Our Bridge Pastor
The Rev. R. Bruce Todd
The Rev. R. Bruce Todd
The Rev. R. Bruce Todd is pausing his retirement to temporarily return to St. John’s, his first pastoral appointment more than 40 years ago.
After graduating from the Lutheran Seminary in Mount Airy, Pastor Todd served (in a second career) as pastor of St. John’s from 1982-1989. He will begin his service as a “bridge” pastor beginning January 1. When Pastor Todd’s appointment recently was announced before a church service, an audible excited gasp could be heard, followed by a robust round of applause. Most of the congregation well remembered him as a talented, energetic and personable spiritual leader whose messages resonated with all generations. Indeed, his time at St. John’s was one of growth, from 350 members, he said, to 700 by the time he left, just as a building campaign was being launched.
Todd, of Oreland, grew up in the Kensington section of Philadelphia and, after a career with the then “Bell of Pennsylvania” telephone company, he graduated from Temple University with a music major and degree in organ performance. He then earned a master of divinity at the Lutheran Seminary.
After his time at St. John’s, Todd accepted the role of associate pastor and organist at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lansdale. He then was at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Lafayette Hill and retired in 2017. His retirement, however, has been punctuated by temporary stints in various roles, including bridge pastor at Trinity Lutheran, priest associate at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Whitemarsh and Good Shephard Episcopal Church in the East Falls section of Philadelphia.
Pastor Todd said his love of travel led him to accept an interim pastorship for 10 weeks in Vilnius, Lithuania in the summer of 2021 and he assisted the Gwynedd Mercy University choir, singing baritone on a concert tour in Ireland and France.
He has stated that his goal as a pastor is to always leave members of the congregation on Sunday mornings “feeling better than when they came.” His mission in a “bridge” position is to help maintain stability in the congregation, keeping it “healthy, enthusiastic and solid.” Every congregation, he said, has different gifts and “it’s important to determine what they’re good at and make sure we can do that well.” One of St. John’s gifts, he said, is its focus on social ministry.
He is eager to “reengage with the people he knows” and get to know those he doesn’t. He intends to make a lot of phone calls, he said, “canvassing the congregation” to get a sense of where it is and where it wants to be...“getting everyone on the same track."
After graduating from the Lutheran Seminary in Mount Airy, Pastor Todd served (in a second career) as pastor of St. John’s from 1982-1989. He will begin his service as a “bridge” pastor beginning January 1. When Pastor Todd’s appointment recently was announced before a church service, an audible excited gasp could be heard, followed by a robust round of applause. Most of the congregation well remembered him as a talented, energetic and personable spiritual leader whose messages resonated with all generations. Indeed, his time at St. John’s was one of growth, from 350 members, he said, to 700 by the time he left, just as a building campaign was being launched.
Todd, of Oreland, grew up in the Kensington section of Philadelphia and, after a career with the then “Bell of Pennsylvania” telephone company, he graduated from Temple University with a music major and degree in organ performance. He then earned a master of divinity at the Lutheran Seminary.
After his time at St. John’s, Todd accepted the role of associate pastor and organist at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lansdale. He then was at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Lafayette Hill and retired in 2017. His retirement, however, has been punctuated by temporary stints in various roles, including bridge pastor at Trinity Lutheran, priest associate at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Whitemarsh and Good Shephard Episcopal Church in the East Falls section of Philadelphia.
Pastor Todd said his love of travel led him to accept an interim pastorship for 10 weeks in Vilnius, Lithuania in the summer of 2021 and he assisted the Gwynedd Mercy University choir, singing baritone on a concert tour in Ireland and France.
He has stated that his goal as a pastor is to always leave members of the congregation on Sunday mornings “feeling better than when they came.” His mission in a “bridge” position is to help maintain stability in the congregation, keeping it “healthy, enthusiastic and solid.” Every congregation, he said, has different gifts and “it’s important to determine what they’re good at and make sure we can do that well.” One of St. John’s gifts, he said, is its focus on social ministry.
He is eager to “reengage with the people he knows” and get to know those he doesn’t. He intends to make a lot of phone calls, he said, “canvassing the congregation” to get a sense of where it is and where it wants to be...“getting everyone on the same track."
Our Staff
The Rev. R. Bruce Todd …… Bridge Pastor..............[email protected]
Carol Dzurenda ….......……… Organist.......................[email protected]
Darcy McConahy ……….....… Choir Director...........[email protected]
Joseph Brooke………..........… Sexton
Liz Bergey ……….................… Secretary....................[email protected]
The Council
Maureen Potsko ……….......… President.....................[email protected]
Ken Butz………....................… Vice President.............[email protected]
Stephen Spry …………............ Secretary.....................[email protected]
Richard Krauss………..........… Treasurer.....................[email protected]
Jerry Bassett………..............….......................................[email protected]
Mary Slotter……..............….……..............….........……....[email protected]
Dan Whetsell……..............….……..............….….......…….[email protected]
The Rev. R. Bruce Todd …… Bridge Pastor..............[email protected]
Carol Dzurenda ….......……… Organist.......................[email protected]
Darcy McConahy ……….....… Choir Director...........[email protected]
Joseph Brooke………..........… Sexton
Liz Bergey ……….................… Secretary....................[email protected]
The Council
Maureen Potsko ……….......… President.....................[email protected]
Ken Butz………....................… Vice President.............[email protected]
Stephen Spry …………............ Secretary.....................[email protected]
Richard Krauss………..........… Treasurer.....................[email protected]
Jerry Bassett………..............….......................................[email protected]
Mary Slotter……..............….……..............….........……....[email protected]
Dan Whetsell……..............….……..............….….......…….[email protected]
Leading Worship: Are you looking for a way to serve God and deepen your faith among the congregation? Consider helping out with our weekly worship services. We’re hoping to add more Communion Assistants, Lectors, Ushers, and Greeters to our rotation. Every member can help - young and old. Ask the pastor or a member of the Worship and Music Committee to learn more.