Our Leadership

The Elders, Deacons, and Staff of First Presbyterian Church would like to welcome you and your family. We are a committed group of people from all over the country. We are from all walks of life, and would like to think we resemble our church - a melting pot of people who love God and care about each other. If we can provide any information, prayer, or assistance, please contact the church office. 

Rev. Justin J Warner

Transitional/Interim Senior Pastor & Head of Staff

Rev. Justin Warner is originally from Marietta, Ohio, and is the oldest of 4. He attended the College of Wooster and studied Cognitive Behavioral Neuroscience, planning to attend medical school. Justin's work centered on pediatric medicine & research, and he has published and presented his work at international conferences in auditory neuroscience and rare genetic disorders that impact the peripheral and central nervous system in children and young adults. 


After getting accepted to multiple medical schools and with much discernment, he prayerfully received the redirection God placed before him to serve in ordained ministry. He enrolled at Princeton Theological Seminary and earned his Master of Divinity & Masters of Art in Christian Education & Formation in 2022. Justin is married to Melany Le, and they met while attending the College of Wooster. Melany has a BA in Communications from Wooster and an MA in Communications & Media from Rutgers University. She currently works as a Business Development Associate at Nerdwallet in NYC's Financial District. 


While in Princeton, Justin served as a program facilitator, data analyst, and pastoral care associate for a nearby PCUSA congregation. He has experience in various fields and has worked in youth ministry, hospital chaplaincy, and more. Justin was ordained as Minister of Word & Sacrament at the First Presbyterian Church of Marietta, Ohio, on October 23, 2022, the same church where Justin was baptized and confirmed.


We are excited to have Pastor Justin serve here at FPC Rutherford. He brings a unique worldview with a passion for pastoral care and revitalization during seasons of transition. Rev. Warner is excited to accompany us on this journey as we listen well to one another and develop a clear mission and vision for our church. We hope you will join us on this journey together! 


Office Hours: 9am-1pm Monday-Thursday & by appointment

Email Pastor Justin


Margaret Ahn

Music Director/Organist

Margaret graduated from the Juilliard School where she studied piano with Jane Carlson, Abbey Simon and Gyorgy Sandor. While at Juilliard she won many competitions including the Juilliard concerto competition, the Arnold Bullock competition, and the Ima Hogg competition. She also won numerous competitions in Korea including the prestigious Ewha competition.


She performed with numerous orchestras and gave recitals in Seattle, NYC, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Houston as well as in Vienna, Switzerland, Hong Kong, Japan, and Korea.


After getting married, she focused more on teaching and served as a piano faculty at various music schools such as Indian Hill Music School and Rutgers Mason Gross Extension Division. 

She is an active member of the Music Educator's Association of NJ.


She has been a church musician since college and her biggest joy is to touch people's hearts through music and make them feel the love of God.


Email Margaret

Elders and Deacons

ELDERS


2023

Ray Fahmy

Linda Lanz

Robert Sibilio


2024

Akua Yeboah-Asuamah

John Ledwith


2025

Dianne DeSantis

Mark Kosa

Bonnie Sheppard


Clerk of Session

Linda Lanz




  DEACONS


2023

Lynn Chiappa

Willy Dammers

Jeff Scott


2024

Carolyn Guerrero

Dimitra Skenderi

Lena Merrill


2025

Lia Abrams

Louise Cavallo

Laurie Gentile


Moderator of Deacons

Lena Merrill

Our Staff


Margaret Ahn, Music Director & Organist (fpcormusicministry@gmail.com)


William Rood, Director of Finance & Buildings Administrator (fpcorfa@gmail.com)


Jeff Scott, Interim Administrative Assistant (fpcorrecp@gmail.com)


Affy Abuaziz, Christian Education Co-Teacher

(fpcor.affy@gmail.com)


Laurie Gentile, Christian Education Co-Teacher

(fpcor.laurie@gmail.com)


Karen Vermeulen, Graphic Designer

(fpcorwebsmm@gmail.com)


Mark Gentile, Custodian

(marktobyg@gmail.com)