Joel Brown has been a member of RPC since 2002. He and wife Paulette were married at RPC in 2003 and both of their children, Cailyn (seventh grade) and Matthew (third grade), were baptized at RPC. Joel grew up and was confirmed at a Lutheran church in rural Illinois. He currently serves as a Shadow for a kindergartner during Sunday school and participates in the Adult Study and Discipleship Council meeting as an at-large member. He has volunteered with Vacation Bible School as a Walker for several years, participated in a Community Group in the Alpharetta area and a Zoom book study, and attends the 11 a.m. Traditional Service on Sundays. Joel has also been involved in small groups including the Pathfinders Sunday school class, participated in marriage retreats/activities and the Men’s Retreat, and has taken several in-depth Bible studies, including Disciple Bible study, Crown Financial Study, and Financial Peace. He has also served as a Confirmation Mentor. “There have been numerous people that have been meaningful in my faith development. I would like to mention my wife specifically in her continued support in helping me grow my faith. I also feel that my in-depth study, specifically Disciple, a yearlong read through the Bible, has helped me in my faith journey.”

Collins Foster has been a member of Roswell Presbyterian Church for six years. She is married to Chris, and they have a daughter, Emerson, who is involved in RPC youth programs and is a shadow for Exceptional Children along with her mother. Collins is the coordinator for the Exceptional Children’s Ministry Shadow Program and has shadowed for Sunday school and Vacation Bible School and for a member of one of our community groups. She has also volunteered with Family Promise and participated in Bible studies and the Women’s Retreat. Collins shared of her faith development, “Serving as a shadow, and now as the coordinator, for the Exceptional Children’s Ministry has really shown me what it means to ‘welcome a child such as this.’ Not many churches provide the level of support RPC does to families who have a child with special needs. Watching God place the call to serve on the hearts of adults and RPC youth this past year, especially coming out of a pandemic, has been a great faith-builder for me. I cannot recall a single Sunday or event where a child did not have a shadow present. When one shadow couldn’t be there, another always showed up. It has really helped to show me that God always places people exactly where they are supposed to be, and He is in complete control of shepherding his followers.”

Creighton Frommer has been a member of Roswell Presbyterian Church for four years. He is married to Kelly and their children, baptized at RPC, are involved with the youth programs. Creighton has volunteered with the RPC Audio/Visual team since 2018 and helps with Neighborhood Action Committee youth transportation.  As an attorney, he regularly provides pro bono legal services to Metro Atlanta nonprofits, including local Roswell organizations, and he looks forward to helping them in other ways through RPC. Most meaningful in his faith development are his mother-in-law, RPC member Nancy Puckett, and serving on the A/V team. “Nancy has always been extremely supportive of my faith journey and development. I have enjoyed helping broadcast our services, especially during the pandemic, with Stan Homer, Meghan Greenwalt, and Trenton Durham.”

Lori Howell and husband Michael have been members of Roswell Presbyterian Church for 16 years. They have ninth grade twins, Ben, and Tay. Currently Lori serves Communion at the Modern Service, is a tenth grade Sunday School and Small Group leader, a Confirmation Mentor, an Extreme Retreat Small Group volunteer, serves on the Nominating Committee – High School Leader, participates in the Shadow Program, and has had the opportunity to shadow two elementary students - one of her favorite roles! She has also been a Children’s Ministry Elder, Kidz Prayz leader, Sunday School teacher, Co-Chair – Pastor Nominating Committee to call Jeff Meyers, Confirmation Mentor for many years, Youth volunteer for the Chattanooga Mission Trip, Extreme Retreat leader, and Vacation Bible School Bible teacher. Lori has been impacted by her aunt, RPC members and staff, and her family in her faith development. “Growing up, my aunt, Cyndie, was extremely influential in my faith journey. She taught me through her faith and acts how to love God and His church. As an adult, RPC, the staff, the members, and my family have shown me God’s mercy and love over and over again. I will be forever grateful for this church.”

Emily Kemp joined Roswell Presbyterian Church in December 2019 and has been attending since the spring of 2019 with her husband, Aaron, and their children, William, Charles, and Henry. She is the VBS Co-director for 2022 and a member of the CAYA Bible study group. Emily has also been an onCore volunteer, on the VBS Leadership Team in 2021, and was a VBS craft volunteer in 2019. At her prior church, she was a board member of the preschool, and a member of the PNC for an associate pastor. Her former associate pastor was most meaningful in her faith development. “Mary Rodgers, one of the associate pastors at Providence Presbyterian in Fairfax, Va., had a tremendous impact in my faith development. When I was in high school and college, she led me and others on multiple mission trips to Mexico and Africa. Those trips and Mary’s leadership and faith showed me what it truly means to serve others and spread the truth and message of God’s love for all.”

David Moore and wife Connie, married for 45 years, have been members since 2017. Their daughter, Megan, and her husband, Taylor, live close by and they have two daughters, Hannah, and Grace. David participates in the Tuesday Men`s Bible Study and S.A.L.T Sunday School class. He co-hosted the Community Group BBQ in 2019, and helped with Small Group Neighborhood 2020, Wreaths Across America 2022, Great Day of Service, and Habitat. He has served as an usher, greeter, and Welcome Center volunteer. When asked what has been most meaningful in his faith development, he said, “My mother made sure I attended church and Sunday school every Sunday growing up. Church membership, attendance, and involvement was an important part of my family life. My mother`s life provided me with a strong Christian witness by both word and deed. My father was also a strong Christian, and a Deacon at both Columbia Presbyterian and Valley Presbyterian.”

Kevin Phelan joined Roswell Presbyterian Church in April 2015 and is married to member Laura. Their daughters, Annie, and Maggie are active in ryeX. Kevin is a Confirmation Mentor, Youth leader for the eighth-grade boys, and a Men’s Retreat attendee. He has previously been a Middle School Youth leader, Financial Peace University coordinator, Black and White Book Club co-leader, Marriage and Couples Small Group participant, and a Guatemala Mission Trip participant. In addition to volunteering with missions, Kevin was greatly impacted by RPC’s former Senior Pastor. “Dr. Lane Alderman’s sermons and serving on the Guatemala mission trip were the most meaningful aspects of my faith development.”

George Rumsey and wife Kim have been members for 15 years. They have three adult daughters and four grandchildren. George previously served as an Elder at RPC in 2010. He is a GED tutor at North Fulton Community Charities and is involved with Family Promise and Men’s Tuesday Morning Bible Study. He also participated in various MOC projects and was Chair of MOC. Meaningful to George’s faith development was a couples Bible study at a Methodist church in St Louis. “I learned the Bible, Christian faith, and Jesus.”

Kara Searcy and her husband, Ed, who have been RPC members for 18 years, have children, Addie, 23, Ethan, 21, and Olivia, 20, who have all been involved in the RPC youth programs. Kara is currently in the Next Chapter Sunday School class which she said has been a perfect bridge as she moves to the next phase in her life with children in and graduating from college. Previously, Kara taught Sunday School and Wednesday night Bible study. She has participated in a Guatemala mission trip, served breakfast to the homeless at First Presbyterian, served as a mentor for confirmands, and volunteered with Vacation Bible School. Kara felt extremely honored and touched to be nominated for Elder. Of her faith development, Kara said, “One of my youth leaders at Northside Drive Baptist Church in Buckhead, played a huge part in my faith development. Going to church and having a strong faith has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. My dad was a youth minister when I was born in Savannah, Ga., so there was not much of my life that I was not at church on Sundays and Wednesday nights. Susan Dew was one of my youth leaders when I was in High School, and she impacted my life and my faith development by her commitment to me and modeling the true meaning of service and teaching others about the importance of faith in our lives. Her love of God was evident to me by the way she simply loved me during those high school years.I always remember thinking this is how I want to be in the future. I cannot say there is a monumental moment that changed my faith journey, but she solidified my growth and my continued desire to serve and grow in my faith.” Kara participated in Young Life in high school and had several amazing leaders who impacted her faith journey and taught her the importance of always having a love for God. She said she always looks back on these women with great admiration as they modeled what is meant to be a Godly woman by serving and loving others. As a first-grade teacher, Kara says she wakes up each day and says to herself that she has the opportunity to love these children well and hopes their lives are being impacted in some small way by the way she treats them with love and respect.

Charlie Sears and wife Ashley have been members since 2017 and they have two daughters, Sally Ann, and Miller, who both participate in the children’s programs. Charlie participates as a kindergarten Sunday School teacher, Social Service Sunday’s community group member, and Pathfinders Adult Sunday School member. Previously, he served as a new member ambassador, attended the Men’s Retreat, and was part of the Lent 2019 community group, the Newlywed Small group, and Confirmation and youth groups. When asked what has been most meaningful in his faith development he stated, “My faith was solidified as a member of First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta.  Growing up in that church, committing to the Youth Group, participating in Mission Trips to South Dakota and Scotland, and being mentored by strong faith leaders on the staff and within the congregation, all came together to forge my relationship with Christ.  Reflecting on these formative years, I now understand the importance of a strong faith community surrounding our children and youth.  Our family is blessed to find this same experience here at RPC.”

Emily Smith, a member since 2002, is married to Brandon, and they have three children, Abby, Noah, and Aaron. Emily has been a member of Presbyterian Women Circle 6 since 2007 and has served as Co-leader since 2012. She also participated as a VBS chair, Chattanooga Mission trip chaperone, Women’s Retreat chair, PW moderator and Event Programming chair, and Co-chair of the Flea & Thee. Emily said she is grateful for the wonderful influences on her faith development during her time at RPC. “From the teachings of Lane, Lyndsay, Emily, and Margaret to the conversations and connections I’ve had at Faith & Grace Bible study group and with my dear Circle 6 friends, I have been surrounded by a community that recognizes while we don’t have all the answers, we know Christ and our pilgrimage to grow closer to him is the answer and the Way. I feel blessed to be loved for who I am and at the same time encouraged to grow and evolve into who God has called me to be.”

Marijo Tuttle has been married to Dave for 28 years and the two joined RPC 25 years ago. They have a daughter and son-in-law living in NYC with their son, Brooks (2). She has a stepdaughter in Maryland and a stepson in Florida. Marijo is active in Neighborhood Action Ministry/Groveway and was previously involved with the Stephen Ministers. She attends several Bible studies and has served on various church committees. She said many people and events have been meaningful to her faith development. “Beginning with attending retreats and youth groups in my teens to being part of Bible study groups and surrounding myself with other Christians, my faith has deepened. Most recently my involvement with the Groveway community and observing their unwavering faith grounds me as I continue my faith journey.”

Kevin Winkler has been a member for 14 years along with his wife, Sue. They have two daughters, Hannah, and Samantha, who are also members of RPC. Kevin participates in various activities and is an usher for Sunday services. Kevin states the loss of a family member has been the event that has been most meaningful in his faith development

Julie Wooley and her husband, Stan, have been members for two years and married for 52 years! They have two daughters and sons-in-law and four granddaughters, all living in Marietta and Canton. She is a member of the choir and the Wednesday Night Dinner committee. She has participated in Bible study (the study of John) and Yoga classes. Julie says that many individuals and institutions have been meaningful in her faith development. Of these, the most important has been her husband, Stan, who has helped her explore and define her faith path over their many years together, and more recently, the members of her small group.

What are the qualifications of an elder?

We believe that the only thing that qualifies anyone is the grace of Jesus Christ. However, we also believe that elders are leaders of the church and therefore are held to a higher standard. Our hope is that these men and women would most importantly live as disciples of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, both in word and works.

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> ELDER QUALIFICATIONS
> NOMINATION PROCESS