Pastor: Rev. Francis P. Miller II

Francis has been an ordained clergyperson in the Presbyterian Church (USA) since 1996. He has served as pastor for five churches throughout Northeast Ohio: Rome, Grace (Lakewood), Noble Road (Cleveland Heights), Lyndhurst Community Presbyterian Church, and Lyndhurst Community of Faith Church. In each place of ministry, Francis has been graced to accompany the work of the Holy Spirit, as people live into the call of Jesus to embody the love of God, self, and neighbor.

It was a joy for Francis to be one of the organizing pastors of LCoFC: a merger of LCPC and Faith United Church of Christ (Richmond Heights). Throughout the process, we discovered that denominational lines meant less for us than the shared application of our missional understanding grounded in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. We continue to be excited to see how the Holy Spirit will work with us in sparking a new vision of spirited hope in a world that often seems bereft of it.

Francis has the privilege of being one of the founders of the Dougbe River Presbyterian School of Liberia. This K-9 coeducational school, established in 2012, grew up as a partnership between faithful people in the US and community members in the villages of a forested region in eastern Liberia. The school has come to be regarded as an institution of excellence in an area that was hungering for opportunities for educational advancement.

Francis has served the Presbytery of the Western Reserve in a variety of roles, including as its Moderator in 2013. Most recently as the coordinator of its chapter of the Committee on the Self-Development of People: a ministry of Presbyterians and ecumenical partners seeking to change the structures that perpetuate poverty, oppression, and injustice. Francis and the SDOP team have appreciated working with local partners who are on the ground, creating positive change within their communities.

In the summer of 2024, Francis was gifted with a sabbatical from the congregation. He used a portion of it to make a pilgrimage to Scotland where he visited ancestral heritage sites, hiked The Way of St. Columba from Iona to St. Andrews, and basked in the experience to further explore that beautiful, old country with his wife, Celinda, and their three adult children.

By serving our bi-denominational congregation, Francis has standing within both the Presbytery of the Western Reserve and the Living Water Association - Ohio NorthEast.

Music Director and pianist: Jessie Bao

Jessie Bao is a collaborative pianist and music director originally from Ningbo, China. She began serving as a church pianist at the age of twelve and also accompanied children’s choirs. After playing at Cleveland Chinese Christian Church, she continued her church music journey at First Missionary Baptist Church, where she explored gospel music and assisted the music director. She currently serves as Music Director and pianist at Lyndhurst Community of Faith Church, where she is delighted to work with the handbell choir and Chancel Choir.

Jessie is the founder of HerRiver Music Collective, an initiative that brings together women musicians from diverse cultural backgrounds to share their music stories. She also serves as adjunct faculty at Malone University and pianist for Windsong Feminist Chorus. Her musical experience spans classical, gospel, Chinese, jazz, and contemporary music, reflecting her passion for building community and fostering connections through diverse music.

Jessie holds a Master of Music in Collaborative Piano from the Cleveland Institute of Music, where she studied with Anita Pontremoli and graduated with the highest academic honors. She also holds a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from Shanghai University.

Jessie believes that all her musical gifts come from God, and the best part is to use them in service to God and His people.

Faith Formation Coordinator and Office Administrator: Colleen Bloom

Colleen is happy to be serving the church for many years in various capacities. Colleen is the Faith Formation Coordinator, leading children and youth ministry.  Convinced spiritual  formation happens with many unique encounters. Things like service projects, hikes, exploring the history of Cleveland bridges in the flats and even a tour of community murals - each a tool to experience faith in a new way.

In 2021 Colleen stepped into the role of Office Admin, she now splits her time doing both. Managing the church office is an extension of ministry offering administration and communication support to church missions, committees as well as the congregation.  

Beyond life at the church, Colleen’s creative side shines with work as a costume designer for local theaters.  Designing mainly for Heights Youth Theatre, she has also done exciting work with Fine Arts Association, Dobama Theatre and Playhouse Square.  

Colleen lives in South Euclid with her husband Rich who works as an Executive Chef (yes, he cooks yummy dinners at home!)  They have two adult children, Austin and Joe and savor the time they find together over long weekends, hiking vacations and holidays.

Friend to All: Rocky

Rocky got his start in church at youth group.  His favorite activities were helping at the annual rummage sale (mostly he played with lots of stuffies) and participating in games of "kart krash".  He also enjoys making new friends at the Church's Blessing of the Pets.

After family days of working from home and layoffs, the result of the pandemic, Rocky had a difficult time being home alone.  He thought his best service could be spending days in the church office.  You can find him greeting visitors, lying in the sunshine and sharing staff lunches. He believes all of God's critters have a place in the choir.