2018 Nominating Committee Nominees

NOMINEES FOR FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH NOMINATING COMMITTEE (CLASS OF 2018) The Nominating Committee is responsible for considering nominations and preparing the slate of persons to be recommended for election as Ruling Elders. The Nominating Committee also nominates members to serve on Pastor Nominating Committees when needed. Each year four members are elected by the Congregation and two members are designated from the Session to serve on the Nominating Committee for a term of two years. The following nominees will appear on the slate for a congregational vote at the Annual Meeting February 7, 2016. Nominations may also be made by the congregation during the Annual Meeting. Persons nominated from the floor must have been contacted by the nominating member and expressed a strong willingness to serve and to make a regular time commitment.

Bill Earnest joined First Pres in 1970, the same year he and Eve married. Their family includes three sons (Merrill, Andy, and Lewis), two daughters-in-law (Cat and Deena), and four adorable grandchildren (Evie, Will, Audrey, and Caroline). Bill graduated from the University of Tennessee with mechanical engineering and law degrees. He practiced labor and employment law here in Atlanta for many years and has now retired. At First Pres, Bill has taught First Grade Sunday School, coordinated First Pres' work with Atlanta Habitat for Humanity, served on the Session and as Clerk, served on the Community Ministries Council, and served on the Nominating Committee and the Personnel Council.

Kathy Freebairn has been a member of First Presbyterian Church for 31 years and has served on the Session, as Chair of Church Growth Council, as Moderator of Presbyterian Women, and as Nursery/Preschool Committee Chair. She has taught Sunday School to preschoolers, and served on a Search Committee and a Capital Campaign Committee. She currently serves on the Discipleship Council. Kathy has completed all the Disciple Classes and is a Stephen Minister. She has been a member of the Emmaus Sunday School class since its inception. Originally from Wisconsin, Kathy has made Atlanta her home for the last 33 years with her husband, John. They have two daughters, Amanda Juene Leith (Brandon) and Emily Freebairn and a granddaughter, Miranda (Mira) Juene Leith.

Kim Grady joined First Presbyterian Church in 1985. Over the years she has taught Sunday School, volunteered on the Preschool and Elementary Committee, chaired the Christmas Pageant, and participated in two of the Disciple Bible classes as well as various other Bible studies. She and her husband, Henry, have also helped develop several adult Sunday School classes. Kim has recently joined the Wedding Ministry. Kim teaches preschool at SecondPonce de Leon Baptist Church and is very active with the Parents Association of The Westminster Schools. She also enjoys volunteering in the community and is involved with the National Charity League. Kim & Henry have been married for 30 years, and have three daughters - Hannah (26), Sarah (23) and Julia (17). They are regulars at the Sunday morning Chapel service.

Patrick Madden and his wife Missy have been members of FPC for over 10 years. Patrick grew up in Richmond, Virginia, where he and his family attended First Presbyterian Church of Richmond for a number of years. After graduating from Washington & Lee University in Lexington, Virginia in 1997, Patrick moved to Atlanta with a group of college friends to embark on a career (and have a little fun on the side). In 2002, he became smitten with a Georgia Bulldog named Missy Means and they were married in 2004.

Today, Missy and Patrick have two children: third-grader Andy, age 8, and kindergartener Reese, age 6, who are both very active at FPC. The Maddens live in Brookhaven, and Patrick is in the real estate finance business. Since joining FPC, Patrick has been an usher and an active member of the First Foundations Sunday School class. Outside of Church, work, and family, Patrick enjoys fly-fishing, golf, and travel.

To serve one year of an unfinished term: Eddie Newsom and his wife Julia have been members of the Church for approximately 30 years, and have been married for 32 years. They have two daughters, Sophie and Julia Bowen, who both grew up in the church.

Eddie has served on the Session, chaired or co-chaired three Annual Giving Campaigns, was the Major Gifts Chair for the recent Capital Campaign, and chairs the Legacy Giving Committee. He has also chaired the Communications Council, served on the Stewardship Council, and co-chaired the Church’s campaign for Presbyterian Homes. He served as head usher for several years and was on the Interim Pastor Search Committee that brought Joanna Adams to the Church.