MORRISTOWN UNITED METHODIST CHURCH - Key Persons
I am blessed, as a certified lay minister, to serve on a volunteer basis in a number of different capacities for our church: director of the Adult Spiritual Education, chair of the Finance Committee, assistant to the Senior Pastor, worship liturgist, and worship lay speaker.
I am a retired health care executive from the Atlantic Health System. I received an M.A. degree in Philosophy from Ohio State University, an MBA from Seton Hall University, and a M.T.S. from Drew University. I am also a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.
My faith journey has been especially impacted by my Walk to Emmaus in November, 1998, which literally changed by life. My favorite prayer, no surprise, is the Serenity Prayer: "God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things that I can, and the wisdom to know the difference."
I, Jennifer Yang, was born in Seoul, Korea. Growing up as a child my imagination would run wild as I would tap away on chairs, tables, and walls. From the start I always knew the passion and desire towards music, specifically involving the piano, was something that had been fueled in me. It was not until the age of five I took it upon myself to ask my parents' permission to begin piano lessons. They happily agreed as I unknowingly began the paving of a new path ahead of me. I kickstarted my journey at the age of nine where I was appointed as an accompanist for a children's ministry. Here was where I officially came to the realization of the talents and blessings God bestowed upon me, where it was not only recognizable within but through my surrounding community as well. My joy towards playing exponentially grew as I became an organist during my highschool career. Later on I would become a graduate of Yonsei University in Seoul, Korea, where I would receive my Bachelors of Arts degree in organ performance. Ah, I can still recall my first lesson. The hymn "Oh Faithful Lord" still plays in the back of my mind as I recall my dad encouraging me to make a declaration in serving God for the rest of my life, wholeheartedly, because of the musical abilities he has gifted me with. For this reason, after two semesters of graduate study at Yonsei University, I came to the U.S.A, where I would complete my Master's degree in organ performance at Westminster Choir College, Princeton, NJ, under the tutelage of Alan Morrison. In 1996, I would become a certified piano teacher for Music Teacher (LLC). In addition, I would be awarded as a second prize winner of the 2003 and 2007 graduate organ competition and a recipient of the 2008 Alexander McCurdy Scholarship. I was given opportunities to work with the Philadelphia Orchestra, performing Gustav Mahler's 8th Symphony (Symphony of a Thousand) under the baton of Maestro Christoph Eschenbach. Moreover, other performances included being an accompanist in the NJ Conservatory of Music as well as having solo recitals, chamber music concerts, and choir concerts in Australia, Deutschland, Netherlands, New York, New Jersey, and Korea.
Job Titles:
- Director of Music Ministries
We are pleased to welcome our new Director of Music Ministries, John Liepold.
John brings to MUMC a wealth of experience as a music director, conductor, teacher, and arts administrator in churches, college and secondary schools, and community and professional arts organizations. Liepold is a graduate of Wesleyan University and has done post-graduate work at Columbia University, the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music, the University of Oregon, and Westminster Choir College. He has performed and studied conducting with John Alexander, Marin Alsop, Peter Bagley, Neely Bruce, James Conlon, Allen Crowell, Charles Dutoit, Eph Ehly, Elmer Eisler, Joseph Flummerfelt, Vance George, Dennis Keene, Neville Marriner, André Previn, Helmuth Rilling, and Robert Shaw.
Ensembles under John's direction have performed at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center, and for the President of the United States. His groups have been broadcast on NBC's Today Show, National Public Radio's Performance Today, Connecticut and Virginia Public Radio, and the Voice of America, and have toured internationally.
From John: "What a delight and a blessing it is to be called to join the MUMC community - I eagerly look forward to making a joyful noise with you all!"
Job Titles:
- Senior Pastor
- SENIOR PASTOR / Pastor Luana's Greatest Joy Is Telling the Story of God 's Love for All People As Known through the Life and Ministry of Jesus Christ
One of Pastor Luana's greatest joy is telling the story of God's love for all people as known through the life and ministry of Jesus Christ.
Having seen God's inspired word used as a tool of division and discrimination, she endeavors to honor God with its use and to always err on the side of GRACE.
Luana's church life began when a production of an operetta based on the life of John Wesley led her to Washington Square United Methodist Church in 1994 where her heart was strangely warmed. She enrolled at Drew Theological School three years later and has never looked back.
She has served in rural and urban appointments, and always relies on the Gospel regardless of her context.
She doesn't believe Social Justice Warrior is an insult and will always champion the marginalized because her faith compels her to do so. She excels in making complex theological concepts accessible through engaging, candid, often animated, preaching.
Pastor Luana has recently launched a ministry using comedy. Her stand-up skits are performed live at Morristown UMC's Fellowship Hall on the church's stage. She hopes to use laughter to further explore and share the stories of God's grace. (Warning: her stand-up is NOT for all audiences!)
She enjoys roller derby, falafels, the Oxford comma, and caffeine. She considers recycling a spiritual discipline. Along with her daughter she enjoys Marvel movies, Science Fiction, fanfiction, and all types of music. She is often found with a mug of fair-trade tea in her hand.
Luana received her Master of Divinity (MDiv) at the turn of the century from Drew Theological School. She is a member of the Order of Elders and serves in full connection. She serves as the Mentor Coordinator for the Skylands District on Ordained Ministry, the Vice-chairperson & Secretary of the Order of Elders of the Greater New Jersey Annual Conference. She serves on the Morris Area Interfaith Clergy Council, the Diversity Coalition of Morris County and the Morris Area Together chapter of NJ Together.
Her previous appointments include the Short Creek UMC/West Liberty Federated Charge, Central UMC, and most recently Milford UMC. She served as Executive Director of Community Development & Outreach Center, (CDOM), Inc. in Charleston, WV, and at that time represented the WV Conference on the Kid's Count Board of Directors. She served as chairperson for the WV Conference Church & Society Board, working closely with the WV Council of Churches and the WV Legislature.
Here at the church, I do all sorts of things. I like to think of myself as a facilitator. The things I do help make the ministries happen,