Janna VanderWoude
Interim Pastor, Head of Staff
Rev. Janna VanderWoude served as a clinical social worker with adolescents, primarily in school settings, and as Director of Youth Ministries at First of Westminster before returning to school for her MDiv. She is a graduate of Calvin College, University of Maryland School of Social Work and Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond. She was ordained into Baltimore Presbytery in 2017 and served as pastor at Northminster Presbyterian in Reisterstown until its closure at the end of 2022. She and her husband John have three adult children now scattered along the upper east coast, as well as two grandchildren who provide great delight.
Kathleen Smith
Communications Coordinator
Kathleen Smith has been a teacher at Christ Memorial Christian Preschool since 2012. She teaches the 5 Day Pre-K Class. In 2017, Kathleen joined the church staff as their Communications Coordinator. She has a B.S. in Biology from Virginia Tech and is a certified teacher in the state of Maryland. Kathleen likes to read and knit in her free time. Kathleen and her husband Tim live in Jessup with their three sons, Calvin, Cole, and Cooper.
Heather Gallagher
Preschool Director
Heather Gallagher has been a member of Christ Memorial Presbyterian Church since 2005. She began her relationship with Christ Memorial Christian Preschool as a parent when her son attended as a three-year-old in 2007. After her second child attended, she became a teacher for the preschool and served in this capacity for three years. She enjoys serving the preschool now as the director since the 2016/2017 school year. Heather graduated from Vanderbilt University with a degree in Elementary Education. She previously worked for six years as a third-grade teacher in Cincinnati, Ohio. Heather is married to Peter and they have three children Ben, Emma, and Allyson.
Tito Baca
Facilities & Property Manager
Tito Baca grew up in Anne Arundel County, near Baltimore. He has a true interest and love for property repair and enhancement. He has a variety of skills in carpentry, plumbing, and general repair and enjoys working with his hands. Tito has prior experience as a part-time Property Manager having worked at a 330 townhouse community in Bowie for several years. He also has experience working on his own homes having completed an assortment of upgrades, remodels, and repairs. Currently, Tito is a Professor in the Health Sciences at Montgomery College and has taught a variety of courses in health and exercise science for over 15 years. He also has over 18 years of experience coaching club, high school, and college girls/women’s soccer. Most recently he worked at the Maryland State Department of Education as a Program Specialist. Tito graduated from the University of New Mexico with a B.S. in Education, UMD – College Park with an M.A. in Psychology of Sport, and Nova Southeastern University (FL) with an Ed.D. in Graduate Leadership Studies. Tito has two children, Zyler and Paxton.
Joy Exner
Music Director
Joy Exner has been at CMPC since November 1, 1987, when she was hired as organist/pianist. She became Music Director in 2005. Joy came to CMPC after serving in chapels at Ft. Meade, Scotland, and Alaska. She began playing for worship and leading Sunday School singing as a young teenager. At Christ Memorial Presbyterian Church, she has directed children’s choirs, including musicals, and continues to lead adult and instrumental groups. Joy’s husband, Allen, is also a member of CMPC.
Ted Markle
Music Accompanist
Ted is from Carroll County, Maryland. At age 14 he began playing the organ in church and accompanying school choirs and musicals. He has a bachelor’s degree in church music from Westminster Choir College, Princeton, New Jersey. He has served a music director and organist/pianist at several churches in Maryland. Ted teaches private piano and voice lessons in Columbia.
He and his wife, Candace have two children, Greg and Stacy.