Sarah Crowther-Dixon • Pastor, Faith Formation

COMMUNITY CREATOR. CONCERTS. TRASH TV. CURIOUS. OSU COWBOYS.

I am an extroverted, empathetic human who has been changed across my life by the love of Christ, and I desire the same for everyone around me! I love laughing and being with people and know that we were created for intentional community. I love making friends wherever I am and making sure that people feel included and feel a part of God’s expansive love. I’m also a fan of living in Austin and eating yummy tacos, watching The Bachelorette with friends, and going on walks with loved ones.

I love working with the families of FPCA as we connect to God’s love for us and our neighbors. I’m grateful to be serving children, youth, and all types of families in our desire to connect with one other and God’s love.

David Allen • Director of Worship & Arts

Musician. Traveler. Reader. Gamecock (The real USC).

Creative, energetic, and a bit zany. I manage to be all of those things and keep my feet on the ground and head out of the clouds (mostly). I'm a conductor, singer, hornist, and jack of all trades master of none! I enjoy the collective aspect of worship and music-making and seeing folks reach their full potential. If I am not making music, I am getting lost in a city that I've never been to and talking to the locals or anything that involves moving. I am enthusiastic about meeting each of you and making beautiful music!

Jane Bassett • Director of Church Operations, CBA

Iced chai. Scented candles. Party planner. Board Games & Puzzles.

Unconditional love. A servant heart. Unselfish support. FPCA embodies everything I love about family. I treasure my time with family and love this giant extended church family as my own. This ever-changing congregation has constantly provided this organizer, planner, policy writing, budget-loving, software geek with challenging projects and volunteer support.

Leigh Ann Ballew • First Presbyterian Day School Director

chronic diet coke drinker. Voracious Reader.

When I was a little girl my career goal was to be a babysitter or have 100 children of my own. I am excited I get to come to work every day to see the children's faces as they walk into the day school and hear their stories throughout the day. It is fun being a part of their journey. 

I think the physical grounds of FPCA are so inspiring. I love the trees, the labyrinth, the stained glass, the playground, the wildlife, and the trickling waterfall in the courtyard. I love the people who are part of the staff here and who have the most amazing vision of ways to serve the Austin community. 

Cecile Shopen • Engagement Coordinator

STAR GAZER. ART THAT SPEAKS. MUSIC THAT PAINTS A PICTURE. PUNS.

I love new places, people and experiences. I’m outgoing and excited to meet the FPCA community and find ways to further engage current and new members in membership, ministry, and mission. While affiliated with nonprofits for a number of years, the church environment is a new working experience for me. I very much look forward to listening and hearing how those in the congregation see themselves and their talents in light of what their church brings to its members and the world beyond.

Chad Gallion • A/V Coordinator

Making Music. Cars and Motorcycles. Blue cheese.

I believe worship is something special that can elevate our spiritual relationship in unbelievable ways. Helping to bring that experience to congregations, whether through sweet guitar solos, musical sound production, engaging video production or online worship access, is something that I take pride and pleasure in...at least when the technology behaves itself.

At FPCA, I've always seen worship as being about connection, welcoming, and honest experiences. As we move into the future, the A/V Team will continually try to capture that experience and make it accessible to all.

Alice Bassett • Communications Coordinator

Everything outdoors. mom of Boys. Family is at my Core.

Creative, conversational, organized. I find my happy place supporting churches and finding better ways to open the conversation about who we are, what’s happening, and where you fit in this loving church family. I’m a Lutheran pastor’s daughter and married the love of my life that I met at Lutheran camp one summer, but I love Presbyterians too!

Becca Thompson • Finance Administrator

READER OF FANTASY AND MYSTERY. TRIATHLETE. HIKER.

I am an accountant. I am Presbyterian. These combined traits and talents bring me to FPCA. I also serve as Treasurer for Shepherd of the Hills and Westminster Presbyterian as well as consult as a CPA with other churches. I recently served in accounting roles for PCHAS (until my husband became President). I am the mom of twins who taught me how to multitask which is a great skill for this Presbyterian accountant!

Bill Collentine • Custodian

Cheesehead. Papa to Many. Pepsi in a styrofoam cup please.

With a servant’s heart, I have served churches in Austin for many decades as the custodial and maintenance expert. I have served Bethany United Methodist, St. David’s Episcopal, St. Matthew’s Episcopal, the Emmaus Catholic Church, and have been working for First Presbyterian  Church since 2010. I love church work and especially the people and kids that call this place home. 

My wife and I are Papa and Nana to many youth and young adults who have needed parents due to broken homes, juvenile records, and homelessness. One never knows how many will show up to share grace and family time at a Collentine Thanksgiving table and to watch the Packer’s game with this Wisconsin Cheesehead.  

Christina Harmon • Organist

Organist and composer Christina Harmon is a graduate of the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and Southern Methodist University and has completed further study at Union Theological Seminary; the Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria; and the University of North Texas. She has worked as an organ and theory instructor at Southern Methodist University, the University of North Texas, Dallas Baptist University, and the University of Texas at Dallas. Many of Harmon's former students are now professional organists and prize winners. She served Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas thirty-seven years as organist and for twenty years as composer-in-residence.

Harmon's work as a composer and performer appears on several CD recordings. As a performer, she has appeared in concert at many significant churches throughout the United States and Europe. In 1986 she founded the French and British Organ Music Seminars, which have become events of international status in which organists from all over the world study and perform on some of the greatest European organs. In addition, she is the editor of six DVDs, which feature the Parisian organs and organists of SteClotilde and StSulpice.

Maimy Fong • Pianist

Mark Barnett

Riley Bowling

Sandra Curran

Stan Farnsworth

Julia Graves

Jana Harrison

Karen Kelly

Howard Lindemann

Sarah Newton

Mark Reddert

Jamie Shepard

Gregory Wysocki

Pastor Elizabeth Boone McLean
Prayer List & Pastoral Care

Jake Farrar
Meal Train

Gini Maddox

Pastor Sarah Crowther-Dixon
Deacons & Pastoral Care

Nadine Raley
Homebound Communion

Debbie Schulz

Colleen Gallion
Deacon Moderator

Laurel Lacy

Steven Schulz

Rebecca Buckalew-Leary

Anne Sterrett

Jake Crowther

Zach Files

Karen Golden

Eric Graves