THE CHURCH STAFF
Pastor John Lodge was born and raised in the Ohio Valley. His mother still resides in the home- he was brought to when he was born. The family owned and operated a tree farm as a part time family business when the kids were in high school and college. After John's father died, the tree farm slowly deteriorated due to the fact the kids were grown and out of the area.
John received his undergraduate degree from Eastern Kentucky University. He then served his country in that Asian conflict. After the service, he worked for a strip mining company for a short time before answering the call of God to attend seminary to become a minister. He attended Pittsburgh Theological Seminary for both his Master of Divinity Degree and his Doctor of Ministry Degree.
John served his first church in Steubenville, Ohio for fifteen years, First Presbyterian Church in Danville, IL for 10 years and now at First Presbyterian Church of Leesburg for the last five years. During these pastorates, John has been involved with Habitat for Humanity and Rotary International. John was instrumental in establishing a free clinic for the working poor in Danville. John was one of the founding members of the board for Faith in Action, a program that reaches out to the elderly using volunteers from various supporting churches. He is chairperson of the Committee on Representation, along with being Chairperson of the local Mission Council of Presbytery.
John is married to Mary Emma Dieckmann Lodge. Mary Emma was born in Charlotte, North Carolina but raised mostly in the Atlanta, Georgia area. She graduated from Oglethorpe University in Atlanta for her undergraduate degree. She attended Pitttsburgh Theological Seminary with John and received a Master's of Religion. She also has a Master's of Education in Administration from Eastern Illinois University. She is an educator but claims her best role is that of being a wife and mother. John and Mary Emma have two daughters, Sarah and Rachel. jl1stpres@comcast.net
Associate Pastor of Visitation, Bruce Hamilton has over 30 years of experience in pastoral ministry. Born in Pennsylvania and raised in Orlando, he holds degrees from Warner Southern College and Central Michigan Univ. with additional graduate studies at Anderson School of Theology and Eastern Michigan Univ. In addition to being the community director of the March of Dimes Foundation, an adjunct faculty member at Lake-Sumter Community College and chaplain for Lake-Sumter Emergency Medical, he is the father of daughter Deborah and son David. bruce@hamiltonnet.org
Music Director, Robin Woods earned her bachelor degree in Choral Music Education from Florida State University with an emphasis in church music. Robin sang and conducted with Dr. Andre Thomas and she assisted Dr. Judy Bowers with the Florida State Children's Choir. Robin has taught chorus, drama, orchestra and guitar in South Florida High Schools and participated in Florida District and State Chorus and Orchestra Festivals earning superior ratings. Robin also gives private voice lessons to students every week.
rleewoods@yahoo.com
Organist and Director of Handbell Choir, Howard Fowler, was born in Detroit, Michigan, and began taking piano lessons at age five. He continued his piano studies from ages 8 through 16. He accompanied various Milford High School vocal ensembles as well as instrumentalists in high school.
In 1970 Howard attended Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan. There he accompanied student vocalists, vocal ensembles and continued his piano studies.
In 1978 he, along with his parents and grandparents, moved to his current residence near Lady Lake.
Howard became organist in 1981 at the Chapel of All Faiths in Orange Blossom Gardens (now The Villages). Between 1995 and 1998 he was organist at North Lake Presbyterian Church.
In 1999 Howard assumed the position of organist at First Presbyterian Church of Leesburg, a post he currently holds. In 2000 Howard became the director of the handbell choir at First Presbyterian Church. Recently, Howard has provided piano and keyboard accompaniment for the Florida Lakes Symphony, a Lake County-based professional orchestra.
Office Manager, Carol Hamlin was raised in Miami but has lived in Alabama, Mexico and Arizona. She has an extensive background in accounting and has owned her own business, once in Alabama and then again in Mexico. Carol now resides in The Villages where she enjoys pickleball and golfs in her spare time. She has three sons and one grand-daughter.
ch1stpres@comcast.net
Graphic Designer and Office Assistant, Barbara Poplin has resided in Leesburg since 2003. She is married to Jess, the mother of three grown children, step-mom to two, and step-grandma to 6. Born and raised in St. Louis, MO she has gradually migrated south to make Florida home. Barbara brings to us years of experience in desktop publishing and customer service. She cares about serving others as she would like to be served, with personal attention and a caring spirit.
bp1stpres@comcast.net
Maintenance Engineer, John Caldwell is our "Jack of all trades". He was born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania and moved to Miami when he was two years old. John worked as a maintenance engineer for a high school in Miami. He and his wife, Ivonne, moved to Wildwood in March of this year. He has two dogs and enjoys old cars and drag racing.