Ministry Staff

Scuby Alexander
Director of Facilities Management and Security

Breaford B. (Scuby) Alexander started working at Second in 1996. He is married to Lashanda, who works as a phlebotomist with Mid America Clinical Laboaratory in Carmel, Indiana. Scuby and Lashanda met while in college in Iowa in 1994 and were married at Second Presbyterian Church in 1998. They have two children, Jaylen and Ebony.

Scuby enjoys reading, cooking and rooting for his two favorite football teams, the Dallas Cowboys and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

Dr. John Allegar
Organist and Assistant Director of Music and Fine Arts

Dr. John Allegar is the Organist and Assistant Director of Music & Fine Arts at Second Presbyterian Church. He coordinates and schedules soloists and instrumentalists, maintains the church’s keyboard instruments, accompanies the Beecher Singers and Sanctuary Choir, and provides musical leadership for worship services. John also assists Michelle Louer, Director of Music and Fine Arts, with the implementation of the Music and Fine Arts Series and the general supervision of Second’s music program. John received the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Performance and Literature (Organ) from the Eastman School of Music, and is past dean of the Indianapolis Chapter of the American Guild of Organists (AGO)

Karen Archbold
Interim Director of Children's Circle Preschool

Karen began as the Administrative Assistant at Children’s Circle Preschool in July of 2007. She grew up in Dayton, Ohio and graduated from Broadcasting School in 1979. Karen moved to Indianapolis and worked in radio for 15 years before choosing to stay home with her daughters, Amber and Chloe. She began volunteering through Parent Teacher Organizations throughout their elementary, middle and high school years.

After joining Second Church in 1993, her faith in God, her love for children and all things musical led her to serve in many different ministries at Second including Deacons, Adult Choir, Youth Group, Children’s Choir, Sunday School, Presbyterian Women’s Bible studies, various retreats, PW Bazaar co-chair, Vacation Bible School Music Leader and the Indianapolis Great Banquet Music Coordinator. Karen is an avid walker, loves hiking, reading, writing and spending time with her friends and family, especially her wonderful grand-twins, Asher and Avery.

Carol U. Baker
Cherub Choir Director and Fine Arts Coordinator

An advocate for arts learning and early childhood development, Carol Baker has trained with teaching artists through Lincoln Center Institute in New York, studied with Dr. John Feierabend to earn a "First Steps in Music" certification, and participated in multiple study groups through the Berklee Institute for Arts Education and Special Needs (Boston).

A Creative Renewal Fellow of the Arts Council of Indianapolis (2006) and graduate of Stanley K. Lacy Executive Leadership (2005), Ms. Baker holds a Master of Public Affairs from IUPUI’s School of Public and Environmental Affairs with a certificate in negotiation and mediation, and a Bachelor of Music Education with a French minor from University of Louisville. Ms. Baker has had an arts-filled career having worked with organizations like the largest employer of full-time artists in the state of Indiana, Indianapolis Symphony, and a Tony Award®-winning regional theatre, Actors Theatre of Louisville.

She has also performed for Kentucky Opera, Music Theatre Louisville, Indianapolis Opera, The Artists’ Studio, among others.

In addition to Second Presbyterian, Ms. Baker proudly serves Butler University.

Rev. Danny Carpenter
Lake Fellow in Parish Ministry

Danny grew up in Kalamazoo, Michigan and is a graduate of Hope College and Western Theological Seminary. In high school Danny discerned a call into ministry with the guidance and support of significant and trusted mentors, professors, and teachers. This call eventually led him to Hope College where he studied Religion and International Relations.

During his time at Hope, Danny was engaged with Campus Ministries and Student Life, where he discovered his passions of disability ministry and homeless ministry. He also studied Christian-Muslim relations while studying abroad in Muscat, Oman. 

Upon graduation Danny worked as a Fellow at Reality Ministries in Durham, NC which seeks to create communities of belonging for people of all abilities. He then moved back to the Midwest and worked as a Middle School director at a Christian summer camp where he oversaw staff and students. Around that time Danny sensed that God was calling him to attend seminary.

During his time in seminary, Danny worked at Pillar Church where he grew in various learning and leading opportunities that continued to refine his calling into parish ministry. He has come to love walking with others, hearing their longings and hopes, and locating their stories in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. His pastoral imagination has been shaped by these experiences and encounters grounded in Resurrection hope. Danny is very grateful and excited to be joining the Second Presbyterian Church community and he is honored and eager to embark on the adventure of following Jesus with all of you!

Carol Cheesman
Coordinator of Facilities Management and Security

Carol Cheesman grew up at Second Presbyterian Church and was baptized by her great-grandfather when the church was located at Vermont St. and Pennsylvania Ave. She has been the part of the Facilities staff since 2009. Carol and her husband of over forty years have two children and two grandchildren. They share a passion for history and travel and have visited over 24 countries.

Lisa Enright
Director of Mission

Lisa Enright has been named Director of Mission at Second. As Coordinator of Northside Mission, Lisa has guided our food pantry operations and also joined with community partners to address food insecurity and housing issues in Indianapolis. In this new role, Lisa will continue to strengthen relationships with mission partners in our city and beyond as she works with Mission Committee of Session, as well as Community Committee and Christmas with our Northside Neighbors Committee of Deacons.

Lisa is a graduate of Indiana University, where she received a B.S. from the Kelley School of Business. A member of Second Presbyterian Church since 1986, she has served as a Deacon and Elder and chaired Christmas Benevolence and Nominating Committee. She is currently serving as moderator for Presbyterian Women.

Lisa is married to Scott and they have two children, Andy and Gail. She enjoys reading and tennis.

Nancy Frick
Director of Stewardship and Endowment

Rev. Christopher Henry
Senior Pastor

Chris Henry, Senior Pastor of Second Presbyterian Church, is a gifted preacher, strategic leader, and devoted teacher, working alongside staff and lay leaders to faithfully and courageously guide the congregation. Chris lives out his call to congregational ministry and leads out of his conviction that churches have both the capacity and the mandate to be places of transformation in individual lives, the broader community, and the world. Furthering this vision, he hosts the podcast, Faithful Discourse with Chris Henry, bringing together voices from different professions, backgrounds, and beliefs to explore the intersection of faith and civic life.

Chris is a graduate of Duke University (BA in Religion) and Columbia Theological Seminary (MDiv). He served churches in Atlanta, GA, before his call to Second Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis in 2018. Chris is married to Rev. Sara Hayden, who serves as Director of Apprenticeships, Residencies and Leadership Cohorts for the 1001 New Worshipping Communities movement of the PC(USA) and hosts the New Way podcast. Sara and Chris met as students at Columbia Seminary and were married in 2008. They are the parents of two sons, Samuel and Benjamin.

Chris loves running long distances, coaching his sons’ sports teams, cheering for Duke basketball, reading biographies and novels, exploring the mountains of Colorado and North Carolina, and spending time with Sara, Sam, and Ben.

Book recommendations: Gilead (Marilynne Robinson), Jayber Crow (Wendell Berry), After Virtue (Alasdair MacIntyre), Telling the Truth (Frederick Buechner)

Rebecca Holt
Handbell Ensemble Director

First and foremost, Rebecca Holt received Jesus Christ as her personal Savior and Lord when she was a young child. She is very thankful for His guidance in her life. She received a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Indiana University Fort Wayne. Upon graduation, she directed the children’s choirs, youth choir and the handbell ensemble at Faith Baptist Church in Fort Wayne. She moved to Indianapolis in 1984 to teach General and Choral Music at Clay Junior High School in Carmel. While there, she established the handbell program as well. She also received a Master of Music Education from Butler University.

Rebecca formerly rang with the Indianapolis Handbell Ensemble and served as the choir director at Hope Christian and Missionary Alliance Church in Indianapolis. Currently, along with directing the Handbell Ensemble here at Second, she directs the Wesleyan Ringers at St. Luke's United Methodist Church. She also stays involved with the music ministry of her home church, Northside Baptist.

Rebecca is married to Charles Holt and has three adult children: Ian, Brianna and Linnea.

Rev. David Kim
Lake Fellow in Parish Ministry

After 13 years of exploration, David Kim’s journey comes full circle with a return to Indianapolis, the very place where his American adventure began as a foreign student. Born into a family of ministers at Yoido Full Gospel Church in Seoul, South Korea—an Assemblies of God affiliate—David’s curiosity about the Holy Spirit’s transformative work within and beyond the walls of the church was sparked at an early age.

When he was 20, David left his motherland and moved to the United States to attend Moody Bible Institute, majoring in Biblical Studies. His time there solidified his biblical foundation and helped him discern his sense of call, which he had first heard the whisperings of at the age of six. This curiosity consistently pushed David out of his comfort zone, leading him to join the U.S. Army. There, David became a U.S. citizen and served as a behavioral health specialist, helping fellow soldiers with PTSD and other mental health crises.

A graduate of Duke Divinity School, David served several Korean American churches and completed an internship at White Memorial Presbyterian Church (WMPC) in Raleigh, NC. WMPC has since become his home church, where his Presbyterian identity began to take deep root in the soil of the Reformed tradition. David was ordained at his home church on September 16, 2023.

Before joining the Lake Fellow Program, David completed a year-long chaplain residency at Duke University Hospital. In this space, he often reflected on the theological concept of “home” as he accompanied infants, children, and their families on their journeys. David is a coffee enthusiast and unwavering Chelsea FC fan. You might spot him along the Monon Trail often, as he enjoys going for runs to clear his mind and connect with God’s creation.

Rev. Karen L. Lang
Executive Pastor

As Executive Pastor, Karen oversees all pastoral staff and facilitates the ministries of the congregation.

Karen is a graduate of DePauw University and received her masters of divinity from Christian Theological Seminary. 

Karen is married to Richard Baker, who is the senior pastor at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Dayton, Ohio. Together, they have a blended family of six adult children. 

Karen loves to spend time with family and friends, ride her bike, and drink coffee!

If you would like to schedule time with Karen, please contact Mell Wynne, assistant to the executive pastor.

Dr. Michelle L. Louer
Director of Music and Fine Arts

Michelle L. Louer received the doctoral degree in choral conducting from Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, studying under Jan Harrington, Carmen Helena-Téllez and Thomas Dunn. She holds both Master of Music and Master of Divinity degrees from Yale University where she graduated summa cum laude, and a Bachelor of Music in piano and church music, magna cum laude, from Stetson University. In addition, she studied with noted conductors Fiora Contino and Joseph Flummerfelt.

Dr. Louer is in her twelfth year as the Director of Music and Fine Arts at Second Presbyterian Church where she leads a comprehensive program for children and adults, providing vocal and instrumental opportunities for education, ministry, and performance. Dr. Louer conducts the 70-voice Sanctuary Choir and the Beecher Singers (a professional chamber choir) and oversees a talented music staff that directs children and youth music, handbell ensemble, wind ensemble, and a vibrant fine arts area.

She is a former Adjunct Professor of Choral Music at Butler University, and prior to her appointment at Second, served on the faculties of University of Evansville and Oklahoma City University, and as Artistic Director and Conductor of the Kokomo (Indiana) Symphony Orchestra and Chorus for 3 years.

Dr. Louer has led the Sanctuary Choir in annual performances of choral/orchestral masterworks, including Beethoven’s Choral Fantasie with André Watts, J.S. Bach’s Johannes Passion with Alan Bennett (Evangelist), Verdi’s Requiem, Vaughan Williams’ Dona Nobis Pacem, Poulenc’s Gloria, and Mendelssohn’s Elijah.

For six seasons, she served as Artistic Director and Conductor of the Bach Chorale Singers of Lafayette, Indiana where she was known for innovative programming of works such as James Whitbourn’s Annelies and a retrospective of the choral music of Leonard Bernstein. In the summer of 2016, Dr. Louer led choral groups on a performance tour through Germany and parts of the Czech Republic. Equally comfortable leading orchestras, she has conducted Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9 (“New World”), Elgar’s Cello Concerto in E minor, Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 1, and Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite (1919), and in 2018 served as Guest Conductor of the 14th Annual International Festival of the Aegean in Syros, Greece. Dr. Louer also serves on the Sacred in Opera Committee of National Opera Association.

Jennifer Murphy
Office & Program Coordinator,  CenterPoint Counseling

Jennifer Murphy is a Career Coach focusing on career discovery and readiness. She enjoys working with individuals to discover their passion and create plans for achieving personal career goals. Whether it is exploring jobs, schools or program choices to working on resume writing and interviewing skills, Jennifer’s goal is to support and encourage clients on their professional journey. As a coach, she will walk alongside as clients develop and realize their own potential and ambitions for the future.
Additionally, Jennifer enjoys working with new therapists looking to start their own private practice. With her years of experience as Office Coordinator of CenterPoint, she brings a wealth of knowledge on providing thoughtful care of clients while maintaining successful, profitable business procedures. She periodically offers a Private Practice Basics course and is willing to meet with therapists individually.

Her professional experience includes:

• Master of Arts in Career & Technical Education and Graduate Certificate in Identity & Leadership Development from Ball State University
• BS in Sociology from Ball State University
• Professional Career Coach and Resume Writer In Training
• Office & Program Coordinator for CenterPoint
• Program Coordinator for New Day
• Previous Program Coordinator with Boys & Girls Clubs

Martha Nommay, CPA
Director of Finance and Operations

Martha Nommay, CPA, oversees all of the church’s financial operations, including the general fund, designated funds and the endowment fund. She also oversees the Operations Team, consisting of Information Technology, Building and Grounds, Food Services and Communications.

Prior to joining the church staff in July 2006, Martha owned four businesses over 20 years and served as payroll manager at Vanguard Services, Inc. She holds a B.S. degree in accounting from Butler University and has received many accolades, including the 2007 CPA Advocacy Award from the Indiana CPA Society and the 1999 National Woman of Achievement Award and 2001 Indiana Chapter Member of the Year Award from the American Society of Women Accountants. She was appointed as a member of the Indiana State Board of Accountancy by Governor O’Bannon and served six years, two as chairperson.

Rev. Hannah Ostlund
Lake Fellow in Parish Ministry

Hannah Ostlund graduated in May of 2020 from Salem College in North Carolina with majors in Religion and Nonprofit Management and Community Leadership. In May of 2023, she also graduated with a Masters of Divinity from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. During her time at Salem, Hannah found a deep interest in bridging the gap between the nonprofit community and the religious sector. At Salem, Hannah completed a two-semester study on mission work with a focus on breaking down the barriers of short-term trips as a way to open doors for long-term development. Emerging from these interests and experiences, Hannah enrolled at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.

In her second year at the seminary, Hannah was selected as the Valentour Fellow studying the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on short-term missions and what it means for the future of mission in our world. Hannah traveled to Peru, Malawi, and the US/Mexico Border to conduct this research with mission partners and religious organizations last summer. Upon her return to Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, Hannah completed an independent study with Dr. Hunter Farrell that culminated in a presentation on the adapted version of the short-term mission guidebook she created at Salem.

While exploring her call, Hannah was drawn to the community of faith at Second Presbyterian Church, feeling that it would welcome and support her as she gains and finetunes her skills for parish ministry. Hannah was ordained at her home church Brownson Memorial Presbyterian in Southern Pines, North Carolina on November 5, 2023.

Patrick Pauloski
Director of Children's Circle Preschool

Patrick Lewis Pauloski received the master degree in choral conducting from Butler University, studying with Eric Stark, John Perkins, and Michelle L. Louer. He also holds a Bachelor of Music in voice, magna cum laude, from Luther College, Decorah, IA. Pauloski, an Indianapolis native, was previously the Conducting Fellow of the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir, a unique fellowship that exists between the chorus and master of choral conducting program at Butler University.

Pauloski’s choral experience began when he joined the Indianapolis Children’s Choir and sang under the direction of Henry Leck and Joshua Pedde. While a student at Luther College, he sang in the Nordic Choir under the direction of Allen Hightower III. Until Fall of 2020, he served as staff bass at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Indianapolis, Indiana. He is an active member of the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir, as well as Circle City Chamber Choir–C4, which produces an annual summer choral concert as well as making other appearances throughout the Indianapolis area year-round.

Pauloski has taught pre-K through eighth grade general music in the Catholic Archdiocese of Indianapolis and was on the teaching faculty of the Indianapolis Children’s Choir from 2017-2018. He is excited to join the Music and Fine Arts staff in creating worship and performance opportunities for youth musicians.

Rev. Gracie Payne
Associate Pastor for Engagement

Gracie is passionate about encouraging disciples of Jesus as they live out the mission of God for the good of our city and the flourishing of our world. As the Associate Pastor for Engagement, she delights in welcoming folks to Second's community and journeying with them in their discipleship.  

Gracie’s childhood was largely shaped by her passion for ballet which now informs her understanding of the Christian faith as lived out through our bodies in the dance of community. She believes – as followers of a God who took on flesh, moved into the neighborhood, and spread out those arms on the cross to embrace the world – it is our joy and our responsibility to show up for one another, form deep relationships, and join Jesus Christ in healing the world.

Gracie is a graduate of Indiana University (B.A. Communications, English) and Princeton Theological Seminary (M.Div.). Gracie previously served as the Associate Pastor of Young Adult Engagement and a Lake Fellow in Parish Ministry at Second, as well as in congregations in Carlisle, PA and Dayton, NJ. She also apprenticed with 1001 New Worshiping Communities, interned at the Office of the General Assembly, and completed Clinical Pastoral Education at Penn State Hershey Medical Center. Gracie is married to Christian Payne; the couple met while working in Pennsylvania and married in 2017.
Gracie loves returning to the ballet studio, gardening, needlepointing, reading novels and poetry, and going on walks with her husband, Christian, and dog, Xylo.

Book recommendations: The Picture of Dorian Gray (Oscar Wilde), Strangers and Pilgrims Once More (Addison Hodges Hart), Being Human (Rowan Williams), Let the Bones Dance (Marcia W. Mount Shoop)

Maggie Platt
Executive Assistant to the Senior Pastor

As executive assistant to the senior pastor, Maggie Platt works closely with Rev. Chris Henry and provides support for the session, weddings, and the Lake Fellows program. She is a graduate of Anderson University and holds a master’s degree in management and leadership from Western Governors University.

In her spare time, Maggie writes and edits for a publishing house. She loves being outside in nature (particularly our national parks), cheering for the Hoosiers, reading just about anything, and spoiling her nieces and nephew.

Rev. Michael Samson
Associate Pastor for Adult Faith Formation

Mike has been a pastor for 14 years, serving on staff at congregations in Indiana and New Jersey.  He graduated from Princeton Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity degree. He then completed a post-graduate program at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, earning a Master of Theology degree. After graduation, Mike served in the Lake Fellow in Parish Ministry program here at Second Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis. Upon completing the Lake Fellow program, Mike was called to serve as Associate Pastor for Congregational Life at the Presbyterian Church in Westfield (PCW), NJ, a 1,400 member congregation in the suburbs of New York City. During his seven years at PCW, a main area of focus was the outreach and welcoming of guests and members into the life and ministry of the church.  

When the Samson family felt a need to be 'back home again in Indiana,’ Mike began serving on an interim basis at Hope United Presbyterian Church, a small congregation in Plainfield, IN.  He was then called as Associate Pastor to Orchard Park Presbyterian Church, in Carmel, IN, focusing more broadly on multiple areas of ministry. 

Prior to seminary, Mike graduated from Radford University with a degree in marketing. Following graduation, he worked in Atlanta for Turner Broadcasting’s World Championship Wrestling in cable affiliate relations, managing the Midwest market. Sensing that the Lord had other things ahead for him, he discerned a call to ministry and continues to be grateful to serve in the body of Christ as a pastor.  Mike considers it a joy and privilege to be in a vocation that allows him to deeply invest in his love for God and people. He loves helping people make deeper connections with God and one another in the church and in all walks of life.  

Mike is married to Kelly Samson, a native of Vincennes, IN. They have two sons, Matthew (10) and Luke (7), as well as a big dog (a 90 pound golden retriever) and a cat. Kelly works as a genetic counselor at IU North and Riley Hospitals and coordinates IU Health’s Kate Cares Stillbirth Assessment Program, which helps families find answers to questions and provides support following devastating losses. In her free time, Kelly enjoys playing tennis and spending time with her family. Matthew is going into fourth grade and loves playing with his friends, riding bikes, music, and using his imagination to build things. Luke is going into second grade and loves playing with his friends, baseball, football, and building things. Matthew and Luke also love playing with each other. 

Mike is a native of Montclair, NJ (a suburb of NYC) and enjoys spending his free time with family and friends, playing guitar and making music, as well as playing various sports. The Samsons are excited and hopeful about becoming a part of the body of Christ at Second Presbyterian Church!

P. Scott Sweet, LCSW, LCAC
Executive Director of CenterPoint Counseling

P. Scott Sweet grew up in Carmel, Indiana, and received his BA from Indiana University majoring in History & Criminal Justice. After working in management for Recreational Equipment Inc (REI) and the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis, Scott earned a Master in Social Work (MSW) from Indiana University. Post graduation, he worked for Gallahue Mental Health Services and Ivy Tech Community College. From 2007-2020, he worked as a Mental Health Therapist at CenterPoint Counseling. In 2021, Scott started Insight Counseling Center, where he enjoyed working with adults, adolescents and couples in a home based office. 

Scott is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Clinical Addictions Counselor (LCAC), a Certified IMAGO Relationship Therapist, Certified Teacher of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and a BrainSpotting therapist. 

Scott strives to be a beacon of hope, offering faith to those in need and illuminating the understanding that each person is radiant light, the energy of God. Scott and his wife, Ann, live in Fishers, Indiana and they are proud parents of two adult daughters

Rev. Audrey Thorne
Lake Fellow in Parish Ministry

A Midwesterner at heart, Audrey is excited to return to the Midwest for the Lake Fellows Residency. After spending some formative years in the suburbs of Chicago, her family moved to Michigan where she lived until her high school graduation. She returned to Chicago to pursue a BA in Bible and Theology at Moody Bible Institute, graduating in 2015. After a few years of working in the church, she knew she wanted to pursue more theological education, but a clear call to ministry hadn’t formed quite yet. She began attending Princeton Theological Seminary, where she earned her MATS (Master of Arts in Theological Studies) with a focus on women in the history of Christianity. She wrote her Master’s thesis on the life and work of Charlotte von Kirschbaum. 

During the summer of 2018, Audrey completed a field education placement at Tokyo Union Church in Japan. This short, three-month internship began to shift her sense of call. As a pastor’s kid, she had always felt called to serve the church but did not think God would call her to pastoral ministry. As she began to step into what felt like the huge shoes of a pastor, she was shocked by how much she loved it. After graduating with her MATS in 2019, she returned to Japan to work full-time as the Youth and Children’s Ministry Director at Tokyo Union Church. The pandemic changed everything, and Audrey’s role at TUC broadened to include pastoral care, preaching, and worship leadership. God’s greatest surprise was that in a time of so much change, hardship, and personal and communal grief, God clarified Audrey’s sense of call to pastoral ministry. 

After three hard and wonderful years in Japan, Audrey returned to Princeton Theological Seminary in 2022 to complete her MDiv and pursue ordination in the PCUSA. She is so thankful for all the people who have loved her into being, and she looks forward to coming to know and love the congregation of Second Presbyterian Church.

Ann VanMeter
Receptionist / Ministry Assistant for Second Act

Ann is a graduate of Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, GA. She is always quick to point out that there really are other majors at Georgia Tech besides engineering, as she earned her degree in management. She and her husband Scott were married in the sanctuary in 1997. They are the proud parents of Abbie and Sam. They have lived in Noblesville for 21 years and agree it is a long drive to Second! They once considered finding a church closer to home but realized that Second was their family.

All those miles later, Scott and Ann have deep appreciation that Second has helped to raise their children. Ann is passionate about Bible Study and has lead them for Presbyterian Women for 15 years. She loves family vacations, especially if there is a beach involved. You can often find her cheering on Sam’s soccer games and Abbie’s speech tournaments. She loves yoga and a good walk.

Books recommendations: Sensible Shoes (Sharon Garlough Brown), Anxious for Nothing (Max Lucado), The Gift of Imperfection (Brene Brown) and Jesus Calling (Sarah Young)

Rev. Madison VanVeelen
Associate Pastor of Care

Madison was ordained as a Minister of Word and Sacrament in 2014. She graduated from Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity degree, after which time she served as a Lake Fellow in Parish Ministry at Second Presbyterian Church. Upon completing the Lake Fellow program, Madison was called to serve as the Pastor of Clayton Presbyterian Church, a 50-member congregation in rural Hendricks County. In this setting, Madison enjoyed preaching every Sunday, providing care to members of all ages, and learning about the rhythms of life and faith in an agricultural community. During this time, Madison continued serving at Second as the Coordinator of Northside Mission Ministry.

After two years Madison felt called to return to Second in a full-time capacity. Madison’s role in the area of pastoral care evolved until the Spring of 2021 when she joyfully accepted the call to serve as Second’s Associate Pastor for Care.

Prior to seminary, Madison graduated from Florida State University with a dual degree in International Affairs and English Literature. She then served as a PC(USA) Young Adult Volunteer for one year in Kerala, India, where she taught English in an elementary school setting and was immersed in the life of the Church of South India.

Madison is deeply grateful to serve in this vocation that, for her, is fundamentally about cultivating relationship with God and others with openness, joy, and curiosity. She has a deep belief in God’s presence with us at all times, and considers it grace from God that we are able to be the body of Christ for one another.

Madison is married to Eric, a kindergarten teacher at New Britton Elementary. Madison and Eric are grateful (and tired!) parents of three young children: Prose, Ellison, and Sage.

Dawn Waddell
Chapel Service Organist

Dawn Waddell is the Chapel Service Organist at Second Presbyterian Church. Following the chapel service, she often works as a substitute organist in the greater Indianapolis area, sometimes even filling in for Dr. Allegar on the sanctuary organ. Dawn holds a Bachelors of Music in organ from Oberlin Conservatory, where she studied with Garth Peacock, and a Graduate Performance Diploma in organ from Peabody Conservatory, where she studied with Donald Sutherland. She completed her studies at Indiana University, earning a Masters of Music in organ under Larry Smith, with a Church Music cognate, and a minor in continuo, studying with Elisabeth Wright.

A fan of early music, Dawn serves on the board of Indianapolis Early Music.

Dawn is mother to three artistically-inclined adult children. She lives in Carmel with her husband Oscar.