saint john’s lutheran church

THe reV. BLAKE A. SCALET, PASTOR

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pastorbscalet@stjohnssummit.org

Growing up in the cornfields of rural Illinois, Pastor Scalet felt a call to ministry from a very early age. Before coming to Saint John’s in August 2012, he served congregations in Illinois and Connecticut. He graduated with a BA in Theology from Valparaiso University. He completed his seminary studies at Yale Divinity School earning a Master’s of Divinity from YDS in 2011, while concurrently earning a Diploma in Lutheran Studies from the Berkeley Divinity School at Yale. In 2013, he was awarded a Master’s of Sacred Theology in Worship Studies from the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia.

Pastor Blake is passionate about the ministry and worship life of the parish. Our mission, ministry, stewardship, and evangelism all flow out of the experience of first being poor beggars welcomed to the wedding feast of the lamb—Jesus Christ, our Lord. This is good news!

In his off time, Pastor Blake can often be found playing the piano, visiting a new restaurant, hopping on a train into the city, or taking in a movie with his partner Shai.

CHRISTOPHER HARLOW-JENNINGS,
DIRECTOR OF MUSIC

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charlowjennings@stjohnssummit.org

Christopher Harlow-Jennings joined Saint John’s as Director of Music in August 2022. He is excited to be a part of such a warm and welcoming community that is so dedicated to music and the arts. Christopher has worked previously at St. John on the Mountain (Episcopal), Bernardsville, NJ, St. John’s Lutheran, Stanford, CT, and St. James’ Church Madison Ave. (Episcopal) New York City among others. Christopher holds degrees from Yale University, Indiana University, and Salem College. He is passionate about creating inclusive spaces to make music and, especially, to make hymn singing lively and engaging for everyone. He lives with his family and their newly-adopted labradoodle puppy Felix Mendelssohn in West Orange. In his time off, he enjoys yoga, cooking, and reading the New Yorker and NY Times.

CAROLYN ROTHMAN,
CHURCH ADMINISTRATOR

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crothman@stjohnssummit.org

Carolyn moved to New Jersey and joined Saint John’s in 1995. She and her husband Craig live in Short Hills with their two daughters. She enjoys the theater, photography, and travel.

JAMA BOWMAN,
COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR

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jamabowman@stjohnssummit.org

Jama joined Saint John’s in 1991 and resides in Westfield with her family. She has a BFA in Communications Design from Kutztown University. She enjoys cooking and spending time with her family.