OUR STAFF
Meet The Staff in our Church
The Presbyterian Church of Morris Plains, NJ is comprised of a staff dedicated to the church and the fundamentals of our Christian Faith. We work together to provide guidance, shepherding and teaching for the members of our church and outside community. Besides weekly services, our staff members are responsible for organizing missions, events, outreach, youth worship and more.
Reverend Donald Brown
Lead Pastor
Reverend Donald Brown grew up in Paramus, NJ and lived there until leaving for College in MA. He was ordained in 2006 at the Presbyterian Church of West Caldwell and remained there until that congregation united with First Presbyterian Church at Caldwell in 2012, where he served as Associate Pastor. He also worked for 8 years as a Hospice Chaplain at Atlantic Healthcare. Prior to becoming a minister, Don was in Corporate Finance where his last position was Sr. Treasury Manager for Spherion Corporation in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Don lives in Bedminster, is married to Mitzi and has two adult daughters, Emily and Peri. His favorite leisure time activities are exploring new restaurants, traveling and watching sports. Contact Don at 973-539-3481 or don@mppresby.org.
Leah Frank
Music Director
Leah Frank is a full-time pianist, violinist, violist, organist, and educator. She graduated from the Cleveland Institute of Music and the Baldwin Wallace Conservatory of Music. Her teachers included Anita Pontremoli, head of the collaborative piano department at CIM, and Joella Jones, principal pianist of the Cleveland Orchestra. She was a two-time concerto competition winner, an American Guild of Organists Scholarship recipient, and was granted the Mu Phi Epsilon Marian Bowker Davidson Collaborative Piano Award. Ms. Frank has premiered and recorded multiple neoclassical works, including a commissioned art and music collaboration where art was directly inspired and created in response to her musical interpretation of the compositions. She teaches, collaborates, and performs throughout the North Jersey/NYC area and is a U.S. Army veteran. Contact Leah at leah.frank@mppresby.org.
Kathy Pigott
Office Manager
Kathy Pigott has background in the medical field and is a Community Service Coordinator. She dedicates her life to helping others and living the gospel. She is a food blogger, wife, mother and enjoys visiting Rockport, MA for a dose of vitamin “sea”. If you visit the church during weekday office hours you'll be sure to see her keeping things running smoothly. Contact Kathy at office@mppresby.org.
Amy Bozza
Director of Walsh Memorial Handbell Choir
The director of the Walsh Memorial Bell Choir is Mrs. Amy Bozza. Amy grew up in Morristown and is a member of the Presbyterian Church on the Green. She began ringing handbells at the age of 8 and was a member of The Ringers On the Green while attending Morristown High School. After graduating from The College of Wooster in Ohio, she returned to New Jersey and became a member of the adult handbell choir at the Church on the Green, where she rings to this day. Mrs. Bozza is an 8th grade Civics teacher at Frelinghuysen Middle School in Morristown, where she is also the musical director of the spring musical. After school, she has been teaching piano lessons for 25 years. She currently lives in Morris Township with her husband and four children, all of which (including her husband!) are graduates of Joyful Noise! Amy's previous experience with our congregation dates back a few years when she preached a sermon with her father, Dr. Rev. David Lawrence. Aside from making music and spending time with her family, Amy enjoys both reading and writing and has been published in two anthologies and on the Huffington Post. Mrs. Bozza is thrilled to begin her work with the Walsh Choir and is excited to make music with our youth. Mrs. Bozza can be reached at a.bozza@mppresby.org.
Steven Gaden
Youth Director
Introducing our new Youth Director! Steven Gaden is a New Jersey native, growing up in Morristown, and has been active in the Presbyterian Church in Morristown since he was a kid. He went to college in Pennsylvania at Moravian College, where he graduated with a degree in religion and photography. After coming back home, Steven returned to serve his childhood church, volunteering with the middle school and high school youth groups as one of their leaders, creating music with the Chancel Choir and Ringers, and serving on the Worship and Music committee for 3 years. He is excited to bring his years of experience to Morris Plains. He currently lives in Plainfield with his wife Theresa and kitty Mia. On his off hours, Steven loves listening to music, playing video games, watching his New York Red Bulls, and adventuring with his lovely wife. Contact Steven at s.gaden@mppresby.org.
Mae Martella
Children's Ministry Coordinator
Mae Martella is our Children's Ministry Coordinator. She is a certified K-8 teacher with 10 years classroom teaching experience. She left teaching when her children were born and has been involved with Christian Education at the church for the last 10 years. She received her BA from Albertus Magnus College in New Haven, CT and her M.Ed. in Curriculum Development and Instruction from the University of Phoenix. Mae lives in Parsippany with her husband, Arthur, and their two children, Joseph and Cassandra. She enjoys reading, playing games, and spending time with her family. Contact Mae at mgmartella@mppresby.org.