Co-Pastors Jan and Phil Butin began ministry at FUPC in March, 2010. They have served previous congregations in Iowa, North Carolina, California, and New Mexico, including three shared co-ministries. They moved to Fayetteville from California, where Jan served the Presbytery of the Redwoods and the larger church in various capacities, and Phil served as President and Professor of Theology at San Francisco Theological Seminary. The Butins have enjoyed a variety of church leadership roles, beginning with youth, Christian Education, and young adult ministry (which they still enjoy) and more recently focused on helping congregations clarify their mission and vision for renewal, growth, and outreach. They love working hand-in-hand with the FUPC congregation in embracing our mission statement: "Called to be a light on the hill, we boldly proclaim and serve Christ, the hope of our changing world." They have a daughter in college in California, and a son who is serving on a year-long mission among the poor through Rostro de Cristo in Guayaquil, Ecuador. Jan particularly enjoys creative worship planning and leadership, and encouraging and caring for members of the congregation. Phil serves on the Committee on Ministry and the Hispanic New Church Development Commission of the Presbytery of Arkansas, and teaches for the presbytery’s Lay Academy. He continues to teach and write about John Calvin, the Trinity, Reformed Theology, and Christian Spirituality and Worship.
Leslie Belden, Parish Associate is excited to return to the staff of FUPC after serving as the Associate Pastor from 1995-2000 and leaving to complete her D.Min. and Ph.D. Since 2000 she has served the Presbytery of Arkansas on the Committee on Ministry, the General Council, temporarily pastored various congregations, and was the Campus Minister at the United Campus Ministry at the U of A. Leslie is actively involved in the community and hopes to encourage all members of the congregation in discerning how God can use them to serve as God's hands and heart in the world. Leslie's husband, Ted, is also a leader in the church and community, as are her two daughters, Melissa and Mary, and her sons in law, Randy Werner and Clark Carroll.
Kristi Button, Director of Christian Education, joined the staff of FUPC in November 2008. She has been working professionally in churches for over 12 years, and loves the many opportunities to grow in faith she finds at FUPC. Kristi earned B. A. and M.A. degrees in teaching from Trinity University, as well as an M.A. in Christian Education from Union Presbyterian Seminary. Kristi was raised in Fayetteville and enjoys being back in the community after being gone for nearly two decades. She is married and the mother of two sons.
Todd Prickett, Director of Music, joined the FUPC staff in August 2009. He has previously held music ministry positions in Texas and Michigan. Also currently serving as Interim Director of Choral Activities at the University of Arkansas, he conducts the university's premiere choral ensemble, Schola Cantorum, and Master Chorale, a chorus comprised of musicians from the community and university. Todd holds degrees from Texas Christian University and Michigan State University. He and his wife Amy, a lyric soprano, have two young children.
Cathy Hairston, Director of First School, is a native of Fayetteville and received a Bachelor Degree in Finance from the University of Arkansas. She has watched First School grow from 46 students and 6 teachers to over 120 students and a staff of 21 teachers. Cathy is married and has two sons.
Melanie Dietzel , Administrative Assistant, joined the FUPC staff in November, 2008. She is the mother of two grown sons. Melanie earned a B.A. in English at the University of Arkansas. Before coming to FUPC, Melanie was administrator at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, and Coordinator for the Marie Wilson Howells endowment in the psychology department of the University of Arkansas. Melanie loves working on this beautiful campus, and with this staff and congregation.
Laura Winburn, Church Accountant, has worked for FUPC since 1999. She received a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from the University of Arkansas and is also a C.P.A. Laura enjoys working with and for the staff and members of FUPC. She is married and has two children.
Jeannie Lee, Church Organist, has served as FUPC organist/pianist since May, 2006 and continues to find joy in the worship and fellowship experiences at the church. In addition to her service at the church, Jeannie works in the University of Arkansas Drama Department assisting with musical theatre classes and music-directing the mainstage musicals.
Amy Prickett, Membership Secretary and Director of Calvin Choir, has a Bachelor of Music from Texas Christian University and a Master of Music from Michigan State University. As a professional soprano, she has performed and taught voice for fourteen years. Additionally, she previously served as a church office manager in Lansing, Michigan. She brings excitement, creativity and energy to both positions. She and her husband Todd have two young children.
Amy McCann, Child Care Coordinator, has a B.S. in Human Environmental Sciences with a child development emphasis. She has worked with children for almost 10 years and is certified in CPR and First Aid, as well as being TAPP certified. Amy was born and raised in the Presbyterian Church, and enjoys being a part of such a wonderful church family. She has been happily married for almost 3 years.
Tommy and Karmin Kidd, Custodians. Tommy and Karmin live in Crosses with their son. Before coming to FUPC, Tommy worked for the Arkansas Fish and Game Commission as a maintenance man and a research assistant. Karmin also works as a nutritionist. They enjoy the variety of work, activities, and relationships at the church. The Kidds make their church home at Mountain Grove Church of Christ.
Katie Jackson, Director of Hand Bell Choirs, received music degrees from Texas Christian University and Auburn University Montgomery. She has taught choral music in public schools and churches to all ages. Katie and her husband have three children.
Amy Locke, Director of Knox Choir, has her degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Arkansas. Amy also teaches music at Jerry "Pop" Williams Elementary in Farmington. She is the mother of a daughter.