About
Staff & Leadership
The Rev. Dr. Tara W. Bulger
Senior Pastor | Head of Staff
The Rev. Dr. Tara W. Bulger is the Senior Pastor and Head of Staff. Tara leads worship, provides executive direction and leadership, and helps to guide our church in its mission and care for the community. Tara is a graduate of the University of Georgia (majoring in Speech Communication and Rhetoric), Columbia Theological Seminary (Master of Divinity), and McCormick Theological Seminary (Doctor of Ministry in Preaching).
Tara serves on the Board of Trustees of Peace College and was a lead facilitator in the Zick Preaching Scholar Program. She thinks it isn’t possible to own too many books and loves a good recommendation–in any genre! She is married to Brian and has two daughters, Hannon and Ryann. She is obsessed with her dogs, Chopper and Gus.
The Rev. Laurie Taylor Weicher
Associate Pastor
Laurie Taylor Weicher is the Associate Pastor. She focuses on pastoral care, teaching, worship leadership and the ministry of the Deacons. Laurie graduated from UNC-CH with a degree in journalism and then attended Columbia Theological Seminary.
Laurie feels at home taking long hikes or walks, is a pretty good cook, and an amateur potter. Her husband, John, is also a Presbyterian pastor, and together they have two fantastic children.
The Rev. Dr. Ernie Thompson
Parish Associate
Ernie Thompson serves as a Parish Associate, assisting the other pastors with pastoral care, worship leadership, and teaching. Ernie retired in 2024 after 38 years of ministry, mostly in North Carolina. He is a graduate of the University of SC (B.S. in Physics), Union Presbyterian Seminary (M.Div.), and Columbia Seminary (D.Min.).
Ernie and his wife, Elaine, moved from Greensboro to Raleigh after he retired to be close to family. Their two adult children, both married, and their three grandsons are all in Raleigh, as well as Ernie’s sister and her four daughters and 9 grandchildren. When he is not playing with his grandchildren and their cousins, Ernie enjoys running, bicycling, golf, pickleball, and reading.
The Rev. Judy Pidcock
Parish Associate
Judy Pidcock serves as a Parish Associate. She works with the other pastors on staff in areas of pastoral care, teaching, and worship. After retiring from First Presbyterian in 2024, Judy returned to the staff in 2025. Judy double majored in History and Economics at Duke University (BA) and graduated from Yale University with a Master of Divinity degree. She worked in communications and theological publishing before entering parish ministry. Ordained in 1987, she served churches in Columbus, Ohio, and Rochester, New York, before moving to Raleigh in 2004 with her family.
Judy spends time hiking, cooking, reading and working in her small-but-just-the-right-size garden. She volunteers with political advocacy groups on local and national concerns. Judy and her husband Jim travel whenever they can to see their sons in Portland, Oregon and Boston, Massachusetts.
Beth Thaxton
Dir. of Family Ministries & Christian Education
Beth MacLeod Thaxton joyfully serves as Director of Family Ministries & Christian Education. She leads educational programming for children from birth through 5th grade, inviting and equipping the congregation to live into its baptismal vows as they nurture the faith of young people at FPC. She also supports Adult Education, partnering with and resourcing the adult Sunday school classes.
Beth holds a Bachelor of Arts from Presbyterian College, where she double majored in Religion: Christian Education and Spanish, with a minor in Psychology. A lifelong Presbyterian, she brings experience from camp and conference ministry, as well as leadership at presbytery-wide and national retreats.
Beth loves cheering on the Tar Heels, dabbling in photography, and driving with the windows down. She met her husband at a Presbyterian summer camp and enjoys spending time outdoors with her family. She is the proud parent of two children and a squishy pug named Pudgie.
Daniel Caudill
Interim Youth Dir.
Daniel comes to us from Raleigh Youth Mission, where he recently served as director of that program. He is a graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill and will begin seminary training this fall at Union Theological Seminary. Daniel is from Laurinburg, where he was an active participant at Laurinburg Presbyterian Church, took part in mission work, attended the Montreat Summer Youth Conferences, and developed a deep foundation of faith. Daniel is also an Eagle Scout and can play the bagpipes!
Mark Woodcock
Dir. of Music
Mark Woodcock is the Director of Music. He plans, coordinates, and directs the wide-ranging musical ensembles and activities throughout the church. Holding graduate degrees in music from Truman State University and the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre, Mark is currently completing a doctorate from the University of Illinois. Marks sings throughout the Triangle and, along with his wife, directs the Concert Singers of Cary.
Having wandered, ambled, and trekked across the country, Mark and his family have contentedly landed in Raleigh. Thrilled by the music of choirs, organs, banjos, and the like, Mark also spends his time hiking, birding, reading, and dancing with his wife and three incredible children.
Lindsay Ann McCall
Dir. of Children & Youth Music
Lindsay Ann McCall is the Director of Children and Youth Music at First Presbyterian Church of Raleigh. She plans activities for children and youth, including directing Sunday night music programs and coordinating leading music in worship. As a University of South Carolina School of Music graduate, Lindsay Anne earned her Bachelors and Music Education with a concentration in Vocal Performance.
Lindsay Anne is a Raleigh native who sings in various vocal ensembles such as North Carolina Master Chorale and their Chamber Choir. She is a devoted Elementary Music Teacher who strives to create a positive culture for all of her students. In addition to teaching, Lindsay Anne enjoys spending time with friends and family who also reside in Raleigh. She has a passion for fashion, loves the beach, takes many walks, and is a huge foodie.
Dr. Karl Zinsmeister
Organist
Organist Karl Zinsmeister supports our vibrant worship services by enabling and enlivening congregational song and providing service music that reflects the church season and/or theme of the day. He holds BM (St. Olaf College) and MM (Westminster Choir College) degrees in Church Music with an organ concentration and a DA (University of Mississippi) in Music Education with a choral emphasis. He also served as an instructor in handbells at the collegiate and graduate levels.
Karl serves on the national board of Presbyterian Association of Musicians and will serve on the faculty for their 2027 Conference on Worship and Music held at Montreat. Karl and Lora enjoy cultivating their yard, entertaining friends for dinner, and trying new recipes.
Kathy Johnson
Dir. of Community Outreach
Kathy Johnson is the Director of Community Outreach. She oversees and leads the FPC Friendship Fund as well as all mission and benevolence programs for the congregation. Kathy believes we are all called to serve and work alongside our neighbors, both in our community and around the world.
Kathy is a Raleigh native and lifelong Presbyterian who grew up at First Presbyterian Raleigh. She holds a BA in Psychology and a BM in Vocal Performance from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and MMs in Vocal Performance and Vocal Pedagogy from The Boston Conservatory of Music. After pursuing a classical music and opera career in Boston for twelve years, Kathy returned to her hometown and discovered her calling to help others. She loves all things Tar Heels, card and board games, puzzles, music, and anytime she can escape to the beach. She especially enjoys spending time with her mother, niece & nephew (who call her “Aunt Katie”), and her beloved and very spoiled Shelties, Fenway and Lily.
Gail Barrett
Church Administrator
Gail Barrett is the Church Administrator. She manages all aspects of the Church operations and she supports the Church staff and its members. Gail is a graduate of San Diego State University with Bachelor of Science with an emphasis in accounting. She worked as a CPA for a large firm in San Diego and has a diverse background having worked for many small businesses and individuals as an accountant.
Gail enjoys hanging out with her family and taking walks by the lake. She enjoys traveling back to California to visit her family there and anywhere else the wind might take her. Gail’s love language is service, so she’s here to serve her family, the church and the community. She has two adult children and a husband who is a family lawyer.
Jean Suber
Dir. of Communications
Jean is the Communications Director. She oversees all aspects of church communication, including managing the website, social media platforms, newsletters, and visual content, ensuring the congregation stays informed and connected. Jean’s role plays a key part in fostering engagement and strengthening relationships within the church community. With several years of hands-on experience in communications, she brings practical knowledge, creativity, and a relational approach to effectively share the church’s message.
Outside of her role, Jean partners with a nonprofit that supports women transitioning out of incarceration, reflecting her passion for service and restoration. She also enjoys photography, journaling, and spending time with her family and friends whenever possible. At home, Jean finds joy in quiet moments snuggling with her cat, Zazu, and values the meaningful connections she builds both within the church and the wider community.
Melani Harrison
Financial Assistant | Office Manager
Melani Harrison is the Financial Assistant and Office Manager. She assists the Church Administrator in the execution and recording of the financial activity of the Church and Foundation while also providing administrative support to the church staff, Session, committees, and other leadership groups within the Church. Melani started working at University Presbyterian Church in Chapel Hill while pursuing her bachelor’s degree from UNC in Business and Sociology which eventually led her to First Presbyterian Church.
Melani loves organizing, reading, taking weekend trips with her husband, Todd, and spending time with her 4 daughters.
Russell Clark
Facilities Manager
Russell Clark is the Facilities Manager. He oversees the church buildings and grounds, making sure all systems and spaces are in good working order. He ensures that the Church is a clean, welcoming place for our members, visitors and the greater Raleigh community. After attending Campbell University, where he was a member of the baseball team, he worked in commercial and residential property management, real estate and became a licensed home inspector.
Russell was born and raised in North Carolina and grew up as the son of a Baptist pastor. He loves watching all sports, specifically UNC, the Atlanta Braves and Carolina Hurricanes. He loves playing golf, working in the yard, cooking and spending time with his wife and two kids.
Brooke Barrett
Sexton
Brooke Barrett is the Church Sexton. Her main areas of emphasis are: maintenance of facilities and grounds; support of church members and partners in facilitating events, and ensuring the cleanliness, security and preparation of the facility for events and services. She is a graduate of Millbrook High School, where she participated in many extracurricular activities and played soccer. Through these activities, she learned to work in a team atmosphere and work with diverse groups of people towards common goals. She is looking forward to starting college this next semester to work towards a nursing degree to serve the community.
Brooke enjoys outdoor activities such as snowboarding, hiking, fishing, and taking pictures. She appreciates hanging out with her super social cat Bailey, mom, dad, and brother. She enjoys serving the needs of the church groups and individual members and partners.
Rita Harris
Outreach Assistant
Rita Harris is the Outreach Assistant. She works with the Outreach Director in interacting with neighbors in need. Her sweet, genuine demeanor and Southern accent are assets because Rita often is the first face or voice people encounter when reaching out for help. She assists with Friendship Fund appointments, data entry, and all special Outreach events and activities.
Although she hails from Tennessee, Rita has also lived in Texas, Arizona, and Wilmington, NC. Also an FPC church member, Rita is honored to be able to give back to the community that has given her so much. When not working, Rita enjoys the thrill of the hunt while thrifting and antiquing with friends. Her quiet time is spent with fur baby felines, Amelia and Thomas. She has also recently taken up the hobby of learning to play Mahjongg.
Tyler Elrod
Audio Visual Lead Technician
Tyler Elrod is the Lead Audio & Video Technician. His primary role is to operate and maintain the microphones, speakers, and related equipment in our Sanctuary and various gathering and meeting spaces across the church campus, as well as the cameras and other equipment that enables our live streaming and video recording. He received a BFA in Technical Theatre Design & Production from Catawba College, and spent over a decade working behind the scenes in the live entertainment industry as a scenic carpenter, rigger, flyman, sound engineer, and lighting technician in performance venues throughout the Charlotte area before moving to Raleigh and acting as the Assistant Technical Director at Raleigh Little Theatre. When he isn’t at the church, he works as a photo documentation specialist using a variety of cameras, drones, and laser scanners on major construction projects throughout Central and Eastern NC.
Tyler is proud and grateful for his beautiful wife and his two young children. Together they enjoy tending the garden, building projects, and watching the local birds.
Valerie Chassereau
Dir. of the Child Development Center
Valerie Chassereau is the Director of the Church Child Development Center. Her passion has always been to be in a childcare center where she can make a difference and to facilitate an environment where every child, staff and parent feels seen, heard, supported and loved.
Valerie grew up right here in Raleigh, NC and went to Wake Christian Academy from K4-12th grade. From there she went to Appalachian State University where she received her Bachelor’s in Sociology – Family and Child Development and a Minor in Child Psychology. Valerie later went to Wake Tech to take the Admin 1 and 2 courses making her a Level 3 Director.
Valerie loves people, cute and cuddly animals, traveling, shopping and spending time with friends and family. She recently married her husband Rick and they have a bunny named Buttons Sophia and a dog named Tres Queso. Valerie is excited for what the future holds and loves being a part of First Presbyterian Church Child Development. Feel free to stop by and take a tour!
Ebony McKinnon
Program Coordinator of the Child Development Center
Ebony McKinnon is the Program Coordinator for the CDC. Her goal is to serve families and children by providing a safe, welcoming, nurturing place where children can grow and learn, setting a foundation that will carry them to their next level of growth in child development. She also provides support to the CDC Director, the employees, and church staff. Ebony has 24 years of experience in early childhood education/child development. She has two degrees in Biblical studies and two degrees in child development. In addition, she has completed administrative courses making her a Level 3 Administrator as well as her School Age Administrator and Program Coordinator certification. Ebony looks forward to getting to know all of the families and is excited and thankful for this new opportunity.
Since 2018 Ebony has been an active member in the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. where she has been able to enhance her community service and financial efforts. She love to sing, helping in her local church, going to the movies, and helping the elderly.