I’m originally from Buffalo NY, the fifth of five boys, married to my wonderful wife Sally (who is a pediatric physical therapist) for 30 years, have two adult children (Ann, finishing a degree in Philadelphia, and Matt, working in northern New Jersey), and have been a Lutheran pastor for just over sixteen years.  I went to Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, Ohio; have served two congregations in Pennsylvania (near Wilkes-Barre and Reading); and am very excited at the prospect of returning to Upstate New York!

In addition to being from Buffalo, I both attended and taught at West Point in the Hudson Valley, was stationed (and met Sally) at Watertown in the frozen north, and have spent many happy days in the Finger Lakes region, as Sally and both of the kids attended college in Ithaca.

I enjoy hiking and kayaking, gardening, reading, and computer games; I love dogs and animals in general; and I’m very much looking forward to meeting and getting to know the folks at Bethany!  Grace and peace be with you all

Frances is the daughter of Dr. William F. Orr, a long-time seminary professor at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in Pittsburgh, Pa.  She was married to Rev. John McLaren, former pastor of Lake St. Presbyterian Church in Elmira, NY for fifty years.   She has two children, Dr. Heather McLaren Stanton and Matthew McLaren and  four grandchildren.

Frances received her Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) and Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) in music with a major in piano performance from Carnegie-Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA. Graduating with honors from Carnegie Mellon University, she continued to graduate school where she was the winner of the Pittsburgh Concert Society Auditions.

Frances has been the organist at Bethany Lutheran Church for ten years.  Previously, She was the organist and Director of Music at St. Casimir's and St. Charles Borromeochurches in Elmira.  

Frances is the accompanist for the Cantata Singers and Common Time Choral Group. She teaches piano from her home and at 171 Cedar Arts Center in Corning, NY.

Frances is a composer of forty piano pieces published by Sheetmusicplus.com.  

Her pastimes include reading historical books, watching old movies and documentaries.  Frances loves to go to Chautauqua and Pittsburgh.  

‍