CHURCH LEADERSHIP
Central Presbyterian Church has a rich tradition of leadership. Our congregation is focused on creating a family atmosphere which is reflected in the leadership style of volunteers and staff. We uphold the spiritual life and governance of the church by elders and deacons, and trustees who are elected by the congregation.
Session
An important part of Presbyterian tradition is to provide persons with particular gifts to share in discernment of God's Spirit and governance of God's people. The session is comprised of those called into this ministry and elected as elders. Together with the pastors, the session governs the church, providing leadership, spiritual discernment and guidance.
DEACONS
The ministry of the Board of Deacons is one of compassion, witness, and service, sharing in the redeeming love of Jesus Christ for the poor, the hungry, the sick, or anyone in distress. Our deacons, who serve a three year term, work with the staff to provide pastoral care and outreach to members who are homebound or have other needs that call for special attention.
Trustees
The trustees are an essential ministry of the church. These elected members manage the properties of the congregation and ensure that our properties are best meeting the needs of our congregation and community.
CENTRAL STAFF
Our team is made up of dedicated pastors and ministry leaders who are committed to serving our congregation and the community. They are passionate about sharing the love of Christ and helping others grow in their faith.
Chris Schwab
Interim Pastor
Pastor Chris Schwab grew up in New England. He attended McCormick Theological Seminary for an MDiv and Loyola University in Chicago for an MSW. He met his wife in Chicago at seminary. They have been married for over 25 years. They have a son, Noah, who is attending Harrisburg Area Community College. Pastor Chris has served churches in Wisconsin, Hawaii, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. He is excited to be serving Central Presbyterian Church as an interim pastor.
Ross Winegardner
Youth Ministry Director
Ross was born and raised in McConnellsburg, PA. After high school, he attended Susquehanna University, where he graduated with a B.A. in English/Secondary Education. From there, Ross started his career teaching middle school at Fannett-Metal School District. Eventually, he moved to Central Fulton School District, teaching both middle and high school. In 2017, Ross had the opportunity to move to Greencastle-Antrim School District and teach a course called Human Rights Literature. Since then, Ross has found a passion discussing issues affecting human rights and the well-being of people across the world. He has created learning/volunteering opportunities for teens and adults on a range of topics, such as, poverty, disability awareness, hunger, and homelessness.
Outside work, Ross lives with his wife Melissa, and their two young sons Atticus and Aslan.
Helen Wingert
Organist
Helen was born and raised in the Chambersburg/Marion area. While still in college she began her “church organ career” when she was called to her first church organ job at Fayetteville Lutheran Church, fulfilling a dream to serve Christ and His Church through music. She continued this pursuit as Church Organist at Greencastle Evangelical Lutheran Church until she met and married her husband, John Wingert, also a Church Organist at the Church of the Brethren in Chambersburg where they both shared that position for many years before Helen became Organist at Central Presbyterian in Chambersburg. Fifty some years later, Helen is still actively involved in Church organ music and John's legacy of fine-organ-worship lives on. Helen was a graduate from Shippensburg University and taught elementary school for many years in the Greencastle Antrim School District. John was a Medical Technologist having graduated from Juniata College. Helen is now retired from her "other job" and is living in Marion with her “family of eight cats”, all with unique stories of their own. Helen enjoys photography and gardening.
Brooklyn Shearer
Church Receptionist
Brooklyn was born and raised in Chambersburg by her parents, Carla and Ric Christian with her two younger brothers, Carlin and Cole. She has a beautiful baby girl named Caliana. She was a graduate of Chambersburg High School. Following high school she attended Appalachian State University University in Boone, NC on a field hockey scholarship. Brooklyn partakes in a number of activities including disc golf, pickleball and golf. She loves spending time with her family around the fire pit with good food, has a passion for nature and also enjoys the challenge of a 1000 piece puzzle. She was assistant store manager at Grocery Outlet and decided it was time to make a more rewarding career change. Through adversity she became zealous for the Lord and is thrilled to work at Central.
Mike Visco
Assistant Custodian
Born and raised in New Jersey, Mike has recently moved from Florida to Fayetteville, PA. Mike recently retired and moved to Florida but then returned to be closer to his children and escape the hurricanes in Florida. He is married to his soulmate Kathy and together they are enjoying their new home in PA. Mike has always had a passion for playing music and since his return, has formed a duo with his wife Kathy called Acoustic Rose and has begun playing locally in the area. Mike spent his whole career working for a municipality in New Jersey where he was in charge of maintaining all the gardens and buildings for the town of Lavallette. After four years of enjoying retirement, Mike felt like he had to get back into the game. He loves making things look nice and maintaining landscapes. He feels like he have a lot to offer CPC in the way of improving the building and grounds and helping Scott with his daily duties. But most of all he enjoys being around kind people and he knows the Church will be a perfect fit for him in that way..
Bree Rauhut
Kids' Ministry Director
Bree Rauhut was born in Waynesboro and grew up in Chambersburg. She is a graduate of Shippensburg University with a degree in English and Secondary Education. For the last eighteen years, she has been teaching full time at Shalom Christian Academy. Bree has been active in children's ministry at Central for the past ten years. She loves teaching children about the Bible and helping them to know Jesus as their personal savior. Bree's husband Marcus is on the praise team at Central. She has two daughters whom she loves to spend time with. Bree also loves knitting, reading, and putting together jigsaw puzzles.
Erin Adams
Worship & Communications Director
Erin was raised in Newark, DE alongside a family of music lovers! As a child, she spent most of her time singing, dancing, playing piano, making silly videos with her siblings and friends, playing with her dogs, and spending summer days in the neighborhood pool! Erin graduated Summa Cum Laude from Shenandoah Conservatory with a BFA in Musical Theatre in Spring 2009. Beginning a month after graduation, she performed for a living in numerous regional theatres throughout the United States. In late winter 2011, Erin received God's call into ministry; after fighting it for a while, she finally accepted His intervention and began applying for church jobs. Central has been the answer to the prayer Erin never knew she had! She loves working with the community here, studying God's word, watching Him work in beautiful ways, and worshipping with such a wonderful church family. In Erin's free time, she continues to perform, write music, travel, instruct worship cardio, volunteer, and spend time with her wonderful husband, sons, family, friends, and dogs.
Shelly Marangoni
Director of PlaySchool Central
Shelley grew up outside of Pittsburgh. As a child, she always made her friends play school on her front porch so she could be the teacher! She pursued that dream at the University of Pittsburgh and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature and a Masters of Arts in Teaching. She started her formal teaching career in Winchester, VA teaching first grade. Since then, she has held various positions all with the focus of being an advocate for children. For the last thirteen years she has worked at PlaySchool Central as the Preschool teacher and Lead Teacher for the program. The program is unique in that it believes that all children learn best through play-based education. Shelley joins the Staff of Central as PlaySchool Central’s Director where she will continue to advocate for all children to have the best early childhood experience possible. Shelley has been a member of Central for the last twenty-two years and loves to combine her love of Jesus with her professional career of teaching. Shelley and her husband Don have been married twenty-six years and have been blessed with two children Alydia and Dominic. Shelley enjoys spending her time with family, camping, and scrapbooking.
Alexis Helman
Church Administrator
Alexis is a dedicated member of the church staff, bringing extensive professional experience to her role. Before joining the team, Alexis had a long and impactful career in the healthcare field. This included two decades of service at a local animal hospital, driven by her great fondness for animals, followed by a transition to Summit Weight Management, where she had the pleasure of working with Dr. Paul Klink. Alexis is committed to the mission of the church and feels truly blessed to have the opportunity to serve the congregation and build relationships with church members.
Scott Shearer
Custodian
Scott is married to Susan, who he met at Millsaps College while majoring in sociology. He has two teenage daughters, Becca and Gail and some pets too. Scott enjoys cooking, camping, and canoeing in his free time.