Leadership
& Staff
Our church is led by a gifted Pastoral team, as well as our Director of Music & Arts, our Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry, many Parish Associates and a wonderful Administrative staff.
Officers
& Governance
The Kirk’s Governance structure assigns governance and ministry decisions to appropriate bodies and staff.
Ministry Teams
& Committees
A Ministry Team is a group of individuals with a shared call to particular forms of service to the mission of the church.
Our Pastoral Team
Learn About Our Pastoral Team
The Rev. Dr. Steve Schaick (“Shike”) accepted the call to be the Kirk’s Bridge Interim Head of Staff, beginning August 29th, 2022. Steve was born and raised in a United Church of Christ Church in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. His calling to ministry came as a college student at the University of Wisconsin, where he also met Denise, his wife of 39 years. Following the completion of his MDiv at McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago, he served for three years as Associate Pastor of Mt Zion UCC in Beavercreek, Ohio. In 1988, he entered the United States Air Force as a Chaplain. Originally ordained in the UCC, in 2006 Steve was accepted into the Florida Presbytery as a PC (USA) chaplain. Steve and Denise served God’s people in Arkansas, Germany, Arlington National Cemetery, Alabama, the US Air Force Academy, Turkey, Florida, Virginia, San Antonio and DC. Last summer, after 35 years of uniformed service, he and Denise retired from the Air Force. Steve was assigned to the Pentagon his last six years and served the last three years as the US Air and Space Force Chief of Chaplains. Upon retirement, Steve and Denise left Washington DC and moved to Chapel Hill (their 21st move!) to be near two of their four amazing grandchildren…and their parents, too.
Steve and Denise love to bike, golf and love on their grandbabies. They also look forward to partnering in ministry with the amazing, gifted and loving Saints of the Kirk.
Stephanie Arnold Workman – Associate Pastor at Kirk of Kildaire, Presbyterian, a church in Cary, NC.
Stephanie is Associate Pastor for Christian Nurture and Mission. She has been at the Kirk since 2003 and was ordained in 2005. While she moved many times in her younger years (Oxford, England; New Mexico; Illinois; Texas; New Jersey; and Louisiana) she claims Louisiana as home, though she has now lived in North Carolina for longer than anywhere else.
She received her undergraduate degree in Sociology and Religion from Wake Forest University and her Master of Divinity from Princeton Seminary. In her spare time, Stephanie enjoys hanging out with her son (Clinton) and their dog (Sandy).
Rev. Molly Smerko is a child of God, twin, daughter, and friend. She grew up in Wilmington, North Carolina, where her faith was nurtured by her parents and the saints of First Presbyterian Church, as well as her love for salt, sand, and seafood. When she was ten, her family moved back to Raleigh. Her faith and call to ministry continued to be nurtured by White Memorial Presbyterian Church. Molly is a graduate of Broughton High School in Raleigh (International Baccalaureate program). She continued her education at Meredith College (B.A, Religious and Ethical Studies, Spanish) and Union Presbyterian Seminary (M.Div). She has served PC(USA) churches in Richmond and Roanoke, Virginia, and Charlotte, North Carolina. She was ordained as a Minister of Word and Sacrament in the New Hope Presbytery. Molly’s heart for pastoral care has been nurtured through completing units of clinical pastoral education (CPE) at UNC Rex Hospital and UNC WakeBrook Hospital in Raleigh. Molly is a Spanish speaker, and she finds great joy in building bridges of connection and hospitality through both speaking and tutoring Spanish with others.
Molly is delighted to be worshipping and serving at the Kirk, living closer to both her immediate and extended family.
For fun, you can find her reading, enjoying live music, spending time with her loved ones, or playing soccer with her German Shepherd, Ginny.
Molly sums up her life philosophy like this: She believes that the story of God’s love for humanity is the greatest story ever told; she yearns for every second of her life to reflect that story.
A native of Austin, Texas, Matt graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 2016 (B.A., History and Religious Studies) and moved to the Triangle area in August 2020 to start the M. Div. program at Duke Divinity School, from which he graduated in 2023. Matt has served in a variety of ministry areas, denominations, and parts of the country: college ministry in Austin, Texas; church ministry in West Jefferson, North Carolina; retreat ministry in Cody, Wyoming; and several non-profit spaces in Durham. During his time at Duke, he met his now fiancée, Alli; their wedding is scheduled for October 2023!
In his free time, Matt loves hiking and camping with Alli and his dog, Skippy. He also loves to discover fun coffee shops, get lost in a good book, and study and learn new languages. He is passionate about helping people understand their relationships with God and with each other better and believes that each person can provide deeper insight into who God is. He is excited to work with the youth and young adults at the Kirk and growing in his own understanding of God as he learns how the lives of those at the Kirk have been shaped by the gospel!
Dr. Larry Abernathy, Director of Music at Kirk of Kildaire Presbyterian Church in Cary NC
After being away from his home state over twenty-years, Dr. Larry Abernathy was called to serve as the Director of Music Ministries and Arts at the Kirk in January 2010. Prior to being called to the Kirk, he served Reid Memorial Presbyterian in Augusta, Ga. He has served congregations in Columbia, SC, and Petersburg, VA. He has one son, Lawrence.
Larry’s education includes a DMIN degree from Baptist Theological Seminary in Richmond, VA, a Master of Music degree from Southern Seminary, Louisville, KY, where he was awarded the performance award in organ performance, and a Bachelor of Music degree from Wingate University. He has had post-graduate studies in Organ Performance and Choral Directing at the University of South Carolina and Peabody Conservatory.
His choirs have recorded for the Georgia Public Broadcasting Network and been invited to sing at Westabou Arts Festival and at the yearly Lessons and Carols service with the Augusta Collegium. The Kirk choir has been invited to lead in worship at Montreat Summer Worship. In addition to presenting in the public school system in SC, and serving as clinician at handbell festivals, he has served as a presenter for LOGOS Systems Associates for several years.
Dr. Moon Choi joined the Kirk staff in 2016. A native of South Korea, he is a pianist, organist, and collaborative musician. He earned a master’s degree at New England Conservatory of Music under Professor Victor Rosenbaum. At the Conservatory, he received multiple scholarships and won the conservatory’s honors piano competition. Granted a full scholarship, he earned another master’s degree in Collaborative Music and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Piano Performance at Michigan State University. Since coming to the USA, he also studied Organ under Dr. Tom Handel, Dr. David Lynch, and Mr. Christopher Jacobson at Duke Chapel.
As a solo recitalist and guest artist, Dr. Choi has enjoyed an active performing career throughout the United States, South Korea, Russia, and Italy. He performed at Jordan Hall in Boston and was invited to perform in the Carnegie Weill Hall in New York City.
Dr. Choi was a pianist for the Korea National Opera and performed more than 50 concerts with their artists. He worked as staff pianist for the New England Conservatory in Boston and he was invited to be an instructor for young musicians at the Iksan Art Center in South Korea.
Previously, he served as pianist for the First Presbyterian Church in Holt, Michigan, and as Music Director and Organist for the University Baptist Church in Lansing, Michigan. Now, he serves as Associate Director of Music and Organist at the Kirk.
Parish Associates, Parish Chaplain & Parish Nurse
Learn About Our Parish Associates, Parish Chaplain & Parish Nurse
Rev. Willem Bodisco Massink, was born in the Netherlands and served his country as an MP in the Dutch Army. He graduated from the State College for Agriculture with a B.Sc. degree in Tropical Agriculture and received his M.Div. from the Colgate Rochester Divinity School in Rochester, New York in 1974.
Willem became pastor of the United Protestant Church of Curacao, the Netherlands Antilles, returned to the USA in 1977 and for the next 30 years served churches in up-state New York and Pennsylvania. He was honorably retired in 2007 from Susquehanna Valley Presbytery. Willem is married to Janet and they have 4 children and 11 grandchildren.
Alice is a native of Pittsburgh, PA and came to North Carolina with her husband John in 2012. While raising her family of four children, she attended seminary at Union (VA), Pittsburgh and San Francisco, earning MDiv and MA (Christian Education) degrees.
She has served the church in Pennsylvania and West Virginia as a pastor, church educator and presbytery staff. She has a background in theater and dance, and now she and John keep busy traveling and doting on their 11 grandchildren.
Bill Sadler grew up in western Pennsylvania hearing the call to Christian ministry at age 12. He worked on computers while attending Pitt. Education continued for him at Princeton Seminary and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Studies in organizational communications and conflict resolution equipped Bill for serving 8 called pastorates and 16 interim pastorates. He taught at UWis, Western Illinois University, McCormick and Princeton seminaries. Susy and Bill came to NC and the Kirk in 2020 to follow their grandkids. Woodworking, gardening, birding and glass mosaic are his hobbies.
A parish nurse is a registered nurse who works with a faith community to address holistic health (mind-body-spirit) and provides education, advocacy, resources and caregiving.
Caryn may be contacted at:
nurse@kirkofkildaire.org
Administrative Staff
Learn About Administrative Staff
Ellen is a native of North Carolina. She is a 1986 graduate of the business school at UNC-CH. She is a CPA who specializes in non-profit accounting. She and her husband have two grown daughters. Ellen spends her free time reading, exploring local parks, and volunteering at Saint Francis UMC.
Cyndi has been the Office Administrator for the Kirk since August 2015 and is the first friendly face you see as you enter the church. She has been married to her high school sweetheart since 1998 and has three young adults, all of which bring her so much joy and happiness. In her spare time, you will find Cyndi in her yard gardening or practicing her cooking skills.
Cyndi excels at customer service and has been noted as the “quarterback for the church” ensuring everything runs smoothly at the Kirk. Please reach out to her if you need assistance, she is more than happy to help you!
Joel is our part-time office assistant. On his office days, he is the second person you see when you walk into the church office. Joel is a long-time member of the church and is also great at answering questions and providing encouragement.
Governance & Church Officers
The Governance structure assigns governance and ministry decisions to appropriate bodies and staff, while seeking to be flexible in addressing the changing needs of our congregation.
Our model consists of five primary components:
- The Session
- Committees of the Session
- The Deacons
- Ministry Teams (in some cases incorporating Sub-Teams)
- Staff
The Session is ordinarily composed of the Teaching Elders and thirteen (13) Ruling Elders, including one Youth Elder. Its focus is the larger issues of our church: discerning the mission and direction of the church, establishing goals in cooperation with the Ministry Teams, and participating in denominational issues.
The two standing Committees of the Session are the Personnel and Finance Committees. These two aspects of the church’s life are so interwoven with the policies and actions of the Session that they demand direct Session representation.
In 2020 the Session approved the ordination and installation of individually commissioned Deacons at the Kirk. The Kirk Deacons provide pastoral and congregational care for an initial term of two years and may continue beyond with yearly re-commitments.
A Ministry Team is a group of individuals with a shared call to particular forms of service to the mission of the church. Ministry Teams are empowered by the Session to work independently, within policy guidelines, to achieve the goals of the church. Responsibility for the day-to-day business of the church rests with Ministry Teams.
The Staff are guided by individual job descriptions and, as a general principle, serve as mentoring, coaching resources for one or more broad areas of ministry.
The governing year runs from April to March of each year, with the installation of incoming Ruling Elders occurring in March, and their terms of service beginning in April and ending in March.
The fiscal or stewardship year runs from January to December of each year.
Lynne Hicks
Lindsay Ray
Jackson Riley
Patty Snow
Shirley Church
Emyr Edwards
Brett Mastalli
Anna Shartzer
Jonathan Allen
Elaine Hoffman
Steve LaTour
Jim Pinson
Elizabeth R.
Amy Woynicz
Ann Branch
Carol Bennett
Barry Harmon
Barney Hale
Hannah Lugiano
Linda Menton
Jerry Rankin
Melanie Rankin
Karen Slack
Helen Stanfield
Kathy White
Ministry Teams & Committees
Mission Ministry Team
Ministry Team Leaders: Jan Marallo & Kelli Jackson
Ministry Team Members:
Virginia Anthony
Willem Bodisco Massink
Melody Cleland
Barney Hale
Linda Hale
Phillip Hammer
Amy Huenemann
Kelli Jackson
Richard Jackson
Betsey McFarland
Tony Segreti
Wendy Segreti
Session Liaison: Patty Snow
Finance Liaison: Cheryl Porter
Staff Assignment: Stephanie Arnold Workman
Ministry Team Leaders: Jan Marallo & Kelli Jackson
Sub-Team Leaders: Virginia Anthony & Hal Jordan
Ministry Sub-Team Members:
Barney Hale
Carol Hamilton
Patty Snow
Session Liaison: Patty Snow
Finance Liaison: Cheryl Porter
Staff Assignment: Stephanie Arnold Workman
Ministry Team Leaders: Jan Marallo & Kelli Jackson
Ministry Sub-Team Leader: Patty Snow
Ministry Sub-Team Members:
Juliana Alfonso
Kristin Anderson
Shirley Church
Lori Houck
Carol Orban
Rafaela Orea
Edla Prevette
Liz Railton
Marietjie Wessels
Session Liaison: Patty Snow
Finance Liaison: Cheryl Porter
Staff Assignment: Stephanie Arnold Workman
Justice and Equality Ministry Team
Ministry Team Leader: David Walker & Bill Sadler
Members: See other tab
Session Liaison: Lynne Hicks
Staff Assignment: TBD
Charter/Responsibility
● Develop a church culture that is antiracist, reflective of our community’s diversity, and radically inclusive
- Provide opportunities for church and community members to learn about race and racism and become change agents against racial inequity
Primary Activities
● Provide and promote educational resources for all ages
● Receive and respond to new ideas, resources, suggestions, and concerns from church members
● Create and attend events and forums to discuss racism, diversity, and inclusion and to express solidarity with people all too often denied justice and just treatment
● Work for the eradication of racism from our church, our denomination, our community, and the world
● Identify and ensure implementation of diversity, equity, inclusion training for leaders and volunteers to prepare them to create brave spaces and facilitate courageous conversations
● Conduct a regular survey to seek feedback from church members and other stakeholders (e.g., preschool families) to ensure that the Kirk is a welcoming environment that values every person
● Distribute updates about Kirk commitments and actions to bring marginalized people into the circle
● Partner with other community and faith groups working to resolve racial equity issues
Mike and Virginia Anthony
Victor and Rhoda Chang
Shirley Church
Caitlin Coats
Byron Espino
Jan & Kayla Marallo
Chris and Susan Mazarra
Betsey McFarland
Patricia Neri
Craig and Sylvia Nygard
Edla Prevette
Bill Sadler and Susy Monroe
Patty and Katherine Snow
Helen Stanfield
Lynnie Sullivan
Amy and Tanyi Tanjong
Beth Williams
Meredith Yuckman
Worship Ministry Teams
Ministry Team Leader: Pattie Stephenson
Session Liaison: Emyr Edwards
Finance Liaison: n/a
Staff Assignment: Steve Schaick & Larry Abernathy
Sub-Team Leader: n/a
Sub-Team Members:
Pews: OPEN
Acolytes: Nelda Johnson
Ushers: Amy Huenemann
Flowers: Camille Cox
Sound System: Bob Setzer
Hearing Assistance System: Susy Monroe
Sub-Team Leader: Barry Harmon
Sub-Team Members:
Sharon Fitch
Debbie Railton
Carol Wells
Sub-Team Leader: Emyr Edwards
Sub-Team Members:
(rotating)
Sub-Team Leader: Pattie Stephenson
Sub-Team Members:
Virginia Anthony
Stephanie Bynum
Pauline Houlden
Liz Pogue
Jan Stone
Sub-Team Leader: Larry Abernathy
Sub-Team Members:
Various choirs as detailed in the Music & Arts brochure
Sub-Team Leader: Rena Hatcher
Sub-Team Members:
Patricia Denz
Carolee Nail
Janet McGettrick
Pattie Stephenson
At-Large Members:
Judi Alvis
Education Ministry Teams
Ministry Team Leader: Stephanie Bentley
Ministry Team Members:
Emily Nail
Carol Orban
Session Liaison: Jackson Riley
Finance Liaison: n/a
Staff Assignment: Stephanie Arnold Workman
Ministry Team Leader: Kate Frohman
Ministry Team Members – Youth
Jonathan Allen
Amber Barnes
Rhoda Chang
Barry Harmon
Sara Ridings
Faye Ubinger
Session Liaisons: Jonathan Allen & Elizabeth R.
Finance Liaison: n/a
Staff Assignment: Matt Cooper
Ministry Team Leader: OPEN
Ministry Team Members:
John Dreese
Patricia Dreese
Session Liaison:
Jim Pinson
Finance Liaison: n/a
Staff Assignment: Stephanie Arnold Workman
Other Ministry Teams
Ministry Team Leader: OPEN
Ministry Team Members:
Ann Branch
Carol Bennett
Marilyn Caldwell
Megan Clark
Connie Crook
Edie Graham
Carol Hatley
Diane Johnston
Hannah Lugiano
Emily Nail
Pattie Stephenson
Funeral Reception Sub-Team:
Carol Hatley
Frances Milks
Carole Rhodes
Pattie Stephenson
Greeting Card Sub-Team:
Susan Auman
Margie Maddox
Meldie Stewart
Session Liaison: Lindsay Ray
Finance Liaison: Judi Nagy
Staff Assignment: TBD
Ministry Team Leader: Julie Sherk
Ministry Team Members:
Tom Bennett
Peter Denz
Pauline Houlden
Joel Huenemann
Joe Lugiano
Jackson Riley
Sharron Scroggin
Bob Starbuck
Don Swenson
David Walker
Rich Woynicz
Session Liaison: Steve LaTour
Finance Liaison: n/a
Staff Assignment: Greg Chartier
Ministry Team Leader: Amy Huenemann
Ministry Team Members:
Bev Blount
Rena Hatcher
Margie Maddox
Linda Menton
Connie Navin
Judy Raughley
Bob Steinfeld
Sue Wells
Session Liaison: Anna Shartzer
Finance Liaison: Judi Nagy
Staff Assignment:
Ministry Team Leader: Virginia Anthony & Stephanie Bynum
Ministry Team Members:
Susan Auman
Amber Barnes
Hope Brown
Janice Coats
Tina Hammer
Hannah Lugiano
Betsey McFarland
Connie Navin
Sylvia Nygard
Debbie Railton
Gisele & Lawson Rankin
Kat Russell
Penny Shields
Lorie Stouthamer
Faye Ubinger
Carol Wells
Session Liaison:
Finance Liaison: Judi Nagy
Staff Assignment:
Ministry Team Leader: Rena Hatcher
Ministry Team Members:
Emyr Edwards
Emily Nail
Bob Steinfeld
Historian & Archives Sub Team: John Crook (Leader), Amy Huenemann, Kent Miner, Jerry Rhodes
Library Sub Team: Janet McGettrick (Leader), Tom Bennett, Dave & Sue Buning, Pat Frame, Carol Hamilton, Susan Mazzara, Carol Rhodes
Session Liaison: Shirley Church
Finance Liaison: Judi Nagy
Staff Assignment:
Ministry Team Leader: Craig Nygard
Ministry Team Members:
Session Liaison: Amy Woynicz
Finance Liaison: n/a
Staff Assignment: Steve Schaick
Committees
Committee Chairs: Elizabeth Riley
Committee Members:
Judi Nagy
Kevin Overcash
Cheryl Porter
Stewardship Sub-Team: Tracy & Glenn Weeks, Co-chairs
Virginia Anthony
Kate Frohman
Matt & Mandy Ritter
Tom St. Clair
Endowment Sub-Team: Larry Nielsen, chair
Barb Chartier
Blair Hatcher
Kristen Leonhardt
Judy Nagy, Finance liaison
Matt Ritter
Boyd Schroeder
Session Liaison: Brett Mastalli
Finance Liaison: n/a
Staff Assignment: Ellen Chambers & Steve Schaick
Committee Chairs: Sandi Torrant
Committee Members:
Greg Barnes
John Fisler
Anna Sacks
Session Liaison: Elaine Hoffman
Finance Liaison: Brett Mastalli
Staff Assignment: Steve Schaick