Lead Pastor: Rev. John "Jack" T. Wright 
Pastor Jack was appointed to Grove UMC in July 2003, coming from Quakertown UMC. Pastor Jack earned his Master's of Divinity from Duke University. His collegial style of leadership elicits respect from other members of the staff and enables them to liberate their own strengths. His areas of professional strengths include preaching, counseling, teaching and administration. Of special concern to him are the three worship experiences on Sunday morning which focus on prophetic preaching, exciting music and an atmosphere of warmth and caring.

email:

Pastor: Rev. Christopher R. Schiavino
Pastor Chris was appointed to Grove UMC in July 2006, coming from Cherry Lane UMC. Pastor Chris earned his Master of Divinity from Drew Theological Seminary and was ordained Elder in Full Connection in June 2008. Pastor Chris' ministry is rooted in practical experiences and down-to-earth expressions of faith. His areas of professional strengths are dynamic worship and preaching, adult education/formation, and congregational care. Pastor Chris was awarded the "Fellowship Seminarian Award" for excellence in leadership in worship and is really creative when leading the ARISE! worship.

email:

Youth Pastor: Charity J. Harter
Charity is a dynamic musician who has an extensive background in youth ministry. With these two gifts she leads our vibrant Youth Choir and an assortment of other youth and other ministries including: Choir camp, Praise Band, Appalachian Service Project mission trips, Volleyball, Senior High Bible Study, Hymnody classes and much more.

email:

Assistant Youth Pastor: Steve Wagner
Steve has grown up in the area, graduating from Downingtown High School. He also attended Kutztown University where he studied Music. He has attended Grove for most of his life. He was the worship leader at Trinity Lutheran in Kutztown, and at Asbury UMC in Allentown. He also worked at Pocono Plateau as the Interim Adventure Program Manager, and has spent extensive time on the Gulf Coast doing Katrina Relief. He is excited to return to Grove where he can share his experience and his faith with the Youth of Grove.

email:

Director of Christian Education: Patti Klotz
Patti and her family have been members of Grove since 1992. Patti has been the Christian Education Director since 1998. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from West Chester University and also has an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education. Patti oversees all of the educational programs at Grove for children and adults. Some of those programs include Sunday School classes, Vacation Bible School. Advent workshops and Christmas programs, Academy of Learning, Disciple Bible Studies and Adult and Family Ministries.

email:

Director of Music: Dr. Craig E. Rider 
Craig Edwin Rider has been serving Grove Church as Director of Music Ministries since 1967 and has been an active contributor to the musical environment of Chester County in particular the West Chester and Exton area for 40 years. In 1970 he founded the Exton Ecumenical Concert Choir, consisting of choirs from six churches in the Exton Ministerium and in 1973 founded the Exton Chorale, now Chester County Choral Society, serving as Artistic Director until 1982. Craig Rider's professional church music career began while serving as staff tenor soloist and member of the Broadstreet Memorial Methodist Church Masters Quartet. Craig pursued private study in piano and theory with his personal friend and mentor Dr. Edward H. Wetherill, distinguished composer and organist and vocal pedagogy with Harold Parker. Craig holds Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Music Education degrees from the University of the Arts, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Masters degree in Music Education from West Chester University and a Doctor of Music Ministry from Breyer State University, Birmingham, Alabama.

In addition to 30 years as a public school music educator and department supervisor, Craig has dedicated a significant portion of his musical career to the development and growth of the Music Ministry of Grove Church. Under his determined leadership and encouragement in conjunction with the entire music staff, the program continues to grow involving nearly 155 active participants. September of 2006 will mark Craig's 39th year as Music Director at Grove Church.

email:

Organist: Robert W. Johns   
Robert Johns, principal Organist, has been serving Grove Church since 1966. Bob served as assistant staff organist from 1966-74 and later assumed the position of Principal Organist. An accomplished organist and pianist, Bob assists in the preparation of the Tabernacle Choir, accompanies soloists, is featured in major musical presentations and provides professional service music from a broad organ repertoire for all worship services. Bob holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Studies from Cheyney University. He studied piano with Dr. Charles Sprenkle (West Chester University) and organ with Marion Davis (West Chester UMC) in addition to many years of independent organ study and performance. Bob currently is the manager of the European American/Carl Fisher Instrumental Division of J.W. Pepper Music Company, Paoli, Pennsylvania. Bob has served as guest substitute organist in local Chester County Churches and served as accompanist with the Exton Chorale (Chester County Choral Society) from 1973-81. Bob will mark his 40th year of service with Grove in August of 2006.

Office Manager:  Barbara Thornton

Barbara was born and raised in Pottstown, PA in the Greek Catholic Church.   When she married in 1976, she became an Episcopalian at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Phoenixville.  In 1999 she and her family moved to West Chester, where she joined Church of the Advent in Kennett Square. There she is a Chalicist, Lay Reader and Acolyte and is also a member of the Prayer Shawl Group.  She and her husband, Gerry, have three daughters and six grandchildren.  Barbara’s passion includes painting and writing 3rd century icons. 


email:

 

Assistant to the Office Manager: Carol Moore

Carol and her husband, Bob, have been members of Grove since 1982. She joined the Grove staff in June 2000 as a full-time employee. Currently, she works part-time on an as-needed basis as clerical support for the Office Manager and all staff.

---