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.
Grant Mech
Interim Director of Music & Organist
Grant Mech holds degrees from Westminster Choir College in Music Education and Voice Performance and Pedagogy. He has appeared in numerous operatic productions, including Alcina (Melisso), La Clemenza di Tito (Publio), Le Nozze di Figaro (Bartolo), and the title roles in Don Giovanni and Gianni Schicchi. Concert and recital appearances have included works such as Brahms’ Requiem, Mendelssohn’s Elijah, and Schubert’s Schwanengesang.
From 2010-2022, Grant was the director of music at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in New York. He is the choral director at Rancocas Valley Regional High School in Mount Holly, NJ. He has also served on the staffs of the Sem Summer Music Festival in Kingston, PA, the Lawrenceville School, and Saint Peter’s University. Grant’s choirs have toured extensively in the U.S and abroad. He is a member of the Perspective Collective, a group that seeks to promote art song and opera in untraditional formats and venues.
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Click here to check out Grant's website.
Sarah Aquino
Parish Administrator
Sarah Aquino is a passionate and versatile musician with experience spanning opera, jazz ensembles, and musical theater. She has performed in a variety of settings, from choirs and bands to larger stage productions, bringing her vocal and instrumental talents to each performance. For over 15 years, Sarah lived in South America, where she taught English as a second language, sharing her love of language and culture with her students.
Now back in the United States, she combines her administrative skills and nurturing spirit in her dual roles as parish administrator and teacher's assistant in the 2's class. Whether she is assisting in the classroom, performing on stage, or organizing church events, Sarah is dedicated to fostering a sense of community and connection in everything she does.
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.
Lisa Keenan
Finance Manager
Lisa began working at St. John on the Mountain in 2008. She has a BS in Public Accounting from Montclair State University and holds a CPA license in the state of NJ. Lisa had 17 years of corporate accounting experience before moving on to the church environment. She lives in Somerset County with her husband and two children. Any questions regarding contribution records or accounts payable should be directed to Lisa. She is in the office on Mondays and Wednesdays. The Finance Office is located on the 2nd floor of the Parish House.
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 has served as a member of the Vestry and currently is on the Discernment Committee. She is also a member of the Somerset Hills Board of Education and a former Co-President of the Home and School Association (HSA) for Bedwell Elementary.
