Meet our Pastor

Janet DeWater has served First Presbyterian Church since June 2017.  She is a graduate of Westminster College in New Wilmington, PA and of San Francisco Theological Seminary.  She has served churches in Everett, WA and Bellevue, WA.

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Janet was born and raised a Presbyterian in Millburn, NJ, during which time she traveled with her youth choir to attend Music and Worship Conferences at Montreat in NC.  She says it seemed that the mountains of NC have been calling to her ever since!

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Janet is married to John, and they have two adult children:  Paul, and his wife, Kendra live in Portland, Oregon.  Nora and her husband, Alex live in Nashville, TN.  

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Gardening is something that Janet enjoys and she is always a willing partner in church yard-work events.  Other interests include reading, cooking and a new-found passion for creating lanterns for Mount Holly's recently inaugurated Lantern Festival.  All things chocolate are also high on her list!

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Janet is passionate about making worship welcoming and accessible for all, and about living into the justice and compassion to which Jesus calls us.  Her office door is always open for a conversation or a prayer or just a quick chat!