First Presbyterian Church

Rev. Peter Buehler
687-0754 ext. 107
pbuehler@fpcsb.org

I've been  privileged to be in parish ministry  for 30 years (nine years in Santa Cruz, fifteen years in Sacramento, seven years in Santa Barbara). Being part of the faith journeys of  wonderful  people--new believers and life-long Christians, seniors and youth, men and women of every age and description--is a blessing to me.  The diversity of folks helps makes  this church the living body of Christ, vital and ready for ministry in the community and the world. I am privileged to serve  First Presbyterian Church of Santa Barbara and am grateful to be working with my colleague, Judith Muller, with this great church staff and these devoted leaders. This is a congregation which loves to worship God and serve Jesus Christ. I appreciate the rich history and warm hospitality of the faith community at First Presbyterian.

Rev. Anne Shelton
(805) 687-0754

I am delighted to serve in pastoral leadership at First Presbyterian Church! I enjoy teaching and training in the area of the Spiritual Disciplines having been involved in this ministry for many years. This ministry includes the practice of all the classic inward and outward spiritual practices from  prayer and worship to hospitality, stewardship and compassionate service to others in our community and world. Through the leading of God's Spirit we seek to find and to respond to the presence and activity of God, the Father and of Jesus, the Son in all aspects of our life together and beyond..

Dr. Gordon Hess
gclint3@mac.com

Charles Curtis
(805) 687-0754 ext 102
ccurtis@fpcsb.org

Known by all (except my mother and sister) as "Chuck," I joined the staff of First Pres in 2006.  I have a B.A. with a major in Chemistry.  My alma mater, Williams College, is the birthplace of American foreign missions (Haystack Meeting of 1806), a fact which contributes to my missional Christian identity.  For 28 years I was a Member of the Technical Staff of a local R&D company and served The Church--Lutheran and then Presbyterian--in my spare time in a range of leadership positions.  When I began my retirement and completed my terms on our session, we created the Office of Evangelism and Mission, where I serve voluntarily.  Currently I’m taking the Lay Leadership Training provided by our presbytery, which leads to Commissioned Lay Pastor.  I consider First Pres a wonderful community in which to serve God.  It has a great past and, I trust, a great future.

Nelson C. Huber
(805) 687-0754 ext 111
nchuber@cox.net

Recruited following his MM studies by All Saints by the Sea in Montecito, Nelson C. Huber moved to Santa Barbara in 1994. He served there until he moved to First Presbyterian Church  in 2001. An active recitalist, Nelson's organ career has flourished at FPC. The Chancel Organ, the largest between LA and SF, is central to traditional worship.  Nelson holds the MM in Choral Conducting from Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ. He lived worked in Vienna, Austria, and in London, UK, for 4 years.

Hannah Gustavson
(805) 687-0754 ext 101
hgustavson@fpcsb.org

Hannah is a recent graduate of Westmont College with a degree in English. She has experience working with the homeless at the Rescue Mission, and has an interest in psychology. She earned the Provost's scholarship while at Westmont, and also spent some time in study abroad.

She will be working at the front desk during office hours, 9 - 4:30 Monday through Friday. She will also be the person to contact if you have any questions about church events, activities or membership.

Kristen Dittman
(805) 687-0754 ext 105
kdittman@fpcsb.org

Paul Tarasick
(805) 687-0754 ext 116

Cell: 805-320-8536