Pastoral and Education Staff
Reverend Pendleton (Pen) Peery - Pastor and Head of Staff ppeery@fpcshreveport.org
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Pendleton B. Peery (Pen) comes to First Presbyterian Church from Richmond, Virginia where he was associate pastor to the congregation of Second Presbyterian Church. A Tar Heel born, he completed his undergraduate studies at The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Following a year with AmeriCorps, Pen attended Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia where he received his Master of Divinity degree. As a child of the church, Pen’s interests are thinking creatively and collaboratively about what God is calling the mainline church to become. Areas of study include the biblical narrative, theological ethics and missiology. For fun, Pen enjoys reading, golf, ACC basketball and conversations around the dinner table. Pen is married to Lindsey Wells Peery, a graduate of Union-PSCE in Richmond, Virginia. They have one son, Wells, who has captured Pen’s and Lindsey’s heart and promises to do the same for the congregation. |
Reverend Bryan McDowell - Associate Pastor bmcdowell@fpcshreveport.org
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On the leading edge of the Baby Boom generation, Bryan completed public school in Arkansas, got a Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Air Force Academy (CO), and Master of Divinity from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary(TX). Global experiences include flying rescue helicopters in the Vietnam War; studying Theology in Germany; and mission trips to Russia, Chile and Venezuela. About his wife, Bryan likes to sing "I wish they all could be Alabama girls." Grandchildren and fishing, not necessarily in that order, occupy his free time. More.... |
Reverend Sarah Cooper Searight - Associate Pastor ssearight@fpcshreveport.org
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Sarah Cooper Searight began her ministry here in January 2009. Originally from Dallas, TX, Sarah completed her undergraduate degree in Psychology at Austin College in Sherman, TX. After serving a year as a PC(USA) Young Adult Volunteer in Belfast, NI, Sarah attended Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, GA where she received her Master of Divinity degree. Before coming to First Presbyterian, Sarah served as Director of Urban Ministries for Old First Reformed United Church of Christ in Philadelphia, PA. In her ministry, Sarah strives to encourage relationship building and a broader understanding of biblical hospitality that urges us to be faithful stewards of God's love to all people. Study interests include social and theological ethics, biblical narrative, and worship. As Associate for Young Adults and Families, Sarah has the privilege of developing study, fellowship, mission, and support opportunities for this wide-ranging group. For fun, Sarah enjoys being outdoors, reading, throwing pottery, and time with friends. Sarah is married to Bill Searight who is also a proud Austin College kangaroo and graduate of Columbia Theological Seminary. |
Anita Parish - Director of Christian Education aparish@fpcshreveport.org
Anita comes to us from Florida after an academic background in education and later Christian education and experience planning and developing programs for children.
Since arriving she has started many innovations in education and worship including special Sunday School learning adventures such as "Market Place 29A.D.", a children's religious learning center and "Crosswalk" an innovative learning center for children in grades 1 through 6.
Anita has also introduced the monthly Taize' worship service and organized a Passover Seder to help us understand our history.
Dr. Holly Watson - Choir Director & Organist hwatson@fpcshreveport.org
