Clergy and Staff

Grace Episcopal Church enjoys the dedicated services of clergy and staff members who help fulfill our mission. They include:

The Reverend John Franklin Hartman - Rector

The Reverend John Franklin Hartman was called as the Ninth Rector of Grace Episcopal Church in Kingston, Pennsylvania on October 1st, 2009. Prior to this calling he served as the Director of Church Relations for Seamen's Church Institute in New York City, and as Deacon at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in New Providence, New Jersey.

       Called to ordained ministry late in life, Father John was ordained by the Right Reverend Paul Marshall, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Bethlehem, in September 2009. In June 2008, he was ordained a Deacon by the Right Reverend George Councell, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey. Father John received his Master's Degree in Divinity in 2008 from Seabury-Western Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois.

       Prior to entering the priesthood, Father John worked for over 35 years in the not-for-profit sector and served in development positions for the Boy Scouts of America, the National Audubon Society, and the Volunteers of America. He also served as the President of the Design Industries Foundation for AIDS, and Executive Director of the Emmanuel Cancer Foundation, and the American Ethical Union.

       Father John is a native of Pennsylvania, born and raised in Lebanon County, and he served in the U.S. Navy in Washington, D.C. He lives in the Grace Church Rectory with his Golden Retriever, Tucker.

Patty Warwick - Minister of Music

Music has always been a part of Patty's life. Even though she was playing out of her older brother's books, her piano teacher would not allow her to begin lessons until she was eight years old. Her parents were leaders in the church and community of churches. When she was in elementary school, Patty was sometimes told to choose three hymns for Sunday School, because their pianist and assistant pianist--high school students--were not going to be there. Patty began organ lessons at age thirteen and continued to play wherever and whenever expected by her parents. Patty started her first church position of Organist and Choir Director for Adults and Children with her parents driving her to church, because she only had a learner's permit. She served there for two yeras, until high school graduation.

       Patty is orginally from New Ringgold, Schuylkill County. She left the area to attend Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey, and she says, "The thrill to sing with the world's best vocalists and orchestras in New York City and Philadelphia was a highlight of my education." Patty was required to spend one year working in a church before graduating, and she spend three of her four years at school serving in two different churches. She graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Music Degree with principal study in organ and a minor in voice.  

       Patty decided it was time to move again; marriage and a new home, living in the Wyoming Valley. For the last 25 years, she has spent her time as a Substitute Organist and Choir Director serving the churches and congregations in Northeast Pennsylvania. She came to Grace Church in June as Minister of Music and will begin regularly playing the organ on Sundays beginning in September. In addition to working in the church, Patty gives private lessons for piano and organ to children and adults. She prefers for children to be five years old or starting kindergarten rather than making them wait, as she had to, until they are eight years old.

       "I have been blessed by serving in these churches," says Patty. "It's a special feeling to have so many people who are family. This summer will be the start of an exciting new era at Grace Episcopal Church. It is a new church family for me. I will work closely with Father John and the members of the church in working out God's purpose."

Nancy Pleskach - Church Administrator

Nancy was born and raised in New Jersey, and after getting married in 1981, she moved to Kingston with her husband, Scott. Together they raised four children who still reside in the area. Nancy has been the Church Administrator for Grace since the fall of 1995. Of her sixteen years working at Grace, Nancy says, "It has been more than just a job. Every day has been a gift."