Winter Park Presbyterian Church - Wilmington, NCWinter Park Presbyterian Church - Wilmington, NCWinter Park Presbyterian Church - Wilmington, NC
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The Rev. Dr. Madison M. Highfill
Senior Pastor

Matt has served Winter Park Presbyterian for the past two decades.  Through his many gifts of preaching, teaching and leadership, he seeks to call people into deeper awareness and relationship with God, to wrestle with timely theological challenges, to create a place of welcome and community for all God's children, and to hear, respond to, and live out Jesus' proclamation of the Kingdom of God.  His preaching engages and challenges the mind while also being shaped by stories of donkeys, dogs, and the ordinary yet extraordinary moments of life.

Through his ministry, Matt seeks to build relationships and enable others to do so.  He believes that the church is called to a ministry of presence which embodies God's love to people at every point in their lives, and he seeks to journey with the church as we try to live such a life.  

Matt is married to the Rev. Dr. June Highfill, pastor of Pearsall Memorial Presbyterian, and is the father of Madison and Hannah.

B.A. - King College
M.Div. - Columbia Theological Seminary
D.Min. - Columbia Theological Seminary



The Rev. P. Emile Harley Emile and Family
Associate Pastor

Emile came to Winter Park Presbyterian in the summer of 2007.  Having previously served several summers at Presbyterian summer camps, he is passionate about ministry with children and young people.  In his teaching and ministry Emile seeks to discover along with children, youth, and adults of all ages what it means to live as a disciple of Christ in this time and place through service to others, Biblical study, worship, and fellowship.  

In Emile's office, you will find a curious mix (mess?) of guitar and Greek New Testment, traditional hymnal and contemporary song book, Frisbee and chalice, ancient prayerbook and recreation notebook. He believes that the church is most whole (and most Holy) when many people are invited to bring varied gifts for worship, song, service, fellowship, and fun and do so seeking to love God and neighbor with all their heart, mind, and strength.

Emile is the grateful husband of Amy Harley and the proud new father of Lydia.

B.A. - Davidson College, 2003
M.Div. - Union Theological Seminary and Presbyterian School of Christian Education, 2007
M.A.C.E. - Union Theological Seminary and Presbyterian School of Christian Education, 2007


Martha HayesMartha Hayes, Music Director
Music Director and Organist

Martha Hayes has been the music director/organist since 1998. She previously served Presbyterian churches in the Boston area and in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Martha received her Masters of Music degree from Indiana in 1972. Besides heading the music program at Winter Park, she also teaches a large number of piano students in her private studio. Martha is comfortable with instrumental and choral music and with all ages. 

Martha's ministry through music is a gift to Winter Park Presbyterian.  She brings enthusiasm to her work, and she enables and encourages others to bring their best.  As a result, Winter Park's music is one of the strongest aspects of our life together as a church.  Martha conducts our Chancel Choir (singing adults), our Jubilee Bells (adult handbells), our Youth choir (mainly handbells, but some singing and instrumental), and Children's choir (elementary children in a choral group).  Martha leads the adult choirs in a lively, good natured, fun, yet challenging way.  It is easy to tell that our adult choirs enjoy what they do.  Her work with the children's and youth choirs strengthen Winter Park's ministry with young people. 

In addition, there are special soloists, small singing and instrumental groups as well as special guest musicians who participate in the worship service. Martha is especially interested in keeping everyone with a musical talent involved in participating in church life, even if she has to coax them in a firm, but friendly way. 

Martha keeps her husband, Sherman, busy with singing, ringing and polishing bells. She has a son, Nathan, who is a traveling musician and composer who lives in Hawaii, and a daughter, Nataly, married to Alberto, who, with their son, Jakob, live in Laguna Hills, California. Nataly loves to sing at Winter Park when she is visiting. Martha truly believes that everyone should make a joyful noise to the Lord.



Pastor and Head of Staff Dr. Madison Highfill
Associate Pastor Rev. Emile Harley
Director of Music/Organist Martha Hayes
Administrative Assistant Marjorie P. Fields
Sexton Daniel B. Wilson
Secretary Dorothy Wright
Clerk of Session Tom Fields
Moderator, Board of Deacons Sue Apke
Preschool Director Mary Jane Coble
Chairperson of Preschool Committee Cynthia Avery
Chairperson, Memorials Committee Frances Bennett
Loman Committee Robert Crenshaw; Chair,
Royce Byrd, Kenneth Hagler
   
OFFICERS OF THE CORPORATION:
President Sam Burgess
V. President Susan Crenshaw
Secretary Frances Bennet
Treasurer Bobby Whaley
   
COMMISSION CHAIRPERSONS:
Church Life Johnette Fields
Deacons Carolyn Taylor
Administration Sam Burgess
Worship Frances Bennett
   
   
 

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