About Frenchtown Presbyterian Church
We are a body of believers in Jesus Christ the Lord that strives to be a living reflection of God’s love. We come together to confirm our individual faith while spreading the message of hope and love by serving those in need through mission and outreach.
Our mission statement shows a rhythm of being called together by God for worship and growth and being sent out to serve in Jesus’ name. Sunday morning is a key gathering time for strengthening the Body of Jesus Christ. The rest of the day and into the week provide opportunities for living out our faith. Ministries described on this web site are avenues of nurture and commitment.
Clergy & Staff
Rev. Emily R. McCachren
Pastor Emily (she/her) came to FPC in December 2024. This is Pastor Emily's second call to serve a church after receiving her Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary in May of 2018. Before Princeton Seminary, Emily graduated from Elon University with a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies in 2015. Prior to college, Emily grew up in Morristown, New Jersey.
Pastor Emily has a heart for authentic worship that captivates each person's body, mind, or soul at some point in each worship service. Emily believes that worship includes the mission and study of the gospel. The importance of true fellowship, Christian friendship, is also central to Emily's ministry. Through Bible Study, Pastoral Care, mission projects, and worship itself, Emily desires to know each member of Christ's Church better.
Pastor Emily lives in Frenchtown with her husband, Rev. Peter Billings. Together, they have two daughters named Rosemary "Rosie" (b. 2022) and Sybil (b. 2024). They also have four pets - a dog (Marcy), two cats (Fin and Clara), and a rabbit (Bailey). In her free time, Emily enjoys being outdoors, sewing, building Lego sets, and playing board games.
*McCachren is pronounced Ma-Catherine*
Hugh Sung
Music Director & Organist
Hugh Sung has been hailed as one of the finest collaborative pianists of his generation. Hugh has performed and recorded with the likes of violinists Aaron Rosand, Hilary Hahn, and Leila Josefowicz; flutists Julius Baker, Jeffrey Khaner, Jasmine Choi, and Gary Schocker; and composers Jennifer Higdon, Robert Maggio, and Harold Boatrite. He has also worked extensively with the Philadelphia and Baltimore Symphony Orchestras. Hugh served on the faculty of The Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia for 19 years as its Director of Student Recitals and Instrumental Accompaniment.
In 2008, Hugh co-founded AirTurn, a company that creates hands-free page-turning pedals for digital sheet music.
In 2014, Hugh joined the roster of ArtistWorks, the premiere online music and art school that teaches students through an extensive video curriculum combined with the innovative Video Exchange system, enabling him to work one-on-one with students anywhere in the world.
Hugh continues to perform around the world, and is Vice President at Cunningham Piano, representing Yamaha and Bösendorfer pianos.
Lea Raymond
Church Secretary
Lea lives in Kingwood Township with her husband Jack. They have two boys, Johnny and Colby. Lea and her family love the outdoors and the beach.
Mary Ann Hampton
Financial Manager
Ruling Elders are members of the congregation elected to serve in a particular service to the congregation. The Session is comprised of the pastor and the ruling elders in the church, who are elected by the congregation and ordained to their work. The Session appoints committees, which are comprised of elders and church members, to do special tasks.
Elders oversee the day-to-day ministry of the church, manage financial, legal, and property affairs, and supervise the work of the deacons. We generally meet on the third Tuesday of every month.
We welcome any ideas, suggestions, questions, or concerns you may have.
Session Members
Clerk Kathy Skerbetz, Shari Bethman- Bjellquist, Maureen Breiner, Jennifer Campbell, Gayla Gehrhardt, Ed Marston, Matt Melbourn, Diane Reed, Tonya Reese, Carl Stokes
Session Committees
Building and Grounds - Carl Stokes
Christian Education - Tonya Reese
Membership and Communication - Diane Reed
Mission and Outreach - Jennifer Campbell
Music and Worship - Gayla Gerhardt
Nominating - Kathy Skerbetz
Personnel - Ed Marston
Stewardship and Finance - Maureen Breiner
Ruling Elders
Kids Communities
At FPC we seek to encourage children in their faith while providing quality care. We nurture a familiarity with God’s Word, a delight in a personal relationship with God, and strong inter-generational and peer connections. Interactive, engaging communities are the heart of our ministry to children.
Music Ministry
Our adult choir sings weekly at the 9:30am service. We rehearse on select Thursday evenings from 7:00 to 9:00 pm and all voices, trained and untrained, are welcome. We have a lot of fun while working hard to prepare music for the worship of God. We are ably led by Music Director/Pianist/Organist Hugh Sung.
Ministries
Youth Ministry
Anyone in 6th – 12th grade is invited to participate in youth group. We will be participating in monthly events and hope that you would like to join in. Please send your email address or phone number to add you to a group list so that you can receive information. Email tonya.reese@hotmail.com or call 908-310-9240.
Adults
We have many opportunities to deepen faith and friendship through study, service, and caring. Our ministries to and for adults happen in a variety of ways.
Food Pantry
We strive to provide healthy groceries to those in need in our community. From making non-perishable food donations to helping organize the pantry, we could use your help and support!
Affiliations & Partners
Affiliations
Frenchtown Presbyterian Church is a congregation of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) through the Presbytery of Highlands of NJ. For more information on our broader Presbyterian family please visit the following links:
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) – Our national church affiliation
The Presbytery of the Highlands of NJ
390 Route 10 West
Randolph, NJ 07869
(973) 361-0084
office@highlandspresbyterynj.org
Partners
We are pleased to host a number of 12-step groups, a Boy Scout troop and a Girl Scout/Brownies group.