​​      Session is delighted to announce that the Rev. Kathryn “Kate” Morgan will become our transitional pastor, effective January 5, 2026. The Transitional Pastor Search Committee (TPSC) was unanimous in its choice of Kate; the New Castle Presbytery’s Commission on Ministers and Congregations approved the TPSC’s selection; and Session voted unanimously to hire Kate as our transitional pastor.

     Of the nearly 40 applications the TPSC reviewed, Kate emerged as the person whose experience and understanding of the role of a transitional pastor will best guide First & Central into a time of discernment while we search for a new installed pastor.

     Kate was a cryptologist in the United States Marine Corps and a high school history teacher before God’s call to ministry led her to the Princeton Theological Seminary, where she earned a Master of Divinity degree in 2005. Since then she has held solo pastor/head of staff and interim/transformational positions at Presbyterian churches in Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

     Ultimately it was the combination of Kate’s experience as the interim pastor and head of staff at the Presbyterian Church of the Covenant in Bellefonte, her community connections in Delaware, and her work with New Castle Presbytery that set her apart from other candidates. During her tenure at the Presbyterian Church of the Covenant, the congregation joined the Presbytery’s Unglued Church initiative, strengthened its free after-school program, and started a summer arts camp for children who have experienced trauma. In addition, partnerships were established with other community organizations, including the Music School of Delaware, Wilmington Concert Opera, and the Rainbow Chorale.

     When the TPSC asked Kate to describe the ministry to which she believed God was calling her, this is how she responded: “God continually surprises me, but as I look at my ministry and background some themes emerge. The context would be a necessity for change and transformation, and one in which my understanding of the psychology of change and training in adaptive change and design thinking would be put to good use. God wastes no experience, and my military background allows me to remain calm in even the most stressful of situations. Along with sense of play and good humor, I trust that God would put my skills to creative use in tangible ways, helping guide people through transition and helping them to learn to embrace rather than resist change that can lead to transformation and the continued building of God’s kingdom here and now.”A lifelong Presbyterian, Kate lives in Pitman, New Jersey, with her husband, David Wible. She has two stepchildren, David and Brianna.