Staff

John Winings
Bridge Interim Pastor

John has a quite interesting path to ministry! He first had a long career in business as a high level executive. John comes to us from Mt. Olive Presbyterian Church where he had been a Commissioned Ruling Elder serving as interim pastor for a year. His congregation there gave him glowing reviews for bringing the church back together during the pandemic. John also served as a Bridge interim Pastor in Goldsboro during their transition for the past sixteen months. John and his wife live in Wake Forest where they were both charter members of Wake Forest Presbyterian Church. He was commissioned at Butner Presbyterian Church and he served as their pastor for three years, followed by three years as the first pastor of a new church development in Clayton, now called Discovery Church. He is currently a member of White Memorial Presbyterian in Raleigh. John and Debbie have three grown children, five grand-children and are overjoyed to have the chance to raise one of them - eight-year-old Emma! After his retirement from the corporate world, John was very active in mission work in Haiti, where he lived for five years and learned the language, later writing a book on his experiences. Also, he has been Interim Executive, Stated Clerk, and Treasurer of the Synod of the Mid-Atlantic, PCUSA.

Claire Colcord
Associate Pastor

At age 50, after working in the church for several years, Claire was surprised (gobsmacked really!) to be called to seminary and the pastorate. Trusting that God surely knows best, Claire followed God’s call to FPC where her role in the church is repeatedly affirmed. This return south, after serving in churches as far away as NJ and Tokyo, is a joy. “I love Wilson and feel the amazing warmth and openness of this faith community!” says Claire. She has four grown daughters (and 4 terrific sons-in-law, almost 7 adorable grandchildren, and several granddogs) sprinkled across the US. Claire is a staunch believer that God never asks us to “check our brains at the door”; she enjoys tough theological questions and biblical tensions, lively debate, deep discussion, and not having all the answers.

Robert Morehead
Director of Music

Robert L. Morehead, CAGO, is a native of Pittsburgh and joined the staff as Director of Music in early November 2021. Robert began his organ studies at the age of twelve in Germany under Tassilo Schlenther. For twenty years, Robert has held Director of Music positions in German Lutheran, Presbyterian, Episcopal, and Evangelical Lutheran churches. Robert holds a Bachelor's of Music degree in Organ Performance from Malone University in Canton, Ohio. While at Malone, Robert received instruction from W. Robert Morrison, FAGO, and earned a piano teaching certificate. In 2007, Robert received his Master's degree in Music History from West Chester University of Pennsylvania, where he also earned a research award from the university for his work on the topics of Ralph Vaughan Williams' agnosticism. In his free time, Robert is a free-lance recitalist and composer performing throughout the United States and Germany. Robert is married to Miranda, and they enjoy their two children, Kieren (12 years old) and Lauryn (5 years old).

Leigh Anne Orr
Director of Youth & Children Ministry

A native of Wilson, Leigh Anne grew up as an active member, then leader, in West Nash United Methodist Church. As a teen, her involvement in youth ministry carried her to district events throughout the Methodist church. After graduating from Fike High School, she attended Barton College where she graduated in 2011 with a Bachelor of Science in Middle School Education and a minor in mathematics. As an educator, she currently teaches math at Elm City Middle School. Leigh Anne enjoys being involved in our community. Over the years, she has volunteered with the Wilson Recreation Department, Relay for Life, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Robbie Page Memorial Wing of UNC Hospital. In her free time, she loves traveling to the beach, trying her hand at painting, reading new novels and taking early morning trips to fish. Leigh Anne is very excited to begin a new chapter in her life of faith and to honor Christ by working with the youth at First Presbyterian Church.

Kathy Maurice
Director of Weekday School

Kathy was born in Texas, but grew up in Wilson where she attended Covenant Presbyterian Church. After meeting her husband, Jim, they joined First Presbyterian Church and were later married here. They have two beautiful girls, Victoria and Anna Claire, who were baptized at First Presbyterian Church and also attended the Weekday School. Kathy is happy to be a part of the Weekday School ministry. She loves yoga, the Dallas Cowboys, watching her girls dance, and tending to her rescue pets - four dogs and one cat!

Dawn Breedlove
Financial Administrator

Dawn joined the staff in 2009 after moving back to Wilson from Bath, NC. She brings a wealth of experience in financial matters and accounting, as well as a deep love of anything North Carolina – from BBQ to basketball. Husband Kevin and their blended family of three teens Emily, Lauren, and Nicholas keep her busy. One might think a financial administrator would choose green as a favorite color, but Dawn bleeds Tarheel blue!

Brad Chaplin
Director of Communications

Brad earned a Digital Media Associate of Science degree from Full Sail University. He has designed websites, shot and edited video, photographed furniture, managed social media accounts, and created graphics. Brad has resided in three states: Maryland, Florida, and now North Carolina. He enjoys photography, bonsai and coffee in his spare time. Brad aspires to have a photography studio in his home one day.

Alan Martin
Maintenance

Alan is somewhat like Santa Claus for us. For thirty years, Alan has tended to our church property, often while balancing a full-time load at Firestone. For twenty-five years Alan’s second job caring for our property and our buildings have co-existed with his first career for Firestone. He and his wife Janet, who teaches in our Weekday School, have five grown daughters and a slew of amazing grandchildren – just ask him!

Staff

John Winings Bridge Interim Pastor

Claire Colcord Associate Pastor

Robert Morehead Director of Music

Leigh Anne Orr Director of Youth & Children Ministry

Kathy Maurice Director of Weekday School

Dawn Breedlove Financial Administrator

Brad Chaplin Director of Communications

Alan Martin Maintenance