Staff

The Reverend Dr. Charles A. Summers is the senior minister of First Presbyterian Church. Charlie grew up in a minister's family, moved around the South as a child, and graduated from John Marshall High School here in Richmond. He got his B.A. from Davidson College, spent a year in Marburg, Germany, during college (where he met his wife Marsha). He earned his Master of Divinity degree from Louisville Presbyterian Seminary in Kentucky, and his Doctor of Ministry degree from Columbia Presbyterian Seminary in Atlanta, Georgia. He did post-graduate work in Biblical Studies at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.

Charlie and Marsha have three children and one grandchild. Charlie serves on the board of Boaz and Ruth, Inc. (a ministry of racial reconciliation and outreach in the Highland Park community), and on the advisory board of Metropolitan Richmond Habitat for Humanity. He received the John W. Kuykendall Award for Community Service from Davidson College in 2002 and was a part of the 2004 class of Leadership Metro Richmond.

As senior minister, Charlie leads worship and preaches, and is a regular part of the teaching ministry of the church. He works with the elders and church leaders to set the vision and direction of our ministry, and guides our staff. As a pastor for thirty years, he loves to "shepherd the flock" and help people find God's call for their lives. He often takes part in mission trips with members of the church. He guides our congregation to fulfill its Christian mission to "Inspire, nurture, and serve to the glory of God."

Rosalind is our Associate Pastor for Adult Ministries. She grew up in Charlotte, N.C.. On Sunday mornings, her dad made pancakes to entice his children to get up and go to Sunday School and church. Church choirs were a very important part of her formative years, and youth group exposed her to community issues like poverty. Rosalind's family went each summer to Montreat, N.C., to Presbyterian conferences. It remains a place close to her heart.

Rosalind graduated with honors from St. Andrews Presbyterian College and received her Doctor of Ministry degree from Union Theological Seminary and Presbyterian School of Christian Education. She served several congregations and was associate executive of the Synod of the Mid-Atlantic before coming to First Presbyterian in 1995.

Rosalind's areas of responsibility at First Presbyterian Church include adult education, teaching, leadership development, service in the community and worldwide witness. She enjoys planning with others and thinks all committee work should have doses of laughter, sharing, productivity and chocolate (dark, preferably). Areas of special interest and training are small-group ministries, spiritual development and Christian disciplines, and ministry with those on the margins of society. She also writes Bible study helps for the Presbyterian Women's Bible study, in The Presbyterian Outlook. "I enjoy helping people deepen their faith through worship, service, prayer and study. Small groups are particularly transformational. It is there that adults often find a place of safety and growth."

Rosalind's family includes her son, Ben, and his wife, Courtney, and their very adorable sons, Taylor and James. She enjoys her lap cat, Maddie, walking her dog, Lucy, gardening, reading, writing, and simply being outdoors, enjoying the good world that God created.

Mary Kay received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Religion and Psychology with a minor in Youth Ministry from Flagler College, St. Augustine, Florida, and her Masters of Divinity Degree from Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur, Georgia. She was ordained and installed as Associate Pastor of Youth and Family Ministries at Westminster Presbyterian Church of Nashville, where she served for three years before being called to the First Presbyterian Church of Maitland, Florida. Mary Kay joined the FPC staff in 2007.

Mary Kay is married to Rob Collins, an independent film and video producer. They have three active, beautiful children: a four-year-old daughter and two-year-old twins. Rounding out the family is Luya (short for Hallelujah), their 10-year-old dog.

Mary Kay believes it is critically important that a congregation continually find ways to grow in its faith and sense of community and her desire is to nurture that growth creatively. "Most of all, I . . . bring my love for Jesus Christ and my desire to share and show His love."

Since 2006, Newton has supplemented our staff as a pastoral associate. He received his M.Div. at Union Theological Seminary here in Richmond and completed his education at Union Theological Seminary in New York City where he earned his STM and Ph.D. degrees in church history and history of doctrine. Now honorably retired, Newton served churches in Virginia, Texas and Arizona for more than forty years and spent four years as an associate professor in the philosophy and religion department of Randolph Macon College for Women.

Newton and his wife, Sherrill, enjoy outdoor activities, including biking. They have two grown children.

A lifelong Presbyterian, Edna grew up in Clinton, SC and taught elementary school, special education and at the junior college level prior to entering the ministry. She met her husband, Warren, while teaching American children in Germany. They have two grown children, Sims and Brett.

Edna received a Master of Divinity from Virginia Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry from Columbia Theological Seminary. She has served churches in San Antonio, Texas and Alexandria, Virginia. She currently serves at Presbyterian School of Christian Education as Chaplain and Dean of Students.

As parish associate, Edna preaches, teaches, and helps lead worship from time to time. Her work at FPC keeps her connected to the church and grounds her in a congregation even as she travels and teaches for the seminary.

Jonathan grew up in Houston, Texas, where he lived until being called to First Presbyterian Church in February of 2006. Jonathan attended the University of Houston and obtained a B.A. in Communications and Media Production. Right out of college, Jonathan served as the Program Coordinator for the Epilepsy Foundation of SE Texas, coordinating and leading summer camps and programs for children and teens with epilepsy. Through this, he felt called to go into youth ministry. Jonathan served as the Media Director and Associate Youth Director at Heritage Presbyterian Church in Houston for four years.

Jonathan feels blessed to be here at First Presbyterian Church and will usually be seen where there are groups of teenagers. He is passionate about encouraging teens as they grow in their faith and is always looking for new and exciting ways to reach out to youth and to share with them the unconditional love that Jesus Christ has for each one of us. Jonathan most enjoys his time out of the office when he is supporting our youth at school functions, engaged in a Bible Study at the local coffee shop, or during times of fellowship with our youth.

When not hanging out with the youth of First Presbyterian, Jonathan spends time with his two daughters, Emily and Hannah, and wife, Cari. Since coming to Richmond, Jonathan and his family enjoy the seasons and the beautiful changes that occur with each one. When time permits, Jonathan likes to travel and relax with his family.

A native of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, Suzanne received a Bachelor of Arts degree in organ performance and a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education from Lebanon Valley College, and a master's degree in sacred music from Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey.

While at Westminster, she performed with the Westminster Symphonic Choir at Lincoln Center under conductors Robert Shaw, Zubin Mehta, and Daniel Barenboim. She has also pursued doctoral work at Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, studying there with David Craighead and David Higgs.

Among Suzanne's conducting duties at First Presbyterian Church are the adult Chancel Choir, Youth Ensemble, Shepherd Choir, Youth Handbell Choir, Contemporary Band, and various instrumental ensembles. She also serves on both the FPC Music and Worship Committees.

In addition to anthems and hymn leadership at Sunday worship services, the Chancel Choir annually performs major works, typically featuring additional instrumentation. Suzanne designs and leads an annual fall retreat for this group.

Suzanne oversees the direction of the children's music ministry, crafting a program in which four children's choirs rehearse simultaneously on Wednesday nights. The children's choirs perform in morning worship throughout the church year, at the Christmas Eve family service, and at the last Wednesday supper each May. Suzanne also leads all the music for FPC's annual Vacation Bible School for children age 3 through grade 2.

The second Sunday of each month provides an opportunity for contemporary hymns and anthems, led by a guitar band and the Youth Ensemble. Suzanne also plans and leads an annual August Youth Ensemble retreat. She organizes the annual "Winterfest" talent show, held during the Mardi Gras season, to support youth mission trips and featuring volunteer musicians and performers from the congregation.

Traditionally performed in alternate years, intergenerational musicals are special highlights to the FPC music ministry and incorporate a variety of talents from members of all ages. Children of Eden and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat have been recent offerings.

Suzanne enjoys being a mom to two teenagers. She also enjoys mission work and has participated in the church's Mexico mission trip for several years. Last year, she organized a relief mission team to the Gulf Coast. Photography, working with the charity Daughters of Zelophehad, running, and tennis fill out her time. An irrepressible prankster, she has been known to play jokes on her coworkers from time to time.

In response to the many gifts of God's love, Suzanne feels especially blessed to serve with so many talented people in a setting where God's praises are sung and proclaimed.

Tammy joined our staff in November 2006. She grew up in Osakis, Minnesota, and was active at First Presbyterian Church there with her family. After receiving her BS in Sociology from South Dakota State University, Tammy went on to earn her MA in Christian Education in 1997 from Union Theological Seminary and Presbyterian School of Christian Education. She has served as an educator at St. Mark's Episcopal and Chester Presbyterian, both in the metro-Richmond area.

Tammy brings to First Presbyterian a real love of involving children in mission outreach: "I take seriously the commandment to love God and neighbor." In her previous churches, she took students in grades 4-5 to glean apples that were donated to the local food bank. Her "First Friday" program at Chester for children in grades 1-5 revolved around monthly service projects-fixing care packages to soldiers, stuffing Salvation Army stockings, and making seasonal gifts for shut-ins. "I really think it's important to 'grow compassionate children,'" Tammy says.

Tammy and her husband, Tony Rice, have three school-age children. In her spare time -- what there is of it -- she likes to volunteer at her children's school and read mysteries. She finds frequent humor at being a midwesterner surrounded by southerners.

Here at First Presbyterian, Tammy is responsible for all aspects of children's ministry: weekly childcare for infants and preschoolers, Children's Church during Sunday worship, the weekly Sunday School program for children age 3 through grade 5, summer day camp, Vacation Bible School, special programs like the Faithgirlz Book Club for girls in grades 3-4, and the October Giggles and Ghouls fellowship event for all children. She oversees the work of the Children's Ministry Council and the Nursery Guild.

Keith serves as Director of Weekday Child Ministry. She earned her B.A. in Early Childhood Education from Lynchburg College. She is from Richmond and formerly taught elementary school for twelve years in Chesterfield County. Keith and her husband, Gus, have two beautiful children and are members of FPC.

Keith's primary responsibilities are to oversee the operations and performance of the preschool and to address the early childhood development needs of FPC and the community at large. First Presbyterian Preschool is licensed by the Virginia Department of Social Services and is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

Keith's love for children and her passion for quality education is reflected in her career pursuits dedicated to early childhood development. Her other interests include paying tennis and spending time with family and friends.

Deborah grew up in Northern Virginia and graduated magna cum laude from the University of Richmond. She spent several years studying deaf culture and sign language, and has been active in the local deaf community. Deborah joined FPC in the early 1990's and joined the staff in 2003. Prior to joining the staff of First Presbyterian Church, she was a law office manager.

Deborah's "hobby" for several years has been the renovation of the 75-year-old home she and her husband, Bob, share with their two cats. She enjoys gardening, working out at the gym, and spending time with her extended family.

If she's not on the phone, Deborah may be found anywhere between the boiler room and the steeple. She is responsible for maintenance of our building and grounds, participates in budget and financial matters, works with program staff to facilitate educational programs, recruits and trains new support staff, administers employee benefits, keeps the computers running, and works with the Information Technology Committee.