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.
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.
Shannen Hemmel
Originally from Ojai, California, Mrs. Shannen Hemmel graduated with honors from Westminster Choir College with a Bachelor in Music degree (Emphasis: Music Education and Piano), and Rider University with a Master of Arts in Teaching degree. Since then, she taught music (PreK-12) in public and private schools in three states for a variety of music subjects. She is currently teaching elementary General Music at St. Paul School in Princeton. Shannen has taught piano and other musical subjects privately since 2006, and has worked as the Minister of Music at Living Waters Lutheran Church in Ringoes since 2011. She has premiered works as a pianist and conductor. Shannen was a Division I Diver, a Two-Time All-American Athlete, and is currently coaching the dive team at the West Windsor-Plainsboro high schools. For nearly a decade, she was a professional High Diver who performed at theme parks in the USA and Japan.
Lay Leadership
2023 Living Waters Council
(Left to Right – Front Row: Barbara Edlund, Mary Riccardi (Treasurer), Kathy Wagner (President), Pat Johnston, Wendy Crofts. Back Row: Pastor JJ, Amy Villegas, Winnie Fatton (Secretary), Shannon Bumgarner, Craig Weinrich.
Not pictured: Gareth Chilcoat (Vice-President) and Cindy Cooper
Congregational Council Assignments 2023
Executive Committee
