Staff Session Deacons team leaders NEW STAFFING
Rev. Philip Hughes, Senior Pastor
Philip was called to Mount Olympus in 2004. Preaching the Word, prayer, and spiritual guidance are at the heart of his ministry and leadership. Philip served in inner city Philadelphia, and rural Idaho before coming here. His greatest joy is his wife and three daughters. After that comes working out, Miles Davis, cooking, and the Oakland Raiders. He loves to read dead theologians and eat ice cream.
Dorothy Hammond, Church Administrator & Newsletter Editor
Dorothy has held more jobs at Mount Olympus than any other staff member, has taught from elementary school through college, and has lived in locations all over the US as she followed her husband in his military career. Along the way she earned an A.B. in music from the University of California, Berkeley; an M.A. in Music Education from George Mason University, and a Certificate in Christian Studies from Salt Lake Theological Seminary. She is married to Rev. Al Hammond, an interim pastor, and is the proud mother of three 20-something daughters: Kristina, a New York City attorney; Katie, a graduate student in architecture at the University of Minnesota, and Abby, a graduate student in cello performance at Georgia State University in Atlanta. She is blessed to be a member of this family and of the Mount Olympus community.
Cindy Shogren, Director of Worship & Music
Cindy Shogren grew up on a potato farm in southeastern Idaho. She married her high school sweetheart, Steve Shogren, two weeks after graduating from high school. They have two married children and three grandchildren. Salt Lake City has been their home for over 33 years. For thirteen years, Cindy taught PE, Health, and Bible and coached volleyball and soccer at Intermountain Christian School. During that time, as a member of Mt Olympus Presbyterian Church, she was instrumental in beginning and leading a new contemporary worship service. After a ten year absence, Cindy retuned to Mt. Olympus as the Director of Worship and Music. Cindy’s passion for teaching, leading, planning, and participating in worship lead her to attend Salt Lake Theological Seminary. She graduated in the spring of 2005 with her Master of Divinity. While in seminary, Cindy received two grants which enabled her to travel throughout the state and other areas of the Intermountain West presenting Worship Alive! Workshops which she developed in order to train, equip, encourage, and provide resources for primarily smaller congregations. She is currently nearing the end of the process to become an ordained Minister of Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church USA.
Dave and Jamie White, Directors of Youth Ministry
Jamie and Dave have been married about 7 years and the light of their lives comes in the shape of two little boys, Blake and Chase. They both graduated with a BA in Biblical studies and pastoral leadership from Vanguard University of Southern California and have been doing youth ministry ever since. They love to play in the mountains (preferably with snowboards attached!), build giant Lego towers with their boys, watch 24, and drink massive amounts of coffee. They’ve given their lives to helping teenagers discover and follow Jesus Christ and can’t imagine doing anything else.
Stefanie Shumaker, Director of Children's Ministry
Stefanie, a small-town farm girl from South Dakota, received her BA in Elementary Ed. and Special Ed. at Dakota Wesleyan University. After teaching in a 3rd-4th individualized learning classroom, Stefanie set out to study theology on the East coast. She graduated from Princeton Theological Seminary in May 2006 with a Master of Divinity. Stefanie’s wandering spirit led her to SLC, and the unique opportunities to serve at MOPC have convinced her to plant some roots. Her passions include anything from ministering to families….to creative expression through painting and writing….to traveling around the world and encountering anything new!
Julie Hessheimer, Director of Mt Olympus Child Development Center
Born and raised in Utah, Julie is one of 14 children. She has been married for 31 years. Julie is the mother of two, married sons. Julie also has served as a foster mother for 5 children. Julie has worked in the early childhood and education field for the past 26 years. For ten years Julie owned and operated a childcare center that was licensed for 65 children. She worked as a family service case manager for Salt Lake Community Action Program /Catholic Community Services at the Salt Lake Homeless Shelter. Julie was hired as Director of the by Mount Olympus Christian Childcare Center, where she has been the Director for the past 8 years. Julie gave her life to Christ when she was 21, and became a member of Mount Olympus Presbyterian Church in 2001. Hobbies include travel, motor cycles, sugar art, and cake decorating.
Chad
Whitehead, Director of The Mount
Chad and his wife, Sara, have been married for 8 years and live in Sandy, Utah. Chad graduated from the University of Utah with a degree in Communications and grew up in Salt Lake City. While his wife works away at her Masters Degree, Chad can be found nearby reading or watching soccer.
Sheila Barnish, Church Secretary
Sheila Barnish was born and raised in Salt Lake City. She was led to Mount Olympus in 1999. “After leaving the LDS church and floundering for many years I was led to MOPC. As I sat through my first service I was in awe at the love I felt and I returned every week after that.” She joined the staff as the part time secretary in 2002. Sheila is married to Stephen, her high school sweetheart and has three beautiful daughters, Maggie, Sophie and Lillie. Her family is the most precious gift she has. She serves the Lord through service in Children’s ministry, as a Deacon, as well as being very involved in PTA at the local and council level. She feels extremely blessed to have found a church family that has brought her into a relationship with Jesus Christ. Sheila is a graduate of the University of Utah with a BS in Consumer Studies and Family Economics. She is an avid scrap-booker, recording as much as of her children’s lives as possible.
Jeanne Mehlhoff, Church Treasurer
Jeanne was born and raised in Eureka, SD. She lived and worked in Minneapolis/St Paul for almost 20 years before moving to Salt Lake City to be closer to her siblings. She began attending Mount Olympus with her brother, John, and his family and soon became a member. In 1994, she was recruited to be the Treasurer. She has worked in various areas of Accounting and Administration for over 30 years, beginning as a bank teller and eventually becoming a co-founder and executive officer of a high-tech company in Minnesota. After “retiring” to Utah, she joined Community Health Centers as an Accounting Specialist. Jeanne’s hobbies include scrap booking, card making, needlecrafts and gourmet cooking.
John
and Lauren Mehlhoff, Directors of Facilities
John & Lauren have been members of MOPC since 1986 and have served in many capacities, including Elder, Trustee, and Deacon. They are the proud parents of college students Paige and Topher, who will be married to Annie this spring.
Mitch Spackman, Financial Secretary
Mitch has faithfully served MOPC as financial Secretary for many years, and is married to Karen, who is currently serving as a Deacon. Adam, Emily, and Ryan complete the Spackman family and keep Karen and Mitch busy with their active lives. Mitch and Karen are both mortgage bankers.
Kathy
Terrion, Assistant for Pastoral Care
Kathy served full-time for 20 years as Pastoral Assistant at MOPC. She returns to the staff to assist Pastor Philip with hospital calls, visits, and other matters of pastoral care. She is married to John. Together they have two grown sons. One is married with a young daughter and the other will be married this summer.
Marina
Collins, Director of Outreach
Marina uses her gifts with people to meet with and welcome those who are new to MOPC. Her position involves getting new people integrated into the life of this church. Marina is married to Tim, and together they own Mr. Windows. Jewelry-making, Traveling, sports and socializing are among her many hobbies.
Judy
Davis, Director of Adult Discipleship
Judy is here to help you in you in your personal journey of Faith through working with the adult education team to provide materials, classes and activities. She is married to John and has two adult children, Matt and Beth. She enjoys women's Bible Study, tennis, and Florida State football. Since joining MOPC in 1990, she has been involved in Adult Education in one way or another.
Allan Daly, Ministry Assistant
Allan is available to help the program staff with any number of things. Allan and his wife, Suzanne, live in Holladay with their three, small, hairy children--Muffin, Jezebel, and Kitty Cat. Allan is thankful for his many blessings and in return wants to serve the Lord at MOPC. While not at MOPC, Allan is a House Husband/Physician Support Specialist for Suzanne.
Dale Alward, Ministry Assistant
Dale has experience is everything from plumbing to computer technology and is willing to use all those skills at MOPC. He is passionate about helping people, especially the church. He joined MOPC in 1996 where he met his wife, Adrienne. They, along with their daughter, Erin, have been active in many different ways since that time.