WHO WE ARE
At Blue Ridge, we strive to “Build Relationships with People in Christ.” We are a congregation across the generations that values each generation. Some of us have been life long Presbyterians, others have joined from other denominations, while others are new to church altogether.
We value diversity and welcome absolutely all people into our fellowship who are seeking to be disciples of Jesus Christ.
Meet our Staff
The staff here at BRPC loves, cares and prays for every single person in the church. If you have any questions for any of our staff, feel free to call our church office.
REV. ELIZABETH MEADOR
PASTOR
Pastor Elizabeth has been at BRPC since April 2020. She is a native of Tupelo, Mississippi. She majored in History and Religion at Furman University before attending seminary at Columbia Theological Seminary. Before coming to BRPC, she has served as both a hospital chaplain and a congregational pastor.
In ministry, Pastor Elizabeth is passionate about authentic worship, caring communication, and creative leadership. She loves blending both treasured traditions and bold new experiments as the church follows the Holy Spirit into the future. In all of her ministry, from preaching to pastoral care, she strives to be authentic, relevant, vulnerable, and encouraging.
In her spare time, she enjoys cooking for friends, reading mystery novels, and singing loudly in the car. She lives with and is directed by her 14-year-old dog, Suzy. If you need a quick conversation starter, she will talk endlessly about Ella Fitzgerald, the TV show The West Wing, the history of the English Reformation, and tacos.
GRACE COX-JOHNSON
MUSIC DIRECTOR
Our Director of Music, Grace Cox-Johnson, has served BRPC since 2016. She has a Bachelor of Music in vocal performance from Wheaton College Conservatory of Music and a Masters of Church Music from Scarritt College. Grace has served local congregations and the greater church for over 35 years through music and visual arts leadership in many different ministry settings.
Ms. Cox-Johnson is also a fiber artist and dyer, whose company, Color for the Journey, specializes in art for worship settings. She has given workshops in the fields of church music as well as creating visual arts for worship settings throughout the country.
LINDA MANN
ORGANIST/PIANIST/HANDBELLS
Linda Mann grew up in Raytown, Missouri, and has been a thankful church musician since she began playing for her Sunday School class at age 12. She received a Bachelor of Music Education Degree, piano emphasis, from the University of Central Missouri and is a member of the American Guild of Organists with Service Playing Certification. Linda has been the choral accompanist at Truman High School since 1993 and plays for the K. C. Metro Men’s Chorus.
Her favorite things are reading and word puzzles, all things Scottish, walking her black lab, and caring for the earth and all its creatures. She is married to Hoot Mann, and their greatest blessings are their 3 sons/wives and 8 grandchildren, followed closely by serving the Lord through music in the church. She feels most blessed to serve with the wonderful people at BRPC, and her prayers are for all to use their gifts to praise and draw close to God, grow in love and spirit with their fellow Christians, and reach out to those in need. To God be the glory!
KAREN ARGO
OFFICE MANAGER
Karen came to work with the BRPC family after retiring from her corporate employment job of 28+ years. Karen had never worked for a church, but says that she honestly believes she has landed her dream job: her “slice of employment heaven.” Karen enjoys interacting with the wonderful members of BRPC while performing the day-to-day clerical duties necessary to ensure the office runs smoothly and efficiently. Everyone at BRPC who interacts with Karen appreciates her friendly kindness, attention to detail, and love for the Lord. When Karen is not “working”, she loves spending time with her family. Her greatest form of relaxation is tending to her flower beds and listening to the sounds of nature.
Kerri McCorkle
Nursury Attendant
Michael Schumacher
custodian
Mike was first carried into BRPC in the spring of 1952 and since then it has been his “home”. After serving in the US Air Force for 4 years he returned home where he met his future wife, Linda, during choir practice. He has always said the church was crucial in his family life, playing a major part in raising his step-son, David, and daughter, Stacy.
Mike has served on Session and the Board of Deacons, been a Sunday school teacher for youth and adult classes, has sung in the choir ‘forever’, played in the bell choir since its inception, served as Liturgist and learned to run the cameras when technology was added to enhance our worship experiences.
About 2 years ago, to save the church some money, Mike took over the janitorial services. It is a part-time job that he finds uplifting and essential - helping to keep the building clean and neat for worship. Mike grew up at BRPC and invites you to join us for worship so that you, too, can know the love, hope, and joy of God’s love through BRPC’s friendly and inviting environment.
Lay Leadership
Ruling elders, together with minister, exercise leadership, government, spiritual discernment, and discipline, and have responsibilities for the life of a congregation as well as the whole church. Congregations should elect persons of wisdom and maturity of faith, having demonstrated skills in leadership and being compassionate in spirit. After being elected, they will serve faithfully as members of the session.
The ministry of deacon is one of compassion, witness, and service, sharing in the redeeming love of Jesus Christ for the poor, the hungry, the sick, the lost, the friendless, the oppressed, those burdened by unjust policies or structures, or anyone in distress. Persons of spiritual character, honest repute, exemplary lives, brotherly and sisterly love, sincere compassion, and sound judgment should be chosen for this ministry.
