Staff
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, which is why she is perfect as a pastor. You can talk with 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 the TV show "Six Feet Under," talk to Ruth!), spent several years of her married and child-bearing 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 a few years later.
Ruth was ordained as a Teaching Elder (Minister) at Northminster in January 2003. Her call includes working with the Deacons, the Mission Team, the Congregational Life Team and the E-Team. She and Teri share the responsibility of pastoral care. Her call means that her gift of being a good listener and one who uses her words wisely, is being put to excellent use.
Ruth is married to Mark Moore and they have three adult children.
Nancy Fortenberry
Director of Youth and Family Ministries
Melissa Hopkins
Interim Christian Education Director
Rev. Carol McDonald
Parish Associate
Tim McElroy
Custodian
Marko Petricic
Music Associate Director/Organist
Marko Petričić holds D.M.A. and M.M. degrees from Indiana University and a Bachelor of Music degree, summa cum laude, from Ohio University. He is a member of the music faculty at the University of Indianapolis where he has initiated a program in organ and sacred music.
As an accomplished bayan-accordion performer, Dr. Petričić has won top prizes at International competitions in Italy, Germany, Yugoslavia, and the United States. He has performed for the Yugoslav National Radio and Television and with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra.
David Smazik
Interim Pastor
David Smazik - Biography
Rev. Dr. David Smazik was born and raised in the Chicago area. His educational experiences brought him to Hope College in Holland, Michigan where he met his wife, Ann, and later to Dubuque, IA to attend the University of Dubuque Seminary. Post-seminary, he earned a Masters in Counseling Psychology and a Doctorate of Ministry, with a focus on congregational revitalization. Dave and Ann have two children. Their son, Matthew, and his family live in the suburban Chicago area. Their daughter, Jennie, and her husband live in Milwaukee.
Dave began ordained ministry in western PA, working full-time as the executive director of a Christian camp and concurrently serving in three part-time interim ministry positions in Lake Erie Presbytery. He then moved to Blackhawk Presbytery in IL to begin parish ministry at the Fulton Presbyterian Church. Remaining within the same presbytery, he moved to Rockford, IL for 17 years as head of staff for the Westminster Presbyterian Church. He most recently completed 10 years of ministry with the historic Presbyterian Church in Morristown, NJ. Throughout his ministry, David has served in the denomination at both presbytery and synod levels and developed and led para-church organizations in the communities in which he has lived.
Dave is grateful for the opportunity to be a part of Northminster’s journey as the congregation works to clarify and prepare for a new season of ministry. He is confident “that the one who began a good work in us will carry it on to completion until the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6)
John M. Wright
Director of Music Ministries
John Wright has served as Director of Music Ministries at Northminster Presbyterian Church since 2000. He previously served as the conductor of the Butler University Chamber Choir and as Director of Music Ministries in United Methodist Churches in Morristown, Tennessee and Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
At Northminster, John oversees the choir program; conducts Bel Canto, the Chamber Ensemble and the Chancel Choir; conducts major works with choir and orchestra throughout the year; serves as Artistic Director of Sound & Spirit, the church’s arts series; and prepares liturgy for all worship services.
A native of southwestern Virginia, John holds the Bachelor of Arts degree in music (vocal performance) from Emory & Henry College; a graduate teachers’ certification from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro; and the Master of Music degree in choral conducting from the University of Tennessee.
John is the ICDA (Indiana Choral Director’s Association) Repertoire and Standards Chair for Music in Worship. He served as the Director of the 2016 Montreat Conference on Worship and Music, sponsored by PAM (Presbyterian Association of Musicians). In his spare time, John enjoys backpacking and landscaping, and is a charter member of the Andy Griffith Show Rerun Watchers Club.