Jim Baker and his wife Kristy (of 28 years) joined RPC 25 years ago. Their children, David, Caroline, and Andrew were confirmed at RPC. Jim has been a part of RPC's Men's Retreat organizing committee for several years and served as a liaison between RPC and the Boy Scout troop and Cub Scout pack that RPC sponsors. Jim participates in the Next Chapter Sunday School class and believes his faith grew and solidified by taking several Disciple Bible study classes at RPC years ago. "The course curriculum, the weekly Bible study, and small group discussions contributed greatly to my faith journey with God and made me feel more connected with other RPC members."

Jessica Callaham has been a member of RPC since 2008 and is currently on the Women's Retreat and GALs planning committees, Next Chapter Sunday school, and is a Carillon Choir handbell ringer. Previously Jessica served as an onCore second-grade teacher, preschool Sunday school teacher and Student Life middle school trip leader. She hosted eXtreme Retreat at her home for four years, was the VBS Penny Lady, was a member of the PW Circle 8 for over ten years and served as co-leader for many of those years. Jessica has also served as Moderator, Co-Moderator, and treasurer on the PW Coordinating team. She has been a Confirmation mentor, served as the RPC Mission Champion, and has volunteered for the CDA for several years. She and Steve have been married for 22 years and have two children, Rayan (17) and Madeline (16), who attend Mount Pisgah Christian School. Her mother, Diane Norris, is also a member of RPC. "I feel truly blessed to have been able to form so many meaningful relationships throughout my involvement at RPC. The times I have felt extremely connected was when serving during the Family Mission Trip in St. Simons, studying and praying together in various Bible studies/PW Circle Gathering, and the many Women's Retreats I have been so fortunate to be able to attend. Still, my faith and relations with God are always growing stronger, and I still have so much to learn and experience. I am grateful for this opportunity to serve as an Elder."

Chip Consoer and his wife Suzie have been members for 14 years. Their children, Kylie (24) and Abbie (22) participated in ryeX. Chip has taught second-grade Sunday school, been a small group leader for high school boys, participated in the Dinners for Eight, and attends Sunday school classes. Chip said, "RPC leadership, Lane Alderman, Jeff Meyers, Lyndsay Slocum, Carrie Weatherford, and Emily Wright, and Sunday school classes led by Joel and Amy Wolverton" have been most meaningful to his faith development.

Diana Crary and her husband, Michael, have been RPC members since 2020. They have three children, Jack (18), Charlie (16), and Julia (12). Julia assists with our Shadow Program. Diana is a greeter and has also been an assistant teacher for a preschool music class. "The church that I belonged to throughout my childhood has had the most impact on the development of my faith. Scarborough Presbyterian Church was a tight-knit community where we made lifelong friends. The Sunday school class that I attended helped me to understand the bible and to develop my faith and understanding of Christianity. Through the church, there were many opportunities to serve. The most memorable experience of service was delivering food to the homeless in New York City with The Midnight Run. The people whom we helped were thankful and kind, and they made a lasting impression on me. Years later, the minister from my church who led us on that mission presided at my wedding in Atlanta. The memories of my early years at church are part of the foundation of my faith."

Martha Dinges is a co-director of the onCore Wednesday night program for kids, an onCore Bible teacher, and attends Adult Sunday school. She has also been an elementary Sunday school teacher, onCore table parent, and participates with the Alpharetta Community Group. She and Andy, married 16 years, have been members since 2018, and have two daughters, Caroline (11) and Annie (8). Martha is currently a first-grade teacher at Alpharetta Elementary. "I am thankful to my parents who brought me up at First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta. The youth program there, led by Allison Per-Lee, had a profound effect on my faith development. Allison's leadership and the way she lived out her faith taught us how to love God and love others – all while having fun and leaning into our gifts. After attending a youth mission camp in high school with my youth group, I spent four summers in college working at that same camp as a Bible study leader and Assistant Director. While working at this camp, my faith continued to grow and be challenged and shaped by the people I met and the experiences I had leading camps."

Eleida Fleming and her husband Bill, have been members since 1996. She is a member of the Next Chapter Sunday school class and was a youth leader for 10 years. Eleida currently volunteers with NAM at Aspen Point, having been involved with the program since it began, serving on the NAM Planning Committee and the Interviewing Committee that searched for Dr. Clara Herrera's position. Eleida was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico. She grew up Baptist and moved to Georgia in 1977. She has been married to Bill for nearly 39 years and they have two daughters, Karissa and Erika. Erika and her husband, Kyle are active members of RPC. What has been meaningful in her faith development is her family. “As a child and youth, I grew up with my immediate and both sides of my extended family (cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents) attending the same church regularly. Youth groups also had a big impact on my faith growing up.” She said as an adult, her mother has had a big impact on her faith, as well as RPC Bible studies, Sunday school, and the RPC ministers.

Valerie Macdonald, RPC member since 1992, has been attending RPC since the fourth grade! Valerie has been on the VBS Leadership team for eight years and served as director twice, is an usher, Wedding Director, participates in women's Bible studies, is a confirmation mentor, and youth ministry volunteer, joins the family mission trip, is RPC Auction committee member, attends the marriage retreat and is a New Member Ambassador. Valerie met her husband Mark in the RPC youth group; they were married in 2006 by Rev. Louis Imsande. They have two children Madeline (12) and Harris (9). She says that youth retreats and camps as a young adult were very instrumental in her forming a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. She also credits her friendship with Rev. Emily Wright, Bible studies and books by Lysa TerKeurst, and in-depth study of the Lord's Prayer and striving to live that in her daily life as meaningful to her faith development.

Jack McCoy and his wife Donna joined RPC in 2014. He is a member of the Chancel Choir and Cantate Coeli, a member of the Mission Outreach Council, and is the Zoom administrator for the Men's Bible Study. He participates in the Fitness for Life exercise class and the Community Discuss Group. Jack was previously the secretary of the Chancel Choir, a member of the Music Ministry and Concert Committees, co-coached the Aspen Pointe Chess Club, work with WEF dinners, and was a member of the Men's Bible Study Cookie Committee. At his previous church, he was church treasurer, chair of several committees, and a member of the Board of Trustees. His sister is a Presbyterian minister and serves as the Stated Clerk of the Presbytery in North Carolina. Also meaningful in Jack's faith development were Lane Alderman's Bible Study and the meditations developed by Emily Wright for his first Elder training in 2017.

Jane Parkhouse is currently filling an unexpired term on Congregational Care Council. She joined RPC in 2007 and is currently involved with the women's Bible study, is a PW Circle member, and is on staff at the RPC Preschool. At her former church, she was an Elder for Christian Education and on the Coordinating Team. Jane's children, Maggie and Corbin Parkhouse and Anne Parkhouse are active RPC members, and her grandsons, Vincent and Vaughn, attend Sunday school. When asked what has been most meaningful in her faith development, Jane said, "My husband was also an Elder and I was privileged to walk beside him thru Pastor Nominating Committee, church building plans, and his active work on Session. His strong faith and the way he carried out the Great Commandant to love your neighbor have had a huge impact on my life."

Craig Peterson has been a member since 2009 and is one of our Sunday worship service ushers. When he was at Peachtree Presbyterian, he served as Sunday school president. He and his wife, Laura, have two sons, Anders and Mathias. Craig states that the youth ministry at Black Rock Congregation Church in Connecticut was the most meaningful in his faith development.

Mark Roberson and his wife, Beth, joined RPC in 1998 and he has served several times as Elder. Currently he is involved with Advent decorating, the Flower Guild, AHC, Bible study, and Sunday school. He has also served on several councils and ministries, led Exploring RPC for 13 years, volunteered with the Shadow Program, and served on the Associate Pastor and Pastor Nominating Committees and on various committees and commissions of the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta for 20+ years. Mark and Beth have been married for almost 60 years and have a son, daughter, and three grandchildren. His son is an elder at Fifth Avenue PC in NYC and his grandson now serves as a youth elder. Three generations serving in the church is a great joy for him. Mark said serving with Lane Alderman at RPC and leading Exploring, Biblical Education Tours has been most meaningful to his faith development. Working with other churches in pastoral transition for the past 10 years with the Presbytery has impacted his faith as well.

Brandi Thacker currently serves as an usher and serves Communion at the Modern service. Over 19 years at RPC, she has served as a preschool and elementary Sunday school teacher, a VBS volunteer, a member of the VBS Leadership Team as Director and Registrar, an onCore table parent, an Elder on Children's Ministry, and as Coordinator of the Exceptional Children's Ministry. She and her husband Cade have been married for almost 23 years and have two children, Beau, who is finishing his first year in college, and Elena, who is finishing her junior year in high school. "First and foremost, my family has been so important in my faith development. It was my and Cade's desire to raise our children in the church that led us to RPC in the first place. From there, I have had the opportunity to see God's love and grace at work through so many different programs here at RPC, but especially through VBS and the Exceptional Children's Ministry."

Sally Tucker has been a member for three years and is currently involved in the Canton Community Group, PW Circle 4, the Chancel Choir, and the Women's Retreat. She also volunteers with churchwide mission projects. At her previous churches, she was Chair of the Nursery School Committee, a member of the Chancel Choir, the women's Bible study, the Missions Committee, all church garage sales and Paper Distribution Ministry, and Chair of the Pastor/Parish Committee. Sally and her husband, Todd, have 2 adult children and 4 grandchildren – they moved to Georgia to be near them, and they have found a new home. Sally said music-making with her husband and participating in church choirs for over 50 years have been most meaningful to her faith development. “Through the people and the music of all types we have praised God and grown in our faith."

Jeremey Wise has been a member for three years. He assists in our Shadow Program and participates in social services groups and RPC men's group events. He was an elder at his previous church. Jeremey said what is most meaningful to his faith development was his years as a teen leader and being involved with the youth. He said he enjoys working in IT and with hands-on building.

Class of 2024

Tay Howell, Youth Elder