The First Presbyterian Church in Germantown

The Rev. Dr. Nancy Muth: Minister

Nancy was called as the minister of The First Presbyterian Church in Germantown in October 2002.  Prior to that, she was minister at The First Presbyterian of Englewood, NJ, and The First Presbyterian Church of Ambler, PA.  She then joined the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) General Assembly staff as a stewardship consultant with Church Financial Campaign Service (CFCS) for eight years.  She and a CFCS colleague started ADVENT Funds Development and consulting with churches and presbyteries in a variety of funding programs.

Nancy is a graduate of Moravian College, Princeton Theological Seminary and McCormick Theological Seminary.  She serves on the Board of the Presbyterian Investment and Loan Program of the PC(U.S.A.) and of the Center for Urban Ministry of Wake Forest University Divinity School.  She is also an adjunct trainer for Partners for Sacred Places.

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The Rev. Kevin Porter: Dir. of Adult Education & Community Life

The Reverend Kevin L. Porter is a native Philadelphian who was educated in the city's public schools before attending Harvard University, where he received his Bachelor's degree in 1982 concentrating in Psychology and Social Relations. While at Harvard, Kevin was the recipient of the Royal Society of the Arts Silver Medal Award for his work in various aspects of theatre as an undergraduate. He received further training on-stage and backstage at Philadelphia's Freedom Theater.

Kevin worked for the Eastern Home Office of the Prudential Life Insurance Company from 1982-1990, gaining business experience through their Management Intern Program and serving as a Human Resources Consultant and trainer. During this same period, he was ordained an elder at the Mt. Airy Presbyterian Church, focusing on ministry with youth.

In 1990, Kevin entered Princeton Theological Seminary. In 1993, he received his Master of Divinity degree from Princeton and was ordained as a minister of Word and Sacrament the next year when he joined the pastoral staff of the First Presbyterian Church in Germantown. Kevin left First Presbyterian for several years to work as a hospice chaplain with VITAS Hospice, followed by a term as the Interim Pastor of the Calvin Presbyterian Church in West Philadelphia. He received certification in Pastoral Counseling with the Samaritan Counseling Center's Pastoral Training Institute and was a consultant with the Dialogue Center for Counseling and Consulting before returning to First Presbyterian Church in Germantown in his current role of Director of Adult Education and Community Life.

In this role, Kevin oversees the adult Christian education, fellowship, and community partnership programs of the congregation, helping members explore what it means to be community both within and outside of the church's walls. He is actively involved in the Germantown Clergy Initiative (GCI), representing the church in efforts to improve the quality of life in Germantown. He also coordinates our multicultural and inter-generational Bread and Cup Coffeehouse, which promotes the arts as a means of building dialogue and a sense of community across the vast diversity in northwest Philadelphia.

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Eileen Jones: Director of Urban Ministry

With a deep passion for Christ and commitment to serve others, Eileen is excited to use her professional social work training to enable FPCG to be a place that provides wholistic support to church and community members alike. She has participated in ministry at First Church in Germantown for more than 22 years.

As Director of Urban Ministry her responsibilities include leading programs and activities that engage the church in outreach to our immediate community. A significant part of that work is in her role as Director of the Germantown Avenue Crisis Ministry housed in the church. Eileen is a graduate of Temple University with a Masters in Social Work degree.  

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Christian Heyer-Rivera: Director of Christian Education

Christian Heyer-Rivera came to The First Presbyterian Church in Germantown at the beginning of the summer of 2004.  Christian is a graduate of Bethel College in St. Paul, MN and Palmer Theological Seminary.  He is currently working toward Certification as a Christian Educator and is an inquirer for ordination as a Ministry of Word and Sacrament within the Presbytery of Philadelphia.

Prior to coming to The First Presbyterian Church in Germantown, Christian served in a variety of ministries.  He has been the Director of Youth Programs in both staff and volunteer roles at churches in Pennsylvania and Minnesota, served as an Assistant Site Director of a YouthWorks! mission site on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, and provided leadership on staff and as a volunteer for Jr. High outreach ministry with Young Life.

Along with his oversight of Christian education and youth outreach programs at First Church, Christian also serves on the Christian Education team of the Presbytery of Philadelphia and is a dedicated member of the Germantown Clergy Initiative (a group of area clergy committed to the education and well being of the students of Germantown High School), and a member of the Association of Presbyterian Church Educators.

Christian and his wife Sheila are the parents of a son, Emanuel.

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Heidi Mercado-Littles: Parish Visitor

Heidi was born in Switzerland and raised in Chile. She began her studies in Education and Translation at the Catholic University in Santiago. In 1976, Heidi came to the USA to pursue a degree in Special Education. She has B.S. and M.A degrees in Special Education from Western Michigan University. Heidi worked for 20 years in the field of Mental Retardation and her professional career included teaching, case management, 5 years as a foster parent of 3 young adults with mental retardation, and 11 years in Early Intervention.

Heidi and her family, husband Dieter Littles and children Erika and Antonio, joined the First Presbyterian Church in Germantown in 1992. Heidi has been serving as Parish Visitor since February 2001. 

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David Daugherty: Director of Music

David Daugherty, a native of Western Pennsylvania, began his career as a church organist at the age of fifteen. One year later, he was appointed Organist-Choir Master at the Eighth Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was educated at the Dana School of Music at Youngstown State University and Carnegie-Mellon University. His primary organ teachers have included John G. Bate, Dr. Russell G. Wichmann, Dr. Ronald L. Gould, and Keith Chapman.

In addition to being an organist, Daugherty is also a trained baritone having studied voice with Beatrice Krebs, Dr. Donald E. Vogel, and Mimi Lerner. Beyond his formal music education, David has participated in numerous master classes and workshops that have been devoted to organ performance, handbell ringing techniques and vocal/choral techniques.

He has served churches in the Pittsburgh metropolitan area, and North West Florida, and has also been active in musical theater and opera as both performer and conductor.

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Sally Vaughn: Administrative Assistant

Sally Vaughn has been emplyed at The First Presbyterian Church in Germantown since 1991.  As the church secretary, she is responsible for the production of the worship bulletins, concert programs, newsletters and other church publications.  Sally also maintains the church calendar, coordinates the use of the building and acts as receptionist and tour guide for visitors.  While Sally reports directly to the Minister, she often says she has "hundreds of bosses."

Kathy Charlesworth has bee the financial secretary at The First Presbyterian Church in Germantown since 1983.  She is the church's longest current serving staff member.  Along with maintaining the books, tracking donations and keeping the office running efficiently, she also acts as receptionist and is usually the first contact that people have with the church.  A large part of her day is spent interacting with members of the church providinig them with assistance and answering their questions.