Staff & Leaders

Rev. 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…

John Walthausen has served churches as a musician since he was a teenager and has been Director of Music Ministry at The First Presbyterian Church in Germantown since 2021. John directs the Chancel Choir and the Oratorio Choir, and he also works with children and youth for the annual Christmas Pageant. On Sunday mornings, he loves leading the congregation in hymns from “the Germantown Giant,” the largest church organ in Philadelphia.  Accomplished as a recitalist, John Walthausen has been heard…

A native Californian, Cari moved to the east cost from Arizona in late 2019. They have been with FPCG since November 2021. Denominationally flexible, Cari has previously worked in Episcopal and Lutheran churches, as well as with a variety of blended Christian faith communities. They have worked in the church world since 2016 and have held a variety of roles, from sexton to vicar and (almost) everything in-between. Cari is currently seeking ordination in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America…