.

...The Rev. Craig A. Miller, pastor of Forest Hills Presbyterian Church, is a native of the Philadelphia area. He attended Temple University, graduating with a B.A. Degree in Political Science. Upon graduation from college, he entered Princeton Seminary, where he received his Master of Divinity degree, with a concentration in Pastoral Theology. Rev. Miller was ordained in June, 1980. He served two churches in Pennsylvania, then moved to Orlando, Florida, in 1989. In July, 1999, Rev. Miller began his ministry at Forest Hills Presbyterian Church.

...In addition to being a skilled teacher, speaker, and effective pastor, Rev. Miller loves music and demonstrates that by singing in the choir. He is an accomplished guitaritst, singing with and accompanying the Forest Hills Singers.

....Rev. Miller and his wife, Donna, have three children, Tim, Rebekah, and Andrew. Tim graduated from Washington University in St. Louis in May, 2006, and is moving to New York City to pursue a Master's Degree in Math Education, and then he will teach Math in the NYC school system. Bekah is a student at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, where she is majoring in psychology. In the fall of 2006 Andrew begins his freshman year at Georgia Tech, where he will major in electrical engineering. Donna is a teacher in the Hillsborough County School District. Rev. Miller enjoys reading, sports, jogging, taking care of the yard, and craft work, and he enjoys being the pastor of this fine church.

 

...The Rev. Joy Laughridge, associate pastor of Forest Hills Presbyterian Church, is originally from western North Carolina.  She attended Bryan College in Dayton, TN where she earned a B.A. in Christian Education.  After graduation, she completed a year-long internship in a church in Davis, CA before beginning her studies at Fuller Theological  Seminary in Pasadena, CA.  In June 2003 she received her Master of Divinity degree from Fuller.  Rev. Laughridge began her ministry at Forest Hills in September 2005 and was ordained shortly after in October.

   Rev. Laughridge has a special interest in Christian education and discipleship for people of all ages and enjoys working with youth and children.  She also loves the privilege and responsibility of preaching and leading the congregation in worship.

   Some of her other interests include reading Southern fiction, playing the guitar, and running.  Her family still lives in North Carolina.  She enjoys visiting friends and family in North Carolina but is happy making Tampa her new home.

The Rev. Joy Laughridge
Associate Pastor

 
...Jim Copeland became the Vocal Music Director at Chamberlain High School in 1958 and served in this position until 1982 when he was appointed Supervisor of Secondary Music by the Hillsborough County School Board. Under his direction, Chamberlain vocal groups performed at the White House for President Jimmy Carter, at the Inauguration Ball for Governor Bob Graham, and in 1980 with Barry Manilow at Bay Front Center. Chamberlain's vocal groups won "Superior" rating at the State Vocal Festival for 21 consecutive years, from 1961 to 1982.

...As the Hillsborough County Supervisor of Secondary Music, Mr. Copeland served on the Florida Orchestra Education Committee and the Advisory Board of the Tampa Bay Youth Orchestra. Under his leadership, the Hillsborough County School Board approved a plan for district wide orchestra progam. Today, this program is the largest string program in the state with more than 4500 students playing in string classes.

.. ..Mr. Copeland holds a Master of Music Degree from the University of South Florida, where he has taught classes in Music Education. He has been a member of both the Arts Council of Tampa/Hillsborough County and the Arts Council of Florida, Music Committee. Many music teachers in the state of Florida and beyond had their start in vocal music in his choral classes. Included in this number is Mr. Daniel Compher, the present choir director at Chamberlain. He continues to consult with many school and community groups throughout the state of Florida in the field of Music education. For many years, he has been in demand to conduct music workshops and judge music festivals. A singer of some note, Mr. Copeland has performed the bass solo parts in larger works of Bach, Brahms, Faure, Handel, Mozart, Perogolesi, Saint-Sains, Schubert, and Vivaldi.

...On December 31, 1993, Mr. Copeland retired from the Hillsborough County School System. From 1983 to the present, he remains the Director of Music for Forest Hills Presbyterian Church.

 

...

...Bonnie Copeland has served as organist of the Forest Hills Presbyterian Church from 1971 to the present. She is a native of Tampa where she received her degree from the University of South Florida. Since that time, Bonnie has performed as both pianist and organist in concerts, clinics, and festivals. She is widely recognized as an accompanist, having accompanied numerous internationally recognized composers. Among these are Randall Thompson, Norman Luboff, Paul Salamunovich, Daniel Pinkham, Eugene Butler, Kirby Shaw, John Ness Beck, and John Rutter.

...Mrs. Copeland is also a National Board Certified Teacher, and has been named a Florida Master Teacher and Teacher of the Year. She retired from the School District of Hillsborough County in 2003, after 30 years of teaching.   However she didn't completely stop teaching, as she continues to teach piano to students of all ages.  Bonnie combines her skills as both musician and educator to serve as director of the Children's Choir at Forest Hills Presbyterian Church.

 

Want information? Have a question? Please feel free to contact us!