Our Leadership
Thompson Church is led by a team of pastors, staff, elders, and deacons.
Governing decisions at our church are made by our Session. Our Session comprises ordained Elders who are elected by the congregation. Our Elders are responsible for moderating the committees that are essential for the functioning of the church. In addition there are ordained Deacons who minister within our church and the community. Our staff relies on God's grace to help meet the spiritual and fellowship needs of the congregation and to communicate our faith in the living Lord through worship, education, and various media.
Meet our staff:
rev Stephanie Templin ashford
pastor; head of staff
Stephanie Templin Ashford was called to be our Pastor in May of 2020. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Religion, German, and Judaism from Dickinson College and a Masters of Divinity from Lancaster Theological Seminary. Stephanie lives in Newtown, PA with her husband, Paul, and two children, Noah and Maeve. She enjoys nature and hiking, traveling the globe and can most likely be found with a good book and a cup of dark roast coffee. She carries the verse from Isaiah 43:19 as a token of hope in her heart: Behold, I am about to do a new thing, do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the desert.”
Rev. Bailey HEckman
associate pastor
Bailey Heckman began her ministry at Thompson Church in November 2013. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Philosophy and a Master's Degree in Divinity. As our Associate Pastor, Bailey works in many areas of ministry with a focus on Christian Education. Bailey lives in Ewing, Nj with her husband, PJ, and her three children, Annalise, Bennett, and Layna. She enjoys spending time by the water, reading, and dabbling with painting and drawing. Each day Bailey tries to remembers Jesus' words, "So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today." (Matthew 6:34)
Julie Perri
aDMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Julie comes to us with a wide range of experience in administration, technology, graphic design, and performance arts. Julie previously worked as Enrichment Coordinator for the Newtown Discovery Preschool in Newtown. She exercises her music chops as a member of the music staff at the Presbyterian Church of Lawrenceville. There she leads the PCOL Chancel Choir as well as the Lawrenceville Community Chorus.
Julie has a BA from West Chester University of Pennsylvania where she graduated Summa Cum Laude. Julie loves the Beatles, gaming, Philly sports, and Ralphie, her Shih Tzu!
Bill Stauffer
Director of Contemporary Worship, Student ministry, & community outreach
Bill has been on staff at Thompson since November 2021. He studied Music Education at Westminster Choir College, and has served in churches in New Jersey and North Carolina, both in worship and youth ministry positions. Bill is married to Terri, a special education teacher, and between them they have four children and one pooch, Pepper the Wonder Dog. Bill loves baseball, composing and arranging music, and really good podcasts. Also, coffee. Definitely coffee.
Tricia murphy
choir director
Patricia Murphy earned a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance at Westminster Choir College and subsequently has been involved in music in a variety of settings. Tricia has taught voice, piano, and violin privately; and she has performed small roles and sung in the chorus of operas in Italy and Israel. Tricia loves working with children and thinks of her time directing the musicals and children’s choirs at The Cambridge School as among her career highlights. Tricia has three kids; they are all involved in youth sports. In Tricia’s free time she loves to read, go to the beach, and spend time with her husband and kids.
Ariana DuPont
organist/accompanist
Ariana, a Kosovo-born pianist, honed her piano skills in Frankfurt, Germany, earning a BA and two MA degrees from Dr. Hoch's Conservatorium and Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst. Her career has seen extensive performances as a solo and collaborative artist across Europe, Asia and the United States. Before joining Thompson Memorial in January 2024, she freelanced as a pianist, teacher, and accompanist, also directed a manufacturing business in New Jersey. With a diverse upbringing and experiences living in various countries and states, she balances her career with being a devoted mother of two. Ariana finds joy in gardening, cooking, long walks, and creating handmade treasures.
sue schaub
Treasurer (volunteer)
Sue Schaub joined Thompson Church in 2012 soon after she and her husband moved to Bucks County. She started as our Business Administrator in 2013. Sue remains our Treasurer and sits on various committees. Sue and her husband have two adult children. She plays handbells in the church choir, enjoys(?) running, and volunteers at a therapeutic horseback riding center for military veterans.
Amanda White
Business Administrator
Amanda holds her BFA in Photography from SUNY Purchase College and an MBA from Thomas Jefferson University. She lives in Voorhees with her cat Ginny and has worked in the Philadelphia area for the past fifteen years. Amanda has been employed by organizations such as the Mural Arts Program, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Jefferson Medical Group and The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia supporting efforts of fiscal health, budget management and financial planning for future endeavors. In her free time Amanda enjoys reading, learning the cello, volunteering with the local roller derby as an official and on the board of directors, and cultivating her small garden at home.
James “Jim” Daily
Sexton
Jim is a devoted father, accomplished artist, and man of God. James weaves the tapestry of his life through the threads of faith, family, and creativity. His unwavering commitment to both his artistic endeavors and his role as a dedicated father reflects the values cherished by our congregation. His soul is deeply connected to his faith, family, and the transformative power of art.
Ruling elderS (session)
Below are the current members of our Session at Thompson Church. The year to the left indicates the person's final year of service (it is a three-year term), and following the name is the committee that each person helps to lead.
2023 Marci Capel, Communications
2023 Judy Cronise, Clerk of Session
2023 Candis Mirande, Membership Development
2023 Chuck Napier, Inclusivity
2024 Brad Michael, Property
2024 Jeff Campbell, Stewardship
2024 Trish Chinoy, Cemetery
2024 Dave Callans, Music & Worship
2024 Tracey Jefferson, Christian Education
2024 Rick Schaub, Long-Range Planning
2024 Tom Barford, Personnel
2025 Tim Sandford, Mission
2025 Kurt Thompson, Finance
2025 Sue Wert, Nominating
deacons
Below are the current, serving Deacons at Thompson Church. The year to the left indicates the person's final year of service (it is a three-year term).
2023 Jo Ann Alberts
2023 Cheryl Boyle
2023 David Cane
2023 Bucky Pope
2024 Susan Achenbach
2024 Sandy Barford, co-leader
2024 Bruce Stevens
2025 Jeff Berry
2025 John Donahue
2025 Debbie Gardner
2025 Peggy Rowlett
2025 Darlene Tomlinson
2025 Linda Torda
2026 Patti A. Davis
2026 Cathy Sandford, co-leader
