Lisa lives in Lewisburg, but hails from northeastern Pennsylvania. She was born in Scranton to a Scranton family but grew up in the woods in a place called Mt. Cobb. She graduated from Marywood University (when it was still Marywood College) with a BA in English and certification in Secondary Education. Her journey of faith includes growing up Roman Catholic, some experience with the Pentecostal tradition, and her own personal Reformation at the kitchen table when her husband, Rev. Ryan Kraus, was in seminary. Lisa’s Reformation came through reading and editing seminary papers and sermons for Ryan, whose undergraduate degree is in Mechanical Engineering from Bucknell. A year after Ryan graduated seminary, Lisa began seminary at Columbia Theological Seminary, in Decatur, GA. She quickly transferred and, in 2002, completed her Master of Divinity at Princeton Theological Seminary, in Princeton, NJ.  (Never tell God you’re never moving back to New Jersey!) Lisa and Ryan have three young adult children. In her free time, when not talking All Things Church with Ryan, Lisa obsesses over their two standard poodles, Luther Gillespie and Audrey Jean, and practices grandparenting with the neighbors’ adorable children across the street.  

Growing up in a tiny country church, Joy learned that music was an important part of worship and fellowship. She began organ lessons when she was five years old and has been playing in church for more than 60 years. Music has been a lifelong source of joy, connection, and worship, and she is grateful for the opportunity to share that joy with others.

As Director of Music, Joy oversees the church’s music program, including its choirs, instrumentalists, music staff, and the acquisition and care of its musical instruments. She is particularly mindful of the stewardship of the church’s musical resources, which include the pipe organ, two important baby grand pianos, rehearsal pianos, handbells, and chimes.

She wants the music program to be a place where people feel welcomed, supported, challenged, and encouraged to grow—whether they are experienced musicians or simply interested and willing to learn. Good preparation matters; we work together to offer our very best in worship.

Joy is fascinated by the stories behind the music we sing and play and enjoys sharing those stories with children and the congregation. Learning about the history, people, and circumstances behind a hymn or song can help us connect with it in new ways. Her desire to share Christ’s love through music has led to the introduction of Taizé music in the Ash Wednesday service, Fifth Sunday Hymn Sings, the Blue Christmas service, and the Community Choir.

Incorporating art into worship is another of Joy’s passions. Sharing religious art on bulletin covers, creating paraments and seasonal decorations, and organizing the Intergenerational Arts Camp are among the ways she encourages creativity throughout the church year. Whether through music, art, or worship, Joy enjoys finding ways for people of all ages to participate, discover their gifts, and experience the joy of creating something together.

As a member of the Presbyterian Association of Musicians, Joy is completing requirements for certification as a church musician through that organization. She is also a member of the American Guild of Organists.

When she isn’t making music or working on one of the many creative projects at church, Joy is a registered nurse, real estate broker, and grandmother to five. She enjoys the variety of her life and the many people it brings her into contact with and especially treasures the time she spends with her family.

For Joy, music and art are ways of building community, expressing faith, serving, and sharing God’s love—and she is always happy to welcome another voice, instrument, or creative idea.

Don grew up in the area and graduated from Hughesville High School. Don became a Christian at a young age and continued his relationship with God through his teenage years. As a senior in high school, Don felt a call into ministry and later enrolled at Malone College. He has been working in youth minstry ever since, and continues that work to this day.

Don is passionate about three things: God, sports, and drawing. The passion about God is obvious since he has been working in ministry his whole adult life. Don has also been a fan of and a coach of different sports for many years (coaching mostly baseball and basketball). He also works at the Little League World Series every summer. Don's main hobby is drawing, and he uses that talent in his ministry.

Don is excited for what's going to happen at Grove and in Danville with the youth!