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 supervises student teachers for Oakland University. They have two grown children, Andy who is 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 is doing great things in and through this congregation for 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. 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

ernest-resized Dr. Krug is a Presbyterian minister and physician who has served this congregation since 1993 in his role as Parish Associate. Until 2008 he was director of the Center for Human Development in the Beaumont Health System, where he practiced developmental-behavioral pediatrics. In June 2012 Dr. Krug retired from his position of corporate director of Clinical Bioethics at Beaumont. He is presently Professor of Biomedical Sciences and Pediatrics at the Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine and directs the school's longitudinal course in Medical Humanities and Clinical Bioethics. He also lectures in their Behavioral Science course. Dr. Krug is a non-stipendiary member of the FPC staff who assists in hospital visitation, as well as the liturgical and educational life of this congregation. He leads worship on Wednesday evenings and provides staff support to the All Abilities Inclusion Ministries committee.

Parish Associate Reverend Dr. Hank Borchardt

The Rev. Dr. Hank Borchardt serves as Parish Associate, assisting us with Staff Relations issues, singing in the choir and anything else we ask him to do. Hank holds degrees from Carroll College (B.A.), McCormick Seminary (M.Div. and D.Min.), and Wittenburg University (Th.M.). His service to the church has included pastorates in Ohio, Wisconsin and Michigan (at Northminster, Troy as co-pastor with his wife Judy). Additionally Hank served the Presbytery of Detroit as Associate Executive Presbyter and the Presbytery of Lake Erie as Executive Presbyter. With the onset of cancer he took early retirement and came here to First Presbyterian. Hank has been an avid sailor (fun and racing), choir member, environmental advocate, friend and mentor to many. Currently he is undergoing chemotherapy but has not let it slow him down. Hank and Judy have a blended family of 5 children and 7 grandchildren. Finally he makes it clear that they are all “much more focused and functional than I am.” I am not sure any of us agree with that.

Parish Associate Reverend Dr. Kathryn Thoresen

Rev. Dr. Kathryn Thoresen, known as Kate, has served on staff of local congregations as well as on the boards of several nonprofit organizations. She has also worked with the Sustaining Pastoral Excellence program of the Ecumenical Theological Seminary of Detroit. As a Parish Associate , she oversees the Foster/Adoptive Families Partnerships missions at First Presbyterian Church of Birmingham.

On a community wide level, she coordinates the Faith Communities Coalition on Foster Care. This rapidly expanding ecumenical movement is a catalyst for congregations of all faiths to connect with the 13,000 Michigan children in foster care. They meet to hear inspiring stories, network together and find concrete ways to partner with service agencies on behalf of foster children. Together they all are making positive differences in the lives of foster children, families and aging out youth. The FCC meets in various locations in Southeast Michigan and has hosted representatives from over 100 congregations and 30 service agencies. For additional information and to sign up for emails, see www.faithcommunitiescoalition.org. There are many ways to help our foster children through donations of needed items as well as personal involvement.

This mission has been recognized by Governor Rick Snyder and Michigan Department of Human Services, Maura Corriga in their 2012 Faith-Based award recognizing efforts concerning foster children. In September, Kate was among the 30 recipients honored by the African American newspaper, The Michigan Chronicle, in their Pastors Salute.

She is married to Tom Thoresen, also actively involved with FCC. They have three adult children, one grandson and are licensed respite foster parents.

Director of Christian Education Cindy Merten, M.A.

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 has completed 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.

Interim Director of Music – Dr. Deborah Blair

Dr. Deborah (Deb) Blair is our interim music director. Dr. Blair holds degrees from Calvin College (B.A. Music), Eastern Illinois (Masters, Choral Conducting) and Oakland University (Ph.D., Music Education). Deb is currently a tenured Associate Professor of Music Education at Oakland University. Previously she has been a public school music teacher and has directed church choir/bell choir director for more than 30 years. For the past two years Deb has served as our Assistant Music Director, alto section leader and our music leader at Rejoicing Spirit's worship services. Deb is married to the Rev. Mickey Blair who is the Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of LaSalle, CO. They have two daughters and two grandchildren. You can read more about Dr. Blair at http://deborahvblair.weebly.com/index.html

Interim Organist – Dr. Carole Halmekangas

Carole earned a Doctorate in Musical Arts at the the University of Michigan and served first as organist, then as Director of Music, at Ward Presbyterian Church in Northville, MI, for 45 years prior to joining the staff at First Presbyterian as Interim Organist.

Together with her husband, Rich, she owns a small business, Omega Mortgage and Realty, in Farmington Hills.

Carole and Rich have a daughter and son-in-law and two very precious granddaughters who live in nearby Pleasant Ridge. Their son Rick lives in Guadalajara, Mexico, and their son Steve lives in Christchurch, New Zealand.

She and Rich are very grateful to be a part of the community of faith here at First Presbyterian Church Birmingham.

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 holds a 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)

Kim has been a member of First Presbyterian Church since 1997 and Membership Coordinator since 2005. She has her Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Michigan State University majoring in Advertising. Kim worked at Ross Roy, Inc. and J. Walter Thompson before starting her family. Kim and her husband, Dan, have 3 children. She has been active in the life of the church right from the get go. She sang in the Chancel Choir, directed the Children’s Choir, is an active member of PW, chairs the Holiday Room in the Rummage Sale for the last 14 years, has sat on numerous church committees, attends Covenant Group and small Bible study groups and looks forward to more fun at FPC. Kim would LOVE to talk to anyone about the wonderful happenings here at church and how to become active in the FPC community.

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 as well as their sons' sports teams and school activities.