Our Leadership
PASTOR RICH LAPEHN
Reverend Dr. Richard Lapehn, "Rich", serves OLCCP as Head Pastor and Teaching Elder. Rich was ordained in the Presbyterian Church (USA) in 1991. He served churches in northeast Ohio, before being called to OLCCP in 2021. In his free time, Rich likes to kayak, follow sports, and dote on his grandson. Rich and his wife Laura live in Commerce Township.
Session
"Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord" 1 Corinthians 12:4-5
OLCCP is led by the Session, an elected board of women and men ("Elders") whose over-arching responsibility is to nurture God's guidance for the well-being and spiritual growth of our congregation. Session also carries the responsibility for the financial, legal, and practical decisions of the church. Each elder also serves on a ministry team which focuses on specific aspects of church life. Elders are elected by the congregation on a three year rotation.
The Session and ministry teams meet at least monthly. For more information, contact Patty Beaujon, Clerk of Session. Ministry team chairs are indicated with *.
CHRISTIAN LIFE & LEARNING
Katrina Schwarz (2026)
Stephen Frey (2027)
Betsy Telford (2028)
GATHERING & MEMBERSHIP
Rob Elliott* (2026)
Linda Dunning (2027)
Craig Forhan (2028)
MISSION & OUTREACH
Brad Payne (2026)
Chris Steggall (2027)
Linda Eldridge (2028)
PERSONNEL
Jerry Burton* (2026)
Mark Grakul (2027)
Brenda Starynchak (2028)
WORSHIP & MUSIC
Patty Beaujon (2026)
Dodie Berry (2027)
Christy Forhan* (2028)
AT-LARGE MEMBERS
CHRISTIAN LIFE & LEARNING: Yvette Paletta, Heather Steggall
GATHERING & MEMBERSHIP
MISSION & OUTREACH: Pat Ball, Dee Chandler, Sandra Crane, Betsy Telford, Joe Tyrrell*
PERSONNEL
WORSHIP & MUSIC: Ron Kilbourne, Amanda Poxon, Nancy Ratajczak, Dennis Rybicki
Deacons
The Board of Deacons are elected men and women of OLCCP who provide compassionate care to those in need. Among their many ministries, Deacons visit the lonely, provide meals to church members in time of need, help with transportation, greet worshippers on Sunday, assist with funeral receptions, contribute to a local food pantry, and support community organizations. Deacons meet monthly to plan, reflect, and pray. If you would like to help the Deacons share God's love, contact the Moderator*.
CLASS OF 2026
Gloria Andriese
Judy Davis
Lauren Lewis
Linda Vermeulen
Dolly Lewis
CLASS OF 2027
John Gorsky
Emily Grakul
Sherry Orr
Maureen Ridley-Gribbell
Becky Sassak
Jan Wassemiller
CLASS OF 2028
Chris Ebert
Ron Kilbourne*
Gowan Thamer
Cindy Yessian
Trustees
The Board of Trustees are men and women of OLCCP who have been elected to oversee the physical and financial operations of our congregation and our facility. The Board includes the Finance Trustees, Building & Grounds Trustees, the corporation Treasurer, and at-large members. Subcommittees of the Trustees are responsible for the Columbarium, facility rental, memorials, investments, stewardship, grants, and other aspects of the operations of the church. Trustees meet monthly and serve three year terms. Contact the chair of the Board of Trustees here.
FINANCE
Meghan Galbraith (2026)
Ed Viksne (2027)
Mark Sassak* (2028)
Kari Elliott - At Large
Gary Forhan - At Large
Jim Hakala - At Large
Jim LoPrete - At Large
Dick Mudge - At Large
Pete Shilland - At Large
BUILDING & GROUNDS
Bob Besuden* (2026)
Brian Mann (2027)
John Creed (2028)
Chris Mancina - At Large
Gordy Steele - At Large
CORPORATION TREASURER
Mike Starynchak
MEMORIAL COMMITTEE
Judy Asbury
Chuck Mogg
Pat Mudge
Permanent Nominating Committee
The nomination process for positions on our elected boards is overseen by the Permanent Nominating Committee (PNC). The PNC invites the congregation to submit names of members to be considered to serve as Elders, Deacons, Trustees, and future Nominating Committee members. Nominations begin mid-year with officer elections in the fall and terms beginning on January 1.
CLASS OF 2026
Gary Forhan
Pat Mudge
Deacon Representative
CLASS OF 2027
Dale Ebert
Kristin Trenholm
CLASS OF 2028
Emily Frey-Wagg
Roger Nelson
