Dear Friends,

Photo of Man standing in foreground with trees & flowers in the background. It is Nathan Schwed, new Director of Music Ministry for Children and Youth

Nathan Schwed

I am delighted to share with you the joyous news that yesterday our elders enthusiastically approved the hiring of Nathan Schwed as our new Director of Music Ministry for Children and Youth! Nathan is thrilled to be joining the Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church community in this reimagined and expanded role.

Nathan grew up here in Basking Ridge and has fond memories of his yearly piano recitals in Westminster Hall. He attended Ridge High School and sang in their A Cappella Choir. At the Liberty Corner Presbyterian Church, he was able to explore what would become a lifelong passion for music through singing in the Children’s Choir, playing in the Bell Choir, acting in biblical summer shows, and participating in Vacation Bible School. God worked through these experience to affirm his spiritual gifts and call him to teach music to young people.

Nathan is currently completing his studies in Choral Music Education at The College of New Jersey, where he was a Conducting Fellow for both the Princeton Boychoir and Hopewell Valley Chorus. He has also performed in concerts at Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center, and NJPAC.

Nathan believes very strongly in the power of music education for children, in how it fosters a lifelong passion for music, and how it allows us to grow in our faith. He is beyond excited to begin his ministry with us this summer and to get to meet all of the children and middle school youth of BRPC on Sunday mornings, at Vacation Bible School in August, and with the return of the Children’s Choir this September! Nathan’s official start date is June 22. He will also be welcomed and introduced this upcoming Sunday during worship.

Heartfelt thanks go to the members of our Search Committee, Jen Asay, Tina Bramel, Morgan DeCecilia, Lindsay Healy, Amanda Hughes, Rudy Hyzer, and Charlotte McGuire, who brought abundant faith and commitment to this search. Special thanks to Amanda and Jen who served so capably as co-chairs, and to Chris Fortin for his wisdom and involvement.

I invite you to be at worship this Sunday as we welcome Nathan to BRPC and pray for God’s blessing to be upon him and on this new chapter of our music ministry for children and youth.

In Christ’s love,

Dennis Jones

Senior Pastor