Rev. Lory D. Ryan will be installed as pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Mountain Top, 9 Church St., on March 19.
A special service will be held at 3 p.m. with a dinner following the service in Fellowship Hall. Rev. Ryan was hired in November 2022 after a three-and-half-year search for a full-time pastor. He succeeds Rev. James Shanley, who retired.
A native of Ewing Township, N.J., Rev. Ryan graduated from Susquehanna University in 1985 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics. He then began a 28-year career in the commercial insurance business. He attended New Brunswick Theological Seminary part time while working full time in his insurance career. He completed his Master of Divinity degree, graduating Cum Laude in May 2009, and completed an extended unit of Clinical Pastoral Education at the JFK Medical Center in Edison, N.J. Working in collaboration with the Office of Pastoral Care at JFK Medical Center and the Metuchen Clergy Association, he authored the first multi-faith Prayer Book for the JFK Medical Center Pastoral Care Department in August 2009.
Rev. Ryan’s transition to full-time ministry began in February 2015 when he was ordained as a Minister of Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church (USA) and installed as pastor of a Presbyterian Church in Marlton, N.J.
While serving in Marlton, he joined clergy of various faiths to participate in the Evesham Township Police Department’s Police Chaplain program. He completed the required training and was sworn in as a member of the Evesham Township Police Department in July 2015. In October 2017, he became the Police Chaplain coordinator, responsible for 13 police chaplain volunteers.
Rev. Ryan is an Eagle Scout and Life Member of the National Eagle Scout Association and registered Boy Scout of America assistant scoutmaster.
