Church Staff

James Hodsden, Pastor
pastor@ardmorepres.org
James spent his childhood years in Ohio and Texas and was raised in the church. While attending the University of Houston, he recommitted himself to Christ and, after graduation, devoted himself to teaching in disadvantaged schools through the Teach for America program. While considering a call to ministry, James met his future wife, Sara, who was already attending Louisville Seminary. James worked to support Sara until her graduation. After her ordination, James attended Pittsburgh Theological Seminary while serving as pastor to two small congregations in Ohio. He was ordained in 2003 and began serving as pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Vernon, a 200 member church in north central Texas. During his pastorate active membership increased, and commitment to education and mission strengthened.

Nan Clarke, Associate Pastor
assocpastor@ardmorepres.org
Nan grew up in Western Canada. After her marriage she and her husband Boyd left Canada and in the following years they lived in eleven different cities. During those years Nan was active in church life, in teaching, and in mentoring relationships. In 2002 they moved to the Philadelphia area and Nan began her studies at Westminister Theological Seminary. In her last year of seminary Nan began to sense God's call to pastoral ministry and she was ordained in January, 2010. She is grateful for the opportunity to serve as the Associate Pastor at APC. Nan and Boyd live in Gladwyne. They have three grown children and six grandchildren.

Gary Garletts, Director of Music/Organist
music@ardmorepres.org
Gary is in his 30th year of professional music leadership. At APC he directs Chancel, Youth, Children’s and Handbell Choirs, and plays, conducts and/or coordinates music for all worship services. During 2001-03 he administered a complete rebuilding of the church’s pipe organ. During APC’s centennial year (2007), Gary led its Chancel Choir on a tour of Scotland and Northern England. He also completed “My Top 100 Organ Pieces,” a 14-month long series of concert-level works played as preludes and postludes. Gary grew up in Fayette County, PA, where he later directed music programs for Trinity Presbyterian Church (Uniontown) and the Greater Uniontown Chorale. In the 1990’s he directed a comprehensive music ministry at First Presbyterian Church, Lancaster, PA. Gary earned music degrees at Oberlin College and Duquesne University, and is an Associate of the American Guild of Organists. In demand as a vocal accompanist, he plays regularly for students at West Chester University, and for choirs at conferences of the Presbyterian Association of Musicians. Gary is also Artistic Director and Conductor of the 80-voice Chester County Choral Society. He lives in Havertown, PA with his wife, Twila and son, Nathan.

Patty Rich, Director of Christian Education
christianed@ardmorepres.org
Patty Rich is currently under care of Philadelphia Presbytery as a candidate for ordained ministry.  She is finishing her Masters of Divinity at Union Theological Seminary in Virginia.  Prior to her training at the seminary, she served as a middle school and high school teacher at Marple Newtown School District.  Over the years Patty  has also volunteered her time working with youth in extracurricular activities such as directing musicals and producing dramas.  She has been a member of the Newtown Square Presbyterian Church for the past ten years and she is ordained as an elder.  Patty is married, and she has three adult children. 

Anne S. Foote, Director of Pre-School
preschool@ardmorepres.org
Anne served the church as Director of Christian Education for 16 years and has been the Director of the Pre-School since 1987. Before she came to work at APC, Anne was an elementary teacher in the Lower Merion School District. She is the Chair of the 100th Anniversary Committee which is responsible for planning all of the activities celebrating the centennial of the church in 2007 She has directed Wednesday PLUS continuously for 20 years, and she organizes trips for the "Keenagers", a group of retired members who enjoy local trips to interesting places and programs. She lives in Gladwyne with her husband and they are the parents of two grown daughters.

Raelyn Harman, Church Administrator / Pastor’s Secretary
admin@ardmorepres.org
Raelyn was born in San Diego, CA and was raised in Buffalo, NY. In 1979, she came to Philadelphia to study for her Masters in Social Work at Temple University. Initially Raelyn worked as a community organizer then worked for the Department of Human Services in Philadelphia, the Philadelphia School District and as a trainer of child welfare social workers. Raelyn ran the office for her and her husband’s own business for 5 years. Raelyn and her husband, Gopal Subramanian have two children, Peter and Maya and live in Havertown. Raelyn is a member of Overbrook Presbyterian Church and enjoys crocheting, reading, travel, music, gardening, cooking and baking.

Pearlie Diesinger, Preschool Administrator/Church Secretary
preschool@ardmorepres.org
Pearlie was born and raised in Florida and moved to suburban Philadelphia when she married husband Bill. Pearlie and Bill joined APC in 1959. She began work at APC in 1969 as an assistant teacher in the pre-school. She has been on staff ever since, mostly in her current capacity. Pearlie lives in Wayne and is the parent of a grown son, Chip and 2 step-grandchildren, Christopher and Anja.

James Moore, Custodian
When he is not keeping the church property clean and in working order, he pursues two passions: guitar music and cooking. He cooks for the weekly noon-time Men’s Bible Study. He is a liturgical guitarist at his parish church in Norristown and has played guitar at Ardmore for the pre-school and youth programs. Jim is the father of two grown children.

Donald Tokash, Financial Administrator
finance@ardmorepres.org
Don has been on staff part-time at APC since 2004. He handles all financial matters and records for the church, including book-keeping and recording pledges and contributions. He is also the Treasurer and Office Administrator at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Berwyn. He lives in Berwyn. Don has two grown children and two grandchildren.

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