About the Church

First Presbyterian Church Kirkwood Staff

		Rev. Dr. David Holyan Pastor David Holyan grew up in the Seattle area and attended Seattle University, graduating in 1988 with a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies. After a career in Financial Management and Technical Sales, David felt a call to the ministry. He received a Master of Divinity degree from Princeton Theological Seminary in June 1998. David's first call was as pastor of the Sligo, PA, Presbyterian Church in 1998. He served this rural congregation for three years. In September 2001 David became Associate Pastor at Rolling Bay Presbyterian on Bainbridge Island, Washington. David received the Doctor of Ministry degree from Columbia Theological Seminary in May 2006 and is currently pursuing a PhD in Theology through the University of Exeter (UK). David and his wife Jani, a psychologist who works for Parents as Teachers, have two children. Anna is presently a high school senior and Sam is a junior. Anna enjoys working on yearbook staff as Editor-in-Chief. Sam runs cross-country and is an excellent musician, especially enjoying the electric guitar.

		Rev. Dr. Karen Blanchard Associate Pastor Karen served as Pastor of Pacific (Missouri) Presbyterian Church from 1989 to 1998. Prior to that, she was a Christian Educator and Assistant and Associate Pastor at Second Presbyterian Church of St. Louis from 1980 - 1987. Karen earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree at the College of Wooster, including a semester of study at New College Divinity School, Edinburgh, Scotland (1975) and a Master of Divinity Degree from Boston University School of Theology (1978). She was ordained by the Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy on June 6, 1982 and was awarded a Doctor of Ministry Degree from Eden Seminary in 1990. Karen is married to Scott Martin, a commercial real estate broker. Karen and Scott are the parents of Zoe Grace, who joined their family from China in 1996, and Jonathan, who came from Vietnam in 1998. Well known and respected throughout the Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy, Karen was a Commissioner to the General Assembly in 1991. She has also served on the Personnel and Administration Committee, the Committee on Ministry, the Administrative Commission for Sexual Misconduct and the Committee on Preparation for Ministry.

		Sheila C. Cawns Coordinator of Senior Adult Ministries Sheila is a graduate of Webster University with an MA in Gerontology. She works with a Senior Advisory Board in the planning and implementation of programs for older adults which may include trips, health seminars, shut-in visitation, social groups, and recognition of 50 year members of the church. She has been a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church in St. Louis since 1950. Sheila is married to Al Cawns, chair of Math and Computer Science at Webster University, and has two grown daughters and two grandchildren

		Jim Madson Coordinator of New Programs (Volunteer) Prior to his retirement, Jim was a scientist and engineering manager with McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing). He joined the staff in 2003 as volunteer Coordinator of New Programs. He and his wife Fran live in Kirkwood and have been members of First Presbyterian since 1968. Jim has served the Presbyterian Church both locally and regionally having been moderator of the presbytery and three times commissioner to the General Assembly. At First Presbyterian, he served as a deacon, on the session twice and has been clerk of session since 1996. Jim and Fran have two grown children and two grandchildren.

		Deb Pascal Director of First Presbyterian Church Children's Center Deb has been with the First Pres Preschool Program since fall of 1995. She has been the Director of the Preschool and Kids' Day Out Program (now Children's Center) since June of 2002. She and her husband, Tom, have two children. They reside in Kirkwood

		Bill Stein Director of Music Ministries Bill Stein was raised in German Valley, a small town in northern Illinois. He received degrees in Organ Performance and Sacred Music from Illinois Wesleyan University and Northwestern University. Bill has completed several choir tours of Europe serving as both organist and choral director, performing throughout Italy, Austria, Germany, France, and Ireland. While serving churches most recently in Rockford, Illinois, he served as Dean of the Rockford Chapter, American Guild of Organists. Bill loves to spend his free time reading and traveling, as well as spoiling his nieces and nephews.

		Gayle Taylor Director of Children and Family Ministries Gayle Taylor has served in Youth and Children's Ministries since 1983. Her description of her position is "fun with planning and implementation of all kid stuff." She is a longtime member of First Presbyterian and has four grown children and three grandchildren. In her leisure time, Gayle enjoys walking and having fun with her family.

		Chuck Wiltsch Church Business Administrator Chuck has been with First Presbyterian Church since 1999, after 16 years with a contract administration firm. His current duties include oversight of purchasing, fiscal concerns and extensive buildings and ground. Chuck has a passion for music, having served various churches as Organist or Music Director for almost 40 years and singing baritone with the 160-voice Archdiocesan Choir. He is part of a large extended family and spends free time reading, walking and biking.

		Cathy Yost Director of New Members and Lay Ministry Cathy has been a member of First Presbyterian since 1986 and on staff since 1989. She has one grown son. Cathy was educated in St. Louis and has formerly worked in administrative and motivational positions. She believes strongly in the joy of hands-on ministry, having spent several years as an active community and church volunteer.

		Katie Mullins Director of Youth Ministries Katie Mullins, second from left, joined us in August, 2008 as the full-time Director of Youth Ministries. Katie brings a deep desire to nurture the faith of the youth of our church and our community. With a Masters Degree in Counseling from the University of Missouri - St. Louis, and years of experience working with youth, Katie brings a unique and desirable set of gifts to her new calling into ministry. Having grown up in the area, attending Park Way West High School, Katie is familiar with Kirkwood and the area, having worked at Kaldi's Coffee while going to school.