The department is using its Facebook page to introduce each of the department’s 11 chaplains to the public.
Rev. Lory Ryan is a pastor with the Christ Presbyterian Church and has served this congregation for over two years. Rev. Ryan was ordained as a Minister of Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church, USA in February 2015, and installed as Pastor of Christ Presbyterian Church.
He is a graduate of New Brunswick Theological Seminary, and completed his Masters of Divinity graduating Cum Laude in May 2009.
He completed an extended unit of Clinical Pastoral Education at the JFK Medical Center in Edison, New Jersey during his last year at seminary.
After graduation, he worked in collaboration with the Office of Pastoral Care at JFK Medical Center and the Metuchen Clergy Association authoring the first multi-faith Prayer Book for the JFK Medical Center Pastoral Care Department in August 2009. This multi-faith Prayer Book is still in use today not only by the Chaplain Interns and clergy, but by patients and their families as well.
Rev. Ryan has served as pulpit supply for the Presbyteries of New Brunswick, Newton, Elizabeth, Monmouth and Philadelphia. One of his passions is youth ministry, and was the Interim Director of Youth Ministry for both the Jr. and Sr. High youth groups for the First Presbyterian Church of Ewing in Ewing, New Jersey, Covenant Presbyterian Church in Trenton, New Jersey, and West Trenton Presbyterian Church in Ewing, New Jersey from 2010–2012.
He has several years’ experience as a Sunday School teacher for the junior and senior high age youth.
The ETPD Chaplain Program was established to serve and support the Evesham Police Department, focused on providing spiritual support for the community during traumatic events and incidents when called upon 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Police chaplains respond to counsel, assist and support victims and others touched by critical incidents and crises, including death notifications, suicide, homicides, hostage situations, kidnapping and other traumatic events.
Police chaplains are specially trained to handle crisis situations and also provide follow-up counseling, group debriefings and individual intervention. Police chaplains are trained to minister to people of all faiths.
Police chaplains are non-paid volunteers, and as such all chaplaincy services are provided at no cost to individuals, families or the department.
