Boyd and Nancy Herforth are new to Saint John’s, as of the First Sunday in Advent, 2017, when Boyd became our new organist and music director. Boyd is an accomplished musician with Master’s Degrees in Music Performance (Westminster Choir College, Princeton, 1993) and Music Therapy (SUNDY-New Paltz, 2013). He has served in various capacities of church music for congregations in New York and new Jersey, and as a music therapist in hospitals and rehabilitation facilities. In the late 1960’s-early 1970’s, Boyd also lived in the Philippines where he worked for the Peace Corps.
Nancy’s life has been equally musical and adventurous. Born in Minnesota, she traveled in Sweden, moved to Boston to complete a Master’s Degree in Voice at the New England Conservatory and perform in quartets. In the 1970’s, she moved to New Paltz, becoming a part-time Lecturer at the college, while also working at a nursing home as a private care-giver, and Director of the Junior and youth Choir at the Reformed Church.
Boyd and Nancy met at a Church Softball Tournament – when one thing led to another!
Herb and Deb Simmerly moved to Ellenville in 2013 from Oneonta, NY. They grew up in the Cleveland suburb of Fairview Park, Ohio and remain devoted Cleveland Indian fans, which is no small feat in New York! Deb is a commissioned Deacon in the Lutheran Church and serves in a similar capacity at St. John’s. She is also a practitioner in healing ministry through Prashanti Therapeutic Massage Studio in Ellenville (see www.followthesunwithin.com for more information on Deb’s work).
John and Gaby O’Neil have been members of St. John’s for eight years. Members of the vestry and altar guild, they moved to Napanoch, in April 2009, from Newton, Massachusetts. Among other interests, they are avid gardeners, both at home and at the church, Gaby is an artist in many mediums, and being avid stargazers (especially John), they are known to pack up their telescope and attend stargazing association meetings held throughout the northeast. They especially love being grandparents and spending time with their far flung family.
Several members of St. John’s gather informally once a month – hence the name “First Tuesdays” – for fellowship and food at local restaurants and diners. We may or may not actually meet on exactly the first Tuesday of the month, although that frequently happens!
Julett Butler was ordained a deacon in 2019. She came to our area in September 2022 to take on a job as Protestant Chaplain with DOCCS and simultaneously work at St. John’s as the deacon. She comes with over 30 years experience in substance abuse and over 20 volunteering in prison ministry. She’s been involved with KAIROS Prison Ministry since 2003. Julett comes with a master’s degree in Communications Studies from Emerson College, a master’s degree in Pastoral Care from Fordham University, an advanced certificate in Public Administration from Marist College and is a Credentialed Alcoholism & Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC).