Our Staff-
Reverend Charles Brackbill, Interim Pastor
Reverend Charles Brackbill has been a very inspiring and talented leader of our congregation since becoming the Interim pastor in 2000.
Reverend
Reverend Valancia Norman joined the staff of the First Presbyterian Church in September of 1998 and has a varied background. Reverend Norman graduated from Jackson State University and then completed a Masters in Business Administration at Carnegie Mellon. She worked in business and industry for seven years. She completed her Masters of Divinity at Union Theological Seminary in NYC. Reverend Norman is currently completing degree work in Family Counseling at Blanton Peale Graduate Institute in NYC. Her special areas of responsibilities are children and youth ministries, adult education, social awareness and action, as well as pastoral support.
Evelyn M. Bleeke, Minister of Music
Evelyn has been Minister of Music at First Presbyterian Church for eighteen years. She was previously Director and Organist at The First Congregational and The First Baptist Churches of Westfield. She has degrees from Boston University and The College of New Jersey at Trenton. She has enjoyed much success and critical acclaim in her career as a choral specialist. For thirty-two years, she guided The Choral Art Society of NJ to becoming one of the finest choral societies in the state, conducting a who’s-who list of cantatas and oratorios. In addition, she was conductor of the Westfield Glee Club, a public school educator, and professor at Kean University. She has received numerous awards including Master Music Teacher of NJMEA, the Governor’s Award, the Ace-Cable Award for television performances, awards from American Choral Directors Association, and The American Guild of Organists.
Supporting leaders in music ministry include Ann Weeks (Jubilee Bell Choir), Elsa Hahn (Caroler and Crusader children's choirs), and Patti Williams (Cherub Choir).
Robert Grube, Organist
Robert is a native of Cranford. He graduated from Cranford High School and received a Musical Club of Westfield Scholarship. He graduated from Rutgers University and received his Master’s degree from NYU. His organ teachers were Walter Reinhold and David Drinkwater. He has been a virtuoso organist at First Presbyterian Church for thirty-three years.
Secretarial Staff
Our church office is run by Irene Winters and Linda Oricchio. They support the efforts of the church's committees, professional staff, and membership.