PASTORAL, PROGRAM & ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF

The Rev. Samuel Weddington

Senior Pastor and Head of Staff

The Rev. Sam Weddington will join the staff and community of F.P.C. on August 1, 2018. Sam has served churches in New Jersey, Seoul, South Korea and Virginia. Sam is joined in ministry with his wife Grace, who is also an ordained Presbyterian minister, and two children, Sammy and Joan. Currently he is pursuing a Doctor of Ministry degree from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, while already holding a Masters of Theology from Princeton Theological Seminary, and a Masters of Divinity from Union Presbyterian Seminary. Sam has deep family connections to the Bristol and Abingdon areas.

Betsy Galliher

Church Business Administrator

Betsy has been overseeing the daily operations of the facility and handling our accounting since September 1999. She holds a degree in business administration with a major in accounting from Tennessee Technological University. Early in her career, Betsy first served FPC for four years, then worked for the Bristol Chamber of Commerce. She has also served as treasurer for other local not-for-profit organizations. Betsy and Lee married in 1983 and are the proud parents of two terrific adults, daughter Sarah and son Pearce. Sarah is married to Chris Newton, and Pearce is a captain in the US Army.

Dr. Pat Flannagan

Interim Director of Music Ministries

Dr. Flannagan recently completed his 35th year on the faculty at King University, where he teaches music history, conducting, musicology, choir, and voice. He earned a BA in psychology from King College, a BM in church music and an MM in choral conducting from Westminster Choir College, and a PhD in musicology from The Catholic University of America. He and his family have been members of FPC for more than 30 years, and he joined our staff June 1, 2017.

Under Pat’s leadership, King University Choirs have sung extensively throughout the US, Scotland, England, and Greece. In December 2008, King was privileged to host the American Choral Master Morten Lauridsen for a week of residence and perform a concert of his music. Pat has trained choirs for six different performances at Carnegie Hall, working with conductors such as Timothy Sharp and John Rutter. He has been invited to conduct a concert there on May 13, 2018. That trip is open to singers and nonsingers who may be interested in a short week in New York City.

Robert J. Greene Jr.

Organist

Bob Greene holds degrees from Oberlin College Conservatory of Music and Colgate Rochester Divinity School. He has served as music director and organist for congregations in Florida, New York, Tennessee, and Virginia. His musical compositions include art songs, congregational hymns, choral anthems for adults and children, handbell compositions, church musicals, solo organ pieces, chamber music, electronic music, contemporary Christian music, and a major cantata, The Seven Last Words, based on the passion of Christ. He has received awards and commissions for his instrumental and choral compositions, and he is published by MorningStar Music and Saint James Music Press. Bob joined our staff June 1, 2017. He and his wife, Susie, live in Bristol, Virginia.

The Rev. Dr. Dave Welch

Minister for Discipleship

Dr. Welch has served First Presbyterian Church as Minister for Discipleship since June 2005. He has served churches in Boone, North Carolina; Louisville, Kentucky; and Douglasville, Georgia. Along with worship, he is interested in all new technology. Dave also serves our community as a member of the Bristol Tennessee Board of Education. He and his wife, Linda, have been married since 1987. He and Linda share experience in youth and college-age ministries. They have three children, Kathryn, Abigail, and Stephen.

Lilly Osborne

Director of Children’s Ministries

Lilly has served as our Director of Children’s Ministries since June 1, 2014. She brings a strong musical background and experience in our children’s music ministry to her post. Lilly graduated from King College with a major in Elementary Education and a minor in Bible and Religion and formerly taught in the Sullivan County School System. In addition to her work for FPC and as a piano teacher, she cares for her family of five children, Michael, Annie, Daniel, Ginny, and Charlotte.

Debbie Pfeifer

Nursery Coordinator

Debbie oversees the care of our infants and toddlers on Sunday mornings and Wednesday program evenings, as well as for special events. She has faithfully served FPC for more than 15 years!

Anthony Childress

Director of Contemporary Worship

Anthony comes to FPC by way of Knoxville with his wife and begins his ministry in May, 2019

Chris Bingham

Director of Traditional Worship

Chris comes to FPC by way of Ashland, Oregon with his wife. Chris will be starting in June, 2019

Katie Arnold

Director of Student Ministries

Katie joined the FPC staff as Director of Student Ministries in the summer of 2012, after serving churches in Abingdon and Atlanta. Her passion for walking with students through their teenage years as they wrestle with faith shines through her work with the youth of FPC and the community. Katie graduated from King University in 2005 with a degree in youth ministry and psychology and more recently earned an MA in Family Ministry from Bethel Seminary. She has been married to Brad, a native of Bristol, Virginia, since 2007. They have one child, Brady Thomas.

Larry Connolly

Facilities Manager

Larry joined our staff in April 2015 to oversee the custodial services, coordinate work by outside contractors, and fulfill items on our comprehensive Preventive Maintenance Plan. This is a big job for a big campus, and we are delighted to have his eyes and expertise.

Scottie Bales

Financial Assistant

Scottie joined our staff September 1, 2016, taking charge of creating wonderful menus for a wide range of events and preparing food for groups of all sizes. In addition to these responsibilities Scottie is now working in the main office as the Financial Assistant to the Business Administrator.