Leadership

PASTOR AND HEAD OF STAFF

The Reverend Doctor Anna Pinckney Straight

A native of Charleston South Carolina, and the sixth generation of her family to grow up at Second Presbyterian Church in Charleston, Anna Pinckney Straight is a graduate of Agnes Scott College (BA, 1993), Union Theological Seminary in New York City (Master of Divinity, 1996) and Wesley Theological Seminary (Doctor of Ministry, 2007).

Ordained in 1997, she’s served congregations in Arthurdale, West Virginia (Community Presbyterian Church), Greencastle, Pennsylvania (Greencastle Presbyterian Church), Chapel Hill, North Carolina (University Presbyterian Church), Lewisburg, West Virginia (Old Stone Presbyterian Church) and starting in June of 2021, she made the joyful move to New Bern to accept the call to First Presbyterian Church.

A lifelong learner, Anna retreats to Ring Valley Ranch in Dubois, Wyoming, for annual workshops and seminars exploring issues related to ministry and pastoral care. In addition, she is a valued member of The Well, a group of sixteen Presbyterian (U.S.A.) ministers who gather annually to study lectionary texts and to share ideas and sermons with application for ministry today. Outside of work, Anna enjoys boating, running, baking, and history.

“She is so funny, and you can’t miss her” — Knox Warren

Anna is married to Ben Straight. Ben is a microbiologist who has worked in both brewing and scientific research. Their daughter, Sarah Allan, is a student at Elon University and a member of the Fire of the Carolinas Marching Band.

ASSOCIATE PASTOR

The Reverend Patrick Ryan

A native of Richmond, Virginia, Patrick Ryan has served congregations in Barboursville, West Virginia and Fishersville, Virginia. He is a graduate of Old Dominion University and in 2004 graduated from Union Theological Seminary and Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond with a Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Christian Education.

Patrick and his wife Karen have been married for six years. They met while Patrick was in his first call. A Barboursville, West Virginia native, Karen has been a special education teacher for fifteen years. Patrick and Karen have two sons: Jacob (25) and Andrew (23). They also have a ten-year-old shih-tzu named Riley. Patrick loves to read (mostly non-fiction), listen to podcasts, hike, drink coffee, eat dark chocolate and chocolate ice cream (anything chocolate will do), and generally taking himself not very seriously..

DIRECTOR OF CHILDREN, YOUTH, & FAMILIES

The Reverend Catherine Campbell

Catherine Campbell is an eastern North Carolina native and a two-time graduate of Campbell University. She completed a B.A. in Religion in 2010 and a M.Div. with a concentration in Theological and Historical Studies in 2013. Her most recent time in Raleigh was spent networking among non-profits and pastoring in Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) congregations where she is an ordained clergy member.

In 2020, Catherine became a RYT-200 Yoga Teacher. In her free time, Catherine and her husband Drew enjoy spending time on the water, playing with their dog Maggie, and watching cows on the family farm.

OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR

Dawn Inglis

Dawn Inglis is originally from Franklin, New Jersey and settled in New Bern in 2019 with her adult daughter and son. She started her career with AT&T and stayed with them 21 years working at many different locations. After moving to New Bern she worked at McCarthy Court Independent Living as a Concierge. In her spare time, she enjoys quilting, being a New Bern Girl Scout leader and spending time with her adult children, Sean and Hope and dog furry babies, Maya and Sadie.

DIRECTOR OF MUSIC

Pat Kerr Rowlett

The daughter of a Presbyterian minister and an organist, Pat Rowlett is a graduate of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian College in Laurinburg, NC, where she was a math major and voice minor. Since 1980 she has been Director of Music at First Presbyterian Church where she administers 7 choirs - children’s, youth, adult, and handbell. For 36 years she has been Co-director of the Craven Messiah Chorus and Artistic Director of Pro Musica of New Bern.

Pat has appeared in many theatrical presentations in New Bern as well as soloist for Messiah and various community musical events. She has lived in New Bern since 1978, and enjoys gardening and sailing.

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF MUSIC and ORGANIST

Daniel Sansone

Daniel Sansone received his Bachelor of Music Degree in Organ Performance from the State University of New York at Fredonia, studying with Dr. John T. Hofmann. He received a Master of Music Degree in Organ Performance and Literature from the University of Notre Dame studying under Dr. Craig Cramer. Daniel has worked as Organist and Director of Music in Churches throughout the United States. Most recently he served as Director of Music at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Baltimore, Maryland, and the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Charleston, South Carolina. Most recently Daniel was Director of Music and Organist and First (Scots) Presbyterian Church in Charleston, SC.

Daniel has performed organ recitals throughout the United States, including the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. and St. Paul’s Cathedral in Pittsburgh, PA. He has appeared as guest organ soloist with the Peabody Concert Orchestra, the United States Naval Academy Brass Ensemble, and the Charleston Symphony Orchestra. Daniel has also performed as organ soloist on the Baltimore Bach Festival and the Bach Society of Charleston. He was a committee member of the L’Organo Recital Series of Piccolo Spoleto in Charleston and performed twice on the series.

Daniel currently resides in New Bern with his wife. In his spare time Daniel enjoys cooking, biking, hiking, taking walks with his two Airedales, and spending time with his family.

DIRECTOR, RESURRECTION SINGERS

Susan Mabie

Susan Mabie has been serving in the Music Ministry of First Pres since the fall of 1997. She has a bachelor of music education degree from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA. She and her husband Stephen have one married daughter, and two precious grand kids.

FACILITIES ADMINISTRATOR

Tim Elliott

Tim Elliott and his wife, Diane moved last year to New Bern from Annapolis, MD to be near their daughter's family. They found First Pres and immediately felt the warmth and welcoming of the community. Tim's background includes 30 years in local government finance, retiring as Finance Director for the City of Annapolis. He followed that with 10 years as the Chief Financial Officer for a full service retirement community in Annapolis, where he also managed new building projects and daily plant operations. Besides their daughter, her husband and 3 granddaughters in New Bern, Tim and Diane also have a son and his wife and 2 more granddaughters in Tampa, FL.

FINANCE ADMINISTRATOR

Summer Hough

Summer Hough is a transplant to New Bern from Rochester, NY. She has worked in the not-for-profit and church sectors for 19 years. Ranging in responsibilities from Non-Profit Manager, Pastor, Program Administrator, to Director of Development.

Summer has a passion for warm weather, her family including her husband Zeb of 18 years and her two children Isaiah and Eden. Summer is known for her involvement in the community, and quippy one-liners. She sees her role as Financial Administrator for FPC as an epic adventure of numeric possibilities.

PRE-SCHOOL DIRECTOR AND CHILDREN’S WORSHIP

Kerri Wheeler

Kerri Wheeler has been the First Presbyterian Preschool Director since 1999. Originally from the Detroit area, she fell in love with New Bern when she took a teaching position in North Carolina after graduating college. “Miss Kerri” also teaches our Children Worship & Wonder program on Sunday mornings.

In her spare time , Kerri enjoys cooking with her hubby and spending time with her human children, Bailey and Brook and furry babies, Minnie and Big.

MAINTENANCE

Richard Colflesh

Richard Colflesh began working in the Maintenance department at First Presbyterian Church in September, 2022. Richard is originally from Pennsylvania and settled in New Bern, NC with his wife Shannon in 2006 since his military retirement from service in both the Army and the Marines. They share time with their daughter Hannah and their golden retriever Lilly. Richard also enjoys running his snow cone business with his wife when he is not working at First Presbyterian.

SEXTON

Louis Foye

Louis Foye was born in New Bern and has lived in the James City Community his entire life. He attended James City Elementary School (now Undenominational Bible Church) and J.T. Barber school in New Bern. He worked for Dixie Chemical in James City, and at Cherry Point MCAS maintaining the baseball field and picnic areas.

Louis has worked at First Presbyterian Church since October 1, 1981. Pastor Rich Boyd told him “You might not ever get rich, but you’ll always have a job.” Louis doesn’t drive, so he often rode his bicycle to work and sometimes walked. He says many church members would stop and try to give him a ride, but he enjoyed the walk. In 1981 before he came to work at First Presbyterian Church he was one of four men who picked up a console piano and carried it up the curved stairway to the balcony. Ringing the church bell before worship is one of his favorite duties.

Louis often attends the 8:30 service, seated beside retired Administrator Marjorie Shelton. He loves First Presbyterian Church and feels very blessed to work here. First Presbyterian Church feels the same.

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

Sarah Ross

Sarah Ross has a Bachelor’s Degree in Technology Management, and has primarily worked in non-profit Leadership roles. She is originally from a coastal town in Oregon. While her husband, Shaun, was stationed at Yorktown, VA in 2004, they fell in love with Eastern North Carolina and spent most of their free time on the beaches. After US Coast Guard retirement and their children going to college, Sarah and Shaun moved to New Bern in 2022. Together they love spending time with their daughters Hannah and Mackenzie, traveling with Shaun’s wine job, and operating their furniture refinishing and home decor business.