Our Pastors
The Reverend Dr. Larry R. Hayward, Pastor
Larry became the sixth Pastor in Westminster's history in October 2004. A native of Memphis, Tennessee, he is a graduate of the University of Arkansas and holds a Master of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary in New York and a Doctor of Ministry from McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago. Before coming to Westminster, Larry served churches in Wichita Falls, Texas; Houston, Texas; and Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Larry is passionate about preaching and is a regular participant in the Moveable Feast preaching Seminar and the Iowa Summer Writing Festival. Larry is an avid fan of football, basketball, and baseball, and likes to read literature and politics. He is married to Maggie Hayward, Associate Pastor of Falls Church Presbyterian Church. Between them, they have five grown children.
The Reverend Karen A. Blomberg, Associate Pastor
As Associate Pastor, Karen works at the church part-time in the areas of pastoral and congregational care, small group ministry, and worship leadership. She has been a member of the Westminster staff since 1990. Karen earned her Master of Divinity from Princeton Seminary in 1981 and her Master of Theology in 1986. In her 23 years of ordained ministry, Karen has served several churches. She also has a private counseling practice in Washington, DC.
The Reverend Patrick A. Hunnicutt, Associate Pastor for Youth and Families
Patrick joined Westminster's staff in September 2005 as Director of Youth Ministries. He received his Masters of Divinity from McCormick Theological Seminary (Chicago, IL) and has a Bachelor of Arts in public policy from Duke University. Patrick was ordained and installed as Associate Pastor at Westminster on Sunday, April 23, 2006. He continues to have the youth of Westminster as a priority in his work here. Prior to seminary, Patrick worked as a regional manager in IBM's government relations office in Washington, DC. Raised in the Philadelphia suburbs, Patrick and his faith have been nurtured by his family and church homes in Pennsylvania, Virginia and Illinois. He and his awesome wife, Sally, live in Arlington. Patrick's favorite diversions include eating food (dessert especially), cheering his Philadelphia and Duke sports teams to victory, music, exercise and reading.
The Reverend Casey W. FitzGerald, Associate Pastor for Children & Families and Young Adults
Casey joined Westminster's staff in November 2006 as Director of Young Adults and Singles Ministries. In January 2008, she was installed as Associate Pastor. A native of New Rochelle, New York, she is a graduate of Colgate University and holds a Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary. Before coming to Westminster, Casey served as Interim Associate Pastor at the Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill in Philadelphia, PA. Casey has also served as a hospital chaplain, focusing primarily on pediatric chaplaincy. Casey, her husband Jim, and their two dogs live in Falls Church, VA. Some of Casey's favorite pastimes: rooting for the Red Sox, spending time with family, singing, puppetry and reading.
Our Program Staff
Dr Paul T. Stetsenko, Director of Music Ministries
Dr. Paul Stetsenko joined Westminster’s ministry team as Director of Music Ministries in August 2003. Paul’s tremendous energy and enthusiasm are evident in his dedication to the church, the music he selects, and the choirs he leads. Born in Kiev, Ukraine, Paul Stetsenko began his formal studies as a choral conducting student at The Rheingold M. Glière Music College (Kiev, Ukraine). Upon his graduation, Mr. Stetsenko was awarded a Bachelor of Music degree. He then began his studies at Kiev Conservatory and graduated with a Master of Music degree in Piano Performance. He was already a formidable pianist, having begun a promising career as such in his native Ukraine, but it was his love of the organ and the music of the Church that brought him to this country and launched him on a new
career track.
In 1990, Paul came to the United States to study church music and organ at New York’s Juilliard School. Paul received a Master of Music in Organ Performance and concurrently entered the prestigious Doctoral Program at Juilliard. In 2000 he graduated with a doctorate in music, the most advanced academic credential awarded by The Juilliard School. Whenever time allows, Paul is busy composing new works for the choir. Several of his compositions received their first performances at Westminster Presbyterian Church. Paul's goal is to make Westminster Church the center of church music in Alexandria. He considers worship service the highest art form, in which music is the offering, the prayer, and the sermon, all at the same time. Music is the invisible two way channel of communication between Man and God; Paul's mission is to help each person either involved in the music program or simply attending the worship services at Westminster to find that channel within themselves and connect to God directly - through music.
Clara Beth Van de Water, Director of Adult Education
Clara Beth Van de Water has been a member of Westminster’s staff since 1980. As Director of Adult Education women's ministry, she arranges Sunday morning and other classes, teaches occasional classes, serves as staff liaison for Presbyterian Women and the women’s retreat, the church library, the Living health support group, and leads the monthly women’s book discussion group. She is also Westminster’s staff representative on the board of the Reformed Institute of Metropolitan Washington and a member of the Association of Presbyterian Church Educators. Clara Beth holds a B.A. in religious studies from Monmouth College (Illinois) and a Master of Theological Studies from Harvard University’s Divinity School. She is married to Paul, an elder at Westminster, and is the mother of Emma, an intern at the American Horticultural Society, and Ruth, a postdoctoral fellow in theoretical physics. Clara Beth's mother lives nearby at Goodwin House Alexandria where C.B. spends a lot of time. Clara Beth is also a spiritual life coordinator for PW, belongs to Ruth Circle, WPC faith group, and to a book club of Alexandria women.
Sandra B. Calhoun, Director of Seniors’ Ministries
Sandra ("Sandy") Calhoun has been Director of Seniors' Ministries at Westminster Presbyterian Church since 1984 and a member of Westminster since 1976. Before joining the Westminster staff, she worked as a teacher of English, a tutor of learning disabled students, and as a wife, mother, and daughter. She has a MAT degree from Yale University, a BA degree in English from Smith College and a Tutoring Certificate from The Kingsbury Center. In 1966, Sandy and her husband, Bob, moved to Alexandria, where they raised three boys and became deeply involved with city activities. Sandy currently serves on the Board of Senior Services of Alexandria. Past activities include The League of Women Voters, The Alexandria Performing Arts Association, Twig, Commonwealth Club, The Alexandria Interfaith Alliance on Aging, The Community Block Grant Advisory Board, SOLA, and the Northern Virginia Bird Club. When she was an officer in the Christian Association of Abbot Academy in 1958, she never expected her faith journey would lead to a dream job which joined her love of God, her delight in older people, her fascination with travel, and her fondness for learning.
Nancy Hall Berens, Interim Director of Congregational Life & Singles Ministries
Nancy has been a member of Westminster since 1989. She is an elder who has served on the Session of Westminster and has been a regular commissioner to National Capital Presbytery, a commissioner to General Assembly in 2003 and served on the NCP Bills and Overtures Committee and NCP Peacemaking Committee. She has been involved in a number of activities at Westminster including SOME, Bag Lunch, Carpenter's Shelter, Christmas in April, A Cappella, Westminster Choir, Bell Choir, Missions Committees, Nominating Committee, Congregational Life Committee, Westminster Weekday Preschool, and Hannah Circle for mothers of young children. Nancy is also a professional educator who taught French at St. Stephen & St. Agnes School in Alexandria for 13 years. Nancy met her husband, Tom, here at Westminster, and they have an 8-year-old daughter named Anne Marie.
Henri Rush, Coordinator of National/International Missions
Henri Rush serves as a volunteer staff member coordinating national and international mission activities. Henri retired as General Counsel of the Surface Transportation Board after 33 years of service to the federal government. He has been involved with International Mission activity at Westminster since 1987 in various capacities. During this period he has made seven trips to Africa in connection with Westminster supported programs and activities. Henri joined the staff as a part-time volunteer in January 2001.
Art Sauer, Coordinator of Volunteer Ministries
Art has been a member of Westminster since 1990. He has served as a Deacon and Elder and as a member of several standing committees including, Assimilation & New Member, Stewardship, and Congregational Life. In addition he has served on several ad-hoc committees such as the Long-Range Planning Committee and the Singles Task Force. He is member of the Westminster Choir and actively participates in many of the volunteer activities that Westminster sponsors, such as the Westminster Tutoring Program at George Mason Elementary School. He is a retired federal employee who served as Deputy Director of the Budget Committee for the U.S. House of Representatives and as a budget analyst in several federal agencies. In addition to his work at Westminster he currently is an adjunct professor at George Mason University. He has traveled to Armenia and Palestine to work on a legislative strengthening projects. He also is involved in several community activities, notably, the Senior Services of Alexandria, the Alexandria Chapter of Vietnam Veterans of America, and the American Legion.
