Pastor
Pastor Mary "JJ" Simpson-Keelan and Rusty
Pastor JJ graduated from United Lutheran Seminary (Philadelphia campus) in May of 2020. Prior to attending seminary, she worked for 29 years at International Flavors and Fragrances. She started as an analytical chemist, but her most recent position was Director of Procurement Processes and Systems. While working at IFF, Pastor JJ obtained her Masters of Business Administration and achieved certification as a Project Management Professional, and obtained a certificate in Youth and Family Ministry from Gettysburg Lutheran Seminary. Pastor JJ recently completed her internship at St. Paul Lutheran Church in East Windsor, NJ where they only had great things to say describing Vicar JJ as a “huge asset” to a church.
Pastor JJ is married to Colleen. Colleen is employed as a Systems Analyst for an insurance company. Pastor JJ's daughter Mae is a sophomore at NYU studying philosophy and linguistics. Their dog, Rusty, completes the family. Rusty is a certified pet therapist who accompanies Pastor JJ in her ministry work.
Pastor JJ begins her life with the congregation of Living Waters on February 1st.
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Church Administrator
Chris Kosmac
Chris is lifelong Lutheran and a charter member of Living Waters. She had been a volunteer in our office for many years before being hired as a part-time Office Administrator in 2017. She also works as a part-time office administrator for Kirkpatrick Memorial Presbyterian Church across the highway in Ringoes. Previously she was the office admin for the builder of our first building addition. She and her husband Jim have lived in Neshanic Station for over 30 years. She has two sons; Erich works as a Network Consultant in Branchburg and Jason is a USAF veteran who currently works for Northup-Grumman in California.
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Musician
Xiaoya "Sisi" Gao
Dr. Xiaoya Gao, also known as Sisi, is a pianist and music educator with a diverse background in music training and performance. Recently graduated with a Doctor of Musical Arts in piano pedagogy from the University of South Carolina, she currently serves as a piano faculty at the New School for Music Study, Kingston, NJ. Originally from Urumqi, China, she has performed in numerous stages with her solo and chamber recitals, including the Blackbox Theatre in New York, Palais Corbelli in Vienna, and Harper Hall in Appleton, WI. She obtained her Master’s degree in piano performance and an Advanced Certificate in piano pedagogy from New York University Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development in 2021. In 2019, she completed her Bachelor of Music in piano performance and a Bachelor of Arts in history from Lawrence University, Wisconsin. During her free time, she is passionate about exploring new vegetarian recipes, travelling and learning the violin.
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