Church Leadership
First Presbyterian Church is lead by a dedicated, talented, and spirit-filled staff, both paid and volunteer. Scroll down to learn more about our Pastoral and Church staff, as well as our Elders and Deacons.
Rev. Ann Conklin
Pastor and Head of Staff
Rev. Ann Conklin began her ministry with First Presbyterian Church of Santa Barbara in March, 2022, as Pastor/Head of Staff. Prior to that, she served Presbyterian churches in Mesa, AZ and Grand Rapids, MI. Read more…
Email: aconklin@fpcsb.org
Rev. Dean Choi
Associate Pastor of Faith Formation and Congregational Life
Dean joined First Presbyterian Church as the Associate Pastor of Faith Formation and Congregational Life in January of 2024. Youth and Families and Young Adults are the main areas of ministry Dean oversees. Read more…
Email: dchoi@fpcsb.org
Rev. Dr. Gordon Hess - Parish Associate
‘Gordy’ is a Parish Associate for First Presbyterian Church and has served in this capacity since 2000. As a Parish Associate, he is available to support and participate in every aspect of ministry as needed. Read more…
Rev. John Burnett- Parish Associate
John is a parish associate joining First Presbyterian Church after relocating to Santa Barbara. As a parish associate he is supporting the deacons ministries and is available to support and participate in the ministries of First Presbyterian. Read more…
Rev. Dr. John Harris - Parish Associate
John accepted the role of Parish Associate in early 2023. Read more…
Rev. Dr. Mark Watson - Parish Associate
The Rev. Dr. Mark Watson has served as minister of Word and Sacrament at El Montecito Presbyterian Church PC(USA), Saratoga Presbyterian Church PC(USA) and First Presbyterian Church of Newton, NC. Read more…
Charles “Chuck” Curtis - Commissioned Lay Pastor
Known by all (except my mother and sister) as "Chuck," I have been on the staff of First Presbyterian Church since 2006, serving as Director of Mission and Evangelism. Read more…
Email: ccurtis@fpcsb.org
Diane Kirkpatrick - Commissioned Ruling Elder
I’ve been a member of First Presbyterian Church Santa Barbara since 1985 when I, and my husband Lee, joined. I was raised in Asia and graduated from a Missionary High School in India Read more…
Staff
Beth Hassenplug - Director, Early Childhood Center
Quality early childhood education and care, gives children the tools for success. My passion is supporting families, teachers and children in these early years, creating a learning community that supports all aspects of development.
Email: bhassenplug@fpcsb.org
Denise Rodman - Business Administrator
“Business Administrator… Because ‘Multitasking Ninja’ isn’t a Job Title” I’m not sure how much ninja my job is but multitasking certainly applies. Read more…
Email: drodman@fpcsb.org
Denise “D” Pendergast - Administrative Assistant
Maybe it’s because I’m getting older and I just plan to do what I want to do, maybe it’s more confidence or maybe it’s just more wisdom, but I am truly grateful for the opportunity to work for First Presbyterian Church. Read more…
Email: fpcadmin@fpcsb.org
Paul Tarasick - Facilities Manager
I’ve been on staff at First Presbyterian Church since 2009 and could not be happier. A truly wonderful community! Read more…
Email: PTarasick@fpcsb.org
Elders
What is an Elder?
Along with the pastors, elders oversee and help lead the life of our congregation. They lead by serving. Their areas of responsibility include worship, mission, faith formation, congregational life, facilities & finance, human resources, and the overall governance of the congregation.
As there were in Old Testament times elders for the government of the people, so the New Testament church provided persons with particular gifts to share in discernment of God’s Spirit and governance of God’s people. Accordingly, congregations should elect persons of wisdom and maturity of faith, having demonstrated skills in leadership and being compassionate in spirit. Ruling elders are so named not because they “lord it over” the congregation (Matt. 20:25), but because they are chosen by the congregation to discern and measure its fidelity to the Word of God, and to strengthen and nurture its faith and life. Ruling elders, together with ministers of word and sacrament, exercise leadership, government, spiritual discernment, and discipline and have responsibilities for the life of a congregation as well as the whole church, including ecumenical relationships.. -Book of Order, G-2.0301
Elders Currently Serving on Session
Chris Martinich, Faith Formation (Children, Youth, & Families)
Tristin Sherman, Faith Formation (Stewardship)
Belete Wubet, Mission and Community Engagement
Lisa Itamura, Worship
Jim Kreyger, Administration (Human Resources)
Meryle Gaston, Faith Formation (Adult Spiritual Formation & Education)
Ellen Duke, Congregational Life
Stafford Kelly, Administration (Finance & Facilities)
Joan Taylor, Congregational Life
Warren Myers, Elder at Large
Paul Dodson, Youth Elder
Heather Gillies, Mission and Community Engagement
John Hanna, Worship
Deacons
What is a Deacon?
Deacons serve Christ and provide pastoral support through home communion, visiting those who are homebound or hospitalized, hosting memorial receptions, organizing Meal Trains, and providing ongoing education scholarships.
The office of deacon as set forth in Scripture is one of sympathy, witness, and service after the example of Jesus Christ. Persons of spiritual character, honest repute, of exemplary lives, brotherly and sisterly love, warm sympathies, and sound judgment should be chosen for this office. –Book of Order G-6.0400
The ministry of deacon as set forth in Scripture is one of compassion, witness, and service, sharing in the redeeming love of Jesus Christ for the poor, the hungry, the sick, the lost, the friendless, the oppressed, those burdened by unjust policies or structures, or anyone in distress. -Book of Order, G-2.0201
Currently Serving Deacons
Berni Newett
Beth Preston
Maybel Frazer
Michael Frazer
Laurie Theobald
Beth Hassenplug
Sandie Wilkes
Maggie Cox
Cheryl Long
Sharon Chandler, Vice Moderator and Birthday Card Coordinator
Diana Replogle-Purinton
Diane Hemmer
Jacci Trandal
Frederica Welch, Vice Moderator and Memorial Coordinator
Jenifer Sautot
Sandy Hess