Staff

Our Staff

Rev. Monica Styron

The Rev. Monica Styron is a native Californian raised in San Diego while spending her summers in Northern Wisconsin.  She graduated from Monmouth College, Illinois with a year at Schiller University in Ingersheim, Germany.  Rev. Styron graduated from Princeton Theological Seminary with a Masters in Divinity and was ordained by the United Presbyterian Church USA in Washington D.C. (now Presbyterian Church U.S.A.).  Her service in the church has included a variety of ministries – as pastor, pastoral counselor, hospital chaplain, mission supply in East Jerusalem, and executive director of an interfaith youth organization.  She has lived and worked in Washington D.C., Massachusetts, Upstate New York, Maine, California and Florida.  Her interests focus on social justice issues and education – interfaith and Palestine/Israel.  She also has a strong commitment to inclusion.  We have some wonderful events and a few surprises coming our way!

Nancy Landon - Church Secretary

Originally from Pennsylvania, Nancy is now a Baldwinsville resident. She holds a B.S. degree in Health Sciences. Nancy left teaching to become a stay-at-home mom. After substitute teaching as well as working in Liverpool and Baldwinsville business offices, she began as church secretary in 1996.

With children all now grown, she and her husband enjoy living out in the country. In the office, it is her goal to maintain a warm and welcoming atmosphere while serving as a hub for the dissemination of information and facilitating programs and committee work of the church. Turns out, it's a lot of fun!

Rheta Jenks - Director of Music, Director of Choirs

Rheta grew up on a dairy farm in nearby Warners, NY. She began her music career during elementary school taking piano and pipe organ lessons from the Presbyterian Church organist, Virginia King.  Rheta sang in the Methodist Church choir as well as many school and amateur theater groups.  Her studies continued at Ithaca College where she graduated with B.S. and M.S. degrees in music education.

After 12 years of teaching music in public schools, Rheta made a career change to become a travel consultant.  She is the retired owner of B/R Travel in Baldwinsville.  She has been a member of the Presbyterian choir since 1975 and the choir director since 1994. She has also directed the Village Singers for over 34 years. Music is her passion.

Margaret Sollish - Clerk of Session

Mrs. Sollish joined the First Presbyterian Church of Baldwinsville in 1978 and has served on both Deacons and Session more than once over the years.

She has also served on Worship and Music, Nominating Committee, Stewardship, Personnel, Floral Commission, and is always in the Choir. She also enjoys bringing her favorite dishes to pot lucks and picnics.

Bea Boak - Moderator of Deacons

Bea is originally from Southern California and has lived in Corvallis, Oregon and Ann Arbor, Michigan before coming to Baldwinsville in 1975. She has been a member of Baldwinsville First Presbyterian since 1980.

Bea retired after many years teaching Family and Consumer Science at Baker High School in Baldwinsville. In addition to travelling, one of Bea's retirement goals is to "give back" to the church. She enjoys interacting with other church members and values all that the church has to give her.

Bea and her husband, Harry, live in Baldwinsville.

Victor Jenkins - Moderator of Deacons

Lee Johnston - Church Organist

Lee Johnston has joined us as our church organist in January 2015.  He grew up in the area, and his parents were from Baldwinsville.  Lee studied organ with George Decker, Will Headlee at Syracuse University, and David Craighead.  In addition, he studied viola da gamba with Alexander Raykov and was a founding member of the Frogwork Consort, a viol consort which performed regionally for many years.  Lee was the minister of music at First English Lutheran Church for 22 years.

Lynda Barry - Christian Education Coordinator     

Lynda joined the First Presbyterian Church staff in early 2019 and currently serves as the Christian Education Coordinator. She retired from teaching high school in June 2018 after a 30-year career and is now working full time as a microbiologist along with her role in the church.

“I have always feared that the saying ‘the Devil finds work for idle hands’ may be true!” she said.

Lynda resides in Baldwinsville, has two grown daughters, and four granddaughters. She loves animals and has several pets she enjoys spending time with including two horses, three dogs, two cats, and two frogs.