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| Thomas H. Yorty Senior Pastor |
Karen Koness Dearing Early Childhood Programs Co-Director |
Priscilla Maddock Early Childhood Programs Co-Director |
| Richard Herr Director of Music Ministries |
Debbie Katz Director of Christian Education |
Kathy Vitagliano Director of the ENERGY Program |
| Anna Miller Interim Youth Coordinator |
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I was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA, educated at Muskingum College (B.A.), Yale University Divinity School (M.Div.) and Drew University (Ph.D.). I believe that the church is called to embrace all of God's children into full membership and participation in its life and work, equip the people of God to serve and care and lead, be a light to the world of God's love especially where there is darkness and injustice. Most importantly, I believe we are called, together and individually, to give God thanks in our daily living for the abundant life God intends for each of us. In addition to working with this fine congregation and staff I enjoy listening to Buffalo's great philharmonic orchestra and jazz stations, flyfishing, cycling, tennis and regular workouts at the gym. It would be my honor on behalf of Westminster to welcome you in person to our church family. Please introduce yourself to me via email or, better yet, Sunday morning. Your Partner in Christ's Ministry, Tom Yorty
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I began my tenure at Westminster Early Childhood Programs (WECP) as a Lead Teacher in a three-year-old classroom in September 1998. At that time, I was making a significant career change, having spent 16 years in research and development in the toy industry. For me, working at WECP was like coming home. The warm, welcoming, nurturing environment that fosters each child's development and the loving relationships among staff and children make WECP a very special place to be. After two years as a classroom teacher, I became one of the directors of the program in July 2000. Together with Karen Dearing, our other director, we are responsible for 220 children aged 8 weeks through 5 years, 190 families, and 50 staff members! It is an exciting and challenging position, and an awesome responsibility as we strive to maintain and enhance the school's 50 year history of high quality and excellence in the field of early childhood education. WECP is a mission of Westminster Presbyterian Church and we have a strong, positive partnership. One of my favorite parts of every week is Chapel when we share a 15 minute, non-denominational service with one of the ministers, the organist, and the children. We thank God for our world and the important people in it; it is a wonderful way to nurture each child's spiritual development, and it is so important to take that time each week. I have been Presbyterian all my life, so to be part of a Presbyterian organization is very natural and spiritually enriching for me. I enjoy working closely with the church staff; knowing that we have the same goals and expectations for the organization gives us tremendous enthusiasm and dedication for our jobs. I am thrilled to be part of the Westminster family, and I look forward to being part of the exciting future of our school, church, and most importantly, our children.
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Educationally I hold a B.S. in Child Development and a M. Ed. in Early Childhood Education . Previous work experiences have included teaching Preschool and Kindergarten, along with teaching college courses in Early Childhood Education at various local colleges. On a personal note, I am also the mother of 4 children who all attended Westminster Early Childhood Programs. Working as the director of Westminster Early Childhood Programs is an exciting and enriching opportunity. Westminster has an excellent reputation in our community as an outstanding early childhood center and it is easy to see why. The building and grounds are beautiful, the church fully supports the program in many unique and caring ways.The program itself fully encompasses a developmentally apppropriate curriculum and it is staffed with dedicated, highly trained teachers who are committed to young children. Lastly, as in any excellent school, the parents are very committed to helping the school in a variety of ways and are so supportive. This teamwork approach of all facets make it a wonderful place to spend my working days. It is my hope along with Priscilla Maddock, to continue Westminster's mission of providing a high quality early childhood program.
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I am recently retired after 28 years of service to the Buffalo Public Schools as an English teacher and administrator, most recently as the principal of Harvey Austin School. I am a graduate of the University at Buffalo, with a BA in English, a Masters in English Education, and a certificate in School Administration. I also hold a certificate in gifted education from the Center for Studies in Creativity at Buffalo State College. As a teacher, program coordinator and administrator, I have worked with students in grades K-12, including supervision of after school programs at Grover Cleveland High School, #171 Middle School and Harvey Austin School. I also have worked extensively with community partnerships, including National Writing Project and Western New York Writing Project at Canisius College, University at Buffalo’s Department of Social Work, Buffalo State College, CEPA Art Gallery, and Just Buffalo Literary Center. On a personal level, I have three children and three grandchildren. I love to sing with the Westminster Choir and the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus, and I enjoy reading, writing poetry, and gardening.
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Anna has a long history as a Youth Leader. She spent several summers working at the Lake Chautauqua Lutheran Center (LCLC), and during college she led groups of inner city youth on outdoor Earthworks trips in the Washington DC area. She was also an English Teacher for Bridges for Education in a language camp in Poland during the summer of 2002. Anna's warm personality has enabled her to bond well with our youth group already, and she facilitates Westminster's rich tradition of strong Youth Programming. Anna inspires our Middlers and Senior Highs to embark on an enriching blend of mission outreach and fellowship events that provide tremendous opportunities for personal growth. Anna states: "It's a wonderful feeling to be invited into such a warm and open congregation. The excitement and care these youth put toward each activity - be it a fundraiser, fun, or mission work - makes it a true pleasure to just be with them."
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I
have been head of staff at Westminster since February of 1998. Having served
congregations in Williamsville, NY and Easton, PA my wife and two sons and
I were eager to live and work among God's people in a major metropolitan area.
It is my great privilege to lead Westminster's long-standing commitment to
worship and preaching, music and the arts, children and youth. Our vision
statement, which is also available on this website, will give you some specifics
about where we are going in the 21st century.
New
to Westminster in the summer of 2002, Richard Herr came from First Presbyterian
Church, Tyler, Texas where he served for 31 as Director of Music/Organist.
A native of Illinois, he holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Bradley
University and a Master of Sacred Music degree from Southern Methodist University
in Dallas. During his tenure in Texas, Richard also served as conductor of
the Tyler Civic Chorale from 1973 - 2002, conductor of the University of Texas
at Tyler Chamber Orchestra for 8 years, adjunct facuty at UT in organ, accompany
faculty at Worship and Music conferences at the National Presbyterian Conference
Center at Montreat, NC, served on the conductor search committee for the East
Texas Symphony, Dean of the East Texas Chapter, American Guild of Organists,
and member of the Presbyterian Association of Musicians, and the American
Choral Directors Association. He is much sought after as a music leader for
church retreats and conferences. Richard brings a rich variety of the best
in the choral and orchestral tradition to Westminster. He has also enjoyed
informal "cabaret" evenings with his choir and Civic Chorale, offering
favorite popular selections. A gifted organist and choral conductor, Richard
has overseen a large music ministry including the recent installation of a
major pipe organ and the capital expansion of facilities to accommodate the
music ministry of First Church. He also designed and built his own home in
Tyler, featured in a 1984 issue of Southern Living magazine. To assist him
in planning the music for worship, he recently completed a custom-designed
program for music libraries.
It
is a wonderful pleasure to work for Westminster Early Childhood programs.
I began my work with WECP in 1984 as the Educational Coordinator with then
director, Dorothy B. Millard. I continued in this position until 1987. I then
returned to Westminster in a similar position in 1995 and worked in this role
until I became Director in June of 1998, a position I now share with my partner
Priscilla Maddock. 
I've served as the Director of Christian Education at Westminster since August, 2006. Westminster is a church where children, youth and adults are active learners in their faith formation. The opportunity to work with people at each stage of life; from the youngest children to adults of all ages, is one of the joys of my ministry. Before I arrived at Westminster, I served as the Christian Educator in other churches in this presbytery. I've recently received my M.A.C.E. degree from Union-PSCE in Richmond, VA and am currently in the process of becoming a Certified Christian Educator. 
