Colleen Plitt
Interim Coordinator of Discipleship Ministry

Colleen Plitt, a military brat born at Westover Air Force Base in Massachusetts, is the interim Discipleship Ministry coordinator. Like many military families, she has lived all over the U.S. and overseas, but ended up in Virginia for her high school years. Although circumstances took her to South Texas, after 15 years she returned to Virginia and is happy to call it home. Utilizing her experiences as director of marketing and sales in the hotel industry and for a resort island, Colleen brings her own unique perspective and personality to the staff. Working closely with the Discipleship Ministry Committee, she is actively involved with the support of existing programs and the development of new ones at FPC, including Sunday school and Kirk Night. She is a busy mother of three-Kaitlin (18), Austin (14) and Victoria (9)-and the two newest family members, the adorable Shih Tzu's, Willow and Weijing. Whenever she can get away from her office, Colleen can be found throwing water balloons, bowling, playing putt-putt or relaxing on the comfortable couches with the mid-highers.  <top>

Kathryn Freer
Parish Nurse

As First Presbyterian Church's parish nurse since January 2004, Kathy Freer's responsibilities include coordination of pastoral care, staff support for the Deacons' Health Ministry and Visitation Teams, and nursing care with a focus on the intentional care of the spirit. Kathy received a B.S. in nursing at the University of Maryland and an M.S. in nursing from the University of Virginia. She began her career as a trauma intensive-care nurse at the University of Maryland Hospital. This was followed by an extensive career in kidney dialysis at the University of Virginia Health System. Kathy and her husband, Rob (an employee of the UVa Investment Management Company), have two children-Walker, a 2007 UVa graduate, and Hallie, currently a student there. Kathy enjoys living in downtown Charlottesville, which enhances her favorite form of exercise, walking; but spending time at the beach and traveling also are high on her list. Kathy believes that it is truly her privilege to serve the congregation of First Presbyterian Church.  <top>

Jeff Bailes
Director of Praise Team

Jeff Bailes' house was always filled with music. Born in Charlottesville, he grew up listening to R&B performers and loved the Beatles. At an early age he knew what he wanted to do for the rest of his life-Sing, Sing, Sing! However, from 1985 to 1995 Jeff was stationed in Charleston, SC, with the U.S. Air Force; and then, after moving back to Virginia, he was employed with Dupont in Waynesboro. But he knew God was calling him to the worship ministry and there were some real decisions to be made. By the end of 2004 Jeff decided to quit his job and follow God's calling. In early 2005 he answered an ad in the Daily Progress-First Presbyterian Church's ad in search of a "Praise Leader." As the praise team director, Jeff is always asking, "How is this going to bring God glory?" And, "How am I going to use this to bring God glory?" He believes that the words of John the Baptist apply to himself and all of us believers. We have to become less so that Christ can become greater. Jeff lives in Stuarts Draft with his wife, Linda, and their three children, Kathyrn, Elias and Grayson.  <top>

Elizabeth Norfrey
Interim Director of the Sanctuary Choir

Elizabeth Norfrey, interim Sanctuary Choir director, and her husband, David, have been married for nearly 25 years. They met while working on master's degrees at Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ. Elizabeth has served in many aspects of music ministry since high school, directing ensembles of all ages and various styles. Her desire is to worship God through music and to help others do the same. Elizabeth is responsible for coordinating all music for the 11:15 a.m. service. She also enjoys coaching "non-singers," so that they may gain confidence in congregational singing. The Norfreys have two daughters-Lisa, a recent college graduate, and Crista, a high school student. They moved to Charlottesville in 2006 from Rhode Island, where they lived for 16 years. Elizabeth also has a bachelor's degree in Spanish and works part time in social services to the Latino community. She is currently a member of the Stephen Ministry training class. Elizabeth enjoys walking and tennis, cooking and baking, choral singing, and watching movies at home with the family.  <top>

Roger Authers
Interim Organist

As interim organist, Roger Authers plays our fine Casavant pipe organ at the 11:15 a.m. worship service each Sunday. Roger joined First Presbyterian Church in 2004 after moving from Connecticut to Charlottesville with his wife, Donna. He has been active in church music all his life, both in his native England and since moving to the United States in 1993. Roger enjoys woodworking and construction projects and has worked on FPC Habitat for Humanity projects and participated in several mission trips. He is also business manager for the Oratorio Society of Virginia.  <top>

Will Cooke
Director of Children's and Youth Choirs

Will Cooke joined the First Presbyterian Church staff in the fall of 2007 as director of music for children and youth. Will, a native of Charlotte County, Virginia, earned his B.A. in music from Virginia Commonwealth University. After college, he taught elementary, general music in the City of Richmond Public Schools for ten years. He currently serves as the choral department director at Charlottesville High School. On Wednesday evenings he instructs and conducts the Joyful Praise Choir (grades K through 5) at FPC and on Sunday afternoons, the Youth Chorus (grades 6 through 12). The children's/youth choirs perform about once a month, alternating between the 8:55 and 11:15 a.m. worship services. Youth Chorus members also enjoy a monthly outing, which extends their time of fun and fellowship together. Anyone interested in joining or having their child join either of these groups may contact Will at any time.  <top>

Margaret (Peggy) Haluska
Interim Handbell Choir Director

Margaret (Peggy) Haluska has been selected to serve as Interim Handbell Choir Director at First Presbyterian Church. She and her husband James, a retired Army officer, live in Albemarle County. They have three children, a daughter and two sons, and two grandchildren. A third grandchild is "on the way". Peggy has a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from Clarion State College in Clarion, Pennsylvania. For the past fifteen years she has worked as a music educator at Walton Middle School in Albemarle County. Last year she supervised and implemented the entire music program at Walton, directing the bands, choirs and the orchestra. Peggy has served as a handbell ringer in Germany; Pennsylvania; Culpepper, Virginia; and Charlottesville, Virginia. She was also Handbell Choir Director at Pleasant Hills Presbyterian Church in a suburb of Pittsburgh. Peggy is very enthused about working with our Handbell Choir and bringing beautiful music to our worship services. She is hopeful that we may be able to establish a Youth Handbell Choir in addition to our Adult Handbell Choir.

Donna Buchanan
Preschool Director

Donna has lived in Charlottesville for most of her life and grew up as a member of First Presbyterian Church. Her parents are Doris and Ronald Buck. Donna holds a degree in Early Childhood Education from Madison College (JMU these days). Donna taught for 32 years in Orange County, teaching both first and third grade at Gordon-Barbour Elementary School. She retired in June and is enjoying a new phase of life. She lives in Albemarle with her husband, Christopher Wolfe and daughter, Mandy Wolfe – a current PVCC student. She enjoys music (playing the cello and percussion) and crafting of all kinds! Donna looks forward to all the fun and joy working with preschoolers will bring!  <top>

Judy Blair
Business Manager

Judy Blair has served as the business manager for First Presbyterian Church since 2005. She manages the financial affairs of the church and oversees the administrative functions and the facilities work. Judy's career includes 30 years in the information technology industry and seven years as an independent consultant. Judy and her husband, Bill Cameron, have been members of the church since 2001, having moved to Albemarle County from the D.C. metro area in 2000. A native Texan who wandered east in 1977, she loves to garden, cook and read. She's also an avid walker with a goal of still snow skiing at age 85.  <top>

Susan Lawson
Office Administrator

Susan Lawson has been a member of the First Presbyterian Church staff since November 1998. She was hired as the pastors' secretary and is now the office administrator. Her main focus is the preparation of the Sunday worship bulletin; but she also answers phones, meets and greets people coming into the church, and provides to committees and church members whatever assistance is needed. A native of Wilmington, Delaware, Susan moved to Virginia after her 1981 marriage to her husband, Robert, a farmer. She has 2 children-a married daughter, Melyssa (who has two young sons), and a son, Seth (who owns a painting business in Charlottesville). Susan is happiest spending time with her husband on their beautiful family farm, curling up with a good book, and walking for exercise and enjoyment.  <top>

Rebecca Ewing
Administrative Assistant

Rebecca "Becky" Ewing has been on the First Presbyterian Church staff as music and administrative assistant since 2003. However, since 1999 she has been quite active in the music ministry of the church as a Sanctuary Choir member and soloist. Some of Becky's general office duties include editing the weekly service recordings for radio broadcast and formatting First Pres, the church's monthly newsletter. Becky was born and raised in New England, where she studied voice for many years and performed as soloist with several choral and chamber music groups. Becky also lived in Winston-Salem, NC, for a time, where she met her long-time partner, Paul (the piano tuner), while they were singing in the same choral group. Becky and Paul live in the Charlottesville area with their two cats, Jenny and Forrest.  <top>

Michael Joyce
Facilities Manager

Michael Joyce joined the staff of First Presbyterian Church in 2006 as our facilities manager, bringing ten years of contracting experience to us. Michael was born in New York and his family moved south of the Mason-Dixon line to North Carolina when he was in high school; for the past ten years he has called Central Virginia home. A country boy at heart, Michael, his wife, Jeanie, and son, Jacob, live outside of Madison in a house that he built in the woods. Michael enjoys all kinds of outdoor activities, especially hiking with his family.  <top>

PD Yates
Custodian

PD Yates started part-time work at First Presbyterian Church in 2000 as a cook, utilizing his many years of culinary experience. In 2003 he became a full-time facilities worker for the church, but continues to wear his chef's hat for Kirk Nights and special events. His motto: "I do whatever it takes to make the church tick." A member of Zion Union Baptist Church, PD has lived in the Charlottesville area off and on since 1997. In his spare time he spoils his dogs and does auto detailing.  <top>

Ryan Whitney
AV Technician

Ryan has been the audio/visual technician at First Presbyterian Church since the spring of 2006. His main duties consist of running the slides and mixing the microphones and instruments for the 8:55 and 11:15 a.m. worship services, as well as for special services and meetings throughout the year. Born in Monterey, California, Ryan moved to Charlottesville in 1997 and has been attending FPC since then. He also works as the instrument and speaker repair technician at the local music store Heinz Musitronics. Ryan currently is enrolled as a student at PVCC, studying computer science and computer programming. During breaks in his busy schedule, Ryan enjoys building and working on computers, playing guitar and piano, and listening to music. He also loves to travel, having been blessed with the opportunity to visit many countries, including Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Egypt, and France.  <top>

Lesley Forloines
Nursery Coordinator

Nursery coordinator Lesley Forloines is a Charlottesville native and graduate of Albemarle High School, as is her husband, Glenn. Lesley also is an alumna of PVCC and Longwood College. She's the mother of four active children: Tyler (9), Meg (6), Wilson (3) and Emmy (8 months). Prior to becoming a full-time mom in 1999 (for which she feels blessed), Lesley was a certified elementary school teacher in Louisa County. Lesley and Glenn were raised at First Presbyterian Church and being able to raise their children in this church holds special meaning for them. Lesley always has had a passion for the littlest members of our church, volunteering in Sunday school and vacation bible school as a teen. Now the nursery program holds an extra special place in Lesley's heart. It is her belief that we have a most important job providing a loving, caring and safe environment for infants and toddlers, while their parents worship and build on their faith. Lesley is responsible for overseeing the paid nursery staff and the volunteers. Although she doesn't remember what free time is; if she could reclaim some, Lesley would like to spend more time scrapbooking and painting furniture.  <top>