Ministers and Staff

Rev. Dr. Craig Lindsey

Pastor and Head of Staff
revlindsey@skanpresby.org

There are running jokes of “If it is Saturday, who is Craig marrying today?” and “When a baby starts fussing during the sermon how long before Craig will pick up the child to continue preaching with the babe in arms?” I believe there is a different impact to having the preacher communicate with you, than reading a script; I believe in the power of experience, art and symbolism in worship; I believe in having the Communion, Baptism, Wedding or Memorial spoken to people than being read from a prayerbook, so I regularly commit these to heart. Personally, I think the greatest of sins is that we would bore God and bore one another in worship! After my first ten years in Skaneateles, we had renovated the building and programs, replaced the pipe organ and paid for this, I undertook a doctorate from Columbia investigating the essentials for churches to continually resurrect. As part of that faith exploration, we had a sermon on Jim Collins' “Big, Hairy, Audacious Goals” and a few months later I was traveling solo on behalf of refugees the church had sponsored in South Sudan to re-unite families lost through Civil War. Members of the church responded saying “If Craig can go, we could also” and volunteered to create the first on-going health care facility, growing into what will be the lead health agency in the region. I came to Skaneateles in 1996 after the church had had a Co-Pastorate and an Intentional Interim, and “the next pastor” was referred to as “The Real Pastor” at this point like the Velveteen Rabbit I have “become real” and this church is a very real people of God.

Rev. Mario Bolivar

Associate Pastor
revbolivar@skanpresby.org

I am known as “Hello Church!” because of how I usually address the congregation on Sunday mornings. My life journey started in Barranquilla [baraŋˈkiʝa] located in northern Colombia, South America where I was born and raised. I was baptized and made my profession of faith at the Seventh Presbyterian Church, a church of the North Coast Presbytery where my parents are still active members. I have a Bachelors Degree in Law from the Simon Bolivar University in Barranquilla and completed my Master in Divinity from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio and I am a Latino/Hispanic Legal Inmigrant.

I arrived to our church in the summer of 2014 seeking to fulfill my first ordained ministry position. I am joyful to have found this place, and I praise God for His mysterious and perfect works. I knew that God had reserved me for a special place, but I did not know just how special until I came to know the beauty of our congregation. My wife, Melissa Bolivar, our son and I are fortunate to be in such a community where the expectation is not for a person to be perfect, but to have the willingness to admit the necessity of a Christian community.

Peggy Surdam

Business Administrator and Treasurer
peggy@skanpresby.org

I grew up in a military family and lived and moved around the country 8 times before moving to Central New York and meeting & marrying Dan more than 30 years ago. I began working in the Church Office in 2001 as the Business Administrator/Treasure (the Church BAT!) and I have 35 years experience in Bookkeeping, Accounting, and event scheduling among numerous other things. I am responsible for the Church finances, record keeping, scheduling building use, overseeing maintenance projects and anything else that comes through these doors! I find my purpose here very rewarding and never a dull moment. And I love my Church Family who care, nurture, and support me in what I do. I am so blessed to be a part of this Church.

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Barb Mushock

Interim Pianist/Organist

I graduated from Syracuse University with a Bachelors degree in music education and a Masters degree in piano performance. After teaching vocal/general music in the Auburn City School district for over thirty years, I retired in November of 2015. I have been a substitute pianist/organist at St. Mary's of the Lake for ten years, pianist/organist at Borodino Methodist for four years and substituted here, at the Presbyterian church for two years before taking on the interim position. Since retiring I've taken on the position of district accompanist for the Marcellus School district, accompanist for Cato-Meridian School district, rehearsal accompanist for the Auburn High School musical production and have accompanied several All-County concerts in Cayuga County.

Brian Ackles

Adult Choir Director

brianoackles@skanpresby.org

My love of sacred music can be traced back to his experience as a very young child at Frist Presbyterian Church. In fact, I have been attending choir practice with my mother since before he could even remember. I can recall returning to Skaneateles each summer vacation and singing alongside my extended family under the direction of his grandmother and choir director, Gertrude Osborne. Participating and leading the ministry of music at First Presbyterian Church has been a long standing family tradition for the Osborne and Ackles families, and I am thankful for the honor to serve and continue the tradition into the next generation.

I have a Bachelor in Music Education from Westminster Choir College and a Master of Music in Music Education degree from the University of Texas, San Antonio. I have been a K-12 music educator in the public school system since 1985, and for the past 15 years I have been the High School Vocal Music Teacher for the Marcellus Central School District. I have been blessed to serve as choir director for the Presbyterian, Methodist, and Episcopal denominations over the last 30 years. I am an active performer and conductor in the Central New York area, and finds joy in serving as a guest conductor at senior high all-county festivals, and in singing with the Syracuse Vocal Ensemble. My summers are spent on Skaneateles lake as a captain for the Mid-Lakes Navigation’s mail boat and dinner cruises.

Sue Grady

Bell Choir Director

sgrady@skanschools.org

Sue Grady has served as Director of the Handbell Choirs from 1985-present. Prior to directing handbells, Sue served as Youth Choir Director from 1982 to 1985. Sue graduated from SUNY Oswego with a BA in elementary education N-6 and a double major in music with special certification in piano pedagogy. She has also completed studies leading to Handbell Musician Director Certification. She has been employed by Skaneateles Central Schools as a primary level teacher 1975-present.

Eduardo "Eddy" Hernandez

Sexton
peggy@skanpresby.org

Eddy was born in San Salvador, El Salvador Central America but was raised in Pennsylvania. He has served as the church custodian since 2010 and he is in charge of general maintenance and cleaning of the building and Sanctuary, also has many years of experience working with the School District of Skaneateles. Eddy is at the Church most days working and arranging the classrooms and meeting places for the ministry of the church. Eddie is married to the love of his life and has three wonderful boys. If you have a recommendation or suggestion about the maintenance of the church please contact our church administrator peggy@skanpresby.org

Lori Sherriff

Child Care Provider
myny4455@aol.com

I have had the privilege of working with infants to preschoolers since 1997 to present. Most of my encounters are with first time parents leaving their precious child in my care during church services. The enjoyment that I get out of playing and exploration with each little girl and boy is the highlight of my week. My education and experience includes being an assistant preschool teacher, a lead teacher of infants, and working with special needs children. I posses the tools to be patient, caring, and loving for the little ones that are in my care. If there are any questions for me please feel free to stop and talk a while. I would enjoy meeting everyone, especially your precious little ones.