Church Staff

Jon began serving as Westminster’s pastor in September of 2015. He previously served congregations in Bellingham, Washington and Worthingon, Ohio. Jon is a graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry from Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia. He shares a home in West Akron with his wife, Kara, and two sons, Liam and Nathan.

Valerie Thorson holds performance degrees in organ and voice from the Oberlin College Conservatory (B. Mus.) and Kent State University (M.Mus.), respectively.  She has been the principal keyboard player for the Omaha Symphony Orchestra, and has performed as vocal coach/accompanist for Opera/Omaha, the Oberlin Conservatory and the University of Akron. She moved from Florida to Akron. As a professional organist/choir director for over fifty years, she also directs the WPC Choir.

Sheila has been a Child Development Specialist for 25+ years in the university, preschool, social service and church settings. Her special focus has been on parent/child relationships. She is especially pleased to be able to work within the inter-generational setting of the faith filled, questioning, learning environment here at WPC.

Zack is an education major at Baldwin Wallace Conservatory of Music. He graduated from Firestone Community Learning Center and from the Akron School for the Arts in 2017, with a focus in vocal music. His senior year, he became a choral scholar at Westminster, and in the 2017-2018 season, became Director of the Children’s Choir. For the 2018-2019 season, Zack also now serves as the Director of the Adult and the Youth Bell Choirs.

Claudine is from Carcassonne, France, where she met her husband, David. Dave and Claudine have two daughters: Rachelle (23) and Jordane (21) who currently live in California. Dave grew up at Westminster Presbyterian Church, where his parents are active members. Claudine is passionate about serving others and is active in the Rotary Club of Akron.

Debby has lived in the Akron area most of her life; she is currently living in the Wallhaven area.  She has an Accounting degree from the University of Akron. She was formerly the Treasurer for a church in Canal Fulton she attended. She has 3 adult children, a daughter in N. Canton and 2 sons who live in Akron as well as  2 grandchildren. Debby enjoys gardening, reading, yoga, and hiking.

Dave was born in Steubenville, Ohio and grew up in Toronto, Ohio, where he graduated from Toronto High School. Following graduation he joined the U.S. Navy where he served for nine years. Following his discharge from the service, he has lived and worked in Ohio. He has over twenty years of experience in building maintenance at Retiree Housing MGMT, and an additional two years of experience with the Central Stark County YMCA.