Dr. Robert S. Paul
Senior Pastor

As Senior Pastor, Bob works with the Session (Board of Elders) and staff to provide overall leadership for the church, along with preaching and teaching.

Education:
Bob earned a B.A. from the University of Washington, a Master’s of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary, a Doctor of Ministry from Fuller, and is currently working on a Ph.D (pending) from the University of Wales and the Oxford Centre for Mission Studies.

Family:
Wife: Suzi, and have been married for 36 years
 Sons: Noel, married to Katie, Seattle 
             Alex, married to Sarah, New York 
             Aaron, Richland, Washington

 

Bob’s favorites:
Bob enjoys golf, sailing, skiing, and fly fishing, as well as talking about these and other things that matter. He and Suzi have travelled extensively, and are delighted to be living in the Pearl District in Portland. They love a wide variety of music. He is particulary interested in how the church bears witness to the Gospel while engaging constructively with the wider community and culture.

Contact via email

Dr. J Spencer Parks, Pastor for Retreat and Conference Center Ministries, Executive Director, Menucha Retreat and Conference Center

Spencer’s main responsibility is the oversight of the church’s ministry at Menucha Retreat and Conference Center.

 Education:
Spencer earned a BA in History from St. Andrews Presbyterian College, and his D. Min. from Union Theological Seminary, Richmond, Virginia

 Family:
Wife (Sarah), Son (Christopher), Daughter (Jessica). Kids are grown and live in Tennessee.

 

Spencer’s favorites:
Favorite thing about Portland: I really like the eclectic nature of the city. It has been very nice to live in a place with such rich diversity.

Favorite books to read: I have been a long time fan of Science Fiction and Fantasy, but also enjoy several other genres as well. I love to read cookbooks.

Favorite hobby: Woodworking (I especially like woodturning), cooking (I’m a BBQ fanatic (please note that BBQ is a noun not a verb)), and reading.

Favorite NW restaurant: This is another thing I love about the Portland area. There are way too many good restaurants from which to choose. Among the top (at least this week) would be Jake’s (the original), Higgins, and Bryant St. Station.

Contact via email

Rev. Robin R. Garvin
Stated Supply Associate Pastor

Robin provides spiritual leadership, pastoral care, teaching, preaching, and support for the church’s worship, nurture, fellowship and service in collaboration with and in support of the ministry team and the pastor as head of staff.

Education:
B.S. Willamette University
M.S. Counseling Oregon State University
M. Div. Fuller Theological Seminary
D. Min. Fuller Theological Seminary (currently enrolled)

Family:
Husband: Roger Garvin, M.D.
Daughter: Erica, sophomore at Lake Oswego High School

Robin’s favorites
Favorite thing about Portland: The abundant walking trails!
Favorite books to read: Contemporary fiction…anything on the N.Y. Times bestseller list
Favorite hobby: Walking (I have walked six marathons), hiking, camping, cooking, listening to music.
Favorite pastime: Sharing good coffee and conversation, watching Gonzaga Bulldog basketball (I am a serious fan!), and spending time with family.
Favorite NW restaurant: Lots of favorites…I especially enjoy Chinese and Mexican food.

Contact via email

Dr. Jon Stuber
Organist/Choirmaster

Jon’s role at First Presbyterian Church includes planning music for all services and conducting the Chancel Choir, Chamber Choir, and Handbell Choir; and playing the organ at all services. Along with Ann van Bever, Jon administers the musical aspects of Celebration Works Concert Series. His duties also include the supervision of the music staff, maintaining the music library and instruments, and managing the music budget.

Education:
BM, Baylor University, Waco, Texas
MM, University of Texas at Austin
DMA, University of Texas at Austin

Family:
Jon’s family lives in Texas. His father Dr. John Stuber, is retired and currently lives in Longview, Texas. He has two sisters, Leslie Borski, an elementary school teacher, living in Bryan, Texas, and Kirsten Stuber, a Cancer Research RN, living in Tyler, Texas.

Jon’s favorites
Favorite thing about Portland: The rain
Favorite books to read: Anything that makes me laugh out loud
Favorite hobby: Working in my yard
Favorite pastime: Watching movies
Favorite NW restaurant: Jake’s Famous Crawfish (especially the Etouffee)

Contact via email

Sally Bowder
Church Business Administrator

As a Fellow in Church Business Administration (FCBA) and Fellow in Presbyterian Church Business Administration (FPCBA), Sally oversees the business aspect of all church ministries.

Family:
Husband, Jack; four sons; one daughter; four granddaughters and one grandson.

Sally’s favorites
Favorite thing about Portland: I love the downtown area
Favorite hobby: Travel
Favorite Pastime: Watching soccer games especially my granddaughters’ games!
Favorite NW restaurant: Portland City Grill, Jake’s (original) and Henry’s

Contact via email

Michelle LaCroix
Facilities Administrator

Since August 2007, Michelle has taken on the role of Facilities Administrator for First Presbyterian Church. Michelle oversees and manages the facilities of First Presbyterian Church including the Parish House, Sanctuary, parking garage and the Julia West House. Michelle is responsible for managing the facilities staff, custodial staff and the Sextons. She has been working for First Presbyterian Church since September 2005.

Michelle graduated with honors from Occidental College in 2000 with a degree in International Relations. During her senior year at Occidental College, Michelle was selected as one of only 12 undergraduate students in the US to participant in an internship at the United Nations. Michelle believes firmly that this once in a lifetime opportunity was an invaluable experience.

Michelle, a native Oregonian and her husband, David moved to Portland in August 2004 from Southern California when David was offered the position as Director for Oregon MESA at Portland State University. They purchased their first home in April 2005 and have been in the process of remodeling it themselves for the past year.

Michelle’s favorites
Favorite thing about Portland: The summers and the Blazers
Favorite books to read: Books about history
Favorite hobby: Boating, cooking, spending time with family and shopping!
Favorite pastime: Watching Blazer basketball games and boating
Favorite NW restaurant: Henry’s
Favorite food: Mexican food (especially Carne Asada)

Contact via email

 

Donna Brookes
Administrative Assistant

 Donna joined the staff in November 2008. She is the Administrative Assistant to the pastors and the person responsible for publications (bulletins, announcements, newsletters, brochures) and the FPC website. She and her husband moved back to Oregon from Idaho in 2008 and have settled near Newberg.

Donna is originally from Maryland, but has lived in New York, North Carolina, Colorado, Idaho, Oregon and Minnesota. Husband Dick as been a pastor for 32 years, as well as working with a para-church ministry in Colorado for 8 years.

Family: Husband – Dick
                Sons:  Dan, USN & stationed in Norfolk, VA; married to Karyn 
                             David, living in Broomfield, CO
                Grandchildren: Kaylee, Amanda and Joshua

Donna’s Favorites:
Favorite thing about Portland:  The beauty of the rivers and the city, especially at night.
Favorite hobby: travel, especially to see family. She also enjoys travel throughout the U.S. and visiting National Parks.
Favorite NW restaurants:  Antonio’s Italian Restaurant in Lafayette and the Tidal Rave in Depot Bay.
Favorite passtime: Being out of doors, enjoying the magnificent scenery;  reading; playing the piano and keyboard and working with her church’s worship team.

 

Music Staff:
Ann van Bever, Music Administrative Assistant
Kristen Buhler, Young Musician’s Choir Director
Emily Kinkley, Children’s Choir Director

Support Staff:
Bonnie Garcia, Accountant
Margaret McShea, Financial Assistant
Gail Rogers, Receptionist

Facilities Staff:
Bruce Campbell, Facilities Maintenance
Jimmy Lee, Sexton
Peter Tuscano, Custodian
Zenebew Legesse, Custodian

Julia West Staff:
Cathy Harris, Operations Director