Meet Our Staff
Dr. Sue Ellis Melrose - Pastor and Head of Staff
Hi, I am Sue Ellis Melrose, Pastor of this congregation since 2000. I am married to Paul and we have two grown children, Rebecca and Ian. I grew up in Oklahoma (Go, Sooners!); then studied at Union Theological Seminary in New York City. I have served churches in the Bronx and New Jersey. I love the variety of a pastor’s life: visiting with people, studying for a class or a sermon, and even the day to day administration to create a vital life together as Christ’s disciples. I am a “walker”, much preferring outside to the treadmill.
James (Jim) Faile - transitional associate Pastor
Charon Barconey - Christian Education Director
We're excited that Charon is joining our staff. An ordained elder and a fourth generation elder, Charon holds a degree in Urban Ministry for the Ecumenical Theological Seminary in Detroit. She also serves the Presbytery of Detroit as Youth Mission Coordinator.
Dr. Gerald Custer - Music Director
I'm Jerry Custer, Director of Music at First Pres since 2005. I live in Ann Arbor with my wife Cate, her daughter Elena, my son Joe, and our two cats. I teach music theory and composition at Wayne State University in Detroit and work with private students as well. I enjoy reading, walking, camping, and good coffee. For more info about me, please go to tinyurl.com/custerbio .
Jennifer Palmser - Organist
Jen is also a talented pianist and piano teacher.
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Pamela Williams - Administrative Assistant
Hello, I’m Pam Williams and I have been the Administrative Assistant since May, 2007. Before that, I worked at Metropolitan United Methodist Church in Detroit and the Wayne County Medical Society. I am married to Scott Williams and we have two sons; Jon, a senior at Central Michigan University and Steve a freshman at Henry Ford Community College. My family and I are members of Orchard United Methodist Church in Farmington Hills. I enjoy working with the members and staff of First Presbyterian Church.
Plamen and Galya Todorov - Sextons
Dona and Vesa Vuniqi - Sunday Nursery Attendants
Mary Carson - Preschool Director
Hi, I'm, Co-Director here at the Farmington Presbyterian Nursery School, where I have been teaching for almost 20 years. Being part of a child's first school experience and seeing that love of learning grow is very special. My husband Dave and I have been members of Farmington First since 1982 and we raised our children here as part of this special church family. I'm am active in Presbyterian Women and a member of ACTS Circle, sing in the choir and have served as an elder and deacon.
Kim Kucharshki Preschool Director
My name is Kim Kucharski. I graduated from the University of Michigan with an Elementary Education degree. I have worked with children of all ages, but my favorite age group to teach is preschoolers. I love the Farmington Presbyterian Nursery School’s program; I have been a threes teacher since 2006. Previously, I worked as the Director of Family Ministries at the First Presbyterian Church of Royal Oak. I have two children: Taylor and Ben. I love to spend time with my kids and my husband, Steve. I enjoy singing, photography, hiking, and yoga.
Kathy Eldridge Preschool Teacher (Fours Program)
Hello, I’m excited to be back for my second year at Farmington Presbyterian Nursery School. I have about fourteen years experience working with preschoolers, 10 of those years in Christian based programs. Four year olds have always been my favorite age group, their personalities are really taking shape and they love to learn. I live here in Farmington Hills with my husband, Scott. My two grown children, Michael & Laura, live near by.
Michelle Borthwick - Preschool Teacher (Threes Program)
Hi! I am Michele Guyor-Borthwick and I am one of the teachers in the threes program. I have been with FPNS since the summer of 2006. I previously worked as a substitute preschool teacher for Northville Cooperative Preschool and have been enrolled in the early childhood program at Schoolcraft College. I truly enjoy seeing the world through the eyes of a young child and have loved my years at FPNS. I live in Northville with my husband Tim; my two children, Ian who is 13 and Kiera who is 11; and my dog Hodges.
