The Basics
On December 15th the Session of the Montgomery Presbyterian Church voted unanimously and enthusiastically to invite Beth Giuliano to be the congregation’s Director of Faith Formation and Leadership at MPC in a halftime capacity. Beth is elated to return to ministry among us after having brought leadership to a busy urban congregation for the last 11 years where she served as the Director of Operations and Faith Formation of the Old Stone Church (First Presbyterian Church in Cleveland). Beth’s role at MPC will be to support, develop and help lead a variety of congregational programing, mission engagement, as well as bring her exceptional organizational leadership to help us build our lay leaders and ministry teams.. And for those planning to get married or are already married and need a tune up, Beth will be available for guidance and direction.
The Deeper Dive
In addition to her degrees in Fine Arts and Education, Beth also holds a number of certifications. These include a certification in Executive Church Leadership from McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago, a certification in Gender Mainstreaming for the Workplace from the United Nations (U.N.) in Geneva, Switzerland, and a certification as a Marriage Educator in Cleveland, the latter of which has given her the opportunity, since 2008, to help approximately 400 couples plan weddings and prepare for marriage by organizing and running very popular marriage preparation seminars while also offering specialized individual marriage support and guidance to couples.
Beth represented the church in the broader community through her service on the Front Steps Housing and Services board which helps homeless individuals and families transitions to permanent housing, and on the Advisory Board to the Renee Jones Empowerment Center (RJEC) which works with and advocates on behalf of women who are victims of human trafficking. Her work with RJEC took Beth to the streets of Cleveland to reach out to young women being trafficked, and all the way to the hill towns and cities of Guatemala where she met with Christian women and men in mission partnership.
In 2014, Beth received the Mayor’s “Women of Distinction” award for her faithful efforts within the city of Cleveland. Since 2016, Beth has served as the Ohio representative of the Women’s Intercultural Network to the United Nations (U.N.), as well as having been a Presbyterian Church (USA) delegate to the U.N.’s Commission on the Status of Women for two years before that.
But Wait, There's More!
Beth is looking forward to connecting with couples seeking to be married or who seek support in their marriage, those who desire programing and study to enrich their faith, and congregational leaders who seek to deepen their understanding of what it is to be a servant leader or just need some guidance or direction on how to maneuver life in our growing congregation.
The Basics
Dr. Mark comes to us from Cleveland, Ohio where, from 2008 to 2019, he successfully led Cleveland’s renowned city-center church and Presbyterian flagship congregation, the Old Stone Church (The First Presbyterian Church in Cleveland). During his tenure the congregation re-established itself as a headlight congregation for the region. Over 60 percent of the gross active membership joined during Dr. Mark's ministry at Old Stone and the congregation became more outwardly focused and alive with a revitalized spirit for being God’s people in and for the city. Dr. Mark is also the writer/host of the video series Power2ools: 2 minute tools for life and 30 Second Sermons which have been seen by thousands of viewers on WKYC-NBC television and online (see links below).
The Deeper Dive
Dr. Mark is an energized and capable leader with over 25 years of experience as a prophetic and transformational preacher/pastor, teacher/professor, writer, public voice, and civic leader. He is a regular guest speaker both regionally and nationally on subjects such as new urbanism, sustainability, faith, and justice. He is the immediate past President of the Corporation of the Presbytery of the Western Reserve, has served two terms as an elected board member to the Downtown Cleveland Improvement Corporation, the Historic Gateway Corporation, and was the founding President of the Downtown Cleveland Residents Association.
Dr. Giuliano is a leader of note: In 2013, Mayor Frank G. Jackson presented Dr. Giuliano with an award for his “Human Kindness and Dedicated Support to Residents and Businesses in Downtown Cleveland.” Rebecca Barnes, in a 2016 Presbyterians Today article, said of Dr. Giuliano’s leadership in Cleveland: “Rarely are Presbyterians en masse contributing to conversations at city meetings, engaging urban planners, and thinking comprehensively about what it means for the ‘river of life’ to flow through the city. The Old Stone Church, First Presbyterian is a notable exception.” And in 2019, Dr. Mark was voted “Downtown Cleveland Resident of the Year”.
Among other accolades, Dr. Mark has dozens of written, musical, and video publications including recent invited contributions to Preaching Prophetic Care: Building Bridges to Justice and all three years of the Westminster John Knox commentary series, Preaching God’s Transforming Justice: A Lectionary Commentary.
It's Personal
For 35 years Mark has been happily married to Beth Giuliano who was the Director of Operations and Programs for the Old Stone Church, is a certified marriage educator, and serves as the Women’s Intercultural Network representative from Ohio to the United Nations. They have two adult children, Dylan who lives in Toronto, Canada, and Daryl who is a cellist living in London, UK.
But Wait, There's More!
Power2ools: 2 Minute Tools for Life! Short videos to build your faith and to share with others!
FaithConneXions. Follow Dr. Mark's blog, check out his 30 second sermons, sermon videos, and more.
Beth Giuliano
Director of Faith Formation and Leadership
Education
Bachelor of Education, University of Windsor, Windsor Ontario
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Concordia University, Montreal
Certifications
Executive Church Leadership, McCormick Theological Seminary, Chicago
Gender Mainstreaming, United Nations, Geneva, Switzerland
Prepare and Enrich Marriage Educator, Cleveland.
Montgomery Presbyterian Church
10192 Ferguson Avenue, Savannah, Georgia 31406
912-352-4400
Staff Bios
Rev. Dr. R. Mark Giuliano
Pastor, Head of Staff
Education
Doctor of Ministry in Preaching, Vanderbilt, Nashville.
Diploma in Ministry, United Theological College, Montreal.
Master of Theology, McGill University, Montreal.
Bachelor of Arts, Urban Studies, University of Windsor.
Certifications
Master Planning: Resilient Cities, Harvard Graduate School of Design.
Walkable Cities, Harvard Graduate School of Design.
Peer Coach for Preachers, Vanderbilt.
The Basics
Born and raised in Savannah, Nancy has been the much loved and appreciated organist/pianist at MPC since 1987. Nancy directs the music program at MPC which includes an adult choir, YoungStars children's choir, and handbell choir. Nancy earned her Bachelor of Arts in Music from Armstrong Atlantic State University.
But Wait, There's More!
In addition to her ministry at MPC, she also plays piano and sings in some of Savannah's finest clubs and restaurants including The Pink House and Billy's. Nancy loves gardening and reading, and just spending time with her family. Nancy has a daughter who shares her mother's love of music and is currently a grad student.
Nancy Witt
Director of Music
Education
Bachelor of Music, Armstrong Atlantic State University, Savannah