Leadership
& Staff
Our church is led by a pastoral team of four plus our music & arts minister, parish associates and 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
Jody Welker has served as Pastor and Head of Staff since July, 2004. He has served congregations in Newton, NC, Red Springs, NC, Bristol, TN, Morehead City, NC, and Auburn, AL.
Jody was raised in Jacksonville, Florida, and is married to Sharon. They have two grown children, Anna and Joe. Jody’s education includes the completion of his B.S. degree in Education at Auburn University and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond, Virginia. He has received additional training in administration, leadership development, spiritual growth, preaching and worship from the Alban Institute and other organizations.
At the Kirk, Jody is the lead pastor for preaching and worship. He provides leadership to the Session (governing body) as the moderator. His staff responsibilities include support for the Finance Committee as well as other ministry teams. He not only enjoys preaching, but also enjoys teaching. Beyond the Kirk, Jody is active in Presbytery and was a 2004 Commissioner to General Assembly.
He has a passion for youth and children as he has been a presenter for the LOGOS Systems Associates for several years. Missions are important to him as he has led mission trips to Zambia, Mexico, and Honduras over the years. Most recently, he has been an active participant in the Kirk’s Guatemala Mission partnership.
Jody enjoys social time with family and friends and attending sporting events. He plays golf as a “social duffer” and enjoys running for exercise. Jody and Sharon like to travel and especially enjoy time in the mountains.
Stephanie is Associate Pastor for Christian Education 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 anyone else.
She received her undergraduate degree in Sociology and Religion from Wake Forest University and her Master of Divinity from Princeton Seminary. During her time at the Kirk, Stephanie has gotten married to James “Jim” Machado Workman, another Presbyterian minister. Together, they have a very active and adorable son, Clinton, and a rescue dog named Sandy.
Melinda Merkley King is our Associate Pastor for Congregational Life and Discipleship.
She is originally from Delaware and still returns to the First State to visit friends and family. She is a 1991 graduate of James Madison University and a 1995 graduate of Union Presbyterian Seminary.
Since her ordination, Melinda has served churches throughout central North Carolina as solo pastor, director of youth ministry, stated supply associate, and supply preacher. Melinda is married to Brian King, and they have two sons, Oliver and Isaac. Melinda’s favorite things include good books, good food, good times with family and friends, and Jazzercise.
Her mission statement is “Praise God from whom all blessings flow.”
Jordan is the Associate Pastor for Youth and Young Adults. She received her Master of Divinity from Union Presbyterian Seminary in 2014 and has a passion for building relationships within the Church and the world.
Jordan received her undergraduate degree in both Music Performance and Music Education at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She is a native of the Triangle, having grown up in Raleigh, and now lives in Durham. Jordan is married to Marc, a professional guitarist in the area, and finds great joy in cooking, being outside, and playing with their cats.
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.
Jonathan Sherrod is the Temporary Associate Pastor for the Kirk of Holly Springs, the Kirk’s satellite campus in southwest Wake County. From a family of Presbyterian ministers, Jonathan is originally from South Carolina, but he has called North Carolina home for a majority of his life.
He graduated from King College in Bristol, TN, (where he first met Jody who was serving 1st Pres in Bristol) in 1987. A 1992 graduate of Union Presbyterian Seminary, Jonathan has served congregations in a variety of capacities: stated supply, interim, full-time solo, and, now, Associate Pastor for a New Worshipping Community and satellite campus. He has also served the PC(USA) as a camp director for 12 years having served multi-site outdoor ministries in North and South Carolina.
Jonathan is married to Dr. Camille G. Sherrod, a veterinarian working in North Raleigh. They have a daughter, Zane. The Sherrod’s make their home in Knightdale along with their cats and dog. Jonathan enjoys Marvel and Star Wars movies with Zane, taking walks with Camille, and cooking on the grill. While not a great golfer, he enjoys the game, especially when playing with the Presbyterian Minister’s group.
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 & Nurse
Learn About Our Parish Associates & 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.
Troy is a native of Virginia and his wife Lynda is a native of West Virginia. They married in 1973 and have two children and two grandchildren. They have been visiting the Kirk three or four times a year, since their daughter and son-in-law, Stephanie and Neil Horman, joined the Kirk almost 2 decades ago. “We have always felt welcome here.”
Troy received a BA in Philosophy from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1975 and D. Min. from Union Theological Seminary in Virginia in 1979. After graduation Troy was ordained and installed as the Pastor of the three small Presbyterian Churches in southeastern North Carolina; Black River Presbyterian in Ivanhoe, Caswell Presbyterian in Atkinson, and Currie Presbyterian in Currie. He served those churches until May of 1983.
He values the education he received at VCU and UTS but even more what he learned from the people of Black River, Caswell, and Currie who in accepting him as their minister gently taught him what it means to be a pastor.
Since that first pastorate he has served as the Pastor of Northminster Presbyterian Church in Hickory, NC (1983-1989), Rutherfordton Presbyterian Church in Rutherfordton, NC (1989-1999) and St. Giles Presbyterian Church in Orange Park, FL (May 1999-October 2016).
Ron McMenamin, with his wife, JoAnn, retired to North Carolina in 2004 after serving Presbyterian churches in Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Missouri for forty years. They met at Ganado Mission, a mission compound on the Navajo Reservation in NE Arizona. JoAnn was working as a Medical Missionary and Ron a short term Christian Educator.
They have three children living in Chapel Hill, Morrisville and Groisse Isle, (Michigan) Ron is a graduate of Dubuque Theological Seminary and the D.Min program of Princeton Theological Seminary. He has additional certification in Church Business Administration.
He has served as Interim Pastor at the Outer Banks Presbyterian Church in Kill Devil Hills, Cornerstone Presbyterian Church in Cary, White Memorial Church in Johnson County and Trinity Ave. Presbyterian Church in Durham. He has been volunteering as a Parish Associate at the Kirk since 2005.
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 and has specialized in non-profit accounting. She and her husband have two mostly grown daughters. Ellen spends her free time reading, exploring local parks, and taking Spanish classes.
Cyndi joined the staff in August 2015 and is the first person you see when you walk into the church office. She lives in Apex with her High school sweetheart (Chris Wilson), 3 children (Madison, Bryce & McKenna), and 2 dogs. Cyndi loves spending time outside gardening, cooking and watching her kids play softball and baseball.
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.
Justin A.
Mary Bethel
Barney Hale
Edla Prevette
Muriel Roberson, Clerk
Frank Rogers
Albert Blackmon
Joan Humphreys
Oden Semones
Julie Sherk
Glenn Weeks
John Aman
Tina Steed
Bob Steinfeld
Bill Stokes
Kelly Trimyer
Ann Branch
Carol Bennett
Barry Harmon
Barney Hale
Hannah Lugiano
Jerry Rankin
Melanie Rankin
Karen Slack
Helen Stanfield
Kathy White
Ministry Teams & Committees
General
Ministry Team Leader: Stephen LaTour
Ministry Team Members:
Joel Huenemann
Joe Lugiano
Bob Starbuck
Sharron Scroggin
Lynnie Sullivan
Rich Woynicz
Sub-Team: Office & Technology
Sub-Team Leader: Steve Pogue
Ministry Team or Sub-Team Members:
Roy Dixon,
Del Richards
Doug Shartzer
Rich Woynicz
Session Liaison: Julie Sherk
Finance Liaison:
Staff Assignment: Jody Welker & Greg Chartier
Ministry Team Leader: Kathy White
Ministry Team Members:
Ann Branch
Carol Bennett
Marilyn Caldwell
Edie Graham
Carol Hatley
(Funeral Reception Committee: Carol Hatley, Linda Harrison, Carole Rhodes & Beverly Wait)
Session Liaison: Edla Prevette
Finance Liaison: Judi Nagy
Staff Assignment: Melinda Merkley King
Ministry Team Leader: Rena Hatcher
Ministry Team Members:
Maggie Foege
Steve Pogue
Doug Schartzer
Session Liaison: Barney Hale
Finance Liaison: Judi Nagy
Staff Assignment: Melinda Merkley King
Ministry Team Leader: Craig Nygard
Ministry Team Members:
Rena Hatcher
Kate Frohman
Session Liaison: Kelly Trimyer
Finance Liaison: n/a
Staff Assignment: Jody Welker
Ministry Team Leader: Virginia Anthony & Kristin Anderson
Ministry Team Members:
Kristin Anderson
Hope Brown
Stephanie Bynum
Carol Christenbury
Melody Cleland
Janice Coats
Allison Connors
Tina Hammer
Lynn Heckerman
Diane Luparello
Hannah Lugiano
Betsey McFarland
Carol Parks
Debbie Railton
Kat Russell
Marylou Semones
Penny Shields
Lorie Stouthamer
Faye Ubinger
Carol Wells
Session Liaison: Tina Steed
Finance Liaison: Judi Nagy
Staff Assignment: Melinda Merkley King
Ministry Team Leader: Bob Branch & Brent Mastalli
Sub-Team: Finance
Sub-Team Leader: Bob Branch & Brent Mastalli
Ministry Sub-Team Members:
Warren Alvis Doug Brown
Judi Nagy Kevin Overcash Cheryl Porter
Jeff Tucker
Sub-Team: Stewardship
Sub-Team Leader: Tracy & Glenn Weeks
Ministry Sub-Team Members:
OPEN
Sub-Team: Endowment
Sub-Team Leader:Bill Stokes
Ministry Sub-Team Members:
Barb Chartier Matt Ritter
Boyd Schroeder
Oden Semones Kristen Wallace
Finance Liaison: Judi Nagy
Session Liaison: Kevin Overcash & Glenn Weeks
Finance Liaison: n/a
Staff Assignment: Jody Welker & Ellen Chambers
Ministry Team Leader: n/a
Ministry Team Members:
Brian Coleman
Melissa Kay
Allison Lehtinen
Diane Luparello
Jeff Tucker
Session Liaison: Mary Bethel
Finance Liaison: Jeff Tucker
Staff Assignment: Jonathan Sherrod
Ministry Team Leader: OPEN
Ministry Team Members:
Lisa Clark
Rena Hatcher
Linda Menton
Marcia & Boyd Schroeder
Karen Slack
Lorie Stouthamer
Kathy White
Session Liaison: Bob Steinfeld
Finance Liaison: Judi Nagy
Staff Assignment: Melinda Merkley King
Ministry Team Leader: Greg Barnes & Ruth Menechella
Ministry Team Members:
Dave Buning
Stephanie Bynum
Emyr Edwards
Liz Railton
Mandy Ritter
Session Liaison: Bill Stokes
Finance Liaison: Judi Nagy
Staff Assignment: Jody Welker
Missions
Ministry Team Leader: Jan Marallo
Ministry Team Members:
Virginia Anthony
Willem Bodisco Massink
Melody Cleland
Barney Hale
Linda Hale
Richard Jackson
Betsey McFarland
Tony Segreti
Wendy Segreti
Session Liaison: Joan Humphreys
Finance Liaison: Cheryl Porter
Staff Assignment: Stephanie Arnold Workman
Ministry Team Leader: Jan Marallo
Sub-Team Leader: Virginia Anthony & Hal Jordan
Ministry Sub-Team Members:
Barney Hale
Carol Hamilton
Patty Snow
Session Liaison: Joan Humphreys
Finance Liaison: Cheryl Porter
Staff Assignment: Stephanie Arnold Workman
Ministry Team Leader: Jan Marallo
Ministry Sub-Team Members:
Kristin Anderson
Jan Marallo
Estella Morales
Edla Prevette
Gethsemane Soto
Beverly Wait
Marietjie Wessels
Session Liaison: Joan Humphreys
Finance Liaison: Cheryl Porter
Staff Assignment: Stephanie Arnold Workman
Ministry Team Leader: Jan Marallo
Ministry Team Members:
Virginia Anthony
Willem Bodisco Massink
Melody Cleland
Barney Hale
Linda Hale
Richard Jackson
Betsey McFarland
Tony Segreti
Wendy Segreti
Session Liaison:
Finance Liaison: Cheryl Porter
Staff Assignment: Stephanie Arnold Workman
Ministry Team Leader: Jan Marallo
Sub-Team Leader: Virginia Anthony & Hal Jordan
Ministry Sub-Team Members:
Barney Hale
Carol Hamilton
Patty Snow
Session Liaison: Kevin Overcash
Finance Liaison: Cheryl Porter
Staff Assignment: Stephanie Arnold Workman
Ministry Team Leader: Jan Marallo
Ministry Sub-Team Members:
Kristin Anderson
Jan Marallo
Estella Morales
Edla Prevette
Gethsemane Soto
Beverly Wait
Marietjie Wessels
Session Liaison: Kevin Overcash
Finance Liaison: Cheryl Porter
Staff Assignment: Stephanie Arnold Workman
Ministry Team Leader: Jan Marallo
Ministry Team Members:
Virginia Anthony
Willem Bodisco Massink
Melody Cleland
Barney Hale
Linda Hale
Richard Jackson
Betsey McFarland
Tony Segreti
Wendy Segreti
Session Liaison: Joan Humphreys
Finance Liaison: Cheryl Porter
Staff Assignment: Stephanie Arnold Workman
Ministry Team Leader: Jan Marallo
Sub-Team Leader: Virginia Anthony & Hal Jordan
Ministry Sub-Team Members:
Barney Hale
Carol Hamilton
Patty Snow
Session Liaison: Joan Humphreys
Finance Liaison: Cheryl Porter
Staff Assignment: Stephanie Arnold Workman
Ministry Team Leader: Jan Marallo
Ministry Sub-Team Members:
Kristin Anderson
Jan Marallo
Estella Morales
Edla Prevette
Gethsemane Soto
Beverly Wait
Marietjie Wessels
Session Liaison: Joan Humphreys
Finance Liaison: Cheryl Porter
Staff Assignment: Stephanie Arnold Workman
Worship
Ministry Team Leader: Emyr Edwards
Sub-Team Leader: Barry Harmon
Ministry Team or Sub-Team Members:
Debbie Railton
Carol Wells
Session Liaison: Oden Semones
Finance Liaison: n/a
Staff Assignment: Jody Welker & Larry Abernathy
Ministry Team Leader: Emyr Edwards
Sub-Team Leader: n/a
Ministry Sub-Team Members:
Pews: OPEN
Acolytes: Betsey McFarland
Ushers: Rick Washofsky
Flowers: Rena Hatcher
Sound System: Bob Setzer
Session Liaison: Oden Semones
Finance Liaison: n/a
Staff Assignment: Jody Welker & Larry Abernathy
Ministry Team Leader: Emyr Edwards
Sub-Team Leader: Emyr Edwards
Ministry Sub-Team Members:
(rotating)
Session Liaison: Oden Semones
Finance Liaison: n/a
Staff Assignment: Jody Welker & Larry Abernathy
Ministry Team Leader: Emyr Edwards
Sub-Team Leader: Pattie Stephenson
Ministry Sub-Team Members:
Virginia Anthony
Stephanie Bynum
Pauline Houlden
Liz Pogue
Jan Stone
Session Liaison: Oden Semones
Finance Liaison: n/a
Staff Assignment: Jody Welker & Larry Abernathy
Ministry Team Leader: Emyr Edwards
Sub-Team Leader: Larry Abernathy
Ministry Sub-Team Members:
Various choirs as detailed in the Music & Arts brochure
Ministry Team Leader: Emyr Edwards
Sub-Team Leader: n/a
Ministry Sub-Team Members:
Judi Alvis
Bill Boyle
Education
Ministry Team Leader: Emily Stone
Ministry Team Members:
Megan Clark
Patricia Denz
Kat Noland
Lee Anne Ryan
Stacy Taylor
Session Liaison: Edla Prevette
Finance Liaison: n/a
Staff Assignment: Stephanie Arnold Workman
Ministry Team Leader: Sara Ridings
Ministry Team Members – Youth
Kate Frohman
Barry Harmon
Betsey McFarland
Anna Shartzer
Faye Ubinger
Ministry Team Members – Young Adults
Patricia Denz
Lindsey Ray
Katie Stephenson
Hayden Stewart
Nicole Stewart
Session Liaison: Edla Prevette & Sophie S.
Finance Liaison: n/a
Staff Assignment: Jordan Davis
Ministry Team Leader: Brian King
Ministry Team Members:
John Dreese
Patricia Dreese
Carol Hamilton
Lori Houck
Joan Humphreys
Dot Rascoe
Session Liaison: Frank Rogers
Finance Liaison: n/a
Staff Assignment: Stephanie Arnold Workman
Ministry Team Leader: Emily Stone
Ministry Team Members:
Patricia Denz
Lee Anne Ryan
Karen Stancil
Stacy Taylor
Session Liaison: Edla Prevette
Finance Liaison: n/a
Staff Assignment: Stephanie Arnold Workman
Ministry Team Leader: Sara Ridings
Ministry Team Members – Youth
Ginger Espino
Kate Frohman
Barry Harmon
Betsey McFarland
Anna Shartzer
Stacy Taylor
Faye Ubinger
Session Liaison: Edla Prevette & Daniel Menechella
Finance Liaison: n/a
Staff Assignment: Jordan Davis
Ministry Team Leader: OPEN
Ministry Team Members:
John Dreese
Patricia Dreese
Lori Houck
Joan Humphreys
Dot Rascoe
Session Liaison: Frank Rogers
Finance Liaison: n/a
Staff Assignment: Stephanie Arnold Workman