Nominated Elders & Deacons – Congregational Meeting on March 23
Congregational Meeting – March 23
Every year, Covenant Partners at HP Pres nominate members from our congregation to serve as elders and deacons at our church. This year, on Sunday, March 23, after the 11 am worship service, we are holding a congregational meeting to elect our newest elders and deacons. Learn more about the nominees and what it means to be an elder and a deacon below:
What is an Elder?
Our church is led by three types of ministers, elders, deacons, and pastors, each called to serve Jesus, and our church family in distinct ways. The Session is made up of twenty-four men and women who are elected by the congregation (Elders) and two of our pastors. They govern our church and provide spiritual and visionary oversight of our ministries and mission. Read the Elder requirements and responsibilities here.
Elder Nominees
Charles Clift
Charles has been a member at HP Pres for the past 44 years. Charles served as an active HP Pres elder under Clayton Bell, Ron Scates and Bryan Dunagan, where he held positions as Clerk of the Session, Moderator of the GCC, and various committee assignments. He is married to Laura and has four married adult children and 14 grandchildren. He currently serves as a leader of the HP Pres Physical Healing Prayer Team, and, leads and teaches the Teach Me To Pray class. Charles also served on the Board of Directors for NOVO Mission from 2016 – 2024.
Guy Kerr
Guy has been a member of the church 60 years, attended kindergarten here and joined the church following the youth communicants class. Guy is married to Cindy with two adult children, who are also Covenant Partners and raising their families here. Guy has served as a reserve elder and deacon, taught youth Sunday school, and has attended the Men’s Ascent Bible study for many years. Guy volunteers at the Austin Street Shelter and outside the church participates in multiple nonprofit organizations.
D’Ann Moore
D’Ann Moore and her husband, Mark, have worshipped at HP Pres since 1989. Together, they have raised two adult married children—Ben-Trang and Matt-Tara—and they are blessed with a granddaughter, Emmaline. D’Ann also embraces her “adopted” Cuban adult daughter, Susie, as a cherished part of the family. D’Ann serves as a reserve elder and has served on and led numerous outreach and global mission initiatives at HP Pres including mission trips to Cuba, Haiti, Spain and Uganda. D’Ann was part of the leadership team for the Peak Street church plant. She has held leadership roles on several boards, including serving as board chair for The Antioch Partners and The Foundation at HP Pres, and as a board member of STLI. D’Ann is a Treasure Keeper mom, mentoring the young mothers of the church as they engage in a biblical parenting curriculum, guiding them to raise their children in the light of faith.
Audrey Schmit
Audrey Schmit has been a member of HP Pres for 45 years. She is married to John and they have 3 children: Sophie, Luke and Sarah. Audrey currently serves as a table leader for Treasure Keepers, a memorial service greeter, a member of the crisis prayer team and on Sunday mornings at the coffee bar. She recently finished her term as deacon moderator and has volunteered in and moderated children’s and students ministry, women’s ministry and VBS.
Ashley Sink
Ashley has been a member at Highland Park Presbyterian since 2020. She and her husband, Justin, have two daughters, Pascale and Corinne. With a background in full-time ministry, corporate leadership, and overseas missions, Ashley is committed to fostering spiritual growth, discipleship, and serving others. She serves on the leadership team at Lionheart Children’s Academy, a ministry that partners with 20+ churches to serve children and families through full-time childcare. Ashley currently teaches The Vine Class Sunday School alongside Justin and is also involved in Discipleship Conversations and children’s ministry. She is excited to continue contributing to the mission of HP Pres and support the church’s Kingdom work.
Grant Walsh
Grant has attended HP Pres for almost 40 years. This year marks his 25th wedding anniversary with his wife, Erin. Together, they have three children, Cadie (16), Ranger (14), and Colton (11). Grant has served as a deacon, Sunday school teacher, middle school Bible study and retreat leader, usher/greeter, and VBS volunteer. He has participated in numerous HP Pres mission trips and was part of the 2019 Holy Land pilgrimage. He currently serves on the Board for Chains of Grace, Inc., a ministry that supports recently released offenders as they navigate reentry into society, and his family is heavily involved in Sky Ranch Christian Camps. For more than 30 years, Grant has used his hobby as a magician and entertainer to share the Gospel through a program called “Magic With a Message” — including dozens of presentations at HP Pres. He is a graduate of HPHS (’96), Baylor University (’00) and SMU Law School (’04).
What is a Deacon?
Our church is led by three types of ministers, elders, deacons, and pastors, each called to serve Jesus and our church family in distinct ways. Our deacons help build up our church community through ministries emphasizing spiritual care, prayer, and connection. They live across all our neighborhoods and are dedicated to helping people find and follow Jesus by ministering to them and offering guidance, love, and support. Read the Deacon requirements and responsibilities here.
Deacon Nominees
Mike Albers
Mike is an attorney at Hunton Andrews Kurth and is married to Anne Kniffen. Together they have 5 children and 4 grandchildren. He joined HP Pres in 2013 and is a member of the Acts Too class. Mike participates in a weekly schedule of the Prayer Room and serves with the HP Pres Food Packing and Distribution Program. Mike also participates in an annual silent retreat at the Montserrat Retreat House, on property that was formerly a Presbyterian Summer Camp.
Katelyn Barbier-Mueller
Originally from Mobile, Alabama, Katelyn has dedicated her life to serving individuals with special needs, fostering a community of faith, and supporting her family. After earning a degree in Rehabilitation and Disability Studies from Auburn University, Katelyn moved to Dallas, where she began an internship at Joni and Friends, leading to her next role as an instructional specialist at Connecting Point of Park Cities, where she remains deeply involved. Following her time at Connecting Point, Katelyn expanded her work to teaching children with special needs at Cornerstone Achievement Center. After the birth of her first child in 2018, she made the decision to focus more on family life while continuing to stay connected to her passion for helping others.
In 2016, Katelyn married her husband, Oliver, after meeting him shortly after arriving in Dallas. Together, they have three children: Sonny (6), George (5), and Ann Bennett (2). Katelyn is an active member of HP Pres, contributing to Treasure Keepers, volunteering at VBS, teaching Bible studies for adults with special needs, and has lead women’s Bible study for the past eight years.
Richmond Collinsworth
Richmond Collinsworth has been a member of Highland Park Presbyterian Church for the last 14 years since moving from Midland, TX where he was a member of First Presbyterian Church. He and his wife Taylor have three children. Richmond Has been an usher, part of the handy man ministry, and part of the security team.
Ansley Craine
Ansley Craine has been a Covenant Partner for 5 years. She is married to Will, and they have two children: Frances and Robert. Ansley is an active member of HP Pres, attending Treasure Keepers and serving our Elementary Students as a volunteer on Wednesday nights, Sunday mornings, and every summer with VBS.
Kari Galanos
Kari has been a covenant partner since 2020. She is married to Mark and they have a daughter, Rylie, at Texas A&M and a son, Brandon, at Highland Park High School. She has been involved as a Sunday school teacher in preschool and elementary, enjoyed engaging many disciples in the Discipleship Conversations program, served at Becoming HP, and participated in re|engage and Anchor. Additionally, she has a passion for the missional organization Family Legacy and its purpose to empower vulnerable Zambian children to be equipped to live to their God-given potential.
Esther Kangethe
Esther has been a member of HP Pres for over 10 years. She loves Jesus for the gift of salvation to her and His promise of eternal life. Esther and her husband have 2 adult children. She has been a small group and Bible study leader; has been involved in lives of community members during good and/or difficult times. She volunteers in hospitality and enjoys serving others.
Cindy Kerr
Cindy has been a member for 44 years. She married her husband, Guy, at HP Pres 49 years ago and they have two adult children and four grandchildren who all attend HP Pres! Cindy has been a Sunday school teacher, nursery volunteer, J.A.M. 5/6 coordinator, served on the Transform Team, was the Baptism Host for over three years, and has participated in numerous Bible studies.
Anne Massey
Anne has been an active member of HP Pres her entire life. She was confirmed in 1986 in the same class as her husband Preston. As a student, she participated in youth programs and in college she interned at HP Pres. In 1996, she and Preston were married in HP Pres, and have raised their two now adult children in our church. She thoroughly enjoyed volunteering at all of the youth programs offered through the church and the Day School when her children were at those ages. She now takes great pride serving as an Anchor small group leader and helping with Treasure Keepers. Outside of HP Pres, she also seeks service to the Lord by working as a reading tutor at West Dallas Community School.
Sarah Matthiesen
Sarah has been a member at HP Pres for almost 10 years. She is married to Kyle, a lifelong HP Pres member, with 2 elementary sons, Thomas and William. In addition to serving as a deacon, she is an early childhood and elementary volunteer, a VBS volunteer, Marriage Prep leader, and active in her Community Group.
Spence Miller
Spence, along with his wife Brittany and their three young daughters, began attending HP Pres in 2020 and have been members since 2021. For the last four years, Spence has served in the children’s ministry as a volunteer Sunday School teacher. He is an active member of a community group, a men’s small group, and has taken part in the Ascent Bible study and re|engage. Outside of HP Pres, Spence is a board member for Interfaith Family Services, a local, faith-centered organization empowering families to break the poverty cycle.
Pauline Neuhoff
Pauline was baptized at HP Pres and has been a lifelong member. She is married to Austin and they have four children. Pauline has participated in the Anchor Women’s Bible study for many years and cherishes her small group. She has taught Sunday School, served on the Officer Nominating Committee, and served on a Youth Pastor Nominating Committee. She and Austin have enjoyed being leaders of a young adult community group for the past three years.
Brice Paterik
Brice has been a member of HP Pres for nearly two decades. In his time as a member he has volunteered as a leader with the Start Here class, Genesis Youth Choir, and is an active member of the Young Adults community. For the last 10 years Brice has been a professional sports writer and podcaster following his love for baseball. Brice is a fourth-generation member at HP Pres.
Mike Streepey
Mike has been a member at HP Pres for thirty years. He is married to Jean with two adult daughters that attended the HP Pres Day School. He has been an Elementary / J.A.M. Sunday school teacher and packed boxes for the HP Pres Food Distribution Program. He is currently a Sunday Morning Brew Crew volunteer.
Beth Williams
Beth has been member of HP Pres for over 35 years. She is married with four children. She has been a confirmation mentor, VBS volunteer, and served on two Officer Nominating Committees. She is currently serving on the Connections team as a volunteer in the coffee bar Sunday mornings and attends Anchor.
