Pastorial Transition

Christ Our King is entering a new chapter. We are deeply grateful for Pastor Jeff Young’s years of faithful leadership, and we send him into his next season with our prayers and love.


As we move forward, our Session is actively and prayerfully seeking an interim pastor who will walk with us, guide our worship, and help prepare our congregation for the next long‑term leader God is calling.


During this time, our worship, ministries, and mission continue with joy and purpose. We invite you to join us — whether in person or online — as we trust God’s steady hand and look with hope toward what comes next.

Stacey Butler

Office Manager

Rick Schaech

Director of Music/Organist


Born in Baltimore and raised in Bel Air, Rick has served as Organist/Choir Accompanist at Christ Our King since July, 2011. Serving as a church musician for over forty years, Rick began serving the church as an Assistant Organist at St. Margaret Catholic Church in Bel Air in 1975. He also served as accompanist for the Bel Air High School Counterpoints during his junior and senior years at Bel Air which were the first and second years of the choir's existence.


After high school, Rick earned the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Organ Performance at Towson University as a student of Dr. Thomas Spacht graduating Summa Cum Laude and Class Co-Valedictorian. Following graduation from Towson, Rick moved to Cincinnati and earned the Master of Music Degree in Organ Performance from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music as a student of Dr. Roberta Gary.


Rick has served churches in Maryland and Ohio, most notably The Church of the Redeemer (Episcopal) in Baltimore as Assistant Organist to Arthur Rhea where he also served as Handbell Choir Director and The Cathedral Church of St Peter in Chains (Roman Catholic) in Cincinnati as Assistant Organist to Haldan Tompkins.

Jennifer Palmer

Director of Christ Our King Preschool


Dr. Jennifer Palmer (“Miss Jennifer” to our students) brings more than 30 years of experience as a teacher, reading specialist, mentor, and administrator in Harford County Public Schools, along with multiple Maryland State Department of Education certifications and long‑standing National Board Certification as an Early Childhood Generalist. In addition to supporting teachers through Wilmington University’s National Board programs, she is a longtime member of Christ Our King Presbyterian Church and is passionate about the science of reading, play‑based learning, hands‑on experiences, and nurturing faith in young children. She leads with a warm, collaborative spirit and values strong relationships with students and families. Dr. Palmer and her husband, Christopher, live in Abingdon, where they enjoy gardening, birdwatching, and thrifting.


Click HERE for our Preschool Website. For more information about our Preschool Program contact the school at 410-836-0141