(937) 855-2050 | Worship every Sunday @ 10:30 a.m.
(937) 855-2050 | Worship every Sunday @ 10:30 a.m.
Get to know your church leaders and staff.
Mark was ordained a minister in the United Church of Christ in April 2023 and began his pastorate at St. John’s that same month. Mark grew up in the Dayton area, having lived in Huber Heights, Kettering and presently in Bellbrook. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy from the Pontifical College Josephium in Columbus, Ohio, a Master’s Degree in Theological Studies and a Juris Doctorate, both from the University of Dayton.
Mark was raised in the Roman Catholic tradition and has belonged to a Unitarian Universalist community. He embraced the United Church of Christ because of its expression of progressive theology that celebrates diversity, inclusivity, and a strong dedication to the Gospel’s call for social justice and cultural transformation. Mark’s goal as Pastor is to proclaim that love for God must be expressed in our care for others, offer hope and a spiritual home to the least, the last, and the lost, encourage mercy and compassion, and make the joy of Christ’s Resurrection a living reality in our church and world.
My name is Decker Jones, I am the Music Director for St. John’s UCC. My duties include suggesting hymns for services, coordinating musical offerings during the season and obtaining presenters during the summer months. I am also the director of the Chancel Choir and Bell Choir. I provide the prelude and postlude and accompany the hymns for our services.
I graduated from the University of Dayton with a Bachelor of Science in Music Education. I taught elementary general music for thirty-seven years in Huber Heights, Ohio. During that time I was also a church organist and choir director serving Disciples of Christ, Presbyterian, Christian Scientist, and United Methodist churches.
I welcome inquiries about any of our music groups. We include Youth Choir and Bells, Gilead’s Grace Contemporary, Chancel Choir, and Bell Choir. You can reach me at (937) 258-2723.
June comes to us from Gallipolis, Ohio via Yellow Springs. After graduating from Antioch College with her degree in History and Narrative Writing, she and her spouse moved to Dayton where they live. June plays guitar and a variety of musical instruments, and believes that had she not gone to Antioch, she would’ve gone to music school. In her free time, she loves to bake, hike, and create art. Some of her previous work experience includes Wilmington College where she worked in the office of diversity and inclusion and The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum where she worked with donor relations and art restituion. For St. John’s, she produces the weekly newsletters, Sunday bulletins, manintains the Chuch’s website, and fills in wherever necessary.
Cathy Harting has been the director at St. John’s Early Learning Center since April 2023. Prior to becoming the director, Cathy served as the Bookkeeper and Assistant Director. She has been with the center for six years. Before working for the ELC, Cathy worked as a tutor at Sinclair College and as a substitute teacher at Valley View Schools. She graduated from the University of Dayton with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications. Cathy has lived in the Valley View community for 36 years. She and her husband Mark have four adult children and will add a fifth grandchild to the family in 2024. Cathy’s favorite thing about the ELC is her day-to-day conversations with the children. She tells anyone who asks that the best thing about the center is a staff that truly cares about the children.