The Rev. Dr. Kimberly Greway, OSL
Senior Pastor
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The Rev. Dr. Kimberly Greway grew up in Pittsburgh and was nurtured by Forest Avenue Presbyterian Church in Bellevue and St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Allison Park. She has been a member of the Order of St. Luke, a religious order dedicated to sacramental and liturgical scholarship, education, and practice since 2004.
After graduation from North Hills High School, she graduated from Allegheny College with a major in French and minors in political science, religion and women's studies. After several years as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Zimbabwe, she returned to the US to study theology at The Divinity School at Duke University. While in seminary, she served two small churches in eastern North Carolina and worked as a prison chaplain in Raleigh, NC. Her first appointment was to the Poole and Swanage Circuit in the British Methodist Church in England which she served for one year. She served five churches in the Poole areas as cooperative parish. Rev. Greway ministered for four years at Mt. Lebanon United Methodist Church where she served as Associate Pastor, Director of Christian Education, and Director of Youth Ministries. In 2010 she was named Director of Chaplaincy Services at the Allegheny County Jail and has served as both the Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director of the Foundation of HOPE. In 2020, despite a worldwide pandemic, Dr. Greway completed a DMin degree at the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and her dissertation entitled, “Silenced Voices, Lifted Prayers: Prayer-Writing with Inmates” won the Richard J. Rapp Memorial Prize in Doctor of Ministry Studies for best doctoral paper. Dr. Greway has written two other books entitled, “Principles of Stewardship: Living into Our Calling” – one is participant’s guide and other a facilitator’s guide. She has written for numerous journals including Lόgia, Spiritan Horizons, and Sacramental Life. Dr. Greway’s skills include languages, arts, and music. She speaks three languages and is interested in the creative use of language. She also has a passion for travel, global service, and justice issues. She was honored in 2012 as a recipient of Pittsburgh Magazine’s 40 Under 40 award given to those who are committed to shaping the region and making it a better place for everyone. In 2019, she was recognized as one of two Distinguished Alumni by North Hills School District for her humanitarian work. |
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Director of Music
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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. |
Jim Overly
Contemporary Worship Leader
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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. |
Dr. Herb Willson
Director of Handbells
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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 the handbell director at St. John's for over 23 years. Herb also enjoys playing the guitar during St. John's annual summer picnic. |
