Meet Our Staff
Interim Pastor
Rev. David Bowman
Rev. David Bowman
David Bowman currently serves as Slackwood’s Transitional/Interim Pastor. His duties include providing worship leadership, preaching and Sacraments, pastoral care and visitation, and resources and guidance to the church’s leadership. David obtained his Masters of Divinity degree in 1984 from Princeton Theological Seminary and was ordained as Minister of the Word and Sacrament/Teaching Elder in the Presbyterian Church (USA) that same year. Since ordination, David has served congregations in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, PA and Freehold, NJ. Most recently he was the Pastoral Ministries Manager at Seabrook, a large continuing care retirement community in Tinton Falls, NJ where he served for 17 years. Additionally, he was Parish Associate at Plumsted Presbyterian Church, New Egypt, NJ. David was born and raised in Newville, a small town in South Central Pennsylvania, and received his Bachelor’s Degree in Religion from Lycoming College, Williamsport, PA.
David is the father of one married daughter, Rebecca (Leah)Sprague and grandfather of Calloway Bowman Sprague, born in August of 2022; Rebecca and her family live in Denver, CO. He and his husband, Khvicha (Richard), live on a small farm in New Egypt, NJ where they care for a menagerie of animals, including horses, sheep, goats, donkeys, ostriches, emus, and peacock. Richard is a private duty nurse working with clients in Monmouth and Ocean Counties, NJ.
David attended Slackwood Church when he was in Seminary at Princeton and is happy to be part of the Slackwood church community again. He has a passion for helping people to live their best lives - to be the people God has created them to be. In addition, he enjoys preaching, singing with the choir, leading bible study...and being part of a living, loving, accepting community of the faithful!
Director of Family Ministries
Starr Alleyne
Starr Alleyne
Starr Alleyne, along with her husband Anthony and their daughter Sarah Allison and their son Joel-Anthony Michael live on Long Island, New York. Starr grew up with many examples of individuals who lived lives of service to the church faithfully. This had a huge impact on her desire to have a dedication to ministry as her vocation. Starr's role models were her Sunday School Teachers, Vacation Bible School leaders, and Pastors. Starr attended Adelphi University in Garden City on Long Island and pursued her degree in English Literature with a minor in Elementary Education. While serving as a leader with Intervarsity Christian Fellowship at Adelphi, Starr was introduced to A Christian Ministry in the National Parks. Both of these Ecumenical Ministries shaped her desire to be dedicated to Christian Education. She knew she wanted to be a teacher with a strong Christian foundation within her own life but she began to realize her purpose was to encourage faith in God to every individual she meets- within church walls and outside amidst every day people.
Starr is a graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary with a Master's in Christian Education. Starr believes attending formed her faith deeper than she could have ever thought possible but also grounded her love of God's people so much that she understands herself as a peacemaker. Starr's favorite part about ministry with all ages is that she delights in helping others remember how much God loves us and wants to meet us where we are. Starr is excited to serve Slackwood as the Director of Family Ministries.
Starr is a graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary with a Master's in Christian Education. Starr believes attending formed her faith deeper than she could have ever thought possible but also grounded her love of God's people so much that she understands herself as a peacemaker. Starr's favorite part about ministry with all ages is that she delights in helping others remember how much God loves us and wants to meet us where we are. Starr is excited to serve Slackwood as the Director of Family Ministries.
Director of Music
Dr. Shelley Sanders Zuckerman
Dr. Shelley Sanders Zuckerman
The director of music, Shelley Sanders Zuckerman, is a life-long Presbyterian who brings to Slackwood a deep love of ministry through liturgy and music. She has degrees in organ and choral conducting from the College of Wooster and Drake University, a Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary, and a PhD in Liturgical Studies from Drew University. Shelley (“Dr. Z” at school) teaches full-time at Doane Academy in Burlington, NJ, where she works with elementary students (grades PK3 through 5) in classroom music, and with middle and high school students (grades 6 - 12) in Concert Choir.
She is married to her partner of seventeen years, Tara Rockafellow Perigny, who teaches fifth grade in Hamilton NJ. They raised two daughters, Anna Cecilia and Helen Frances Zuckerman, and they love hiking, cooking, and playing with their “ark” of dogs and cats. Shelley is committed to congregational music as a means of Christian formation and discipleship. From dancing before the ark, to standing in awe on holy ground, to being balm in a wounded world, we at Slackwood seek to live out life as the body of Christ in our music.
She is married to her partner of seventeen years, Tara Rockafellow Perigny, who teaches fifth grade in Hamilton NJ. They raised two daughters, Anna Cecilia and Helen Frances Zuckerman, and they love hiking, cooking, and playing with their “ark” of dogs and cats. Shelley is committed to congregational music as a means of Christian formation and discipleship. From dancing before the ark, to standing in awe on holy ground, to being balm in a wounded world, we at Slackwood seek to live out life as the body of Christ in our music.