Biblical figure (besides Jesus) who would it be and why? Noah. He must have been an excellent engineer to build the arc, and an outstanding sailor to survive the flood.
6. Favorite sport? Favorite sports team?  Football. Steelers!
7. Who would play you in a movie about your life? Alan Alda
8. Website most frequented? www.epicurious.com
9. What is the last book you read? "The Fall of the House of Bush" by Craig Unger
10. Favorite vacation destination? Nusa Dua Beach Hotel & Spa, Bali

Rhonda has been serving as the Nursery Coordinator at Parkwood since May 1999.  She also has a full-time job at Therapeutic Alternatives, an advanced individualized medical center which uses alternative and traditional approaches to all illnesses. Rhonda has two children: Jason, 27 who resides in Butler where he owns and operates his own business , J-Tech Sales and Service. Cheron, 22, just graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in Psychology and Art. She loves doing art therapy with children. When Rhonda is not working she enjoys her home, gardens and many pets. Rhonda is a member of Elfinwild Presbyterian Church in Glenshaw. 

Getting to know Rhonda...

1. What is your all-time favorite movie? I really don’t have one.
2. If someone borrowed your car what would they hear when they turned on the radio? 87.7 FM. It is Channel 11 TV on the radio.
3. What is your ideal meal? Salad, Steak, Baked Potato & a Vegetable
4. What is your favorite verse of scripture? Why? Matthew 6:9-13 the Lord’s Prayer.  I have said it every day for as far back as I can remember.
5. If you could have dinner with one Biblical figure (besides Jesus) who would it be and why? Noah, because second to loving little children, I LOVE animals! I have always grown up with a lot of pets. I currently have: 2 dogs, Lily a Maltese and Dakota (Koty) a Pomeranian, 4 cats and 1 kitten, Fredrick the Duck who the Easter Bunny brought 12 years ago!! An African Grey Parrot, Sun Conure, African Red-Bellied Parrot, Parrotlet, 3 Finches, 2 Canaries and a fish tank with several large fish. In the past we have had a goat, lamb, bunnies, ferrets, hatched many chicks and raised a turkey to 45 pounds who ended up at King’s Farm in Saxonburg.
6. Favorite sport? Favorite sports team? Football, Steelers!
7. Who would play you in a movie about your life? Hmmm, no idea.
8. Website most frequented? www.hotmail.com
9. What is the last book you read? I am not a book reader.
10. Favorite vacation destination?   Hawaii, some day....