Staff
Rev. Dr. William J. McConnell, Pastor
Bill accepted a call to become pastor of Murray Presbyterian in the summer of 2016, excited at the prospect of serving an active, growing congregation with lots of ministry potential. One of the things he’s most passionate about is helping people to grow in their faith and develop a closer relationship with Christ through preaching that’s relevant, engaging, and biblically-based. Bill also leads periodic adult classes and gives overall administrative leadership to the congregation.
Bill’s basic values were shaped by the experience of growing up in a working class neighborhood of Philadelphia and in a strong Christian family. He went on to study at Dickinson College (B.A., Political Science), Dallas Theological Seminary (Th.M., Systematic Theology), and the Graduate School of Drew University (Ph.D., Religion and Society). His ministry background has included everything from working in seminary administration to teaching college courses, serving as a supply preacher, leading a youth ministry, and completing a hospital chaplaincy internship. Before coming to Nebraska, he was pastor of the Rural Valley and NuMine Presbyterian Churches in Western Pennsylvania and the First Presbyterian Church of Fremont, Ohio. He and his wife Stacey are the parents of an adult daughter (living in Ohio) and a son who is a University student in Virginia.
Karla Remmers, Organist / Accompanist
Karla became our keyboard instrumentalist in 2012, bringing with her a wide assortment of musical gifts and an extensive background in music ministry that has involved serving churches throughout our area. While studying at Dana College, where she received degrees in music and finance, Karla traveled all over the Midwest and Canada, singing in churches, schools, and church camps with an outreach group. Following college, she became children’s choir director at Messiah Lutheran in Ralston. She has been the organist for churches in Springfield, Omaha, Papillion, and Plattsmouth. Along with her current responsibilities at Murray Presbyterian, she also directs the adult choir at Trinity Lutheran Church in Papillion and has a career in banking.
At Murray Presbyterian, Karla provides instrumental accompaniment for our worship services, using both organ and piano. Her versatility with both traditional as well as contemporary music significantly enhances our worship experience. Karla and her husband Todd live in Murray with their three children.
