STAFF & LEADERSHIP
Our team of staff & volunteers is grateful to serve this community of faith.
Read more about us and feel free to give us a call.
Rev. Dr. Chris Taylor
Senior Pastor
Chris began his ministry with us in January of 2005. He previously served congregations in Colorado, Ohio, and Connecticut. Chris holds a Master of Divinity degree from Princeton Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Fuller Theological Seminary. Chris is married to Bonnie, an ordained pastor who earned her degree at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. Chris and Bonnie have three children and two new granddaughters. They love Pittsburgh and enjoy spending their free time sailing the east coast.
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Rev. Ellen Dawson
Associate Pastor for Membership & Mission
Ellen is a 2009 graduate of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary (M.Div.) who has years of experience in mission leadership, campus ministry and parish ministry. Ellen was installed as our Associate Pastor in 2017. At FCPC, she preaches, teaches, and works alongside the Mission and Membership Committees, as well as the Deacons. She currently serves as a board member of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary's World Mission Initiative program. When Ellen is not working, she's usually reading, visiting with friends & family, or walking her dog, Ziggy.
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Rev. Tara Woodard-Lehman
Associate Pastor for Christian Nurture
We are pleased to welcome Tara to our Pastoral Staff! Tara brings a breadth of experience and a global perspective.
Her background includes a Lilly Pastoral Residency Fellowship, University/College chaplaincy work, and years of teaching, preaching, and mentoring.
Most recently, Tara and her family (husband Derek, and 2 boys, Eli & Josiah), were living in Wellington, New Zealand, and they are excited to be back in the Pittsburgh area.
Welcome, Tara!
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Chet "Mr. Chet" Karas
Preschool Welcome Monitor
Peter "Mr. Pete" Waterkotte
Preschool Welcome Monitor
Administrative Coordinator for Christian Nurture
OUR LEADERSHIP
S E S S I O N (E L D E R S)
As there were in Old Testament times elders for the government of the people, so the New Testament church provided persons with particular gifts to share in discernment of God’s Spirit and governance of God’s people. Accordingly, congregations should elect persons of wisdom and maturity of faith, having demonstrated skills in leadership and being compassionate in spirit. Ruling elders are so named not because they “lord it over” the congregation (Matt. 20:25), but because they are chosen by the congregation to discern and measure its fidelity to the Word of God, and to strengthen and nurture its faith and life. Ruling elders, together with ministers of the Word and Sacrament, exercise leadership, government, spiritual discernment, and discipline and have responsibilities for the life of a congregation as well as the whole church, including ecumenical relationships. When elected by the congregation, they shall serve faithfully as members of the session.
- G 2.0301 Book of Order 2017-2019: The Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Part II
Clerk of Session: Gail Harger
CURRENTLY SERVING ELDERS & COMMITTEE ON WHICH THEY SERVE
Administration & Personnel: Dee Hoyt - Chair (2020), Joe Mettenburg (2022)
Building & Grounds: Barbara Patterson - Chair (2021), Dudley Hawley (2020)
Christian Nurture: Bonnie DeMotte - Chair (2021), Greg Carter (2022)
Fellowship & Cafes: Judy Leininger - Chair (2021), Emy Boag (2022)
Finance: Bev Reding - Chair (2020), Kim Bartolacci (2021)
Membership: June White (2020), Richard Sweringen II (2022)
Mission: Ralph Miller- Chair (2022), Paul Rowland (2020)
Nominating: Judy Leininger – Chair (2021), Kitty Skinner (2022)
Preschool: Amy Szlachetka - Chair, Suzanne Wilson (2020), Kitty Skinner (2022)
Stewardship: openings
Worship & Music: Glenn Baldwin - Chair (2021), Ann Boyd (2021)
B O A R D O F D E A C O N S
The ministry of deacon as set forth in Scripture is one of compassion, witness, and service, sharing in the redeeming love of Jesus Christ for the poor, the hungry,
the sick, the lost, the friendless, the oppressed, those burdened by unjust policies or structures, or anyone in distress . Persons of spiritual character, honest repute, exemplary lives, brotherly and sisterly love, sincere compassion, and sound judgment should be chosen for this ministry.
- G 2.0201 Book of Order 2017-2019: The Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Part II
Moderator: Kelly Sample
Vice-Moderator: Susan Rattner
CLASS OF 2020: Sarah Datt, Chip Crawford, Laura Dawson, Cynthia Lackey, Beth Lockwood, Carol Squires
CLASS OF 2021: Judy Grune, Christine Gulati, Brad Harrison, Howard Havlicsek, Brenda Karas,
Sharon Kirschbaum, John Musgrave, Kelly Sample
CLASS OF 2022: Debbie Burke, Carl Feige, Cindy Frohlich, Juli Huntington, Mary Jacob,
Judi Juselius, Susan Rattner, Mary K. Williams