Our Staff
The staff here at Manitowish Waters Community Presbyterian Church is comprised of men and women who love, care and pray for every single person in the church. If you have questions for any of our staff, feel free to reach out and email them or call our church office to speak with them.
Rev. Eric Aldor Peterson
PASTOR
Eric is from Kingwood, Texas (Houston) and have grown up in the Presbyterian Church. He completed his Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance at Texas State University in San Marcos in 2011 and have performed throughout the US before his call to ministry.
Eric answered the call to serve God’s people in 2012 and graduated in May 2015 from Austin Seminary with a Master of Divinity. He previously served at First Presbyterian Church in Bryan as the Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries. He had served as the Director of Spiritual Life for the students as well as the staff and faculty at the Presbyterian Pan American School. It was an honor and a privilege to have worked with such a passionate and incredible team at both First Presbyterian Church and Pan American School. His last parish before coming to Wisconsin was serving as Associate Pastor at Grace Presbyterian Church in Temple, Texas. He has learned so much from his colleagues at Grace and has grown in his pastoral ministry since starting there back in June 2020 until October 2023. He has started his call as pastor of MWCPC in November 2023. He is excited for what God has in store for him and for the community of faith at MWCPC as they serve and love others together.
Some of his hobbies are reading, piano, guitar, organ, cooking, biking, running, watching documentaries and movies, gaming and good humor.
Skylar Moon
Administrative Assistant
Skylar is a lifelong member of our community, born and raised here in Manitowish Waters. She was married at our church in 2023 to her husband Jacob. They welcomed their first child in May of this year! Skylar's background is not in office work, but in culinary management. She has worked to serve food to hundreds of kids at a time at Camp Jorn YMCA, and in other kitchens creating menus, cooking food, and baked goods. Last year she began a new adventure with her mother in the Catering business. They do drop off foods, personal chef experiences, small to large group catering, and sell baked treats locally!
After work you can find Skylar enjoying live music, cooking, fishing, camping, watching her favorite shows or movies, and playing with her son and dog.
Stephanie McClellan
Director of Christian Education
Stephanie’s introduction to and love of the Northwoods was through dear friends and years later fostered through a position with the Americorps VISTA (Volunteers In Service To America) program. Twenty-one years later, she’s still here and still loving everything the Northwoods offers – like the Manitowish Waters Community Church! Her children, Reid (14) and Elena (12), have been in the youth program since they were old enough to participate. It’s been such a positive experience; she’s thrilled to have the opportunity to be a part of a wonderful group of people who make Christian education so fun for our area youth.
Joan Galloway
Bell Choir
I was born and raised in Wisconsin and graduated from the UW Madison with a degree in music education, that included instruction in directing. I, also, studied piano as a youth and continued studying at the UW. I taught K-12 vocal music in the public school system which included directing choirs.
I have taught piano lessons for over 40 years and substituted as an organist/pianist in this and my previous church.
My husband, Deane, and I moved up here in 2007. We’ve always enjoyed outdoor activities as do our three sons. We joined Manitowish Waters Community Presbyterian Church because of the friendly members. I joined the bell choir when it was formed by Judy Erickson. When Judy retired, the choir members asked me to takeover as director. It’s a great group! We have fun at practices and they work hard. They enjoy playing for the congregation and continue to improve and advance in their capabilities.
Some of my hobbies are bird watching, fishing and participating in a weekly bridge group.
Cynthia Goosby
Choir Director
Cynthia Goosby’s passion for music has taken her all over the world, including solo and festival performances around the U.S., Canada, Italy, and Ireland. In addition to her involvement in chamber and improvisatory ensembles, she also teaches and enjoys composing and arranging. Goosby holds a master’s degree in Clarinet Performance from Bowling Green State University and bachelor’s degrees in Clarinet Performance and German from Ball State University. She recently moved back to the Northwoods with her husband and baby daughter Beatrice after spending the last five years in Austin, Texas. In her free time, she enjoys gardening and historical sewing.
Adele Duranso
Organist
I have been the church organist at the Manitowish Waters Community Presbyterian Church
since 2010, and I still feel a great sense of honor and pride in providing organ music on Sunday
mornings. While I am many miles away from perfection, I always strive to do my best.
My first organist position was at the Presbyterian Church in Bessemer, Michigan. I was 14 years
old and my mother had to drive me to the 11:00 a.m. service. We were members of a different
church and community, but mom would do errands and pick me up when the service ended.
I then was called upon to be the organist for a friend’s wedding at the Trinity Lutheran Church
in Boulder Junction, WI, and that church was also in need of a full time organist. So at age 20, I
became actively involved as not only a full time organist, but also with the Youth Group
programs at Trinity Lutheran Church for 16 years.
When I left that position, I said ‘no more’. I longed for the moments to sit with my family during
worship service or with the congregants, or even get away for a weekend with no worry of an
organist replacement.
But then came MWCPC secretary Lois Bauers, who knew me personally, asking me to fill in for
their organist vacancy. I offered for only a ‘short term’ period, and, well, .. you know the rest!
I still make mistakes, but know I am doing what God has given me the talent to do, and share.
Karl Kleinschmidt
Technology Facilitator/Youth Group Teacher
Karl has been passionately dismantling, modifying, and renewing mechanical, electronic, and high-tech devices for over twenty-five years. Born and raised in the Minocqua area, he has lived throughout the Midwest and near-western states of Nebraska, Colorado, and New Mexico. Karl's lifelong interest in philosophy, spirituality, and religion has motivated him to earn a B.S. in Philosophy & Religious Studies from UW-Madison, and his call to spiritual guidance and companionship has found him currently engaged in
a Master of Divinity in Spiritual Direction at Loyola University of Chicago. When he is not engaged with his education or other work, he loves exploring nature with his loved ones and dog (Shiva), spending quality time and growing with his beloved children, or serving others however he may be called to. Karl is excited to share his different gifts with the MWCPC, as well as to be exploring foundational spiritual lessons with our Youth Group students.