Meet Our Dedicated Team

Neil McDonald is an active and sought after soloist in the greater metropolitan area. After studying voice at Westminster Choir College, Neil made his orchestral solo debut with the Trenton Symphony Orchestra in Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy. He made his Carnegie Hall solo debut in 1999, and has performed at Carnegie Hall many times, including performances of Brahm’s Requiem, Mozart Requiem, most of Haydn’s Masses, all of John Rutter’s major works including the world premiere of Rutter’s Mass of the Children in 2003, Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms, Bach’s Magnificat and Mass in b minor, among others. While at Westminster Choir College Neil was part of the Westminster Symphonic Choir performing Mendelssohn’s Elijah, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 among other major works with the New York Philharmonic at Lincoln Center; Orff’s Carmina Burana, Bach’s St. John Passion and Magnificat, Mendelssohn’s Elijah, among others with the Philadelphia Orchestra; Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, among others with the New Jersey Symphony. Neil worked 12 years at Malmark Bellcraftsmen, serving as the head of Sales & Marketing for the last four of them. Through handbells Neil has appeared on “Mr. Rogers Neighborhood”, NBC’s “Today Show”, QVC, and the World Financial Center’s Festival of Light and Sound. He has toured through 45 states while part of the Westminster Concert Bell Choir. He has directed numerous bell choirs at all levels and and is also in demand as a handbell clinician, having taught classes on the regional, national and international level for the Handbell Musicians of America. He serves as a founding music instructor for the Saturday Stars program, a music program serving children with special needs and is the Director of Handbells Choir and Youth Music at the Community Presbyterian Church in Ringwood, NJ.

James E. Weber Jr. is an active musician in the New York/ Philadelphia tri state area. His rich and varied career started as a student at Westminster Choir College, Princeton, NJ, and has taken him around the world for performances in major concerts halls and cathedrals. Mr. Weber’s love of teaching has manifested in the many students he has taught and mentored as Director of the Lakeland Chorale and Chamber Singers for 11 years. This high school choral program in Northern New Jersey, under Mr. Weber’s leadership, had risen to national and international prominence. Students from both his choral program and private studio have gone on to be accepted into major conservatories and schools of music in the United States, including Westminster Choir College, Eastman School of Music, Berklee College of Music, the Juilliard School, AMDA, The Peabody Conservatory, among many others. Mr. Weber is an active published composer, and a member of ASCAP, his compositions have been performed and recorded by professional ensembles, including those at Westminster Choir College. As a performer, Mr Weber has had the distinction of being a very frequent performer at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center, where he works as a musical contractor hiring musicians for professional performances in these and other venues. He has music directed/accompanied many musicals in the NY/NJ area, and has served as accompanist for professional auditions for Broadway shows. He has undertaken several national tours as a singer and musician, including tours with Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer, and Charlotte Church, among others. Mr Weber’s professional television credits include several Christmas Day performances on NBC’s Today Show, Live from Lincoln Center, and Great Performances, as well as Christmas performances on local New York stations. He is currently Adjunct Faculty at Westminster Choir College, Rider University, and staff accompanist at University of the Arts in Philadelphia. He continues to maintain an active and extensive performance schedule.

Jaclyn Fudge is a life-long member of the Community Presbyterian Church. Born and raised in Ringwood, she has been involved in the church in many different ways. After graduating from High School, she attended both Westminster Choir College and Montana State University, eventually obtaining a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing. It was in Montana where she met her husband, Heath Fudge. Together they have two children, Elliot, age 12 and Leela, age 10. The Fudge Family returned to Ringwood about 10 years ago, and since then have been dedicated members of the Church. Jaclyn enjoys singing in the choir and playing any bells she can in the Handbell Choir. She is also proud to be a part of the Children’s ministry, being an aide to the Faith in Action Sunday School Program. She also teaches the 3rd Grade Bible Class program in preparing children to learn The Lord's Prayer and participate in their 1st Communion. For the last 5 years Jaclyn has been the Director of Vacation Bible School, leading an immersive Christian based summer experience for many of the children of our community. Jaclyn absolutely loves this church, and many of her childhood and adult memories are centered around the very walls of our church building. Jaclyn is eager and ready to take on the role as Clerk of Session and looks forward to continuing the amazing work that this church does, not only for its members, but for our entire community as well.

Tracy Rynkowski has had a lifelong interest in youth. She graduated University of North Carolina at Charlotte with a BCA in education. She taught middle and high school while living in NC. For the last 7 years she has been a part of the Skylands Learning Center team. During the late 90’s Tracy began working with the high school youth in her church and was hired as Director of Student Ministries. She ran the middle and high school youth groups, bible studies, confirmation classes and the youth’s domestic and international mission trips. She took youth to Tennessee, Virginia, Florida, Jamaica and had a standing bi-annual trip to the Yucatan Peninsula. It is her belief that a service based mission trip is life changing for all who participate. When the opportunity came up to begin trips here at Community Presbyterian Church she jumped at it. She has taken kids to Tennessee, South Carolina and West Virginia over the last 9 years.

Christine Burger has been a part of the Community Presbyterian Church community for her entire life. For ten years, Christine was the Director of our early childhood education program, the Skylands Learning Center before taking the position of Church Office Manager in 2021. She is the Sponsor Representative and liaison between Skylands Learning Center and the church. Christine lives in town with her husband and two boys. She strives to advocate for the church’s missions in the community and share the teachings of Christ by way of helping others. Christine is here to support the needs of the church and can be reached by phone or email. Christine is also a notary if you should need the services of one. In person appointments can be made by request should you need to come to the church to speak in person.

Heather Frisbie has been a member of the Community Presbyterian Church since she was 13 years old first joining as a member of the children’s choir. She then moved onto the adult choir which she sang in for 6 years. As an adult, Heather joined the adult bell choir which she has been ringing with for 18 years. In 2007, Heather took over the Sunday school program which serves the Kindergarten through 5th grade children who attend Sunday mornings. A few years ago, the program evolved into a mission based education program and was rebranded as Faith In Action. The FIA program focuses on both Christian education and how the children of our church can advocate to also support our local, national and internal missions. Heather has always been involved with youth and music, singing most of her life, playing instruments, being a part of the peer ministry/youth group, assisting in preschool, being a story time reader at the library and serving as an outdoor educator at both the Harriman State park and the New Weis Center. Heather lives in town with her husband and 3 girls and is actively involved in the community.