STAFF
Pastor Kelly Wadsworth - Pastor & Head of Staff
On March 14, 2021, the Rev. Dr. Kelly Wadsworth joined the Westminster family as our new Pastor and Head of Staff. Pastor Kelly is a warm and engaging Presbyterian pastor who is passionate about Christ’s church during these shifting cultural times. She is a native of Bellevue, WA and loves how the Reformed tradition finds expression in the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest.
After graduating from the University of Puget Sound with a B.A. in international politics, Pastor Kelly served in youth ministry at University Place Presbyterian Church in Tacoma, WA and at Cornerstone Christian Fellowship in Philadelphia, PA. From there, she attended Princeton Theological Seminary for her M.Div, which included a semester ‘abroad’ in Washington, DC exploring the historical connections between faith, policy, and public life. After graduation, Pastor Kelly returned to the Pacific Northwest and led diverse Presbyterian congregations alongside service in the Army Reserves. In 2008, her WA National Guard unit was activated and she deployed to the Middle East as a Chaplain with the 81st Heavy Brigade Combat Team.
Upon return, she became active in the peace & justice movement and has been a guest speaker at the NEXT, Veterans for Peace, and Association of Professional Chaplain national conferences. She earned her PhD from Saybrook University with a concentration on the intersection of faith and psychology. Her doctoral work focused on the spirituality of homecoming and the ways major transitions can serve a critical role in our own faith development. Most recently, Pastor Kelly led the Alki Church in West Seattle through a rich season of mission revitalization and future planning. She also serves on the board of the PCUSA Council for Chaplains and Military Personnel as well as the Seattle University Center for Religious Wisdom and World Affairs.
Pastor Kelly’s favorite pastimes include yoga, barre, and biking as well as curling up on the couch with a good memoir and discovering the great outdoors with her family and friends.
Contact: (503) 364-3327 Ext. 101 / Email at: pastorkelly@salemwestpres.org
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Dr. Jeffrey Larkin - Director of Music & Director of Digital Ministry
Jeff is a choral conductor and educator in the Salem-Keizer School District, where he conducts beginning and advanced choral ensembles, and teaches music theory and piano. He is a graduate of the University of Washington with a Doctorate of Musical Arts in choral conducting where he conducted the University Singers and Men's Glee Ensemble. Larkin also instructed the music courses and conducted the World Voices choir at the University of Washington-Tacoma. In addition to having worked in public education, Jeffrey has worked 15 years in church music ministry as both a clinician and Director of Music. Previous church engagements include Director of Music at Steel Lake Presbyterian Church in Federal Way, WA, and Associate Music Director at First United Congregational Church of Christ in Corvallis, OR. He earned his Masters of Arts in Teaching and Bachelor of Arts from Oregon State University. Jeffrey is in current demand as a guest conductor and presenter. His current research includes: choral andragogy with the senescent voice and aural cognition.
Contact: (503) 364-3327 Ext. 105 / Email at: music@salemwestpres.org
Vik Schaaf - Youth Director
A ‘unicorn’ in the industry, Vik Schaaf has been leading Westminster Youth since 2009. She has been serving as the Director of Community Organizing at Westminster since 2023 and is currently working on new initiatives for congregational vitality, pathways for members to stay connected, and special projects. With a B.A. in Religion and Christian Ministries from Warner Pacific University and a Masters of Art in Teaching, George Fox University, her inexhaustible energy has kept the youth program vibrant & growing. She leads weekly youth groups, plans and implements a week-long City Camp event every summer, organizes mission around the world, and has been seen cheering for her students at local school events. “I bleed seltzer water, and get 24 miles per every 2 espresso shots, and run on baked goods.” No one would be surprised if Vik died in a tragic donut incident.
Contact: (503) 364-3327, Ext. 106 / Email at: vik@salemwestpres.org
Krisha Horn - Administrative Ministries
Contact: (503) 364-3327, Ext. 103 / Email at: krisha@salemwestpres.org
Ariana Recher - Director of Contemporary Music
Ariana is our Director of Contemporary Music, and the lead pianist for the traditional services. Ariana's full time profession is in the field of music education. She has served as an educator with in the Salem-Keizer Public Schools for 11 years. Additionally, she serves as an accompanist for a variety of ensembles in the community. "Music is a language we all can learn. It opens a door of understanding to another's culture, perspective, and unites us" Ariana and her husband currently live in Salem and enjoy the beauty of Oregon.
Contact: (503) 364-3327 / Email at: ariana@salemwestpres.org
Our lovely campus and building are managed by our Building & Grounds Committee, who work tirelessly to keep everything running smoothly.
Contact: (503) 364-3327 / Email at: office@salemwestpres.org