Rev. Matthew Miller - Pastor
pastor@1st-presbyterianchurch.org
Rev. Matthew Miller has been the Pastor at First Church since January of 2007. His call to this congregation came as they were searching for a ‘sheepdog’, which was the perfect fit for how Matthew understands his role. The Psalms declare that God is our shepherd(Psalm 23), and Jesus himself says that he is the good shepherd (John 10:11). Having no desire to fill those shoes, Matthew is happy to share with anyone who will listen just how great he thinks it is to follow the One who gives us peace and restores our souls. After graduating from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary in 2003, Matthew was ordained to his first call to serve the First Presbyterian Church of Pulaski, Tennessee, where he learned the ropes of ministry and the value of good pork barbeque. He is a firm believer that faith is about more than agreeing with a certain set of ideas, it is a posture and attitude of trust in what God has done and is continuing to do in the world. Jesus calls it the “Kingdom of God”, and Matthew finds no greater joy than introducing others to the way this Kingdom is seen and experienced every day through the community of friends Jesus has gathered together. Matthew grew up in Denver, CO and still roots for his hometown teams. He also enjoys movies, swimming, and hanging around the house with his wife, Marie and their two daughters, Miranda and Grace.
Mary Kay Benton - Director of Music Ministry
yadayada@frontiernet.net
Mary has served in many music capacities at First Pres. Since coming to First Presbyterian in the spring of 1986, Mary has also served as Director of the Adult Choir and Handbell Choir, choir accompanist and organist. Currently, she serves as Director of Music, organist for the 11:00 am service and Adult Choir accompanist. A graduate of Morningside College and the University of South Dakota, Mary has been the 7/8 Band Director for the LeMars Community School District since the fall of 1991. She resides in LeMars with her husband, Randy, and their two children, Sarah and Luke.
Jill Wilson - Adult Choir Director
wilsonj@morningside.edu
She coordinates the Music Education department at Morningside College where she is also director of the Bel Canto Women's Chorus. Ms. Wilson is the faculty advisor for Mu Phi Epsilon and the Collegiate Music Educators National Conference chapter. She earned a Bachelor of Music degree in music education with a choral emphasis from St. Olaf College, a Master of Music Education degree from the University of Northern Iowa, and is pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in music education through Boston University. She is currently serving as the Repertoire and Standards Chair for the Iowa Choral Directors Association. Ms. Wilson has presented sessions at the ICDA Summer Symposium as well as the Iowa Music Educators Conference and has conducted several choral festivals including the 7th and 8th Grade Girls Opus Honor Choir in 2007.
Heather Bagley - Children’s Choir Director
bagleyh@bishopheelan.org
Heather is currently our Children’s Choir Director at First Pres and has began working here since 2006. After Heather graduated from Briar Cliff University in May of 2006, she began working as a kindergarten – 8th Grade Music Teacher at Sacred Heart School and a part time manager at Lane Bryant Clothing Store. She has recently started helping with the Wednesday Night Activities and occasionally you’ll see her as a sub in the hand bell choir!
When Heather is not influencing children or telling ladies how fabulous they look, she loves to read books, exercise and try out new healthy recipes. She enjoys going to the symphony and watching live theatre productions. Her most recent accomplishment was completing the Sioux City’s Spring Thaw 5K! Heather grew up in Nevada, IA and still makes it back to visit her parents, brother and brand new sister-in-law.
Howard Glenn Wanned - Sound System Operator
Howard is a third-generation member of First Presbyterian. Born and raised in Sioux City, he studied Radio Broadcasting at Morningside College before working in local radio.
He spent five years with KMNS/KSEZ before moving to Branson, Missouri to pursue his career. Returning home in 2005, Howard resumed his education at Morningside to complete his degree in Business and Marketing. Howard has gratefully served First Presbyterian since 2005, and currently resides in Morningside.
Della Rupert – Office Administrator
admin@1st-presbyterianchurch.org
Della has been a part of the First Presbyterian staff since 1990, starting as a part-time Office Assistant before becoming our Office Administrator in June of 1997. Her duties are many and varied, and she greatly enjoys her contact with the members of First Presbyterian and the general public. She and her husband, Jim, have three grown children: Michelle, Chad, Brad and his wife, Lisa, and two grandsons, Brendan and Caelan.
John Steven Fairley – Custodian
custodians@1st-presbyterianchurch.org
All of his friends and church family know him by the name of "Steve". Steve has been a member of the First Presbyterian staff since October of 2007. He was born and raised in Alexandria, Louisiana by his mother, Leanne Lawson, and came to Sioux City in 1987. Before coming to First Pres, Steve worked on construction doing various jobs such as tuck pointing, cement work, and other miscellaneous jobs.
Steve really enjoys the people at First Pres and takes great joy in making sure things are running smoothly at the church. In his spare time Steve has fun discussing basketball, baseball and football with members of the church.
Steve has a girlfriend, Ramona Sanchez and three children – Preston, Samantha and Demetrice Fairley and two step children – Dacarlos and Monique Baker.
Donna Uhl – Part-Time Custodian
custodians@1st-presbyterianchurch.org
Donna joined the First Presbyterian staff in January of 2005. She was a custodian with the South Sioux City School District for five years and a teacher’s aide in the Sergeant Bluff-Luton School district for five years. Donna has Associates Degrees in Early Childhood and Public Relations. She and her husband, Steve, have two grown sons, Steve Jr. and Joe, and were blessed with two more children about 3 years ago. Allie is 12 years old and her brother Rod is 9. The family also has a couple of dogs, Jake and Laci. Donna likes to sew, paint, and bake in her spare time.
