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Meet the Staff |
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REV. DR. JEFFREY D. WEENINK,
Pastor/Head of Staff. Jeffrey is responsible for oversight
of all aspects of the church’s ministry and mission. Jeffrey
graduated with a BA degree from Alma College, a Master of
Divinity degree from Duke University Divinity School and a
Doctor of Ministry degree from San Francisco Theological
Seminary. He served as Student Assistant Pastor at Trinity
Avenue Presbyterian Church in Durham, N.C.; Associate Pastor
at First Presbyterian Church in Danville, IL; and
Pastor/Head of Staff at First Presbyterian Church in Holt.
Jeffrey has served on committees at the Presbytery, Synod
and General Assembly levels as well as leading
work/study/mission/cultural exchange trips to the Yucatan
Peninsula of Mexico. He has also been a visiting Pastor to
the Livingstonia Synod in Malawi, Central Africa and Pyung
Buk Presbytery in South Korea.
Jeffrey brings enthusiasm, intelligence,
imagination, vision and hard work along with his abiding
love for the parish ministry as head of staff.
He and his wife, Jeanne, have three young
daughters, Jenneke, Justyne, and Jaime. Jeffrey began
ministry in Bay City in April 1998.
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REV. DR. JONAH SALIM,
Missionary-in-Residence- Peacemaking. Jonah assists in
pastoral ministry through worship, teachings, hospital
visitations, preaching, and he has responsibilities on
deacon’s ministries, and other pastoral care’s
responsibilities. He graduated with a BA degree in Business
Administration from the Middle East (Nineveh- Iraq);
received the equivalent of a Master of Divinity degree from
North Africa (Egypt); and received a Doctor of Ministry
degree in Building Community from McCormick Theological
Seminary in Chicago. Jonah lives in Michigan, but was born
and lived his early years in the Middle East (Nineveh-
Iraq); and lived for four years in North Africa (Egypt).
Ethnically, he is not an Arab, but he is an Assyrian
(Aramaic)-Kurd. Historically, he is the first Iraqi
Presbyterian pastor in transfer and record member in the
PCUSA. Culturally, he openly crosses cultures, and has
adopted the American culture and added to his identity. He
served as a chaplain for the American Good News Jail &
Prison Ministry Organization in Egypt for three and a half
years. He served for three and a half years as an Intern
Student Assistant Pastor for the Presbyterian Church in
Egypt. He served in Greensboro, North Carolina as an Intern
Assistant Pastor at Westminster Presbyterian Church. He
served as an Assistant Chaplain, at the Greensboro Urban
Ministry in North Carolina. He worked for peacemaking
programs in Ohio, New Jersey, and Michigan, and served
Presbyteries and Synods through their peacemaking programs.
Finally, Jonah was awarded the Ruby Award (Recognizing
Upward, Bright and Young people) in 2009, for his
accomplishments and his contributions to the local community
in the Great Lakes Bay Region of Michigan.
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HEATHER BAILEY ,
Christian Education Director. The development of our faith
through education and learning is a major emphasis in our
church. Heather has a B.S. degree from Charleston Southern
University and also holds a teacher certificate in Secondary
Education. Some of her responsibilities include oversight of
the church school, adult education, Bible studies and
teacher training. The depth and breadth of her ministry
unfolds with E.T.C., Vacation Church School, Advent
Workshop, Bible Sunday, Summer Camping and other events.
Heather is married to James and they have two children,
Nathaniel and Abigail. In response to a deepening desire for
spiritual and theological growth, she recently completed her
work on her Christian Education Certificate through the
Presbyterian Church. Heather’s enthusiasm also leads her to
serve on several presbytery committees and to participate in
a leadership role in Lake Huron Presbytery’s summer camp
program. |
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CATHY
SHORT,
Youth Director. Cathy began her career in youth ministry in
1989 as a volunteer junior high leader. Since 1991, she has
directed all youth programming. But her responsibilities
extend far beyond weekly youth group meetings. An innovator
and motivator, Cathy has envisioned and built many programs
and ministries in the church including Prayer Partners,
Monday Night Live, Monkey Business (the youth newsletter),
Next Door (college/young adult group), and Tuesday Night
Talk (youth Bible Study). Cathy also leads the annual
Confirmation/Commissioning class and directs the youth
musical. With a passion for mission, Cathy has taken groups
of youth, college students and adults to summer workcamps in
twenty states. She also coordinates the Riverfront Workcamp
projects in Bay City.
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LEO
NAJAR,
Director of Music.
Leo
has served in artistic leadership capacities with the
Saginaw Bay Orchestra, The Midland Symphony Orchestra, Ohio
Chamber Orchestra, Ballet Michigan and the symphony
orchestras of Flint, Dearborn and Traverse City. He has
appeared around the country as a guest conductor, and he has
garnered special praise for his work with choral and opera
repertoire. In 2001 he served as a special advisor and
principal guest conductor to the National Orchestra of El
Salvador under the auspices of the American State
Department. An accomplished arranger, he has written over
100 works for a rainbow of groups that include traditional
ensembles such as chorus, gospel choir, jazz and bluegrass
quartets to steel drums, klezmer and zydeco bands. Mr. Najar
has had a distinguished career as a teacher, serving on the
faculties of The University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and in
Flint, Georgia State University, Central Michigan
University, Wayne State University and the National Music
Camp at Interlochen. A popular clinician and workshop
presenter, he has conducted the Michigan and Florida
All-State high school orchestras as well as the Georgia
Music Educators High School Orchestra Festivals and numerous
regional events. Mr. Najar is currently Artistic Director
for Bay Musical Arts and The Bijou Orchestra. His wife
Regina is the Executive Director of the Bay Area Women’s
Center. They are residents of Bay City. |
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ANNA
LEPPERT-LARGENT
Organist. Anna is a resident of
Saginaw and currently works with the Saginaw Bay Symphony
Orchestra as Production Manager/Librarian/SBYO Liaison/Grant
Writer. Anna has considerable experience as a church
musician, including: Organist & Choir Director, St. John’s
Episcopal Church, Saginaw, Assistant Director of Music
Ministries, First Presbyterian Church, Saginaw (Anna’s
spouse Greg is Director of Music Ministries at First
Presbyterian Church in Saginaw.), Assistant Organist &
Choirmaster, Christ Church Cathedral, Indianapolis .
Anna holds a Master of Music in Organ, Minor
in Music Education; a Bachelor of Music in Organ (with
distinction), a Bachelor of Music in Music Education (with
distinction) all from Indiana University.
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JOY WIKOFF,
Handbell Choir Director. Joy’s experience with handbells is
varied and includes both ringing and directing. She has
directed handbell choirs for both adults and children at the
First Presbyterian churches in Mt. Pleasant and Cadillac.
Joy also has several years of ringing experience that
include performing with a full choir, as a member of a bell
quartet, and as a solo ringer. She enjoys working with
handbell choirs as they grow in fellowship and strive to
make a musical contribution to the worship service that is a
blessing for all. Joy works full time as the Director of
Research and Grants for Northwood University in Midland. She
is a graduate of Central Michigan University and currently
resides in Midland, With her husband, Tim Sandison. Joy has
directed the Bells of First since October 1997.
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ROSIE ALVAREZ,
Assistant Financial/Secretary. Born in Saginaw and raised in
Bay City. Rosie brings to First Presbyterian Church a love
for the community. Rosie has been a part of the staff at
various times since February 1996. She is the mother of four
children and is a member of the worship team for her church |
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CAROL COLLINS,
Administrative Assistant. The church newsletter (the Herald
is mailed semi-monthly from mid-August to mid-June) and the
Sunday bulletin are Carol’s main responsibilities. She also
maintains the membership rolls and the church calendar,
along with numerous other duties. If you have questions
regarding the newsletter or bulletin, please contact Carol
daily by 4:40 p.m. Carol came to First Presbyterian Church
in December 1992. She has served as an officer and is active
in her own congregation. Carol and husband, Al, have two
sons, Cheyne and Scott. |
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JERRY BECHTEL,
Business Manager.
Jerry joined the staff in June 1997 as the Financial
Secretary, and later that same year also assumed the duties
of Building Manager. Jerry is responsible for scheduling and
coordinating the use of rooms for the variety of activities
that take place in our church. He is also responsible for
maintenance of the building and the supervision of the
custodial staff. Jerry also oversees the posting of
contributions, preparation of statements and payment of
invoices. He develops and maintains the Charts of Account
for the various organizations in the church, and prepares a
variety of financial reports for the IRS, General Assembly,
and the staff and committees of the church. Jerry and his
wife Marilyn have been members of this church since 1981.
They have two adult children. |
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RON WARDYNSKI,
Custodian.
Ron is responsible for the custodial work in the common
areas of the church, the grounds outside the church, and for
minor maintenance and repair of the facility.
Ron is a lifelong
resident of Bay City and a Navy veteran. He and his wife,
Jaqueline, have one son, Matthew. Ron enjoys camping and
spending time with his family. |
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