Staff
Pastors
The
Rev. Dr. Edward A. McLeod, Jr.
Pastor, Head of Staff
Dr. McLeod has been Senior Pastor
at First Presbyterian Church since August 2004. Prior to his move to Raleigh,
he served three churches in South Carolina: in Columbia, Greer, and Sumter.
He is a graduate of the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, VA
and Union Theological Seminary in Richmond.
Ed and his wife Jenny have two children, Randall and Amy, both of whom have
successfully navigated the challenges of being preacher's kids. The grace, love,
and support of the congregations who helped raise them deserve some credit for their
successes.
A native North Carolinian, Ed is grateful for the privilege of serving this
congregation in the heart of the Capital City. Building upon a wonderful
legacy that stretches back almost 200 years, his vision for First Presbyterian
Church is that we will be a community that worships joyfully, serves gladly,
and seeks in all that we do to glorify God.
The Rev.
Sheila S. Barrick top >
Associate Pastor for Christian Education and
Family Ministry
Education/Background:
East
Carolina University
Presbyterian
School of Christian Education
San
Francisco Theological Seminary
Sheila has over 20 years of experience in the ministry. Sheila has served
various churches and has worked as a Presbyterian missionary in Brazil.
She came to the staff of First Presbyterian Church in February of 1994 and
was ordained in 1998.
Sheila believes that "First Presbyterian Church has a dynamic, downtown
ministry that reaches Wake County and beyond. Its diversity in makeup enhances
its programs, offering quality worship and educational programming for all
ages, and serving our community and the world through outreach and mission."
The Rev.
Robert G. (Bob) Inskeep top >
Associate Pastor for Nurture and Outreach
Education/Background:
Virginia
Polytechnic Institute
University
of the State of New York with a B.S. in Psychology, minoring in English
Union
Theological Seminary/Presbyterian School of Christian Education, Master
of Divinity, 1994
Bob joined the church staff in September 1999, the same week Hurricane Floyd
hit hard. The church is still trying to discern which was an act of God.
Pastoral care is one of Bob’s main interests and responsibilities,
namely working with the deacons and Stephen
Ministers, as well as with various pastoral care committees. New members
usually meet Bob in the Inquirers’ Class,
a get–acquainted series of three meetings for those who are considering
joining the church.
Bob is also responsible for the Wednesday noon service, an outreach for
folks who work downtown.
Some people think Bob’s voice and sense of humor would make for a
good radio announcer. Lucky guess. That’s what he did for some 25
years before going into ministry full–time in 1994.
Dr.
David L. Covington top >
Director of Music see
bio
Craig
M. Barfield top >
Organist see
bio
Sarah Lien Finnerty top >
Director of Children's Ministries
Education/Background:
Austin College, Sherman, Texas
Union Theological Seminary/Presbyterian School of Christian Education
Certified Christian Educator, PC(USA)
Sarah joined our staff in a new position, Director of Children’s Ministry, in August 2008. She came to us by way of New York City and has served churches in Memphis and Ft. Worth.
She brings energy, creativity, enthusiasm, and great passion to this new calling. Sarah will be involved with children from age 0 through 5th grade in Church School, Children’s Church, the nursery, Pathfinders, and other programs for kids.
As an educator and teacher, she strives to proclaim the gospel by helping children explore faith, look with new eyes at the present, and grasp hope for the future. Her ministry relies on an understanding of God’s love for all people and the church’s responsibility to nurture its children in faith and in life. Her background in Christian Education provides an awareness of new and effective methods for teaching and learning. Her background in theatre, music, and the arts has inspired her with new ways to get people involved in creative education, worship and mission that are both exciting and rewarding for the congregation as a whole.
Beth Thaxton top >
Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries
Education: Presbyterian College, Clinton, SC
Christian Education
Spanish
Beth joined our staff in October of 2009. She grew up in Raleigh, where she graduated from Leesville Road High School. Beth left Raleigh to study at Presbyterian College, where she received her degree in Religion: Christian Education and Spanish in 2005. She then spent four years in ministry in Aiken, SC, serving in all areas of Christian education but focusing on Youth Ministry.
Beth, her husband, Chris, and their young son, Jack, are thrilled to be in the City of Oaks. Beth loves photography, college basketball, playing peek-a-boo with her son, and goofing off with the middle- and high-school youth of First Presbyterian!
Office & Sextons
Mark C. Turner top >
Business Operations and Facilities Manager
Mark holds a BBA from the University of Georgia and an MBA from the University of South Dakota. He is a US Air Force veteran and has 21 years of business experience with two employers in Atlanta, Georgia.
Mark and his wife, Iris, have two children, Bridgette and Georgia. He joined the church staff in April 2009.
More Church Staff top >
Carol
Anne Moehring, Director, Community Outreach
Mary Ray,
Pastors' Assistant for Visitation
Sharyl Y. Monkovich,
Church Secretary
Karen Williams,
Associate Secretary
Bonnie M. Hoots,
Financial Secretary
Jonathan Regalado,
Sexton
Bobby Boyd,
Sexton
Terry Wilson,
Sexton
Rickie Brodie,
Parking Lot Attendant
Maurice Brown,
Evening Sexton/Parking Lot Attendant
Pat Humphrey,
Director, Child Development Center -
David V. Voss,
Parish Associate in Pastoral Counseling