CLERGY & STAFF
The Reverend Beth Rauen Sciaino
Priest-in-Charge
Pastor Beth joined St John on the Mountain in 2023 as part of our affiliation with St Bernard's. She is a certified Coach in the Diocese of New Jersey and enjoys opportunities to learn and grow in her own discipleship and leadership. She is the Chair of the Development Council for Cross Roads Camp and Retreat Center, a shared Lutheran and Episcopal camp and retreat center located in northern Hunterdon County and a wonderful site for faith formation for all ages. Beth also serves on the Steering Committee of the Interfaith Community Action Network of greater Somerset County (ICAN).
Beth earned a Master of Divinity from Drew Theological School in Madison, N.J., and a B.A. in Religion from Wesleyan University. Before affiliation, Pastor Beth joined St. Bernard's in 2015 where she has been the rector since 2020. Prior to that, she served as an associate rector at Christ Episcopal Church in Ridgewood, NJ, and Curate (Assistant to the Rector) at All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Millington, N.J.
She lives in Morristown with her husband, Peter, and two children. Peter is a high school instrumental music teacher in Whippany, N.J.
Vanessa Valle
Parish Administrator
Attorney in Peru with graduate studies in Business and Corporate Law, committed to placing her professional experience at the service of the community. She has a background in administration and leadership, and is recognized for her integrity, empathy, and dedication to service.
Currently a licensed Real Estate Agent in New Jersey, she serves with honesty and care, especially within the Hispanic community. She has participated in international volunteer work in Haiti and is deeply committed to social responsibility, human dignity, and advocating for those most in need.
Lynn Mitchell
Director of Children's Ministries
As the Director of Children’s Ministries, Lynn manages the Sunday School and other educational programs and activities. Lynn has attended St. John on the Mountain since 2005. She and her husband were married here, and all of their children were baptized here.
Lynn has a BA in English from Lehigh University and a MA in English Education from Teachers College, Columbia University. Prior to working as the Director, she was a middle school Language Arts teacher for ten years. She is a member of the National Association of Episcopal Christian Education Directors. Look for Lynn on Sunday mornings, near the Children’s Library or downstairs in the Sunday school hallway.
Angela Leavens-Smith
Finance Manager
St. John's Finance Manager, Angie, has over 25 years of administrative experience, focusing on church bookkeeping since 2009. She has a degree in Theatre Arts and is a 500 hour certified yoga teacher. Angie is a resident of Montclair and also serves as Bookkeeper for two Episcopal parishes in NYC- St. Augustine's on the Lower East Side and St. John's in the Village in Greenwich Village. Mom to four amazing kids, Angie was born and raised in Michigan and is a lifelong Lutheran. She is a member of First Lutheran Church, Clifton where she has served on the Leadership Council and sung in the Choir. When not crunching numbers, Angie loves to go on adventures with her kids and friends to ski, see plays, concerts and art, and learn as much as she can about our incredible world. Sometimes she stays at home and reads a book with her cat.
Kathy Tober
Director, St. John's Nursery School
Kathy Tober holds a BS degree in Biology from Dickinson College and an MBA in Pharmaceutical Studies from Fairleigh Dickinson University. She spent 24 years in the pharmaceutical industry, working in the area of clinical trial management. Her most recent role was the Global Head of Contracts and Outsourcing at Roche/Genentech, in which she oversaw $2B in outsourced clinical services and managed a large staff across 4 continents.
Kathy has lived in Bernardsville since 2013 with her husband, Peter, and their two children, John and Grace. She is a member of SJOTM where she is Co-Chair of the Outreach Committee and has served as a member of the Vestry. She has been a member of the Somerset Hills Board of Education and a Co-President of the Home and School Association (HSA) for Bedwell Elementary.
