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First Central
Presbyterian Church
A PC(USA) church on Rodney Square
Wilmington, Delaware
Staff and Leadership
Staff
Rev. Dr. Randall T. Clayton, Bridge Pastor
The Rev. Dr. Randall T. Clayton is serving as First & Central’s bridge pastor through December 31, 2025. As bridge pastor, Rev. Clayton will provide continuity while we undertake a search for a transitional pastor. He will prepare and lead worship, moderate Session, address staff needs, provide pastoral care in emergencies, and work with the congregation to address concerns.
Over a long career in ministry, Rev. Clayton has served congregations in parish ministry and held
leadership positions in the nonprofit world. He’s completed training for transitional, or interim, ministry and has concentrated recently on serving in transitional positions. Rev. Clayton served for several years as interim pastor and head of staff at Red Clay Creek Presbyterian Church in Hockessin, followed by three years as interim pastor and head of staff at Second Presbyterian Church in Baltimore. Until April 30, 2025, he served as bridge associate pastor at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Wilmington.
Emily Ballentine Erb, Director of Music Ministries
Emily Ballentine Erb will begin her duties starting July 21, 2025. Emily grew up in Wilmington and graduated from Dickinson High School. With a piano performance degree from James Madison University and a Master in Music Education from Columbia, she is now completing a second Masters degree at Indiana University, this time in Organ Performance and Sacred Music.
Emily has provided worship service music in Bloomington, IN; Indianapolis, IN; Conshohocken, PA; and Manhattan, NYC. As a singer, Emily has sung with several choirs, including the Mendelssohn Chorus of Philadelphia. As an educator, she has taught music at schools in Manhattan, Rosemont (PA), and Bryn Mawr (PA). She was an associate instructor in piano at Indiana University. Emily is an advocate of the Kodály and Orff music teaching methods. She also has Community Theater experience.
Emily has experience as an arts administrator. She worked with Colbert Artists Management in New York City and with the Delaware Symphony Orchestra here in Wilmington.
Andrew Coleman
Building manager
Mary Wilcosky,
Program Administrator
Stephen Fugate
Financial Secretary
George Russell,
Building care assistant, videographer
John Dehart,
Building care assistant
Session
A Presbyterian church is governed by its Session, a body of elders, with the Pastor serving as moderator. (The word "presbyter" means "elder of the church.") These members of the church are elected for three-year terms, renewable for up to six years' continuous service.
First & Central's current Session members are: Ruth Arias, Patty Irwin, Ellen Oiler, Mark Olson, Ellen Roberts (Treasurer), Jesse Rodgers, Sarah Ryan, David Teager and Karl Zipf. Jeanette Zipf is the current Clerk of Session.
The Book of Order, the governing document of the PC-USA, provides this definition of elders:
As there were in Old Testament times elders for the government of the people, so the New Testament church provided persons with particular gifts to share in discernment of God’s Spirit and governance of God’s people. Accordingly, congregations should elect persons of wisdom and maturity of faith, having demonstrated skills in leadership and being compassionate in spirit. Ruling elders are so named not because they “lord it over” the congregation (Matt. 20:25), but because they are chosen by the congregation to discern and measure its fidelity to the Word of God, and to strengthen and nurture its faith and life. Ruling elders, together with ministers of the Word and Sacrament, exercise leadership, government, spiritual discernment, and discipline and have responsibilities for the life of a congregation as well as the whole church, including ecumenical relationships. When elected by the congregation, they shall serve faithfully as members of the session. When elected as commissioners to higher councils, ruling elders participate and vote with the same authority as ministers of the Word and Sacrament, and they are eligible for any office.
Deacons
Deacons serve the church by ministering to its members. These members of the Board of Deacons are also elected for three-year terms, renewable for up to six years' continuous service.
First & Central's current Board of Deacons includes: Connie Beattie, Beth Fulda, Brenda Ferris, Lynne Moody, Julie Swanson, and Rob Wieman. (Chair).
The Book of Order provides this definition of deacons:
The ministry of deacon as set forth in Scripture is one of compassion, witness, and service, sharing in the redeeming love of Jesus Christ for the poor, the hungry, the sick, the lost, the friendless, the oppressed, those burdened by unjust policies or structures, or anyone in distress. Persons of spiritual character, honest repute, exemplary lives, brotherly and sisterly love, sincere compassion, and sound judgment should be chosen for this ministry.