MEET OUR TEAM
Please don’t hesitate to contact any of us for any reason. We’re here to help. It is also possible to get in touch through our CONTACT US page. We’d love to hear from you!
Rev. Richard Gamble
Pastor
Rev. Rich Gamble comes to us from Seattle Washington where he was senior pastor of a congregation for 24 years. He recently moved to Washington MO to help care for his aging mother. “Faith provides the values we live by and the vision that guides us,” he says. Pastor Rich has participated in a wide variety of faithful work. He has worked at an agency providing emergency assistance and counseling for people in need, as a night staff at one homeless shelter and chaplain at another, the executive director of a community organizing agency, an organizer with an ecumenical effort he created to involve people of faith in advocacy efforts to end homelessness, as a pastor in a very small town in Iowa and a little larger town in Washington State. He has been on the board of a homeless shelter in Iowa, was a founding co-chair of the board for a statewide interfaith advocacy organization in Washington State, a founding member of the board of an organization dedicated to hosting showings of social justice films and community discussions, is the founder and executive director an ecumenical social justice leadership training program.
He has been married to his wife Kate for 34 years. He enjoys various crafts, fishing, hiking, and boating in his free time.
Aaron Bounds
Director of Music Ministries
Aaron Bounds, Assistant Professor Aaron Bounds is in his sixteenth year as Director of Bands at East Central College. Aaron has also been an adjunct music instructor at St. Louis University as the director of their Concert Band for a decade. At East Central College he has taught World Music, Fundamentals of Music Theory, Music Appreciation, Low Brass private lessons, Jazz Combo, Jazz Band and Concert Band. Aaron has also developed and taught Music Appreciation: The Age of Rock & Roll as well as Jazz Appreciation. In 2006,
Aaron received his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education and in 2008 he received his Master’s in Music, both from Missouri State University in Springfield. Throughout his studies at Missouri State, Aaron performed with many ensembles including MSU Jazz Band under the direction of Jerry Hoover, MSU Lab Band directed by Randall Hamm, MSU Wind Ensemble under Dr. Belva Prather, and the MSU Orchestra with Dr. Robert Quebbeman. During this time, Aaron also performed with the Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps for two summers (2003, 2004). In 2015, Aaron worked with Gold Drum and Bugle Corps as a brass tech as well as visual assistance.
Currently Aaron stays busy by balancing his local Jazz combo “Friends of Aaron,” his position as Director of Music Ministries for the Presbyterian Church of Washington and his beautiful family; Emily (wife) and two sons, Carl and Theodore.
EMILY BOUNDS
Accompanist
Our Worship Accompanist, Mrs. Emily Bounds, leads service on the piano and organ each Sunday. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education, with vocal and instrumental studies, from Missouri State University in Springfield, MO.
Emily is the Vocal Music Teacher at Clearview and Campbellton Elementary, serving students from Kindergarten to 6th grade, here in Washington. She volunteers to lead an after school choir at both buildings to help enrich student’s who love music and want to learn more about singing techniques. Mrs. Bounds will be taking her “Blue Notes” to sing at a Cardinals game at Busch Stadium as well as participate in the East Central 7 Region Honor Choir. She previously taught in the Rockwood School District, with ages ranging from Kindergarten to Seniors in High School. She taught and assisted in choir, orchestra, band and guitar classes.
Her husband, Aaron Bounds, leads the choir and bell choir. They were married here in 2008. Emily was hired to play bi monthly, in 2014. Emily and Aaron were hired as a music/worship team in 2018. They have two beautiful boys, Carl and Theodore.
Emily feels a calling to serve our congregation and feels blessed to be in a place where there is such a sense of community, belonging and a love of God. Her passion for music and how God speaks through her playing, is such an important part of her personal worship and growing faith.
Ann Hart
Office Administrator/Financial Secretary
Ann Hart has been our Office Administrator/Financial Secretary since February 2024. Ann is a Michigan native who graduated from Southern College in Tennessee with a bachelor’s degree in accounting.
She and her husband Troy have been Missouri residents for many years. They have two daughters. Their oldest daughter is a dietician at a VA hospital in St. Louis and is married to a chemical engineer, and their youngest daughter is a college student.
Ann has held various positions as an internal auditor and an accountant, however her favorite job was homeschooling her children.
In her leisure time, Ann plays the piano, cooks, reads, and likes yard work.
Craig Matzes
Youth Director
Craig Matzes is our Childrens Ministry Coordinator and has been a member of the team since 2021. Craig previously served as the Youth, Children's, and Family Director at St. Peters UCC, and grew up in the Methodist tradition giving him a multitude of denominational experience.
Craig lives in Washington with his wife Michelle, and 2 of their 4 children Amelia age 6 and Miles age 2. Their other children Austin age 22 resides in St Louis County and Madison age 19 attends SEMO.
When not at Church Craig and his family can often be found roaming Target or spending time together.
Andrew Brehe
Live Stream Operator
Andrew Brehe is the Live Stream Operator for our Sunday worship services. He joined our staff in 2021 and was trained by members Ed Bonney and Jolene Patterson, who developed the Live Stream operation during the pandemic so our own members and the public could worship with us online.
Andrew was homeschooled in Washington, and graduated in from
East Central College in 2018 with an A.A. Degree in General Automotive Technology. Two years later at Ranken Technical College in St. Louis he received an A.A. Degree in Automotive Technology, with an emphasis on General Motors products.
Andrew is currently employed by Purcell Tire and Service Center in Washington, working primarily on commercial tires for semi-trucks, dump trucks, and other large vehicles.