The interim pastor search committee is happy to announce the selection of Ronald Botts as St John's interim pastor.   He was unanimously approved by the personnel committee and Consistory.

Ron will begin working with us on September 1 and we will enjoy our first worship with him as pastor on September 12.  During that week and a half, Pastor Ron will begin his administrative and pastoral care work, as well as getting to know members and staff.

Most recently Ron served as interim at Orchard Hill United Church of Christ in Chillicothe. He has served many UCC congregations, worked with non-profits, and in various ministerial positions throughout his career.

In his free time, Ron enjoys antiques, collecting old correspondence and creative writing. Music is a special enjoyment in his life, especially classical music, but also recordings from the Big Band era.

Ron joined St John's Church in April through transfer of membership from the Tree of Life Community which recently disbanded.

May Schwarz, Minister of Music, leads a diverse music program at St. John’s including: multiple choirs, the Triune Concert Series, Java & Jazz Series, Mostly Mozart, Messiah Sunday, and Taizé-style Evening Prayer. She encourages musicians of all ages to share their musical gifts -- vocal and instrumental.

May is a graduate of Oberlin College - Conservatory of Music (Bachelor of Music), The Ohio State University (Master of Music), and Trinity Lutheran Seminary (Master of Theological Studies). She also pursued graduate studies at Erlangen University and the Kirchenmusikalisches Institut in Erlangen, Germany. Before coming to St. John’s, she served parishes in Erlangen, Germany; Oberlin, Port Clinton, and Sandusky, Ohio. She served as Dean of The Columbus Chapter American Guild of Organists and as National Vice-President of the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians.

Her music compositions are published with Morning Star Music Publications (Magnificat and She Came to the Banquet), Augsburg Fortress (Come, Holy Spirit, Blow Across the Waters, and psalmody in Psalter for Worship), and The Pilgrim Press (Psalm tones in The New Century Hymnal).

She enjoys playing Mozart and Joplin four-hand piano works, attending music events, composing music, travel, and spending time with her family. At St. John’s she enjoys the people, the wide variety of musical and spiritual gifts they bring, and making music together!

Contact May via e-mail.