LEADERSHIP
BLAKE DANIEL
Pastor
Blake began service as pastor at First Presbyterian Church in the summer of 2015. He is a graduate of the University of Georgia and Duke Divinity School. Blake is passionate about preaching, teaching, and pastoral care in service to the Triune God and the church. He is married to Erin and they have three sons and a dog. In his spare time, you can find him running, reading, or raisin’ children.
Email: blake@sylvapres.org
JEAN CHANCE
Administrative Assistant
I was born and raised in Chipley, Florida. My husband, Arnie, and I spent the first 40 years of our lives there. We have 3 children, 5 grandsons, and 3 great grandsons, living in Kentucky, Virginia and Washington. Arnie’s job has taken us to Georgia, Virginia, Michigan, Iowa, and Indiana over the past 20 years. My calling as an Administrative Assistant in various churches in these states have included Episcopalian, Lutheran, Methodist, and Brethren. We have finally made it home to Sylva. We have vacationed here for 20 years and planned to retire here in 10 years. God blessed us by bringing us here early!
Email: office@sylvapres.org
HEATHER MONAR
Children & Youth Ministry Director
Heather and husband, Kelder, have been members of First Presbyterian since 2017. They welcomed their daughter, Alice, in 2019. In that time she has enjoyed getting to know the children of the church and watching them grow. Heather also works at Harris Hospital as a speech-language pathologist and loves being a part of the Sylva community.
Email: fpcsylvakids@gmail.com
COURTNEY UMPHLETT
Music Director
Courtney is a person of many hats. She lives on a small farm, loves exercising but also ice cream, likes to make things from scratch, plays a variety of musical instruments, and loves to read a good book. But her favorite thing is working with and developing the lives on children and young adults. Courtney is married to Drew and they have a little girl named Cecilia.
Email: courtney@sylvapres.org
MARGARET HALE
Organist/Pianist
Margaret loves playing the organ for First Presbyterian Church. No matter what kind of music she plays, or how many mistakes she makes, the congregation members make her feel appreciated. Margaret also loves working with the First Presbyterian Church Choir. "The choir members are dedicated, faithful, hard-working, marvelous singers who take seriously their call to lift up our hearts in worship through their music."
Email: camelotmarg@yahoo.com
JUDY HENDERSON
Treasurer
Judy is a life-long Presbyterian who loves her church and the God it serves. She has had many jobs along the way, from teacher to engraver, but her favorite calling has been to be a wife to Bruce and mom to her three children. Now Judy can add "Meema" to that list. "I have been co-treasurer and then treasurer for over 25 years and am glad that my love of numbers has been of use to the church."
Email: treasurer@sylvapres.org
Elders
Class of 2024
Bruce Henderson - Christian Education Committee
James Walawender - Property Committee
Blair Yount - Transition House Committee
Class of 2025
Frances Hess - Hospitality Committee
Alisha Thomas - Clerk of Session
Lynda Parlett - Missions Committee
Class of 2026
Steve Baxley - Worship Committee
Kathy Grace - Personnel Committee
Bob Porter - Finance Committee
Deacons
Class of 2024
Susan Gingerich - Secretary
Kelder Monar
Tom Tabor
Class of 2025
Robby Hess
Susan Blair
Jeff Pope - Moderator
Class of 2026
Beth Baxley
Billy Noell
Dianne Scott