Northminster Staff
Interim Pastor
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Pastor Neeta R. Nichols came to Northminster in July 2017. She has lived in Detroit Presbytery since 1993 serving nine different congregations as Interim Pastor, and also served briefly on the Presbytery’s staff. She holds an undergraduate degree in Religion and Philosophy from The Defiance College in Ohio and a Masters of Divinity Degree from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. Neeta was ordained as a Minister of the Word and Sacrament in 1973 to serve the First Presbyterian Church, Adrian, Michigan. For the past 33 years, her ministry has been in interim settings where she has developed skills in quickly assessing a situation, helping the congregation understand its situation, and offering appropriate options for resolution.
“I enjoy serving in a setting where people have a healthy commitment to our Lord Jesus Christ, are concerned about living in faithfulness to Christ, and are open to new possibilities for expression of their faith. It is easy in this fast changing culture to employ whatever gimmick appears attractive. However, I believe the Church must be open to new possibilities for expressing ancient rituals so that its message can be viable and vital with this generation. I wrestle with how to be faithful to the Church’s historic principles and, at the same time, be contemporary in approach.” Pastor Nichols service to the Presbytery of Detroit includes 4 terms on Committee on Ministry, 2 years as Chairperson; 2 terms on Committee on Preparation for Ministry; Presbytery Day Planning Committee; and currently in a second term on the Permanent Judicial Commission. She was part of the Worship Committee for the 2014 GA meeting in Detroit, planning Opening Worship and the daily serving of the Lord’s Supper. Neeta has taken an active role in the workings of the Synod of the Covenant, including the Executive Search Committee, and was a delegate to the General Assembly in 2001 and an observer every year since. Neeta enjoys listening to music, singing (preferably in the chorus), and savoring a latte from Starbucks. |
Director of Music Ministries
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Brandon conducts the adult voice and handbell choirs. He has shown himself to be an energetic and talented music leader.
He is also the director of the bands and choirs at Stoney Creek High School, Rochester Hills and has his own music publishing company. Brondon holds a Doctoral degree in Choral Conducting from Michigan State University. Brandon joined the staff of Northminster as music director in December of 2016. |
Music Associate
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Catherine began in March 2019 as the Music Associate, assisting the Music Director.
Catherine graduated from Georgia Southern University in 2008, then taught high school choir at Duluth High School, just north of Atlanta, GA, for six years. When she and her husband had their first child in 2016 they moved home to Michigan. She now teaches choir at Rochester High School, in Rochester Michigan. |
Office Administrator
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Suzanne joined us with many years of office administration experience at Hewlett-Packard, and successfully worked with individuals and groups of differing backgrounds and personalities in board positions. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Tyndale College.
She also has been proprietor of her own art business, Suzanne Joy Fine Art, and has been volunteering with non-profits such as ReLeaf Michigan, an urban forestry organization. She is a fan of pickleball and everything PBS, and can never get enough Masterpiece! In our office, she maintains the calendar, email, publishes newsletters and weekly updates, prints our bulletins, and maintains our social media pages and website, among other typical office needs. She is in the office from 9a.m. to 2p.m. during the regular year; summer hours are Tue-Fri from 9a.m. to 2p.m. |
