About Pastor Jocelyn Johnston
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Pastor Jocelyn Johnston is St. John’s Interim Pastor. She came to St. John’s in December 2019. Pastor Jocelyn grew up in Brookville, PA and is a life-long Lutheran. Her small church family, including the pastors and other leaders, was very formative in her youth, as well as spending time each summer at Camp Lutherlyn. Pr. Jocelyn has played the saxophone since third grade, and received her Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Grove City College. She spent two summers as a counselor at Lutherlyn, which led to her position as Director of Children's and Youth Ministry at St. John's Lutheran Church in Kittanning. While serving in that position, she sensed a call to ordained ministry, and then attended the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia (now United Lutheran Seminary). Pastor Jocelyn served her Internship and First Call in Ocean County, New Jersey. Wanting to move back home to western Pennsylvania to be closer to her aging parents, she then took a call at Trinity Lutheran Church in Freeport. After that, she served for one year as a Transitional Interim Pastor on the pastoral staff of the cooperative ministry Pittsburgh Lutheran United Ministries. She currently serves part-time as the Transitional Interim Pastor of St. John's while they continue the process to call a full-time Pastor. She also works part-time as Manager of the West View Hub, a non-profit library and community center just north of Pittsburgh. Since her dog of 12 years died, she has also enjoyed caring for others as a dog-sitter. Pastor Jocelyn continues to be involved in the ministry of Lutherlyn, volunteering each summer as a Chaplain, and serving in her sixth year on the Board of Directors, and as the current President of the Board. She also serves the SWPA Synod of the ELCA on the Church in Society Committee and as chairperson of the Hunger Education and Advocacy Team. Pastor Jocelyn has enjoyed running for most of her life, and has completed several half and full marathons, including the Boston Marathon in 2019. She also biked the GAP and C&O trails from Pittsburgh to DC with friends in 2017. She also enjoys reading, music, traveling, spending time with loved ones, and craft beer. |
About Derek Schofield, Director of Music
Derek Schofield is St. John's Director of Music. He leads the choir, participates in the handbell choir, and accompanies at the Sunday traditional service on the piano and organ.
Derek was born is Oswego, New York. He moved with his family to Monroeville, PA when he was ten years old. Derek began playing piano as a teen and quickly progressed to providing accompaniment for his high school choir at Gateway School District. He received a Bachelor Degree from Community College of Allegheny County, Monroeville Campus. Derek received his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education and Master’s degree in Music Theory and Composition from Duquesne University. During that time he learned to play the organ and was involved in the Oratorio Society under the direction of Donald Wilkins.
Derek was raised in the Episcopal Church. His Lutheran integration began when he accepted the position of Director of Music at St John’s in 2001. Derek is a gifted church musician. He can sense the flow of a worship service and adjust smoothly and quickly. His sense of humor comes through if you listen closely to the music. We have heard, “Here We Go Steelers” as an undertone to the Kyrie and the “Theme from Peanuts” barely disguised in the intro to hymns.
Derek’s love of piano playing has been passed along to many children and adults. He taught piano at the Covenant Church Music Academy in Wilkinsburg and several other community centers as well as private lessons. Since 1983 he has performed as part of the trio, “Sounds of Joy”, with Bill and Linda Knapp. Derek provides piano accompaniment for a variety of soloists and has performed in small group ensembles.
Derek enjoys teaching and playing Bridge. He also enjoys movies, board and card games, and learning to speak French.
Derek was born is Oswego, New York. He moved with his family to Monroeville, PA when he was ten years old. Derek began playing piano as a teen and quickly progressed to providing accompaniment for his high school choir at Gateway School District. He received a Bachelor Degree from Community College of Allegheny County, Monroeville Campus. Derek received his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education and Master’s degree in Music Theory and Composition from Duquesne University. During that time he learned to play the organ and was involved in the Oratorio Society under the direction of Donald Wilkins.
Derek was raised in the Episcopal Church. His Lutheran integration began when he accepted the position of Director of Music at St John’s in 2001. Derek is a gifted church musician. He can sense the flow of a worship service and adjust smoothly and quickly. His sense of humor comes through if you listen closely to the music. We have heard, “Here We Go Steelers” as an undertone to the Kyrie and the “Theme from Peanuts” barely disguised in the intro to hymns.
Derek’s love of piano playing has been passed along to many children and adults. He taught piano at the Covenant Church Music Academy in Wilkinsburg and several other community centers as well as private lessons. Since 1983 he has performed as part of the trio, “Sounds of Joy”, with Bill and Linda Knapp. Derek provides piano accompaniment for a variety of soloists and has performed in small group ensembles.
Derek enjoys teaching and playing Bridge. He also enjoys movies, board and card games, and learning to speak French.
About Jim Overly, Saturday Worship Leader
Jim is director of music at Maplewood United Presbyterian in Greensburg, and previously served in the same capacity at St. Martin's Episcopal in Monroeville. He is also a vocal coach and accompanist for the musical theatre program, as well as the choir director, at Point Park University in Pittsburgh.
He earned his Bachelor of Music Education degree (major instruments: voice and saxophone/ minor instrument: piano), as well as a Master of Music degree in saxophone performance at the University of Tulsa in Oklahoma. He grew up in northeastern Oklahoma, influenced by the Southern Baptist and charismatic, non-denominational churches his family attended.
Jim lives right down Route 30 in Forest Hills. Driving by in January 2016, he saw the church sign advertising for a Saturday Worship Leader, called the number listed, and the rest is history. He thoroughly enjoys working with the Saturday night faithful, and prays that his musical leadership helps them to experience worship with a different flavor.
About Herb Willson, Director of Handbells
Dr. Herb Willson is the Director of St. John's Handbell Choir. Herb conducts eleven handbell ringers who play a total of five octaves of handbells and handchimes. He enjoys selecting musically challenging pieces for the ringers which utilizes all octaves of the bells and often incorporates the handchimes within the pieces. Dr. Willson has been our handbell director for over 23 years. Herb also enjoys playing the guitar during St. John's annual summer picnic.
