Our Leadership
The Interim Pastor Nominating Committee made its recommendation to the session Tuesday, August 13, 2019 that the Rev. Edward "Eddie" Bellis be hired for the position of Interim Pastor beginning October 1, 2019, to continue through September 30, 2020. Rev. Bellis is a graduate of New Bern High School, NC State University, the Presbyterian School of Christian Education, and Union Theological Seminary, Richmond, VA. He was ordained in 1996. While in high school he was a member of the Senior High Youth Group here at First Presbyterian Church and was confirmed here at First Presbyterian Church. During his ministry he has held positions of Youth director, Associate Pastor (3), Solo Pastor, and Interim Pastor (5). Most recently he was interim Pastor at First Presbyterian Church Kinston and First Presbyterian Greenville. He has served churches in Virginia, Maryland, Florida, and North Carolina. Rev. Bellis is presently living in Kinston where his son is a rising Senior at North Lenoir High School. His parents still live in New Bern. He comes highly recommended by churches where he has been an interim.
IPNC is comprised of Hal Vandersea, chair, Marge Avery, Janet Avery, Janet Bryan, Middleton Hinckley and Peter Moeller.
IPNC is comprised of Hal Vandersea, chair, Marge Avery, Janet Avery, Janet Bryan, Middleton Hinckley and Peter Moeller.
Designated Associate Pastor: Reverend Doctor Maren Sonstegard-Spray began her ministry at the church in January 2018, after having served for eleven years as an Associate Pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Winchester, VA. She attended Duke University for her undergraduate degree, Princeton Theological Seminary for her Master of Divinity, and received a Doctor of Ministry degree in the spring of 2019 from the Candler School of Theology at Emory University. She is thrilled to be back in beautiful North Carolina! Maren and her husband, Jeff, have two boys, and three chickens.
High School Youth Coordinator:
Marianna Dunn grew up in New Bern, attending First Presbyterian Church. She graduated from NC State University with a degree in education. She currently teaches English at New Bern High School and coaches JV Cheerleading. She is married to to her high school sweetheart. Together they have one spunky daughter and a crazy yellow lab. She is thrilled to be involved with the youth and pour into the future generations of the church. 
Facilities Supervisor: Tommy Hall has worked as the Supervisor at First Presbyterian since 2007. As a Native New Bernian, Tommy and his wife Mary along with their three children have been active members of First Presbyterian for over forty years.
Office Administrator: Priscilla "Cilla" Randall Miller joined us in 2019 and has lived in New Bern for 31 years, claiming blood that runs Tarheel Blue. She was born in Maine, raised in Connecticut and moved to New Bern in 1988 when her new husband, David was to be based at Cherry Point Air Station. As a Health Educator, in New Bern, she worked with Craven County Health Department, Duke University and with various non-profits, including as Executive Director of MERCI Clinic.
Priscilla is a member of Christ Church, where she held a similar position of Interim Church Administrator for six months. She has one married daughter who lives in Maine. Financial Administrator: Amber Zapffel
Communications Facilitator: Cathy Wingfield began serving First Presbyterian in the fall of 2018. She has a Bachelor of Elementary Education, Bachelor of Middle Grades Education and a Master's Degree in Media Technology from Appalachian State University. "Cradle" Presbyterian, serving as Elder and Moderator of Presbyterian Women in previous churches. Cathy and her husband Dale moved to New Bern in 2017. She and Dale have five kids, two daughters-in law and two sons-in law scattered across the country, two grandchildren and one very spoiled "Journey" dog.
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Director of Music: Pat Kerr Rowlett The daughter of a Presbyterian minister and an organist, Pat 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. She has also 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.
Director Resurrection Singers: 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.
Preschool Director & Children's Worship: Kerri Wheeler has been our 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 she enjoys cooking with her hubby and spending time with her human children, Bailey and Brook and furry babies, Minnie and Big.
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Session:
The governing body of First Presbyterian is our Session. Our Session is made up of 21 elders, elected by the congregation for three-year terms. To facilitate the work of the Session, members serve in six different Commissions — each responsible for a major area of leadership: administration, care, education, fellowship, outreach, and worship.
ADMINISTRATION
Marc Finlayson ’22
Phoebe Briley ’23
Jim Findley ’21
Julia Speight ‘22
EDUCATION
Gayle Hardy ’21
Addie Cheek ’23
Madison Crum ’22
Beth Paul ‘23
OUTREACH
Bruce Pollock ’21
Peggy Clark ’21
Mark Moeller ’23
CARE
Patti Fleming ‘22
Margaret Cooper ‘22
Margaret Pritchett ‘23
FELLOWSHIP
Kevin Avolis ‘22
Beth Foley ‘21
Middleton Hinckley ‘23
WORSHIP
Janelle Haggard ‘21
George Moore ‘21
Mike Newman ‘23
Hal Vandersea ‘22
Karen Reed, Clerk
Eddie Bellis & Maren Sonstegard-Spray, Moderators
Marc Finlayson ’22
Phoebe Briley ’23
Jim Findley ’21
Julia Speight ‘22
EDUCATION
Gayle Hardy ’21
Addie Cheek ’23
Madison Crum ’22
Beth Paul ‘23
OUTREACH
Bruce Pollock ’21
Peggy Clark ’21
Mark Moeller ’23
CARE
Patti Fleming ‘22
Margaret Cooper ‘22
Margaret Pritchett ‘23
FELLOWSHIP
Kevin Avolis ‘22
Beth Foley ‘21
Middleton Hinckley ‘23
WORSHIP
Janelle Haggard ‘21
George Moore ‘21
Mike Newman ‘23
Hal Vandersea ‘22
Karen Reed, Clerk
Eddie Bellis & Maren Sonstegard-Spray, Moderators