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Meet Our Staff

Reverend Susan Balfour

Pastor

Reverend Susan Balfour

BIOGRAPHY OF REVEREND SUSAN BALFOUR

Reverend Susan has her Master in Divinity degree from Union Presbyterian Seminary (2009), and has been our pastor since November 1, 2015. A native of Florida, she has spent her adult life in North Carolina, Virginia, and now Georgia. She met her husband, Gregory Thigpen, in Milledgeville; they married in 2017. Their dog Jesse informed them that he was moving in with them in 2020; he did not ask, but he’s a sweet and chill mutt, and we couldn’t resist his charms. He can occasionally be found in the church office, serving as our parish associate. Reverend Susan loves traveling, photography, and horse riding.

revsebalfour@gmail.com  |  Tel: 478-452-9394

Kate Phillips on the beach

Organist

Kate Phillips

Kate Phillips has been an organist at First Presbyterian Church since January 1976, the same year that she graduated from Georgia College with a Bachelor of Music organ performance degree. Kate also received a Master of Education degree from Georgia College in 1993 and retired as an elementary school teacher in 2015. For the past six years Kate has been a part-time office assistant at the Georgia College Department of Music, where she helps with concerts and recitals, coordinates publicity, and creates programs. Kate and her husband, Roy, raised their three children, Wesley, Michael, and Cindy in this church. These grown children are married and now live in 3 different states. Kate and Roy are the proud grandparents of 4 grandchildren: Weston, 6; Payton, 4; Leah, 3; and Mason, 3.

fpchurch@windstream.net |  Tel: 478-452-9394

Jennifer Flory

Choir Director

Jennifer Flory

Dr. Jennifer Flory has been Director of Music at First Presbyterian Church since August 2006 where she oversees the music program and directs the Chancel Choir. Jennifer had been directing church choirs for over 25 years. She is Director of Choral Activities and Professor of Music at Georgia College, where she conducts the University Chorus and the auditioned Max Noah Singers and has taught choral and vocal music education and conducting courses since 2005. Jennifer holds both a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Music Education Degrees from Otterbein College (now University); and both a Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting from the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati. Flory is a member of the Presbyterian Association of Musicians, American Choral Directors Association, National Association for Music Education, National Collegiate Choral Organization, and The College Music Society. Jennifer resides in Gray with her husband Bill, their son Iain, and their cat, Lex.

fpchurch@windstream.net |  Tel: 478-452-9394

Lois Callender in the church office

Administrative Assistant

Lois Callender

New to working for the church, Lois enjoys interacting with the congregation and those who come to the church seeking answers and help.

fpchurch@windstream.net |  Tel: 478-452-9394

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