Our Staff
Who We Are
In Transition
Pastor
After 10 years of service at First Presbyterian Church of Eau Claire, Rev. Kathy Reid Walker has retired. We thank her for her service and wish her well on her continued journey.
We are currently in transition and working with the Presbytery of Northern Waters to begin our Pastoral search.
During the interim we welcome a variety of Guest Speakers to fill the pulpit each week.4
For Pastoral Care, please contact the office.
715.832.1011
Sara Gannon
Faith Formation Christian Education
Sara grew up in Kansas and spent her early career working as an R.N. in New York City. She moved with her husband Ned and their son Eliot to Eau Claire in 2004 where her daughter Claire was born soon thereafter. She embraced her passion for spiritual formation and began work at First Presbyterian Church in 2006 and is also a trained Spiritual Director. Her children are now young adults, and she lives with her husband and dog Gwenforte and enjoys reading, hiking, sharing coffee or a meal with friends, and working on creative projects. In January of 2025 she became an MDiv student at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities.
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My Pronouns are: She/Her/Hers
715. 598.5037
Rebecca Poquette
Office Administrator
Lifelong Wisconsin resident, mom of 3, married to Ryan Poquette our Handbell director. Awareness Coordinator for the Cornelia de Lange Syndrome Foundation, 8 on the Enneagram, and Parent to Parent of WI support parent. She is also an Deacon here at First Presbyterian. When she isn't in the office you may find her singing during worship, playing D&D or helping to lead our D&D Group.
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My Pronouns are: She/Her/Hers
715.832.1011
Musicians
Music Director
Here at First Presbyterian we are blessed with many musicians. Our Pianists/Organist rotate each week.
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Melissa Willis
Bill Ickstadt
Amanda Bradley
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email:
Ryan Poquette
Handbell Director
Ryan Poquette studied violin and music at UWEC and is currently serving as concertmaster for both the Eau Claire Chamber Orchestra and the Chippewa Valley Symphony Orchestra. He plays with the Chippewa Valley String Quartet and Duo col Legno. Ryan is a founder and president of the Clear Water Chamber Players, a non-profit chamber music performance organization. He has played extensively with groups throughout the Midwest
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My Pronouns are: He/Him/His
email:
Treasurer
Robin Korb
She/Her/Hers
Financial Secretary
Kristen Kirchman
She/Her/Hers
Clerk of Session
Paula Tibbs
Session President
Tom Maijala
He/Him/His
Session
The Session is composed of elders who have been nominated and elected by the congregation. to serve and lead the church. These elders moderate committees and teams of Session, helping to organize our church to carryout the mission of the church.
2026 Session Elders
Allie Coen ('27)
Sandy Griffin ('26)
Jacqueline Johnson ('27)
Susan Krueger ('26)
Janelle Laube ('26)
Tom Maijala ('25)
Anne Markovic ('28)
Jamie Tepsa ('26)
Christ Tandberg
Dennis Meitner ('28)
Deacons
Deacons are church members who are nominated, elected, ordained and installed by the church.
Deacon ministry focuses on connectional and compassionate service by seeking to encourage members and friends of the congregation with calls, visits, and cards throughout the year.
2026 Deacons
Sue Janke ('27) Group 4
Sherry Macaul ('26) Group 2
*Ruth Ann Macken ('28) Group 5
Jean Maijala ('28) Group 6
Anne Markovic ('29) Session Elder
Etta McDonald ('26) Group 1
*Rebecca Poquette ('27) Group 3
*Co-Moderator
TEAMS & COMMITTEES
Everyone is invited and encouraged to participate on any committee or team that interests them.
Visit the FPC Calendar for updated meeting dates and times for each Team/Committee.
* = Team Contact Person (S) = Session Member
Property
Dennis Meitner (*S)
Mike Mills
Jacqueline Johnson (S)
Matt Hull
Jim Dunning
Personnel
Ruth Ann Macken
Chris Tandberg (*S)
Shauna Ponty
Janelle Laube (S)
Earth Care
Jim Dunning
Mike Mills
Sue Wagner (S)
Frankie Weinberger
Presbyterian Women
Moderator –Rose Acheson
Vice-Moderator – Joan Benjamin
Secretary – Sherry Macaul
Treasurer – Sue Janke
Mission Coordinator – Etta McDonald
Search Committee Chairman- Judy Berger
Naomi Circle Rep – Judy Berger
Mary Circle Rep – Carol Blomquist
Member-at-Large – Sandy Griffin
Mission & Outreach
The Mission & Outreach committee has combined with the Deacons as of 2026.
We will continue to run and participate in Mission & Outreach events as usual along with the Deacons responsibilities.
*Sherry Macaul is our Mission & Outreach Deacon, Anne Markovic as Deacon Session member will help to coordinate events along with the rest of the Deacons.
Finance
Tom Maijala (*S)
Allie Coen
*Endowment
Robin Korb
Kirk Day
Allie Coen
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Faith Formation
Sara Gannon *
Susan Krueger (S)
Sandy Griffin
Jamie Tepsa (S)
Melissa Willis
Communications
Sara Gannon
Rebecca Poquette
Jean Maijala