Members of the Task Force

Members of the Mission Vision Task Force

The Mission and Vision team would like to introduce ourselves and we encourage any member to speak with us to share their thoughts and hopes for our church.

Lucie AudetteLucie Audette joined First Pres in 1993 and she, along with her husband Rob Bauman, have raised 2 girls in our church. Lucie has gone on a pilgrimage to Iona. Lucie has taught Sunday School and is involved with the Alpha House family shelter ministry, sings in the choir, and just rotated off Session where she chaired the Finance Committee. Contact Info: laudette125@hotmail.com

 

Rick BoothmanRick Boothman, member of First Pres since the early 1990s, is an ordained elder who has served on Session, chaired the Pastor Nominating Committee that called Rev. Dr. Fairfax Fair, served on, and chaired the Personnel Committee from 2010 through 2015. He and his wife (and deacon) Karen Gard-strom raised their three children in this church. Contact Info: 972-3828boothman@umich.edu

 

Tom BrandtTom Brandt joined First Pres in 1998. Tom has served on the Board of Deacons, the Session, participated in Bible study, and countless committees, and has gone on pilgrimages to Iona, Scotland and Santiago de Compostela, Spain. Tom currently chairs the Worship Committee. Contact Info: twbrandt@gmail.com, 646-7181

 

Tim DickinsonTim Dickinson has been a lifetime member of First Pres – active in youth groups both as a participant and volunteer and was always happy to go to Cow Creek, Kentucky on mission trips. While he managed to live outside of Ann Arbor for an extended period he always considered First Pres as his home church. Tim is serving his second year on Session. He is currently a member of the Personnel committee and last year served on the Finance committee. Contact Info: timothydickinson@me.com

 
 

Linda KoopmannLinda Koopmann has attended FPC since 1997 and became a member in 2009. Since then, she has served as a deacon and blood drive coordinator and is now serving as a Stephen Minister, an elder on Session, and a member of the Congregational Life Committee. She also co-facilitates Restore Hope, a support group for individuals in the FPC congregation who are coping with the mental illness of a loved one. Contact Info: writingresource@comcast.net

 

Bill McPhersonBill McPherson began attending First Pres in the early 90’s and joined in 1995. He was quickly enlisted to help in the fundraising and then the construction aspects of Forward in Faith and followed with leadership of a number of other facilities projects. Over the ensuing years, he served as an elder, as a member or chair of several Session committees, was member of a Pastor Nominating Committee. Bill works for DTE Energy in downtown Ann Arbor. He and his wife is Judy Stuart live in Ann Arbor. Contact Info: wbmcpherson@comcast.net

 

Rev. Dorothy Parks-PiattRev. Dorothy Parks-Piatt joined our staff as a Resident Minister in August 2017 after a lengthy congregational internship and experiences in new church development. Among other ministry responsibilities, Dorothy coordinates our 20s & 30s ministry (T2A2) and is involved with the Adult Education and Congregational Life committees. Contact Info: dparks-piatt@firstpresbyterian.org

 

Kate SilbertKate Silbert began attending First Pres in 2010, when she arrived in Ann Arbor to attend graduate school. Since then, she has been involved with T2A2, the Resident Ministry program, and Children & Family ministry. She currently chairs the Christian Education Committee. Contact Info: kate.silbert@gmail.com,

 

Brian SchneidewindBrian Schneidewind joined First Presbyterian Church in 2006 after years of being a vagabond participant in college then as a resident of Ann Arbor. He has served as a Deacon, Sunday school teacher, and most recently as an Elder on Session. As a father of three elementary daughters he’s excited to interject relevance for our next generation into our Vision. Contact Info: bschneid@comcast.net

 

Sara Vander VortSara Vander Vort joined First Presbyterian Church in 2001, 50 years after first visiting it as a UM undergrad. She is serving her second term as Deacon, helped to bring the Stephen Ministry program to First Pres, and has served on the Congregational Life Committee throughout her church membership. She is a retired social worker and administrator, grateful to be involved in our congregation’s future, Contact Info: saravoort@gmail.com

 

Bill WoodBill Wood was born into First Pres. After living elsewhere for 14 years, Bill and Pam returned to Ann Arbor in 1986, where they raised their three sons in our church. Bill is in his third year on Session. He currently chairs the Finance Committee. Contact Info: wwood594@comcast.net

 

Introducing Sandra Herron

Sandra HerronWe have completed a search process to secure the services of an experienced consultant with large congregation experience to help guide our church in a comprehensive visioning-strategic planning and implementation effort. Our search was extensive, and we received approval at the March Session meeting to engage the services of Sandra Herron and enter into a service agreement not to exceed $25,000.

Sandra Herron founded her organization development consultancy, MiddlEdge, Inc., in 2002 to help companies, congregations, schools, and social profit organizations explore and leverage opportunities to achieve their vision and goals. Drawing on a unique breadth and depth of experience, MiddlEdge, Inc. has served a diverse group of clients for the past 16 years.

Prior to starting MiddlEdge, Inc., Sandra’s experience included 11 years in the banking industry, where she pioneered her unique approach to organization development and last served as a senior middle market banking executive at Bank One. She is an experienced adult educator, trainer and facilitator in academic, community, corporate and ministry settings. Sandra is a graduate of the Indiana University Kelley School of Business (B.S. in Marketing and Management) and Fuller Theological Seminary (M.A. in Theology). She has done doctoral work in Organization Studies and completed an Advanced Organization Development Certificate program through DePaul University.