Dr. Mark Durrett- Senior Pastor
Phone: (803) 773-3814 ext. 102
Email: markdurrett@fpcsumter.org

Mark E. Durrett is a native of Clovis, New Mexico, who moved with his family (Dad, Mom, 2 sisters, 1 dog) to Lake Elsinore, California in the seventh grade. He played high school football, basketball and tennis, played trombone in the high school band, sang in the school chorus and loved his church youth group.

Mark graduated from Claremont McKenna College (B.A.), Princeton Theological Seminary (M.Div.; Th.M.) and Duke University (Ph.D.) He has served Second Presbyterian Church in Spartanburg, SC, Nazareth Presbyterian Church in Moore, South Carolina, Eastminster Presbyterian Church in Columbia, SC and came to First Presbyterian Church, Sumter in the spring of 2006.

Mark has enjoyed teaching at Wofford College, Converse College, Presbyterian College, and at Union/P.S.C.E. in Charlotte, as well as being on the faculty of the joint ‘Lay School of Theology’ run by the five presbyteries of South Carolina.

Even more, Mark has enjoyed being married to wife Angie & overseeing the GROWTH and maturation of their three sons, Sam, Burke & Ned.

 

Rev. Janie McElwee-Smith
Associate Pastor for Youth and Their Families
Phone: (803)773-3814, ext. 104
Email: janie@fpcsumter.org

Janie was born in St. Louis, MO. She went to North Carolina for college at Wake Forest University graduating with a degree in Religion and Political Science. She then went on to earn a Master of Divinity degree from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN, completing this in May, 2009. She also served as Youth Director at Emmanuel Presbyterian Church outside of Nashville.

While at Wake Forest University, she met Brad Smith and they married in June of 2007. They love cooking (and eating) with friends, movies, traveling, spending time with their two “children”- Sophie (a seventy five pound shepherd mix) and Loki (a nine pound Maltese). Both she and Brad are very excited about seeing what wonderful work God has for them here.

 

Sharon S. Young ~ D.C.E. (Director of Christian Education)
Phone: 803-773-3814
Email: sharonyoung@fpcsumter.org

Sharon began serving as the D.C.E. in June 2010. In this capacity, she serves as the staff person for Sunday School for the children, youth and adults, works with the children’s ministry programs as well as other educational programs and events of the church. She has a BA in Communications and Drama from Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC, and a BA in Elementary Education from Coastal Carolina University. Sharon grew up in the Sumter community and is married to Jeff Young. She treasures time with her husband and three, thriving sons.

 

Laura Ballard- Director of Music Ministry
Phone: (803) 773-3814 ext. 109
Email: lballard@fpcsumter.org

Laura Ballard is the Director of Music here at First Presbyterian Church. Responsibilities include leading the Adult Music Ministries and overseeing the Children’s and Youth Music Ministry Programs. Originally from Texas, Laura received a Bachelor’s of Music degree from Baylor University in 1992. She then moved to Columbia to pursue both Masters and Doctoral degrees at the University of South Carolina. She proudly completed her Doctorate of Musical Arts in May of 2000. Laura is married to Tripp Ballard, CEO of the Sumter Family YMCA, and has three beautiful children, Ken, John, and Maggie.

 

Hamilton Stoddard- Organist Not Pictured
Email: Stoddard@sumter17.k12.sc.us

Hamilton has served as organist at First Presbyterian Church since 2002. She began serving as an organist at the age of 12 years old for the First Presbyterian Church of Mayesville, SC. She earned a Bachelor of Music degree from Salem College in Winston-Salem, NC, and a Master of Music degree in Organ Performance from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Hamilton has a wonderful family - two sons, Hugh and Robert, and a very sweet new daughter-in-law, Jennifer…her husband Hugh is a wonderful support for all her musical activities. She is also the music teacher for Millwood Elementary School.

 

Lauren Decker - Director of Carol Choir
   (1st-2nd)
Email: laurend@kershawcountylibrary.org

With both a Bachelors degree in music education and a Masters of Library Science from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Lauren applies her skills as musician, teacher and Deacon for the church. Her main instrument is violin, and she plays it regularly for services. She leads music for our first and second grade children in the Carol Choir. She has also worked with the Mary/Martha Committee, VBS, the Youth Handbells, the Chancel Choir, and the Joy Ringers Handbell Choir.

 

Janet Kuhlmann
Director of Adult Hand Bell Ministry

Janet Kuhlmann directs the Joy Ringers, our adult hand bell choir here at First Presbyterian Church. The hand bell collection includes five octaves of hand bells and three octaves of hand chimes. Janet is a graduate of Columbia College with a degree in music, and she has been a member of First Presbyterian Church since 1973.

 

Marian Carnes- Preschool/Kindergarten Director
Phone: 803-773-9027
Email: mcarnes@fpcsumter.org

Marian Carnes has been the director of First Presbyterian Preschool and Kindergarten since the fall of 2000. She is from Sumter, SC and is a lifelong member of First Presbyterian Church. Marian graduated from the University of South Carolina with a BA degree in Early Childhood Education. She taught kindergarten for 14 years at Crosswell Drive Elementary prior to accepting the director’s position. Her husband Mike, and two boys Matthew and Mark, are avid USC fans. In her free time she tries to keep up with her very active family’s schedule of basketball, baseball, football and tennis. She most enjoys watching them in whatever they are involved in playing.

 

Carey Jackson- Business Manager
Phone: (803) 773-3814 ext. 105
Email: careyjackson@fpcsumter.org

Responsibilities include overall management of the church’s business and financial affairs, including the physical campus. He’s the person to call when you have a question about a bill that needs paying, a receipt for your contributions, or when you see a problem anywhere on the church property. Carey also acts as our Congregational Disaster Response Coordinator, organizing our congregation’s response to local emergencies.

 

Shirley Wood- Administrative Assistant
Phone: (803) 773-3814 ext. 101
Email: swood@fpcsumter.org

As Administrative Assistant, Shirley provides secretarial support to the Ministers as well as committee chairs and the membership in general. Her duties include receiving and greeting visitors, members, and all others who come into the church office Monday through Friday during regular business hours. Shirley also maintains the church’s activities calendar and coordinates scheduling and use of church facilities. She is responsible for publishing the weekly newsletter and worship bulletins. She has been a part of the FPC staff since May 1989.

 

Judy Mey- Office Assistant
Phone: (803) 773-3814
Email: judy@fpcsumter.org

As the part-time office assistant, Judy serves as the receptionist during the busy morning hours most days of the week. She also supports the ministry and office staff with various projects and mailings as needed.

 

 

Elaine Jackson- Church Hostess
Phone: (803) 773-3814

As the title implies, she oversees our congregation’s hospitality, coordinating Sunday night suppers, our monthly Wednesday Luncheon, and working with the Social Committee to facilitate any special events and receptions on behalf of our church.

 

 

 

Marvin Brunson, Facilities Manager

 

Mae Barnes- Childcare Provider

The young children of First Presbyterian are in good hands – those of Mae who has helped show many what a fun time ‘going to church’ can be. She is a professional childcare provider and has been caring for the children of this church since the mid 80’s. She provides childcare on Sunday mornings and evenings as well as during special services and programs. Mae also works for the First Presbyterian Preschool & Kindergarten.