Our Leadership
(Beginning July 4, 2021) Pastor/Head of Staff: The Reverend Doctor Anna Pinckney Straight comes to us from Old Stone Presbyterian Church in Lewisburg, West Virginia. She has served this historic church (1783), for five years, as pastor and head of staff. Prior to her call to Old Stone, “Anna” served as associate pastor for ten years at University Presbyterian Church in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
Anna grew up in Charleston, South Carolina. As a youth, she attended and was confirmed at Charleston’s Second Presbyterian Church (1809). She attended Agnes Scott College in Decatur, Georgia, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. In 1993, she enrolled at Union Theological Seminary in New York City, from which she was awarded a Master of Divinity degree in 1996. In 2007, Rev. Straight received a Doctor of Ministry degree from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C. Her doctoral concentration was in preaching. During her 24 years in pastoral ministry, Dr. Straight has served churches in West Virginia, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania.
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 seventeen 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.
Anna is married to Ben Straight. Ben is a microbiologist who has worked in both brewing and scientific research. Their daughter, Sarah Allan, will be a high school senior in September and will soon be selecting a college to further her education. In Lewisburg, Sarah Allan plays flute in the high school marching and concert bands.
Anna grew up in Charleston, South Carolina. As a youth, she attended and was confirmed at Charleston’s Second Presbyterian Church (1809). She attended Agnes Scott College in Decatur, Georgia, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. In 1993, she enrolled at Union Theological Seminary in New York City, from which she was awarded a Master of Divinity degree in 1996. In 2007, Rev. Straight received a Doctor of Ministry degree from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C. Her doctoral concentration was in preaching. During her 24 years in pastoral ministry, Dr. Straight has served churches in West Virginia, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania.
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 seventeen 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.
Anna is married to Ben Straight. Ben is a microbiologist who has worked in both brewing and scientific research. Their daughter, Sarah Allan, will be a high school senior in September and will soon be selecting a college to further her education. In Lewisburg, Sarah Allan plays flute in the high school marching and concert bands.
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. 
First Presbyterian Church, New Bern, NC is seeking a full time Office Administrator. This person must have a caring attitude and excellent “people skills” in addition to strong clerical, administrative and communication abilities. Interested applicants can send their resumes to: FPC, P.O. Box 1069, New Bern, NC 28563-1069 or by Email to church@firstpresnb.org.
Financial Administrator: Amber Zapffel is busy doing numbers. She and her husband Paul Scott do many wonderful things to keep FPC running smoothly.
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
Maren Sonstegard-Spray, Moderator
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
Maren Sonstegard-Spray, Moderator