Get to know our 2021 New Members Class!

Dave Reynolds

At present, Ricky and I are the only two in the house.  We are in the process of downsizing the family farm of 25 years and moving over to Ege Avenue which is a short walk from the church!  About me......I grew up in NJ and came home to become a practicing Ophthalmologist.  I joined the Princeton Eye Group nearly 30 years ago.  Ricky and I spend most summer weekends at our beach house in Bay Head. I have lots of hobbies which I enjoy but perhaps would like to share that I am deeply interested in preservation of the natural world.  I have spent much time working toward the preservation of land around Hopewell which I believe will help to maintain the balance with nature and the quality of life we all enjoy.  I will become a member at HPC by transfer from Nassau Pres.  Corrie Berg was the NPC staff member that recommended HPC based on her high regard for Pastor Melissa.  I'm not sure I have a "favorite" bible verse: 1 Corinthians 13 on the Gift of Love has always been an inspiration.  For me, it is all about Love and Kindness.

Michele Immordino

My name is Michele Immordino and I live in Hopewell Township with my husband Vince and my two college aged children, Julia and Matthew.  I am a school librarian at a small K-3 elementary school in Lawrence Township.  I have been there for 17 years.  I love teaching and literature and couldn't imagine having any other career.  I found Hopewell Presbyterian Church last year during Lent.  I was participating in the Soup and Study with the Hopewell Council of Churches and heard Pastor Melissa preach on the first night.  The second Wednesday we talked during dinner and the third Wednesday we talked again at Hopewell Presbyterian.  And then everything closed because of the pandemic.  Being at home gave me hours and hours of time to think and meditate about my spiritual life.  I reached out to Pastor Melissa with my thoughts and questions and she immediately got back to me.  We exchanged emails and talked outside and I met Barb Pauley and participated in a book club.  I realized that Hopewell Presbyterian was the kind of community I had been searching for.  I am so grateful that God sent me in this direction.  I don't really have a favorite Bible verse as I've never really read or studied the Bible.  I hope that will change as I grow and learn from everyone at HPC.  I feel so welcomed even though I have only been in the church twice:  once last March and once to give blood!  I'm looking forward to being together and meeting everyone that I have been seeing on zoom!  From what I can tell, this is a very special community.  

Tori Paquette

My name is Tori Paquette, and I'm a first-year M.Div student at Princeton Theological Seminary. I found Hopewell Presbyterian Church as I was looking for a field education site and a new denominational home. I'm from New Hampshire, but lived in Maine for most of the last four years while getting my B.A. in Jewish Studies and Creative Writing from Colby College. I live in Princeton with my cat Margot. My favorite verse is Psalm 27:1: "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?"

Joseph Bevis

I am Joseph Bevis. I live in Titusville with my wife Veronica, my twin girls, Mia and Mackenzie, and our goldendoodle Milo Reymundo. We moved to Hopewell Valley three years ago from Burlington. We have found Hopewell to be a wonderful place to live, and I found the community at Hopewell Presbyterian Church to be very welcoming. I am a lawyer, and work for Selective Insurance. I looked the church up after living here for about two years, based on a memory of going to Hopewell Presbyterian Church to do youth group activities when I was a member of Dutch Neck Presbyterian as a teenager. I tried some other churches before finding Hopewell, but have felt the Spirit calling me here more than anywhere. My favorite Bible verse is Matthew 27:46 – And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, “E’li, E’li, la/ma sabach-thani?”, that is, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”

Chris Cox

I found the Hopewell Presbyterian Church through the love of my life, Heidi Cox, and her amazing family. I grew up and was baptized in the First Presbyterian Church of Hightstown. I attended the First Baptist Church during my high school and college years. I attended Eastern Baptist my freshman year of college and later transferred and graduated from West Virginia Wesleyan. I was a teacher and educator for most of my career and now work for the Department of Education as the Director of STEM for the State of New Jersey. I enjoy sailing and spending as much time on the water as possible in the summer. I live with my amazing wife Heidi and our little dog Bella on Mt. Road in Ringoes. Our son Ricky currently resides in Sun Valley, Idaho and is home for a short vacation. My favorite Bible verse is Luke 12:27-34.

Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these.  But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith!  And do not keep striving for what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not keep worrying.  For it is the nations of the world that strive after all these things, and your Father knows that you need them.  Instead, strive for his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Shari A. Adair

Thank you for welcoming me to your wonderful church family. My name is Shari and I am a professional Nanny, carer of children and their families. I live in Skillman with two wonderful housemates of which I am very grateful for. My main hobbies include children and family photography, counted-cross stitch and chasing Hot Air Balloons. I stumbled into HPC for the first time in summer of 2019, weeks prior to Pastor Melissa’s arrival. I felt at home as soon as I walked in, the love wrapped around me I have felt in only 2 prior churches in my life. I knew immediately that I was not going to leave this place. I am very grateful to be joining you all in this journey of Faith. I look forward to getting to know you all better as we take this Journey together. 

Proverbs 3: 5-6

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart

    and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways submit to him,

    and he will make your paths straight.”

Dave Denito

I first decided to visit Hopewell Presbyterian Church because my parents were married here in 1928.  The wonderful people and pastor are what kept me coming back.  This church truly feels like a family.  After attending, my heart changed.  You really hear the word of the Lord and it has a calming effect.  My favorite scripture verse is John 14:6-7. 

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

Another special quote is “Do good for the people, don’t let evil blind it.  Look into Jesus’ eyes.  Walk with his pride, and at the end, when you take flight, you are guaranteed a spot in paradise.”