REV. BRIAN HARROFF

PASTOR

Brian is a second-career pastor who was ordained in 2010. He and his wife Lisa have two daughters and one granddaughter. Brian is from the Central Ohio area and is an alumnus of The Ohio State University. Prior to entering the ministry full-time, he spent 18 years in documentation and training for AT&T – which became Lucent Technologies – which became Alcatel-Lucent. He also spent several years as a wastewater treatment consultant immediately following college.

Brian was raised Presbyterian. He was ordained as a deacon by the church in which he was raised. He was later ordained as a ruling elder in the Presbyterian church in which he raised his daughters. Brian served as a bi-vocational pastor to a small church from 2008 – 2014 (he began his tenure as a student pastor). He entered full-time ministry as a transitional pastor in 2014. Brian worked with two yoked churches in Portsmouth, Ohio. He did transitional work in several churches around Ohio.

SHARON FOXWELL

MUSIC DIRECTOR + Organist

Sharon Foxwell comes to us with a vast array of experience in choral conducting, accompaniment, and organ playing. Coming to us from Alabama, she holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in applied piano from Huntingdon College in Montgomery, Alabama, and a Master of Church Music with the honors certificate in accompanying from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. Her most recent organ studies have been with James W. Kosnik.

Sharon has been a church musician for over forty years, having served churches in Alabama, Kentucky, Indiana, and Virginia.  In addition to her work with Royster, she  is a choral accompanist for several Chesapeake Public Schools, as well as for District and All City events in Chesapeake and Virginia Beach. In the past, she has worked with the Cantata Chorus, the Virginia Children’s Chorus, and the Sacred Music Summer Conference at Virginia Wesleyan University.

Sharon is a member of the Tidewater Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, the American Choral Directors Association, and an attendee of the Annual Meeting of the Hymn Society. She has performed in organ masterclasses at Old Dominion University; she has also performed in the Virginia Arts Festival as part of the Organ Swell recital series, and some of heer keyboard arrangements have been published in Pedalpoint.

Louise GORDON

SECRETARY

Louise comes to us with a rich background in financial management from a plethora of genres! In her second tour with us at Royster, Louise first worked with us from 1993-2001 as bookkeeper, and came back to us in 2019! We are so glad to have her here. 

A lifetime Virginian, Louise grew up in Appomattox. She and her husband Herb have a son, John and his wife Jenny, and two grandchildren - twins - Jacob & Lydia!  Louise graduated from James Madison University, and is an ordained elder in PCUSA.

In her spare time, Louise plays bridge for fun and frustration. She’ s a member of the American Contract Bridge League, and has attained the rank of Ruby Life Master! Through her bridge adventures, she has met many wonderful folks whom she calls friends! 

Louise is happy to be back at Royster (and we’re happy to have her!). She enjoys the work and the people here very much.

JEFF SPIVEY

SEXTON

The incomparable Jeff Spivey has been caring for Royster Presbyterian since 8-8-88. Jeff is the go-to guy for facility access and room set-up. He is the friendly face of the congregation for our guest organizations. Jeff has successfully trained a mating pair of Bald Eagles to perch on the steeple cross. He can often be found photographing and videotaping their comings and goings. If you see Jeff out front of the church, look up toward heaven and you might see an eagle.

JILL KEIFER

CLERK OF SESSION

Jill has been with us at Royster since 1993. Previously, she held a leadership position within the United States Navy Medical Department, serving in their Naval School of Health Services. Jill is deeply involved in life at Royster, and we’re so grateful to have her among us. 

When she’s not working, Jill enjoys reading, spending time in her garden, and watching her grandchildren grow!