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. He is currently serving as Vice-Moderator of the National Capital Presbytery. Larry is an avid fan of football, basketball, and baseball, and likes to read literature and politics. He is married to Maggie Hayward who is also a Presbyterian minister. Between them, they have five grown children.
The Reverend Patrick A. Hunnicutt, Associate Pastor for Youth and Families
Patrick joined Westminster's staff in September 2005 as Director of Youth Ministries and was ordained in April, 2006. He received his Masters of Divinity from McCormick Theological Seminary (Chicago, IL) and has a Bachelor of Arts in public policy from Duke University, where he cheered for his beloved Blue Devils as the mascot. At Westminster, Patrick has primary responsibility of the church’s youth ministry, while also sharing in the pastoral ministry of the whole congregation. Prior to seminary, Patrick worked in IBM's government relations office in Washington, DC. He grew up in the Philadelphia suburbs (and thus, along with Duke athletics, he roots spiritedly for all things Philly). Patrick and his wife, Sally, their twin daughters, Lucy and Brooke, and his dog, Krimpet, live in Alexandria City. Give him a call or shoot him an email…he’d love to grab coffee or a meal with you to get to know you better.
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 has a passion for connecting people - to God and each other. Casey, her husband Jim, their children, William and Megan, and their dog, King, live in Falls Church, VA. Some of Casey's favorite pastimes: rooting for the Red Sox, spending time with family, singing, puppetry and reading. Casey blogs at www.faithandwonder.com
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 and Women's Ministry
Clara Beth Van de Water has been a member of Westminster’s staff since 1980. As Director of Adult Education and 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 is also a spiritual life coordinator for PW, belongs to Ruth Circle, WPC faith group, and to a book club of Alexandria women.
Eileen R. Jinks, Pastoral Care Coordinator
Eileen Jinks joined the staff of Westminster on August 1, 2008 and on November 1 assumed the position of Pastoral Care Coordinator. Her 30 hours per week are focused on visiting members who are homebound or living in continuing care communities and coordinaing the pastoral care program. In recent years, after becoming involved in a lay visitation program at her home church, she began taking courses in pastoral care, including a unit of Clinical Pastoral Education. For most of her professional life, Eileen has been an editor—working for a newsmagazine, for a library system as its public information officer, and as a free-lance editor. Eileen is a graduate of Gettysburg College (psychology) and Penn State (master’s in journalism). She and her husband have lived in Arlington since 1977, where they raised two daughters. Eileen especially enjoys reading and walking, but not together.
Jill R. Ewell, Pastoral Care Assistant
Jill has been a member at Westminster since 1998. She has served in pastoral care as a Lay Minister since 2003. She is an Elder and has served on the Local and International Mission Committees as well as the Nominating Committee. Jill gained her certification as a Pastoral Care Specialist from the AAPC (American Association of Pastoral Counselors) in 2007. Jill is currently working as a Pastoral Care Assistant in a volunteer part-time position at WPC working with the Clergy, Deacons and Lay Visitors. Jill is also a volunteer Chaplain at InovaAlexandriaHospital and serves on the hospital’s Pastoral Care Committee. She is also serving on the Advisory Board of the Alexandria Neighborhood Health Services, and has been an active volunteer with the Alexandria Red Cross. Jill has a BS from Clemson University in Therapeutic Recreation and has worked for Wyeth Pharmaceuticals since 1989. Jill’s husband Greg and two daughters have grown up being nurtured by Westminster.
Nancy Hall Berens, 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 a daughter named Anne-Marie.
Janet Riksen, Director of Missions
Janet Riksen joined the staff of Westminster in December 2009. As Director of Missions, her work is focused on the creation and development of programs supported by our Local, National and International Mission Committees. Janet is a member of Westminster, a member of the Westminster Choir, a cantor at the Vespers Services, completed the Authenticity Series authored by Rev. Karen Blomberg and participates in WPC’s faith groups. She studied music education and choral conducting in both undergraduate and graduate school. She worked in development and fundraising for public broadcasting for more than twenty years before joining the staff. Janet and her husband moved to Alexandria in 1989 and have two sons, a dog, a cat and five fish. She enjoys the arts, nature, tennis and the company of friends.
Sarah Hoffman, Children's Ministries Coordinator Sarah has been a member of Westminster since 2008. As a member, she has served as an Elder, a Lay Leader, and a childcare volunteer, and has actively participated in the Young Adults group and Mary Circle. In August 2010, she began working as the Children’s Ministries Coordinator, in which she is largely responsible for the Sunday morning children’s programming. Sarah is from Fairfax and attended the University of Virginia studying English and Religious Studies. Prior to this position, she taught for four years in both Williamsburg and Alexandria, Virginia. She is fluent in American Sign Language and has taught ASL, incorporating it into lessons for all ages. She loves to work with children one-on-one and in groups and is excited about celebrating the individuality of each child, supporting them as they grow in personality, faith, and character. Sarah lives in Alexandria with her husband, Ian, and son, Bastian. Sarah spends most of her free time walking in her neighborhood, avidly reading fiction, and gathering with family and friends.
Betsy Baumgardner,Assistant Director of Children’s Music Ministries Betsy joined the staff of Westminster in December 2011 after relocating from California (San Francisco Area). Betsy has been a musician before she was in Kindergarten. Music has been her passion from being the Sunday School pianist to working as a Music Director/Choir Director. She has a background in Kindermusik training and 6 years of teaching piano and voice in California as well as accompanist in three elementary schools. At her parents insistence she did her undergrad degree at a Liberal Arts School: The Principia with a major in History. But it was moving to New York City that changed her whole life. She earned her Master’s in Organ Performance from The Juilliard School and then decided to study voice with a teacher in Houston and the other in California. She has sung with three very wonderful choirs: In Houston under Craig Hella Johnson, in Carmel CA, The Carmel Bach Festival under Bruno Weill, and in San Francisco with the San Francisco Concert Chorale under John Bush.
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.
