Staff
Pastor, Head of Staff Reverend Dr. John Judson
John Judson was blessed to be born into a Presbyterian home in which both his parents were Sunday school teachers, deacons and elders. Whenever the church doors were open his family was there. Through that upbringing he learned the basic skills of setting up tables, cleaning up after pot-luck dinners and helping with the lawn at church. Leaving the church and God behind he spent his teen years seeking some sort of meaning. After attending Trinity University where he majored in Economics and Business (and meeting his future wife Cindy) he entered the Peace Corps and spent two years in the Philippines. There God finally tracked him down and John responded to God's call upon his life. Returning to the states John went to work in the petrochemical industry and began work on an MBA. During this time John was blessed to marry Cindy Obzut, the light of his life. Together they followed God's call to Union Theological Seminary in Richmond Virginia, (where two became three when Andrew was born in 1983) and then to John's first call as Associate Pastor of Covenant Presbyterian Church in San Antonio, TX, in 1985. After two and half years and the addition of Katherine in 1987, the Judson's moved to Pampa, Texas where John pastored the First Presbyterian church. Four and half years later (1992) John, Cindy, Andy and Katie returned to San Antonio and to Covenant. Over the next 17 years John served Covenant, Mission Presbytery and the Synod of the Sun in a wide variety of roles. Cindy completed her masters (Trinity University) and Doctorate (University of Texas at Austin) and served students as an administrator in Southside ISD. Andy completed his BA at Rice University and attends the South Texas School of Law in Houston. Katie graduated from Reed College in Portland, Oregon and will enter the Peace Corps in July of 2009 (heading to Cambodia). 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} fpcbirmingham(.)org.
Youth Ministries Reverend Amy Morgan, Associate Pastor
Amy Morgan is a 2006 graduate of Princeton Seminary, where she served as a teaching assistant in Speech Communications. Amy served as a seminary intern at Riverdale Presbyterian Church in the Bronx during her seminary years, working in the area of youth ministry. She graduated from New York University in 2000 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Drama. Amy is married to Jason Morgan, and they have a son, Dean. The Morgan family lives in Pontiac. Amy comments about ministry at FPC: "The congregation has such tremendous gifts, and your youth seem to be an essential, well-loved part of your community." You can reach Amy by emailing her at AmyMorgan {at} fpcbirmingham(.)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.
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 are currently raising their third puppy with Leader Dogs for the Blind. You can reach Cindy by emailing her at cindymerten {at} fpcbirmingham(.)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.”
Chancel Choir Section Leaders Judith Premin, Sopranos Elizabeth Medvinsky, Alto Brian White, Tenor Drew Smith, Baritone
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.
Donna Calhoun, Director of Bell Choirs
Donna is one of the most enthusiastic and talented handbell musicians in the area. In addition to her outstanding work with the bell choirs at FPC, Donna has performed with Detroit's popular Classical Bells and has served as a regional representative for Schumlerich Handbell Corporation. Having attended many festivals sponsored by the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers, Donna brings a wealth of experience to complement her abundant passion for ringing. As Director of Bell Choirs, she conducts the FPC Ringers and organizes the Festival Handbell Choir for the annual Many Voices…One Song Church Music Workshop.
Director of Skyline Camp & Conference Center, Pastoral Associate Christine Gannon
Christine Gannon joined the church staff in March, 2003, as director of Skyline Camp and Conference Center, near Almont, Michigan, which was then owned by First Presbyterian Church. The Center is now a separate 501(c)3, which continues to maintain close ties to the church. As Pastoral Associate at First Presbyterian Church, Chris teaches the high school Sunday school class, leads adult education classes, and participates in worship. She worked with the youth to prepare for the Christmas pageant and for Youth Sunday, and is co-coordinating the Mexico mission trip this year. Chris has a bachelor’s degree from Queens College, NY and a Master of Divinity degree from Princeton (NJ) Theological Seminary. In January 2006, Chris was certified ready to receive a call for ordination by the Presbytery of Long Island. Cheerful and enthusiastic, she feels she has been called to Christian camp ministry, working with youth and adults in a setting where they can live and learn in Christian community. A native New Yorker, Chris' employment history includes stints as an ambulance driver and a police officer. Contrary to popular belief Chris does not use the skills she learned as one of New York’s Finest in her daily work at Skyline. However, it might behoove folks to obey Skyline’s 15 mph speed limit. Just a warning! You can reach Chris by emailing her at chris {at} campskyline(.)org.
Inclusion Coordinator Bridget Donohoe and Kathleen Downing
Bridget Donohoe joined our staff in April 2007 as part-time Inclusion Coordinator. Bridget works with children and families in Celebration Station as well as those who are in our other children’s and youth programs. She coordinates, recruits and trains volunteers, adapts curriculum, and will help us expand our outreach into the community as we live into our Focus Statement to “reach out to all people, especially those with special needs.” Bridget is also a special education teacher in the Clarkston School District and holds a Master’s degree in Special Education from Oakland University. We are thankful for the ways in which Bridget’s expertise and her commitment to the inclusion of all people in our communities enriches our ministries here at First Presbyterian Church. You can reach Bridget by emailing her at bridgetdonohoe {at} fpcbirmingham(.)org.
Kathleen Downing is job sharing with Bridget. Kathleen is a teacher at Somerset Academy in Troy, currently writing her thesis to complete her Master of Art in Teaching degree from Wayne State University and is the Director of Education for the Tourette Syndrome Association of Michigan. She has volunteered in Celebration Station for several years.
Support Staff
Barbara Darga - Financial Administrator
Janet Peters – Operations Manager and Pastors' Secretary (janpeters {at} fpcbirmingham(.)org)
Nancy Quigley – Educational Ministries Assistant (nancyquigley {at} fpcbirmingham(.)org)
Carl Fischer – Business Manager
Heidi Wilkinson – Children's Morning Out
Kim McGlynn – Membership Developer (kimmcglynn {at} fpcbirmingham(.)org)
Michael J. O'Neil – Head Sexton (mikeoneil {at} fpcbirmingham(.)org)
Mary Cupples – Administrative Assistant, Skyline Camp & Conference Center
Ellen Shuster – Administrative Assistance (ellenshuster {at} fpcbirmingham(.)org)
