Clerk of Session

Betty Groth, Clerk of Session.

A thread that runs through my life from the beginning until the present is the Presbyterian Church.  I grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where my family was very active in the life and ministry of Southminster Presbyterian Church.  In 1970, my husband, Don, and I were married in the Tulsa Presbyterian Church where he was a member.  Through the years (almost 47) we have found a Presbyterian church home wherever we roamed.

I began my working career in the drafting room of a small oil company in Tulsa.  After moving to Houston, Texas, in 1973 I went to work for Conoco also in the drafting room of the International Exploration Group.  As drafting became increasingly more automated, I moved into computer mapping and data management.  I ended my career after moving to the northwest by earning a Bachelor of Science degree in geography at the age of 57.

Yachats has been our home for the last eight years.   We love this place: the beauty of the landscape, the friendly people of the community and most of all our YCPC family.

Elders

Don Groth, Chair, Stewardship and Finance Committee; Treasurer, Endowment Committee. 

I was born and grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and lived next to John Knox Presbyterian Church, convenient.  I completed my college education at Tulsa University in 1970 with an accounting degree.

Betty and I were married in 1970.  We lived in St. Louis, Missouri, for two years and Houston, Texas, for thirty years.  We moved to the northwest in 2001, and I completed my CPA work career in Portland, Oregon.  We have lived in our Yachats house since 2008.

I have served as an elder and trustee in Presbyterian churches in Texas and participated in teaching, singing and other activities through the years as a Presbyterian. 

Pam Luderitz, Chair, Mission Outreach and Membership

I was born and raised in Southern California. I graduated from Boston University and from University of San Francisco. I taught science and physical education at Watsonville High School, California. I’ve worked with professional race cars - Mazda, Nissan and Jaguar in their GPT (Grand Prototype Touring) programs; for IMSA (International Motorsports Association) doing registration and timing and scoring; and for NASCAR  in the Tower and in timing and scoring traveling with the Cup, Truck, and Xfinity series.  I love gardening, cooking, books, travel and children.  I became a member of YCPC in June of 1998; was ordained as a deacon in January 2006 and as an elder in December 2006.

Fran Morse, Chair of Worship and Music Committee

I grew up in a tight church community in a rural area in the eastern United States.

The Church of the Brethren lived up to its name.  One of the principles was that we were brothers and sisters and “your joys and woes are my joys and woes.”

I believe I have been looking for that strong sense of community ever since.

My career as a psychologist was spent in Salt Lake City, Utah, where I lived almost 40 years with my late husband, also a psychologist.  We bought our home in Yachats in 2000 and retired here full-time in 2006.

Now I have returned to Yachats, a new home, a new love, and a new sense of community.  I am “home again” in the Yachts Community Presbyterian Church..

Debra (DJ) Novgrod, Chair, Fellowship Committee

I reside in Yachats and am married to Sharon Bliss.  We have a son, Andrew, who just turned 14 in April.  I am a broker at Emerald Coast Realty and look at my work as a ministry.

I enjoy traveling, golfing and gardening.

Nan Scott, Chair, Personnel Committee,  Church Treasurer.

I have been a member of YCPC since 2004 after my husband and I retired from Oregon State University and moved to Yachats.  I have served as treasurer of the church since 2007 and on several committees including Christian Education, Stewardship and Finance, Outreach and Mission, and Personnel.  I enjoy working with youth and families and feel that this church plays a vital role in the Yachats community and beyond.

John Toepher, Chair, Building and Grounds Committee.

I am 80-plus years of age; happily married 63 years to Nina.  We have two children, five grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

I was born and raised Roman Catholic.  I became a Presbyterian in my mid-twenties. I’ve been active in YCPC since 2000 or so.

I enjoy God’s gift of music.

Deacons

Sue Finlayson

I was raised in Denver, Colorado, and graduated from Colorado University School of Nursing in 1958.  After working a couple of years, and married to Jim, we moved to Alaska in 1968.  I worked in nursing in Juneau and Anchorage and was the medical personnel for the five families when we lived on a small island in the middle of the Gulf of Alaska for three years.

I was raised in the Presbyterian Church. I have served numerous terms as a Deacon, and I sat on Sessions as an Elder and Clerk of Session.  Jim and I moved to Yachats in 1992 when we both retired from our Alaska jobs.  It has been a joy  to serve in the various churches, and I have seen a lot of change in our denomination.

Doris Gardenhire

I moved to Yachats in 1945.  Later I was one of the 26 people who started the Presbyterian Church.  My brother (Charles Canfield) and I are the last two of the original members.  I was ordained as a deacon in December 1999, and have served several terms since then.  I am also on the Fellowship Committee.  I love our church.

Brenda Maxfield 

I became a member of YCPC in December of 2010.  I was ordained as a deacon January 2016.  In addition to serving as a Deacon, I also serve as the Financial Secretary and am active in the YCPC music program.

Jnanda Lampman, Moderator

I was born in Denver, Colorado, relocating  in my late twenties to Sacramento, California, where I met and married Ellis Lampman.  We moved to Yachats in 1996.

I was raised Methodist, and later Dutch Reformed.  I returned to the Methodist Church as an adult. In 1996 my husband I began studying Vedanta, an ancient philosophy from India, and we traveled to India.  After almost twenty years, I eventually felt called back to Jesus, his teachings and his love.

We have two sons and four grandchildren.  I love family, people, the earth, music and living by the ocean.

Mary Emma Parks, Secretary

I moved from Eugene in 1996 when I retired from teaching.  I have been a member of Yachats Community Presbyterian since then.  I have served as Clerk of Session, Deacon, on the Fellowship Committee, and I sing in the choir.

Texie Price

I moved to Waldport from Willamette Valley in 1993, just to join YCPC!  I had been here to visit and decided this is where I need to be.  The friendly congregation drew me here and has kept me here.  I have been an Elder and a Deacon here in past years.  I am widowed and have two adult sons.