Teri Thomas, Pastor & Head of Staff                                                  

 One of Teri's most famous sermons didn't include the following words:  God, Jesus, church, prayer, heaven, hell, or any of the other words commonly association with a church sermon.  The sermon was, on paper, about how to grow (and not grow) good tomatoes.  Of course, like any good parable, that sermon wasn't really just about tomatoes.... 

In many ways, this sermon exemplifies Teri's pastoral style - she is committed to and truly loves teaching and ministering in a way that people can relate to, especially if it's unconventional.

 Teri was born in Mt Vernon, Ohio and grew up in Ohio and Indiana. She attended Otterbein College in Westerville, Ohio. She received her Master of Divinity from the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary and her Doctor of Ministry from McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago.  Although she seems to be just about as educated as she can get, she continues to be a voracious learner, and she especially loves it when she can learn something useful at the movies.  One could almost count on one hand the number of sermons in which Teri DOES NOT make reference to some movie. 

Teri has found that she has continued to learn by, of all things, teaching at the Christian Theological Seminary here in Indianapolis.  This experience allows her to stay in touch with what the up-and-comers are doing and thinking, and here at Northminster, we are glad of it!  Her youthful attitude and energy belie her age (whatever it is).

Before she arrived at Northminster, Teri served congregations in Iowa and Nebraska. She served in the governmental level of the Presbyterian church in the Presbyteries of Detroit and National Capital (Washington DC), where she gained a better understanding of how church policy is formed (think, "Does the church as an organized body support or not support gay marriage?" and "How can all of our churches work together to help the impoverished in the inner-city?"). In January of 2002, Teri arrived as the Pastor of Northminster.  We are so thrilled that her career path has led to our door!

Teri is married to John R. (Jack) Wineman, who is also a Presbyterian pastor, honorably retired and one of the best "first-husbands" a church could ask for.  Teri has a son, Tom Taylor, who is recently married and working in New York city. 

Larry Moslener, Associate Pastor - Pastoral Care

Larry Moslener will talk about the Pittsburgh Steelers -- All.  Day Long. 

But the passion he shows for his hometown team is nothing compared to the passion he shows for pastoral care. 

Now honestly, passion is not something you talk about seeing at church, and certainly one doesn't much hear it spoken with regard to pastoral care.  But if you've ever seen Larry comforting or congratulating, you know that only a passion for pastoral care can help him do what he does.

Pastoral care covers a wide range of human emotion.  Those who experience it may have had someone close recently pass away, or they must have just had a baby.  What makes Larry special, what makes one realize that pastoral care is truly his spiritual gift, is that he remains calm and collected in the face of it all and he always says and does just the right thing. 

Larry is a native of Pittsburgh, PA and earned a Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Business Administration from Robert Morris College. Larry received a Master of Divinity from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.  Did you notice his degrees?  He started out as an accountant and ended up a pastor.  Which tells you - he has definitely covered a wide range of emotion! 

Larry has served congregations in Ohio and Illinois and began coordinating pastor care at Northminster Presbyterian Church in January, 2003.  We are so blessed to have him here!

Larry and his wife, Pat, have three children and a son-in-law.  Larry can be reached at the church at 251-9489 Ext. 15.

Ruth Chadwick Moore, Associate Pastor 

Ruth is real.  She's got a dry sense of humor.  She's open-minded.  She's easy to talk to.  She always has a great story.  She's one of those people you'd love to have at your dinner party because you know that everyone there will love talking with her.  Most of all, you'll want her there because YOU'LL want to talk to her. 

Which is why she is PERFECT as a pastor.  You can talk to her about anything, and while you see her as being "good" in the religious sense, you also see her as someone who will not be judgmental.  She's the perfect balance. 

Ruth was born and raised in suburban Philadelphia (where her parents owned a funeral home, so if you loved "Six Feet Under," talk to Ruth!), spent several years of her married and child-brearing life in Washington D.C.,  but has made Indiana her home for most of her adult life. She has an undergraduate degree from DePauw University, which she acquired promptly after high school, and a Master of Divinity from Christian Theological Seminary, which she promptly acquired many years later.

Ruth originally served Northminster church as an elder and Christian educator before going to seminary.  She was ordained as a minister of Word and Sacrament in January 2003. Her call as Associate Pastor is for Evangelism and Mission, and she works with the church's Evangalism, Communication and Mission Teams.  In practice, this means that her gift of being a great listener and one who is spare but wise with her words is being put to excellent use!