JEFFERSON AVENUE

As the child of a Presbyterian minister, Rev. Laura Kelsey has been in ministry since birth!   She graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a BS in Geology, received her MDiv from Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, and is looking forward to beginning her DMin soon.  She has published two books. Her website is www.revlaurakelsey.com .

Ordained as a Minister in 2002, she has pastored churches in Michigan, Pennsylvania and Florida.  She has served on numerous Presbytery committees, including anti-racism, congregational development, and social justice.  Rev Laura has a heart for urban ministry and enjoys building relationships with community leaders

Rev. Laura Kelsey is married to Jeremy, they have an adult son, Aaron.

Ann joined the staff  after a 30 year career in the food industry, including owning a small local bakery in Ferndale Michigan. After stepping away from the baking world, her volunteering with the non-profit Make Food Not Waste led to her stepping into the open office position where she brought a world of organizational skills. 

Stephen Warner has been Church Organist since 2002 and Music Director since 2010. He graduated from the University of Michigan in 2003 with dual Bachelor degrees in Organ Performance and Mechanical Engineering. He conducts the church’s semi-professional choir, plays their historic 1925 E.M. Skinner pipe organ on Sunday mornings, and coordinates the JAPC Music Series. Stephen can also be heard at the Michigan Theater in Ann Arbor as well as the Redford and Senate Theaters in Detroit before film screenings, events and silent films. He owns a pipe organ service firm, caring for nearly fifty instruments including most of the Skinner pipe organs in the state of Michigan and the instruments at the University of Michigan. 

Kathy has served JAPC for nearly 20 years as Church School and Tutoring Tree Director. She has a Masters of Education with 40 years in church work, bringing a committed and creative spirit. She currently serves as Church School Director, overseeing the Nursery, Sunday School program, and other family events. She says, “I always try to see how the talents and gifts of the church community can best serve the larger community. And importantly, I also bring the gifts and talents of the neighborhood children and families here to be celebrated and shared."

Ann’s passion for educating and empowering children defines her spirit. She has taught and led in Detroit Public and Catholic Schools, Abu Dhabi Public Schools, and Khartoum American School, discovering that children and families are similar across the world. Her philosophy is that people from varying economic statuses, cultural backgrounds and religious beliefs all seek love, self-esteem, and competency for their children. Ann appreciates that this Tutoring Tree position combines her commitment to literacy for those in public school with her desire to thread a sense of peace as the young people explore learning as well as embrace their inner beings with their loving JAPC tutors.

Yolanda has over 30 years experience in accounting, involving finance and budget reporting, as well as grant administration. She has a Bachelors in Business Administration majoring in Corporate Finance and a Masters in Industrial Relations majoring in Human Resource Management. She currently runs her own private firm which provides accounting services across public, private, and church sectors. Her accounting experience includes the Detroit Public Schools, Wayne State University, and the Detroit Medical Center. 

John has been on staff for nearly 4 years and is a restoration expert with extensive contacts to assist him in obtaining or fabricating one-of-a-kind unique parts. He has experience repairing organs, plumbing, electrical work, and plaster and  often sought after to aid in the restoration of organs and old theaters. 

Milt has served the church faithfully for nearly 10 years. He is the backbone of the building, answering most, if not all questions on maintaining the century-old structure. On top of the daily maintenance, Milt is an integral part of the food distribution ministry, Tutoring Tree activities and all events that help create the rich life of our community.