Directory
Meet the Kalamazoo First Presbyterian Church Team
The Rev. Dr. Seth E. Weeldreyer
Senior Pastor
The Rev. Christina “Chrissy” Westbury
Associate Pastor
The Rev. Kathleen Robertson King
Parish Associate
The Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Hakken Candido
K-College Chaplain & Director of Religious and Spiritual Life
Louise Taylor
Financial Coordinator
Shawn Smith
Building Superintendent
Meredith Alspach
Director of Youth and Families
Hannah Foreman
Communications Coordinator
Sandy Sinotte
Backdoor Greeter
Bruce Birkell
Backdoor Greeter
Bob Brush
Backdoor Greeter
Deb Wuerding
Backdoor Greeter
Randy Randt
Custodian
Logan McCafferty
Custodian
Michael Palmer
Interim Director of Music
Autumn
Organist
Amber Nettleton
Parish Associate
JA Lewellen
Operations Coordinator
The Session
In the Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) local Congregations govern themselves through an elected board called the Session. Session members serve for three years. Each year, one third of the Session members retire from Session and are replaced by members elected from the congregation, or agree to an additional three year term. This provides stability and continuity in governing the congregation. A senior Minister moderates the Session which is headed by the Clerk of Session, neither of whom are voting members of the session.
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Much of the work of directing the mission and ministry of the church is done by committees, in conjunction with the professional staff.
These standing committees report to, and are directed by, Session. Committees of Session are chaired by elders; members of the congregation are invited and encouraged to serve on them as well. Following is a list of our committees and some of the ways in which they contribute to the life of our church.
The Congregational Life Committee provides meaningful social events to foster relationships between members of our church body of First Presbyterian Church, and to coordinate the process of receiving new members into this church.
The Faith Formation Committee coordinates learning experiences for the congregation, developing individual’s spiritual gifts with the mission of fostering faith and commitment, nurturing spiritual growth and developing servant-leaders.
The Health Ministry Committee serves the needs of the congregation for physical, emotional, intellectual health endeavors with education and support.
The Stewardship Committee connects giving to the church’s mission by organizing and conducting the annual Stewardship Campaign, the results of which provide the major portion of the funds to operate the church.
The Communications Committee assists with a wide range of internal and external communications of the church.
The Worship & Music Committee helps plan all aspects of worship services partnering with the clergy and music leaders of the church.
The Endowment Committee is charged by the Session with the responsibility of managing the endowed funds of the church, encouraging contributions to the Endowment Fund, and recommending to the Session the annual distributions from the various Designated Funds.
The Finance Committee manages the Operating and Capital finances of First Presbyterian Church.
The Personnel Committee works in an advisory role to the Pastor/Head of Staff and Session with responsibilities of assisting in building an effective and efficient work environment; recommending new and revised policies and practices; developing and revising staff position descriptions; recommending compensation for staff through the budget process; providing equal employment opportunities, in consultation with the Presbytery and approved by the Session; supporting professional growth of staff; recommending strategies to manage risk exposure; supporting a review process to assist in staff evaluation and work planning; and acting as a support team for the pastors and members of the staff.
The Officer Nominating Committee meets annually to fulfill the requirements of the Book of Order in that, “Ruling elders and deacons shall be nominated by a committee elected by the congregation, drawn from and representative of its membership, reflecting the rich diversity of the congregation’s membership and shall guarantee
The Outreach Committee strives to represent a Christian presence in the local community and to promote faithful service both locally and to the wider world, thus kindling a vision of First Presbyterian Church as a light to our community and to the world.
The Property Maintenance Committee manages issues related to the maintenance and improvement of church-owned property.
Allison Hammond
Clerk of Session
Annalise Bol
Youth Elder
Jill Barnum
Class of 2022
Bob Brush
Class of 2022
Richard Coryell
Class of 2022
Ellen Dykhuis
Class of 2022
Kathy Jennings
Class of 2022
Don Meldrum
Class of 2022
Heather Misner
Class of 2022
Susan Agostinelli
Class of 2023
Kathy Cooney
Class of 2023
Laura Ford
Class of 2023
Craig Kortlandt
Class of 2023
Oliver Takuh
Class of 2023
Deb Taylor
Class of 2023
Janet Todd
Class of 2023
Scott Wilson
Class of 2024
Heather Cloetingh
Class of 2024
Cynthia Feucht
Class of 2024
Pat Stromsta
Class of 2024
Becky Demcovitz
Class of 2024
Mark Loehrke
Class of 2024
Mark Ohrstrom
Class of 2024
Deacons
The congregation is organized in parishes, with deacons assigned to nurture and care for the members of a parish. Deacons are elected members of the church and serve under Session, with a particular focus on taking care of the needs, spiritual and physical, of the congregation.
Deacons are typically involved in hospital visitation, reaching out and maintaining contact with families, particularly in times of need, praying with and for their parishioners, and coordinating activities such as Sunday morning social time.
Wendy King
Class of 2022
Louise McCallum
Class of 2022
Evelyn Garner
Class of 2022
Deb Weurding
Class of 2022
JoAnn Yochim
Class of 2022
Carol Parfitt
Class of 2022
Hilary Cloetingh
Class of 2023
Paul Minert
Class of 2023
Jan Carpenter
Class of 2023
Diane White
Class of 2023
Jim Young
Class of 2023
Suzanne Weeldreyer
Class of 2023
Karen Nellums
Class of 2024
John Fiore
Class of 2024
Aedín Clements
Class of 2024
Nancy Johnson
Class of 2024
Jo Russell
Class of 2024
Rick Taylor
Class of 2024