Saint James Evangelical Lutheran Church
Staff
The Rev. Peter Hutchinson - Pastor
Pastor Hutchinson moved to the Pottstown area and began serving St. James in September of 2003. He studied for the ministry at and graduated from the Lutheran Seminary at Philadelphia. He previously received an undergraduate degree from Kean College and a graduate degree from Rutgers University in New Jersey. Before entering the ministry, he worked for the state of New Jersey in the Civil Rights Division and in the labor relations field.
He and his wife Debbie have been married for over 20 years and live in East Coventry. She is a special education teacher assistant in South Elementary school in the Perkiomen Valley school district. They have four children together. The oldest son, Chris, graduated from Muhlenberg College and lives in Brooklyn, New York. Daniel graduated from Duquesne University and lives in Pittsburgh with his wife, Lana. Maggie has attended community college and works and lives in Newark, Delaware. And youngest son, Gregory, attends Temple University.
Besides his devotion to and passion for ministry, Pastor Hutchinson enjoys outdoor activities such as camping, fishing, working in the garden and around the home and occasionally skiing. He also likes to read and watch sports (especially the Eagles) and go out to dinner with his wife – not in that order. He is very happy to be called to the good people of St. James and to be a part of the exciting growth and ministries here.
Suzanne Rigg - Director of Discipleship
Suzanne, a diaconal minister, began serving at St. James in February 2004. Prior to that she was the Director of Christian Education and Youth & Family Ministries at Advent Lutheran Church, Harleysville, PA. She also has taught theology part-time at The Hill School, a private college preparatory school. She has her M.A. R. from the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia. She previously received an undergraduate degree from Penn State University. Prior to attending seminary she worked in the mutual fund industry and in the hotel and restaurant industry putting to use her managerial and accounting background.
She and her husband Mark reside in Pottstown on the campus of The Hill School, where Mark is the associate chaplain, and an instructor of English. They have two children, Mary who is 9 years old, and Paul who is 7.
Suzanne enjoys walking, running, cooking, especially trying new recipes, time with husband and children and quiet moments with a good book or a sudoko puzzle. She is very grateful serving a congregation like St. James.
Karen Orchard - Secretary
Sharon MacCabe - Director of Music Ministries
Sharon joined the staff of St. James in October 2007. She has her Bachelor of Music degree in Organ Performance from Curtis Institute of Music and a Master of Harpsichord Performance from West Chester University School of Music. She has been the organist and choir director of several other churches and once served as the organist/choir director of a synagogue.
Sharon has been involved in many performing venues that range from solo recitals to directing festival choirs of seventy-five. She rejoices in a diversity of music. She particularly has an interest in Baroque Music.
Currently Sharon also is on faculty at the Kimberton Waldorf School where she is responsible for Orchestra, grades 5-12, Choir, grades 7-12, high school musicals, Women's Ensemble and Music Department Administration.
Sharon is married and has two children. She lives in Royersford. Her skills and talents are a valuable resource to our Music Ministry here at St. James.