We are a congregation that is “Member Run, Elder Led, Staff Driven”
Our staff pictured from left > Director of Music, Art and Media Ministries: Nicole Belanus; Pastor: Rev. Dr. Robert Melone, Jr.; Business Manager: Colleen Lynch; Director of Preschool: Dr. Dawn Padden.
Get to know our Staff:
Bob Melone > Pastor. Bob came to Stone House in August of 2000. He is married to Jeanne (Shan), and they have three awesome kids: Stefan, Jacob and Kirsten. Bob received his Masters of Divinity from Princeton Seminary and his Doctorate of Ministry from Gordon-Conwell. Bob has a passion for creative worship, and is a regular fixture in local coffee houses sipping Chai. [bmelone@shpchurch.org or 565-1130x13]
Nicole Belanus > Director of Music, Art and Media Ministries. Nicole arrived at SHPC in June 2007 on the very same day that Stone House moved into it’s new home on Fieldstone Parkway. She is a multi-instrumentalist and has been involved in music-making for as long as she can remember. Nicole is a singer/songwriter and in her spare time enjoys playing in local venues and recording music. She has various CD’s and recordings available on iTunes. Nicole received her B.A. in Sociology from Calvin College and a Certificate in Youth Ministry from Fuller Theological Seminary. She loves being outside, especially when hiking in the Shenandoah’s or Rocky Mountains. Creating art, reading, independent films, writing music and drinking coffee are her favorite ways to spend her time. [nbelanus@shpchurch.org or 757-565-1130x12]
Colleen Lynch > Business Manager. Colleen and her husband Ashby have a son Christopher, and have been actively involved in SHPC since “day one”. Colleen is in the office Tuesday-Thursday from 9am-12pm, and does everything from putting bulletins together, to answering the phone, to keeping track of Bob and his adventures. Her favorite cereal is Apple Jacks. She makes an awesome rum cake and there isn’t a festival in Virginia that she hasn’t been too! [clynch@shpchurch.org or 757-565-1130x10]
Dawn Padden > Preschool Director. Dawn is the director of our Preschool program for little ones ages 2-5. The preschool has expanded exponentially since opening in 2008 as a “Mom’s Morning Out” program. Now fully accredited with over 40 students enrolled, it is a wonderful success story for our congregation. Dawn received her Doctorate in Education from The College of William and Mary in 2008 and has 14 years of experience in the field of education. She is married to Mike and has two daughters from Guatemala, Sierra and Sonia. Dawn is the staff fashionista and loves the color pink, good food and good wine. She is an advocate for children and early childhood education as well as a regular walker in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure. [dpadden@shpchurch.org or 757-565-1130x17]
Our 2012 Session (Ruling Elders):
Front Row: Marjorie Winger, Jim Moore. Back Row (from left): Iris Redmond, Char King, Kelly Bogart, Pastor Bob Melone, Scott Kiger, Karen Mason. Not pictured: Tony Jaramillo.
The session is comprised of Elders nominated and voted on by the congregation and our pastor. They are a dynamic and diverse group of adults passionate about serving God and others through a three-year term of leadership and ministry. At SHPC, we don’t have any official Deacons as we believe the responsibility of caring for the congregation should be a shared ministry of the members.
