Presbyterians in the South Bay: San Pedro, Rancho Palos Verdes, Lomita, and the Harbor Area ... On-line

Staff

First Presbyterian Church of San Pedro: Christ for Life

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Pastoral Staff

Rev. Neal Neuenschwander

Pastor, Head of Staff

Neal came to First Pres in October 2004, and he blesses us with great preaching, challenging leadership, and sensitive caring.

Neal sees himself filling four primary roles in the church. As a leader, he works to build a common vision, strong teams, and specific measurable goals. As a preacher, "I love to mobilize God's people to reach great ends. I emphasize practical applications, but I also cherish deep analysis of the original biblical text, and I often translate key words from the Hebrew or Greek. I enjoy success stories, and my favorite illustrations describe people who overcame great obstacles in order to achieve." As a coach, he suggests ideas that have worked in other places, while respecting unique needs. To gain this wide perspective, he has interviewed leaders of outstanding churches, as well as attending major conferences on leadership and church systems. As a caregiver, he shares Christ's compassion through counseling, visitation, and correspondence. He writes, " I love learning people's stories and honoring their contributions to Christ's work within and beyond the church."

Above all, Neal seeks to show that "the love of Christ is real. When you're sick, it brings food to the door. When you're bruised, it brings tenderness. When you're confused, it brings truth. When you're stuck, it brings freedom. When you're discouraged, it brings hope."

Rupert Loyd

Lay Minister of Visitation

Rupert spent 30 years as an officer in the U.S. Navy, eventually reaching the rank of captain. He commanded two ships, a destroyer and a radar picket. During this period, he also developed a strong faith in Jesus Christ and a desire to share this faith with others. Following his service in the Navy, Rupert worked briefly in the private sector. Then, he served as our Business Manager for 10 years. During retirement, Rupert has devoted his efforts to pastoral care and spiritual development, visiting the sick, calling on visitors, teaching Bible Studies, and leading our Wednesday night prayer group.

Office Staff

Shirley Snow

Office Manager

Shirley's is usually the voice you hear when you call the church. She keeps everything running smoothly and is a wonderful central communicator of all things First Pres San Pedro. Shirley also coordinates the calendar and produces the weekly bulletin used in worship. And, in her spare time, she publishes the monthly church newsletter, The Fisherman, keeping even far-flung friends of the church up-to-date.

Martha Bodlovich

Financial Manager

Martha handles the cold hard cash: she records the church's income and pays the bills (on time!). She reports on the status of the church's finances, providing regular reports to the Session, as well as sending out giving summaries to indvidual members.

Music & Worship Staff

Allan Petker

Director of Music

Allan orchestrates all the music ministries. He directs the Chancel Choir (the adult choir), in diverse styles of music ranging from Renaissance to modern. He is also a nationally-known composer and publisher of choral music, travelling around the western U.S. as a guest conductor.

Rob Klopfenstein

Worship Service Pianist

Rob is our fantastic pianist for the praise band. He plays all over the South Bay, Fridays at the Whale & Ale in San Pedro, Saturdays at the Sixth Street Bistro in San Pedro, and Sunday brunch and Wednesday evenings at The Paradise Cafe in Long Beach. He has also released six CDs, and frequently plays for private parties. His musical background runs the gamut of all styles - classical, pop standards, latin, jazz, rock, and the blues.

Ferris Gluck

Organist

Ferris spent her earliest years in Connecticut and then moved to Southern California at age 10. She graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, with a B.A., then earned a Diploma of Music from the New England Conservatory, and a Certificate in Composing & Arranging from the Dick Grove School. During her years as a music student, she began working as a choir director/organist/pianist at churches. Ferris performs live regularly as a solo pianist and member of a jazz trio in hotels and parties in the LA area as well as for cruises and other special events. She continues to compose film scores and music for TV and has earned numerous credits in Roger Corman films, indie films, and TV shows. Ferris has a small posse of students to whom she teaches piano and music theory lessons.

Nan Roberts

Director of the Chapel Bells

Before moving to San Pedro, Nan led a large hand bell choir at the First Presbyterian Church of Granada Hills for 15 years. Here in San Pedro, she directs bell choirs for 2 churches and has been a faithful member of this church for many years. Nan received her educational training at Occidental College and she served for 17 years as the pre through elementary school Principal at the Granada Hills Church. Together with her husband, Bill, Nan helped the San Pedro Bay Historical Society furnish, restore and preserve the 100 year old Muller House Museum, the former home of a prominent ship builder in our community.

Sandy DeLossa

Contemporary Music Coordinator

Sandy DeLossa is the coordinator of Sunday morning worship service. Sandy and her husband Rob were married at First Pres in 1991 and have been members ever since. In the past, Sandy has played with the Chapel Bells and was once the Cherub Choir Director. She is often assisted in administrative duties by daughters Natalie and Robyn.

Jennifer Langdon

Sound System Manager

Jennifer coordinates use of the sound equipment, setting up and tearing down when needed, fixing things when they go wrong, and scheduling the sound board operators for each service. She has been part of First Pres San Pedro since junior high, involved in the youth activities and the sports teams. She is currently attending college.

Youth and Children's Music Staff

Emily Anderson

Director of Youth & Children's Choirs

Emily Anderson started the children's choirs at First Presbyterian Church two decades ago. She recently returned after a seven year absence and still has the knack for having fun with kids of all ages while teaching them about faith and music. She places the emphasis on musical fun, teaching; morals, biblical stories and scripture.

Katelyn Tomasello

Youth Choir Accompanist

Katelyn Tomasello is currently attending Mary Star of the Sea High School in the 11th grade. She is part of the decathlon team, while being involved in many other school organizations and clubs. Katelyn has been taking piano lessons for eight years and has been a student of Emily Anderson for the last four years. She enjoys volleyball and played for the Mary Star High School team as well as Club Po'okela.

Daniel Powell

Youth Choir Accompanist

Daniel Powell is a 9th grade student at San Pedro High School in the Marine Biology Magnet Program. He has been taking piano lessons for 10 years, six of which have been with Emily Anderson. Daniel also enjoys playing soccer as part of the Beach FC soccer club and the SPHS team.

Student Ministries Staff

Randi Bender and Todd Walter

Youth Workers

Randi Bender is a life-long member of First Pres, where she was active in the children's choirs and the youth group of our church. After graduating from college at Fresno State, she took an accounting job in Central California, where she met her husband, Todd Walter. Todd is a native of Washington state. Eventually, Randi brought him to Southern California, where both continued in the accounting field. After reconnecting with our church through the Alpha program in 2006, they volunteered for several youth projects, eventually joining our staff.

Children's Education Staff

Sue Headley

Coordinator of Church School and Vacation Bible School

Sue is great at organizing and keeping track of lots of details--and she has lots of patience and persistence. These are excellent qualities for this job, as she works with lots of volunteer teachers and lots and lots of kids. She also applies her joy and love, as only a grandmother can!

Sharon McLachlan

Toddler Room Coordinator

Sharon McLachlan grew up her in San Pedro, where she attended Dana Middle School and San Pedro High. She joined our church in 2005 (after visiting for several years), and soon became involved in ministry to kids. Her smiling face is a welcome sight to many children in our church.

Kory Ederer

Nursery Room Coordinator

Kory grew up in First Pres San Pedro, singing in many of the choirs and playing for the volleyball teams. She loves working with kids, caring for them with great enthusiasm. She is currently attending college.

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