Staff
Pastor, Head of Staff Reverend Dr. John Judson
John Judson has been the senior pastor at First Presbyterian since June of 2009. Prior to coming to Birmingham he served two churches in Pampa and San Antonio, Texas for 24 years. He is married to Dr. Cindy (Ed D. University of Texas at Austin) who served students as an administrator in Southside ISD (San Antonio) for 15 years.They have two grown children, Andy who is currently working as an attorney in Houston, TX and Katie who served with the Peace Corps (Cambodia 09) as did her father (Philippines 77) and is now working for the SEVA Foundation (http://seva.org) in Berkeley, CA. John is excited about the future at First Presbyterian Church. He believes that God has great things in store for this congregation and the community it serves. You can reach John by emailing him at johnjudson {at} everybodyschurch(.)org.
Associate Pastor and Director of Youth Ministries,
Reverend Amy Morgan, M.Div.
Amy Morgan has served at FPC since 2007, working with youth and young adults, leading mission trips, preaching and teaching. Amy is a graduate of Princeton Seminary, and also holds a bachelor's degree of Fine Arts in Drama from New York University. She co-authored a book, "The Girlfriends' Clergy Companion," published by Alban in 2011.
Amy and her husband, Jason, have a son, Dean. Jason works for the Baldwin Center in Pontiac as Associate Director for Programs. Dean loves science, reading, sports, and tap dancing. The Morgan family lives in Birmingham and can often be spotted riding bikes around town. You can reach Amy by emailing her at AmyMorgan {at} everybodyschurch(.)org.
Parish Associate Reverend Ernest F. Krug, M.D
Dr. Krug is a Presbyterian minister and physician, who specializes in developmental-behavioral pediatrics and clinical bioethics at Beaumont Hospital (Royal Oak). He is a non-stipendiary member of the staff, who assists in hospital visitation, as well as the liturgical and educational life of the church. He leads worship on Wednesdays evenings and provides staff support to Celebration Station and to the Health and Inclusion Committee.
Parish Associate Reverend Hank Borchardt
Parish Associate Kate Thoresen
Kate Thoresen, B.A., M.A., M.Div., DASD, D.Min, is an ordained Presbyterian minister who has served on staff of local congregations as well as on the boards of several nonprofit organizations. She has also been adjunct staff with the Ecumenical Theological Seminary of Detroit with their Sustaining Pastoral Excellence program. Kate is a certified spiritual director and retreat leader who consults with individuals and groups about their faith journeys. Her focus is on the intersection of our inner spiritual lives as expressed in outward service.
As a Parish Associate here at FPC, Kate coordinates the Foster/Adoptive Families Partnerships programs. Last year members and friends of this congregation donated over $13,000 in goods and services on behalf of our 14,500 Michigan foster children and youth who are aging out of the foster care system.
She is the coordinator of the growing grass roots movement called the Faith Communities Coalition on Foster Care. Through this Coalition representatives from over 100 congregations learn ways to meet the urgent needs in foster care. The parent organization is the Save Our Children Coalition which is part of the University of Michigan-Dearborn's School of Education. CareHouse and Oakland County presented Kate with its "Circle of LIght" award and Vista Maria honored her with their "Child Advocate of the Year Award" in 2011.
Kate is married to Tom Thoresen, a member of FPC for over 25 years. They are the parents of three adult children and one grandson. Together they are experiencing first hand the joys and challenges of being licensed respite foster parents.
Director of Christian Education Cindy Merten
Cindy came to First Presbyterian Church Birmingham after serving in a similar position at the First Presbyterian Church of Royal Oak. There she began the first Workshop Rotation Model Church School in the Detroit area. Rooted in her conviction that Christian education programs need to address the learning styles and needs of all people, she brought the model to us in the form of CrossWalks. She is an Associate Certified Christian Educator and leads workshops, organizes conferences, teaches others about the "rotation" model. Cindy is committed to working with staff and volunteers to provide programs for children through adults that reflect her conviction that worship, education and mission must be interwoven into the fabric of our faith and include all people. She serves on the leadership team of Presbyterians for Disability Concerns and is currently pursuing a Master of Education in Special Education with the Inclusion Specialist certificate at the University of Michigan – Dearborn. Cindy and her husband, Forrest, have three young adult children, Sarah, Eric, and Mark, and their dog, Jake. You can reach Cindy by emailing her at cindymerten {at} everybodyschurch(.)org.
Director of Music Kevin Calloway
Kevin Calloway is the 12th of 13 children born to Mr. and Mrs. W. L. Calloway. His musical family toured the United States in the 50’s and 60’s and were known as the “Singing Calloways.” When Kevin began playing the organ at the age of nine, his legs were barely long enough to reach the foot pedals. He held his first church organ position at the age of twelve. At that time he began organ studies with the well-known organ teacher, Dorothy Addy, of Wichita, Kansas. While attending Wichita Heights High School, he won a Concerto Competition, which allowed him to perform Poulenc’s Organ concerto at the age of fifteen. At the age of nineteen, Kevin was one of only five students invited to study with the world famous organist Diane Bish and was subsequently asked to accept the position of Associate Organist at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Over the years Kevin has won numerous awards and competitions; one of which allowed him to study in Paris where he performed the works of the French masters on some of the great organs of Paris. Kevin is also an amazing choir director who has led choirs ranging from 25 to over 100 members. The church choirs he has led have grown at each church he has served. He is comfortable with all styles of choral music ranging from spirituals, to gospel, to world music to classical. Kevin has served churches in Florida, Colorado and Texas. He is passionate about worship, as well as children’s and youth music (and for the guitar group he has also led praise and worship teams). Kevin brings a wealth of experience and excitement to Birmingham. When offered the job he said that we had made him the “happiest man in the world.” Contact Kevin at kevincalloway {at} everybodyschurch(.)org.
Chancel Choir Section Leaders
Judith Premin, Savannah Miller, Samantha Lyttle, Tobey Miller, Paul Wiltsie
Donna Edwards, Assistant Organist
Donna Edwards is primarily responsible for playing worship services and accompanying our choirs. Donna teaches a studio of young piano students from her home and accompanies performances throughout the area as a freelance musician. She is a graduate of Duquesne University and is a member of the American Guild of Organists and the Presbyterian Association of Musicians.
Inclusion Coordinators
Joanne Blair has her M.Div. from Ecumenical Theological Seminary. We are thankful for the ways in which her expertise and her commitment to the inclusion of all people in our community enrich our ministries here at First Presbyterian Church. She was a volunteer with our Celebration Station program for five years and joined the inclusion team in 2011. Joanne’s email is joanneblair {at} everybodyschurch(.)org .
Kathleen Downing is an Elementary School Teacher and is currently writing her thesis to complete her Master of Arts in Teaching degree from Wayne State University. She also serves as the Director of Education for the Tourette Syndrome Association of Michigan. Kathleen was a dedicated volunteer for the Celebration Station program for four years and joined the inclusion team in 2009. Kathleen’s email is kathleendowning {at} everybodyschurch(.)org .
Support Staff
Janet Peters – Operations Manager and Pastors' Secretary (janpeters {at} everybodyschurch(.)org)
Jan has been a member of First Presbyterian Church since 1972 and a member of the staff since 1984.
Her mission statement reads: “I try to serve and welcome all people who enter the church, be a listener to those in need, and provide assistance wherever and whenever possible to visitors, members of the congregation and staff.” Her duties are varied; coordinating the day-to-day operation of the church, supervising support staff and volunteers, scheduling inside and outside events, and providing assistance to Session, Deacons, and the Head of Staff. Jan and Jim Peters have two grown children, Libby and Jim, who along with their spouses, teach school. They also have two wonderful grandsons, 9 and 12 years old.
Nancy Quigley – Educational Ministries Assistant (nancyquigley {at} everybodyschurch(.)org)
Carl Fischer – Business Manager (carlfischer {at} everybodyschurch(.)org)
Heidi Wilkinson, Director Hand-in-Hand Early Learning Center, handinhand {at} everybodyschurch(.)org
Heidi Wilkinson has been employed with the First Presbyterian Hand-in-Hand Early Learning Center since 2001. Heidi is a graduate of Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education and a degree in Early Childhood. She is married with two children.
She attributes the success of Hand-in-Hand to the qualified teachers, the learning-through-play curriculum and the wonderful families who attend. She is passionate about the development of the whole child and the hope that each child will develop a love of learning taught within the framework of a nurturing Christian environment.
Kim McGlynn – Membership Developer (kimmcglynn {at} fpcbirmingham(.)org)
Barb Darga – Financial Assistant, CPA (barb {at} everybodyschurch(.)org)
Sue Foehr, Parish Nurse, RN (suefoehr {at} everybodyschurch(.)org)
Michael J. O'Neil – Head Sexton (mikeoneil {at} everybodyschurch(.)org)
Dawn Swarthout – Communications Administrative Assistant (dawnswarthout {at} everybodyschurch(.)org)
Dawn has been a member of First Presbyterian for 20 years. Her primary responsibilities include publishing the Sunday bulletins, First Things, First News, the FPC Wednesday weekly email and other church publications. Dawn and her husband, Ken, have two sons. Dawn sings in the Chancel Choir and is on the Communications Committee. Dawn and her family are active in Boy Scout Troop 179 and their sons' school activities.
Matt Eskola – Music Ministries Administrative Assistant (matteskola {at} everybodyschurch(.)org)
