Reverend Dr. Johanna McCune Wagner
Senior Pastor
Johanna is the Senior Pastor of St. John’s Presbyterian Church. Originally from Winnipeg, Manitoba, she has served in both congregational ministry and independent school settings. She was ordained as a Minister of Word and Sacrament in 2007, following four years of service as a student pastor.
Johanna earned a bachelor’s degree in Latin from Bryn Mawr College and a master’s degree in Medieval Studies from Cornell University, where she also completed doctoral coursework and qualifying examinations. She holds a Master of Divinity from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry in Christian Leadership from Duke Divinity School.
Her ministry is shaped by a love of preaching, Christian education, pastoral care, and the work of helping congregations organize themselves for faithful service. Johanna is married to Michael Coyle, and they share their home with two dogs, Macey and Frankie. Outside the church, she enjoys training and competing as a masters swimmer.
Elaine York
Commissioned Ruling Elder
Elaine has been part of the Presbyterian Church throughout her life. Raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, she grew up in a family deeply involved in the church, with a father who served as an elder and a mother who taught Sunday school.
Elaine holds degrees in business and business education from the University of Cincinnati and San Jose State University. She has served the church as both a deacon and an elder and completed the Certificate in Ministry program at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary in 2020. Elaine became a Commissioned Ruling Elder in 2018 and has continued her studies through Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary and the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary. She is currently under care with the Presbytery of Nevada as she seeks ordination as a Minister of Word and Sacrament.
At St. John’s, Elaine serves as a Commissioned Ruling Elder and regularly leads worship throughout northern Nevada. She has also served as moderator of the Presbytery of Nevada and continues to serve the presbytery and congregation in several leadership roles. Elaine brings to her ministry a deep love of the church, a commitment to learning, and a joyful willingness to serve wherever she is needed.
Susan Horst
Music Director
Susan brings a lifetime of musical experience to her ministry as Music Director at St. John’s. She earned a master’s degree in choral conducting from the University of Nevada, Reno, and has held positions in band, orchestra, and choral music in public schools in Colorado and Alaska.
After relocating to the Sierra Nevada region, Susan conducted the Truckee Community Chorus at Sierra College for fifteen years. She also maintains a private music studio and serves as Chorus Master for the Tahoe Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, TOCCATA.
Susan believes in the power of music to bring people together, deepen worship, and give voice to both faith and joy. In addition to her musical work, she has a strong commitment to community service and has served on several local and regional boards, including within the Sierra Nevada Region of Soroptimist International of the Americas.
David Brock
Organist and Accompanist
David maintains an active organ recital schedule throughout the United States. Recent appearances have included Washington National Cathedral; St. Mary’s Cathedral, San Francisco; Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, Reno; National City Christian Church, Washington DC; and St. Athanatius Episcopal Church, Los Angeles. Annually since 1999, each August David produces a series of organ recitals in Northern Nevada – Hot August Pipes.
David Brock was a founding member of TOCCATA, the Tahoe Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, and served as Organist and continuo accompanist from its beginning in 2005 until 2025. David has also made guest appearances with the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra in Virginia, in performances of the Saint-Saens Organ Symphony and the Mozart Requiem.
In summer of 2025, David Brock, along with virtuoso violinist and co-founder Alex Eisenberg, launched Higher Elevation Music Foundation. Higher Elevation is dedicated to bringing great, and rarely performed musical treasures, and occasional new compositions, to Northern Nevada audiences, while employing some of the best musicians from our area. For more information about Higher Elevation, please visit: HigherElevationMusic.org.
David Brock is a signed artist with A. W. Tonegold Records. His 8th and most recent CD is “Reflections – Organ Concerti of 3 Centuries” featuring the Josef Rheinberger Organ Concerto #1 in F major for Organ, Strings and 3 Horns, the Leo Sowerby Classic Concerto for Organ and Strings, and George Frideric Handel Concerto Op. 4, #4 in F Major for Organ, Strings, Oboes and Basso Continuo
Discography: David H. Brock (2001) organ – J. S. Bach – Schübler Chorales, J. Langlais – Neuf Pieces | For Thou Art With Me (2005) – Howells, Karg-Elert, Langlais, Messiaen, Praetorius, Sowerby | Taste of TOCCATA v. 1 (2008) – w/ TOCCATA – incl. Handel Organ Concerto Op. 4 #3 | A Baroque Christmas (2009) – w/ TOCCATA orchestra/chorus – organ, harpsichord continuo | Mozart Requiem (2010) – w/ TOCCATA orchestra and chorus - organ | Going Baroque (2011) – w/TOCCATA – organ, harpsichord – Handel Organ Concert Op.4 #2 | Handel Messiah selections (2013) – w/TOCCATA – organ, harpsichord | Reflections (2015) – Organ Concerti of 3 Centuries: Handel, Sowerby, Rheinberger, w/Brock Musica Aliquando
Maria Winchester
Administrative Assistant
Maria has served as the Administrative Assistant at St. John’s Presbyterian Church since 2007. She considers it a joy and privilege to support the work of the church and to be part of such a caring and faithful community.
Maria earned a degree in Business Management with an emphasis in computer applications and software. Before joining St. John’s, she worked in several administrative roles in higher education, including financial aid, admissions, and student records. She eventually became a school registrar, gaining experience in organization, communication, technology, and problem-solving that continues to serve her well in her work at St. John’s.
Maria brings creativity, dedication, and a love of learning to her role. She especially enjoys exploring new technology, developing efficient ways to accomplish tasks, and helping the church’s ministries run smoothly.
Maria has been married to her husband, Philip, since 2003. They enjoy spending time with their daughter and son-in-law, Chyennah and Raul. Outside the church, Maria enjoys creative projects, learning new skills, and making memories with her family.