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 Merten, our Director of Christian Education, 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.
Interim Director of Music
Dr. Brad Bloom
Dr. Bradley Bloom was recently selected a Interin Director of Music at First Presbyterian Church Birmingham. His other current charges include the Flint Festival Chorus and Adjunct Professor of Conducting at Oakland University.
Dr. Bloom was selected in 1997 to head the Flint Festival Chorus. Dr. Bloom’s 25 years of experience includes a broad base of choral proficiency that spans from the professional to the amateur. He has prepared choirs for Robert Shaw, Sergiu Commissiona, John Nelson, Robert Fountain and other national artists. His conducting engagements have included the Ann Arbor Cantata Singers, University of Michigan Mens Glee Club, Flint Symphony, Grand Rapids Symphony, Ann Arbor Symphony and members of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. He has also served on the faculties of the Aspen Music Festival and the National Music Camp at Interlochen.
Dr. Bloom received a masters degree from the University of Michigan and a Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) in conducting from the University of Iowa. You can reach Brad by emailing him at bradbloom {at} fpcbirmingham(.)org.
Chancel Choir Section Leaders
Judith Premin, Sopranos
Elizabeth Medvinsky, Alto
Brian White, Tenor
Drew Smith, Baritone
Donna Edwards is Assistant Organist, 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, our Director of Bell Choirs, 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.
Nursery School Director
Leslie Butler
Leslie Butler has been associated with the FPC nursery school program for thirteen years–first as a teacher, then as director for the past five years. She spent four years as a nursery school “mom” when her two children attended this play-based, developmental program.
Leslie is a graduate of Alma college with a B.A. in both English and Elementary Education. She received her M.A. from Oakland University in Reading.
Leslie and her husband, Keith, have reached the “empty nest” period of their lives. They spend a good deal of time at their cabin “up north.” She enjoys all the lake activities, and also hiking, fishing, and golfing.
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 recently joined our staff and is job sharing with Bridget. Kathleen is currently writing her thesis to complete her Master’s of Special Education from Wayne State University. She is the mother of Bryce and Peyton and has worked as a volunteer in Celebration Station for several years.
Support Staff
Linda Luther – Financial Administrator (lindaluther {at} fpcbirmingham(.)org)
Janet Peters – Operations Manager and Pastors’ Secretary (janpeters {at} fpcbirmingham(.)org)
Nancy Quigley – Educational Ministries Assistant (nancyquigley {at} fpcbirmingham(.)org)
Carl Fischer – Treasurer
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)
