Nominees

Elders

Elizabeth Gumbis and her husband Joe have three daughters: Mary (7), Katherine (5), and Emma (3). Elizabeth grew up FPC Birmingham and credits the church for nourishing in her a strong sense of service and compassion. She is also a high school English teacher at Troy High School. Elizabeth enjoys practicing yoga, reading, and writing in her free time.  

Merri Lee Jones is a long-time FPC member.  She and her husband, Kyle, are the proud parents of Clara, a senior at the University of Michigan, and Meg, a senior at Troy High School.  She Merri Lee has served on several church committees from the Children’s Ministries Committee to the Music Director Search Committee that brought us Kevin Calloway.  She has been a member of the FPC Ringers for at least 15 years, give or take:  she’s lost count.   

Judy Schultheiss and her husband Wade are retired high school teachers.  They’re residents of Franklin and have a cabin in the Gaylord area.  They’ve always been travelers, beginning with camping trips and now enjoying the comforts of a hotel room.  Outdoor activities have been an important part of their lives but sitting back with a good book continues to be a favorite.  Judy volunteers at Lighthouse and looks forward to her tenure as an Elder.

Rod Spearin and his wife Sally have been members since 1983.  Rod has served on Session and First Foundation and is currently an usher.   Rod is presently employed at Cranbrook Educational Community where he is the Chief Operating Officer.  Before Cranbrook, Rod worked for 32 years in the automotive industry in finance and general management roles.  Rod and Sally have raised three adult children in the church

Ken Wallace joined First Presbyterian Church in 2000.  He is married to Elise Wallace and together have 2 children, Sean 9 and Elaina 5.  They live in Bloomfield Township.  He is a graduate from Michigan State University with a degree in Engineering.  Currently Ken is a stay at home Dad.  His hobbies include: woodworking, boating, skiing and interstellar exploring.
 

Jeff Wilcoxon and his wife Jennifer have 4 kids -Kate, Charlie, Anna, and Caroline - all are active at First Pres.  Jeff grew up in Ohio before attending Vanderbilt University where he studied Economics.  He also holds an MBA from the University of Chicago.  His career has spanned from supply chain and strategy consulting to entrepreneurship to automotive.  His current role at General Motors has him leading a global team focused on consumer-led innovation for the connected car.  In his free time, Jeff enjoys spending time with his family, chasing his kids around athletic fields, playing tennis, travel, running, and wine/food with friends.

Deacons

Sue Bay has been a member of First Presbyterian Church for about 40 years.  She is married to Hal (we met at First Pres.).  We have 4 daughters and 5 grandchildren.   Sue has been retired from teaching for 14 years. At church, Sue has been involved and served in Children’s Ministries, Rummage Sale, Property Care (Tranquility Garden), Serving Elder, Deacon, Receptionist in main office, Vacation Bible School, Presbyterian Women (Esther Circle), Sunday School teacher and a Covenant Partner.

Peter Greer member of FPC since 2013, previously member at Canyon Hills, Plymouth, and Northville Presbyterian churches.  Peter grew up in Northville, Michigan.  He and his family live in Bloomfield Hills.  Peter has two children: Paul (also a member at FPC) and Sasha (one of Cindy’s Alcott team).  Paul and Sasha are seniors at Detroit Country Day School. Peter is an usher at the early service on Sunday mornings at FPC, and is one of Dr. Judson’s bible scholars on Saturday mornings.  Peter graduated from the University of Michigan & earned his BSME (Tau Beta Pi) and MBA (Beta Gamma Sigma).  He also completed graduate studies at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.  Peter is a partner in a private equity company and was a partner at the management consulting firm A.T. Kearney.  He began his career at the Ford Motor Company in Dearborn.  Peter is active in Boy Scouts (adult leader & merit badge counselor, enjoys reading and exercising.

Jim Blenman came to First Presbyterian through marriage to Martha Rowland. They’re both empty nesters and enjoying making a life together. Jim has 5 sons. Martha has 2 daughters and 2 grandchildren. Never a dull moment with the tribe! Currently their biggest project is restoring an old home in Grosse Pointe and are doing most of the work themselves.  Prior to First Presbyterian, Jim was a member of St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran in Grosse Pointe Farms.  He was an Elder there for 9 years.  Professionally Jim is an engineer and has worked for 42 years in General Motors Product Engineering. 

Buzz Fiol has been a member of First Presbyterian Church since June, 1966.  He has served as a Deacon in the past and is looking forward to ministering again.

 

Doug Martens and his wife, Lyn, have been members of FPC for about a year.  They are parents of two adult sons, one daughter in-law and one granddaughter.  Doug welcomes the opportunity to serve Christ and the ministries of FPC as a deacon.  Doug sings in the Chancel Choir, attends Saturday morning bible study and after worship adult Sunday School.  Both he and his wife have been active in other social, educational and outside ministries at FPC.  They have lived in Troy for 35 years.  Doug enjoys skiing, fishing , golf, biking, hiking, attending MSU football and basketball games, dancing, visiting his granddaughter and fantasy baseball. 

Molly Meador was baptized and raised at First Presbyterian.  She currently lives in Royal Oak with her husband, Jeff, whom she married here in 2013.  Molly teaches second grade at Pierce Elementary in Birmingham.  Her hobbies include skiing, baking and sailing, and she has raced five Port Huron - Mackinac races with her dad, Rod Spearin. 

Michael Moore has been a member of FPC Birmingham since 2010. Michael resides in Berkley with his wife Kara and two-year-old son Samuel (Sam). Michael and Kara are expecting a baby girl due in January 2015. Michael has a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from Michigan State University and a Master’s degree in Polymers from Eastern Michigan University.  Michael looks forward to serving as a deacon and being more involved with the church.  

Virginia Mottershaw has been a member of FPC Birmingham since 1971.  Currently Virginia is active in Presbyterian Women, Lunch and Learn, Member Connect and Fort Street Presbyterian Church with their programs such as Tuesday Career Closet and Thursday Open Door Ministries.  She has been active at FPC for many years by volunteering as a Sunday School Teacher, Christmas Hand-In-Hand, 50 & UP Group, work days at Camp Skyline and 2 terms as a Deacon. 

Pat Wirth was born in Mayville, ND and grew up in northern MN town of Pine River. (Pop.750- just like the movie Grumpy Old Men).  She received her BA and MS at the University of MN.  Pat married her husband George in 1963, and their son Matt was born in 1968.  They moved to Michigan in 1977.  Pat enjoys reading, going to movies, attending Pop DSO Series, Village Players, etc.  She is active at FPC volunteering her time  in AAIM , Mission Outreach, SOS, and Bell Choir.  Pat has been a Deacon and on Session previously and is looking forward to serving as a Deacon again.

Nominating Committee

Rose Gendruschke and husband, Ralf,  joined First Presbyterian in January 2010.  They have 2 daughters, Kate and Josie.  I have enjoyed teaching in Crosswalks,  VBS, Zappers! and am active in the Family Ministry Committee. I was a tutor for Alcott and participated in the Shop-N-Drop program last year.  On a personal note,  in September,  I joined the workforce again after being at home with our two daughters and two dogs for 9 years.  I am enjoying this new challenge and also look forward to branching out at church and joining the CNC. 

Cindy Judson has been a member of FPC for 5 years. As our Senior Pastor's wife (the First Lady), Cindy has been involved in many areas of Everybody's' Church.  She sings in the choir, plays handbells and assists with the children's choirs.  She has taught VBS and assisted with Sunday School when the choir was not singing in worship.  She has been a liturgist and served on the Communities Connect Ministry.  Cindy has been a Covenant Partner, helped with the Rummage Sales and occasionally fills in on the church phones.  She also coordinates all of John's weddings.  Ask her about the wedding with 5 flower girls!  When Cindy is not busy at Everybody's' Church, she is an adjunct professor at Oakland University in the Department of Education.

Terry Lanzen has been a member of FPC since 1989.  He has been married to Cindy for 36 years, and they have three daughters, Kendra, Meredith, and Tessa and all were confirmed at FPC.  Terry is a veteran of four Mexico Mission trips, is a past Deacon, and a proud Spartan.  His interests include golf, triathlon, music, flying and travel.  He has been a resident of Troy since 1981. 

Edie Schmitz has been a member of FPC for nearly a quarter century. She has previously served as an elder and a deacon. Edie can be found around church helping in many ways, with inclusion ministry, at the Wednesday Night Connect dinners and rummage sale. Joys in her life include her three grown children and four grandchildren.  Edie’s favorite outdoor activities include birding and gardening.
 

Sara Scott has been a member of FPC since November, 1997.  She has served on Session and the Associate Pastoral Nomination Committee. Sara has three teenage boys, twins Cameron and Clayton, both 2012 Confirmads and Logan, who attended Confirmation last year. Sara works at the Detroit Medical Center as a Systems Administrator and Training Coordinator.
 

Tom Swoboda and his wife, Bobbie, have been members of FPC for 30 years. Their two children, Tom and Carrie, were confirmed here at FPC. Tom has previously served as an elder and as a deacon. As an elder he served as Chairman of the Stewardship Committee. Also, while serving as an elder, he felt blessed and honored to be able to participate in the baptism of their two grandsons Nicholas and Maxwell.