Church Team

Meet the Kalamazoo First Presbyterian Church Team

The Rev. Dr. Seth E. Weeldreyer

The Rev. Dr. Seth E. Weeldreyer

Senior Pastor

The Rev. Christina “Chrissy” Westbury

The Rev. Christina “Chrissy” Westbury

Associate Pastor

The Rev. Annamarie Groenenboom

The Rev. Annamarie Groenenboom

Parish Associate

Michael Montgomery

Michael Montgomery

Director of Music

Autumn

Autumn

Organist

Meredith Alspach

Meredith Alspach

Youth, Families & Outreach

Shawn Smith

Shawn Smith

Building Superintendent

Louise Taylor

Louise Taylor

Financial Coordinator

Kelly Short

Kelly Short

Operations Coordinator

Dawn Reitano

Dawn Reitano

Communications Coordinator

Jennie Barry

Jennie Barry

Lovell Street Reception

Deb Wuerding

Deb Wuerding

Lovell Street Reception

Sandy Sinotte

Sandy Sinotte

Lovell Street Reception

Logan McCafferty

Logan McCafferty

Custodian

Randy Randt

Randy Randt

Custodian

Kailynn Bachman

Kailynn Bachman

Lovell Street Reception

Bob Brush III

Bob Brush III

Lovell Street Reception

The Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Hakken Candido

The Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Hakken Candido

K-College Chaplain

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.

Read more

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.

Brian Nederveld

Brian Nederveld

Clerk of Session

Al Parfitt

Al Parfitt

Class of 2025

Bev Murray

Bev Murray

Class of 2025

Rick Wielopolski

Rick Wielopolski

Class of 2025

Pam Zandt

Pam Zandt

Class of 2025

Joseph Sablan

Joseph Sablan

Class of 2025

Susan Agostinelli

Susan Agostinelli

Class of 2026

Logan Brown

Logan Brown

Class of 2026

Chris Cross

Chris Cross

Class of 2026

Laurie Tupper

Laurie Tupper

Class of 2026

Ginny Dell

Ginny Dell

Class of 2026

Mary Lou Boughton

Mary Lou Boughton

Class of 2027

Mark Ohrstrom

Mark Ohrstrom

Class of 2027

Keith Johnson

Keith Johnson

Class of 2026

Angela Van Heest

Angela Van Heest

Class of 2027

Michael Boesma

Michael Boesma

Class of 2027

Sherrill Busboom

Sherrill Busboom

Class of 2027

The DEACONS

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.

Jim Mulcrone

Jim Mulcrone

Class of 2025 (moderator)

Karen Hassler

Karen Hassler

Class of 2025

Sanny Nutter

Sanny Nutter

Class of 2025

Michelle Greve

Michelle Greve

Class of 2025

Deb Weurding

Deb Weurding

Class of 2025

Joann Yochim

Joann Yochim

Class of 2025

Jan Carpenter

Jan Carpenter

Class of 2026

Victoria Coleman

Victoria Coleman

Class of 2026

Tom Noland

Tom Noland

Class of 2026

Grace Cook

Grace Cook

Class of 2026

Lana Griffin

Lana Griffin

Class of 2026

Paul Minert

Paul Minert

Class of 2026

Carol Noland

Carol Noland

Class of 2026

Jennifer Barry

Jennifer Barry

Class of 2027

JoAnne Dunlop

JoAnne Dunlop

Class of 2027

Lois Heuchert

Lois Heuchert

Class of 2027

Rick Taylor

Rick Taylor

Class of 2027

Donna Schonveld

Donna Schonveld

Class of 2027

Phyllis Youse

Phyllis Youse

Class of 2027