Craig Atkinson

Craig Atkinson and his wife Lauren have been members since 2022. They have two children, Hannah and Sam. Craig teaches 2-year-old Sunday school and helps with the Building and Property Ministry. He has also served as a youth, VBS, and youth service trip volunteer at other churches. He states that his parents, especially his mother, demonstrated the importance of maintaining and growing a life of faith, and he hopes he and his wife can be an example of the same for his children.

Susan Bangs

Susan Bangs has been a member of RPC for 24 years and was an elder in the Class of 2011. She is involved with the Leadership Team of Next Chapter Sunday School class, a Carillon Handbell Choir member, a PW Circle 6 member, and a Funeral Guild volunteer. She also participates in the GALS events and Women’s Retreats. Her previous involvement includes being a Communion server, an elementary Sunday school teacher, and an onCore and VBS leadership team member. Susan is married to Michael, and they have two adult daughters who were raised at RPC, Abigail Bangs and Mary Bangs Nava. Mary and Eduardo were married at RPC. When asked what person or event has been most meaningful in her faith development, she said, “It is almost impossible to choose just one thing after 24 years! My faith has expanded while working side-by-side with others to make Kids Club and VBS happen, while studying God’s word in weekly Bible studies, through worshiping under the leadership of Lane, Lyndsay, Jeff, and so many others, and through traveling life with my husband Michael, who always inspires me and challenges me to grow my faith.”

Sarah Ruth Bachmeier

(Youth Elder)

Sarah Ruth Bachmeier grew up at RPC in children and youth programs. She is the daughter of members Rachel and Tony and has an amazing sister and brother. She was Confirmed as a member of the church in 2021. Sarah Ruth is involved in the 96:ONE Youth Choir and the RyeX youth ministry. She said that the 96:ONE Youth Choir has helped her develop her faith because it brings her closer to God through music and some really good friendships.

Mike Belforte

Mike Belforte and his wife, Cynthia, have been members for 11 years. Their two children, Brooke and Ethan, grew up attending RPC and are both in college. Mike is a regular attendee of the modern service and has served as an usher for nine years. He has also been a Confirmation mentor and substitute youth Sunday school teacher at previous churches. Mike said, "Being surrounded by such a friendly, welcoming, and loving and like-minded community of faith – the pastors, fellow ushers, and congregation in general" has been meaningful in his faith development. He also said hearing, reflecting on, and absorbing Jeff's sermons has been important to his faith development. "Jeff's sermons are highly impactful for me in that they address a wide range of key questions of Christian life and are very relevant, relatable, and well-delivered. While I've always thought of myself as a Christian and man of faith, Jeff's insights, wisdom, and connection to the real world have helped me understand much more deeply what the Bible and Jesus are telling us and how we should live our lives in today's world."

Bonnie Burnette

Bonnie Burnette and husband Richard, married for almost 56 years, have been members of RPC for two years. She is a regular attendee at the 11 a.m. traditional service and attends the Salt Sunday school class and women’s Bible studies. At Bonnie’s previous church, she was a youth group leader and a Sunday school teacher and served on the mission committee for many years. Bonnie and Richard have three children and four grandchildren. The program that has meant the most to her has been procuring and distributing food to underserved food pantries in Jasper County, South Carolina when they lived in Hilton Head Island.

Elvia Cortes

Elvia Cortes has been a long visitor and joined RPC five years ago. Her sister, Eleida Fleming, and her family are members. She has worked in the church office as a volunteer at the reception desk and works with the membership team to assist with tasks using our database system. She also manages RPC's participation at the Drake House Miss Mary's Ice Cream fundraising event, is a Cherokee County Habitat for Humanity Selection Committee member, and volunteers at North Fulton Community Charities. At Elvia's previous churches, she served as Vice President and later treasurer of the college group Rio Piedras at the First Baptist Church in Puerto Rico. When asked what has been most meaningful in her faith development, she said, "I grew up in a religious environment attending church with family, including grandparents and cousins. I had many examples of leadership and involvement at church. Participated in outreach programs to college students."

Howard Flint

Howard Flint has been a member for 23 years. He is married to Canita, and they have three children – Piper, Oliver, and Campbell. He served as an elder with the Class of 2008. Howard regularly attends worship, is involved with the modern worship band, and was previously involved with the men’s groups. He has been a high school mentor, Confirmation mentor, kitchen volunteer, and Rutledge volunteer, and he has served on the Extreme kitchen staff. The events that have been most meaningful in his faith development are the Men of RPC, Rutledge, Extreme retreats, and the high school mentor program.

Rick Heneghan

Rick Heneghan has been a member of RPC for 17 years and is married to Sally. He is currently involved with the Stephen Ministry. He has also been involved with the Fly-Fishing Fellowship, Men’s Retreats, Wreaths Across America, Habitat for Humanity, various Bible study groups, and Building & Property. He has served as a Confirmation mentor and kitchen volunteer. Rick has taught a history course for the last 11 years with the Seniors Enriched Living community group and serves on their Board of Directors. Rick said Reverend Dr. Bill Nisbet, his service in Vietnam, and raising a church-based family have all provided meaningful (and private) experiences in developing his faith.

Sara Heslin

Sara Heslin, married to Peter for 25 years, has been an RPC member since 1999. They have two fantastic children: Eve, a sophomore at UGA, and Wyatt, a senior at RHS. Sara is involved with PW Circle 6 and Tuesday night Yoga Community Group and is a greeter on Sunday mornings. She has previously participated in the Breakfast Bible Study, as an elementary Sunday school teacher, as a VBS volunteer, in adult Sunday school, and in the Personnel Committee. Sara said, “Faith is about seeking and acknowledging God’s presence in our everyday activities and daily life. Being a member of the RPC community along with my family, learning with sermons and small groups, serving together, the connections, all serve as daily evidence and reminders of God’s presence.”

Peter Langham

Peter Langham and their wife Nancy have three grown children – Ben Stouffer, Brian Langham (married to Alex with son Jonathan), and Joseph Langham (wife Morgan and son Stephen). He and Nancy have been members for almost two years. Peter is involved with RPC and is an ambassador and usher at the modern service. At other churches, he was on the Property Committee, an usher, a 3–5-year-old Sunday school song leader, a greeter, and was on the art team. “I have a deep belief in God for as long as I can remember. It has been strengthened by the many twists and turns of 70 years of living,” Peter said.

Shawn Martz

Shawn Martz and husband Richard joined RPC 21 years ago. Their three daughters, Caroline, Lauren, and Julia, grew up at RPC. Shawn co-leads the 8th-grade girls' small group on Sunday mornings. Previously, she was a Sunday school teacher for preschool through middle school and was the Assistant Director and Director of onCore. She has been a Bible teacher and leader with onCore and VBS. Shawn said her youth director at First Presbyterian Church in Lakeland, Florida, was the most meaningful person in her faith development.

Tricia Patterson

Tricia Patterson and her husband, Andy, have been members for 14 years. They have three children who grew up at RPC: Gabe, Milner, and Chloe. Tricia is a regular attendee of the modern worship service and a member of the Creative Arts Ministry. She has been an elementary Sunday school teacher and an onCore volunteer. Patterson's father, a Presbyterian minister, played an important role in her faith development. "He taught me to rely on my faith, to love and accept people, to listen, and to be open-minded."

Steve Seibert

Steve Seibert and wife Denise have been RPC members for 16 years. They have two children, a daughter named Emily and a son named T.J., who is married to Jane and has a daughter, Grace. Steve served as an Elder with the RPC Class of 2016 and at St. Andrew Presbyterian in Alabama. He is involved in the College of Elders, is a Communion server, and is a part of the worship usher team. He has volunteered with grounds clean-up days and the Family Promise move-out crew. Steve has also participated in the Men of Faith Bible study and Connections Sunday school class and has served as a line caller. At other churches, he served as an elder on the Stewardship Committee, Maintenance/groundskeeping, youth leader, high school Sunday school teacher, and audio-visual assistant. He said his mother was very instrumental in his faith development by "instilling the importance of developing a relationship with Christ and the importance of regular church attendance at an early age."

Melanie Simon

Melanie Simon has been an RPC member for 22 years. She has three children – Jennifer, an attorney in Colorado; Eric, a senior at Johns Hopkins University; and Mary, a junior at the University of Illinois. Melanie is on the leadership team for Stephen Ministry, a member of the Chancel Choir, and a Next Chapter Sunday School class member. She has also been a co-moderator for Presbyterian Women, a coordinator for onCore, an elementary Sunday school teacher, and a volunteer for the Refugee Resettlement Services. Melanie said, “The Stephen Ministry has impacted my faith journey in a profound way, giving me a greater understanding of the kind of compassion and understanding that I should extend to others based on God’s gift of mercy to me.”

Mary Ann Stewart

Mary Ann Stewart and her husband, Scott, joined RPC 33 years ago. They have three children and six wonderful grandchildren. Mary Ann is a regular worship attendee, a member of the Salt Sunday School class, and a volunteer in many groups. She was on the RPC staff as the Children’s Ministry Director and was involved with Stephen Ministry. She says her husband has had the most influence on her faith journey, as has former Senior Pastor Lane Alderman.

Catherine Trosclair

Catherine Trosclair has been a member of RPC for eight years. She and her husband, Erik, have three children: Samuel (13), Blythe (11), and Julian (8). Teaching has been her calling for 17 years, and she currently serves in East Cobb as an elementary art teacher. Catherine is involved with onCore and Pathfinders Sunday School and supports youth activities. She also served as a preschool, elementary Sunday school, and VBS teacher. Catherine served on the Funeral/ Hospitality Guild, the New Mom support group, and the Preschool Committee and was a Women’s Retreat Leader at her previous church in Louisiana. She says her family was drawn to RPC after attending VBS for the first time. The children’s programming has made the church feel like home for her family. They regularly participate in onCore, Sunday school, youth events, and choir.

Jessica Wolff

Jessica Wolff has been a member since 2010, when she joined with her husband, Bernard. They have two children, Bernard (9) and Catherine (7), who attended RPC Preschool. She is currently involved with onCore, a CAYA Bible Study group member, Pathfinders Sunday school class, and participates in women's retreats. At previous churches, she volunteered with the youth and children's ministries, teaching Sunday school and VBS. Her work focused on nonprofits and development stewardship, and she currently works for a law firm in bequest revenue management for national charitable, medical, and religious organizations. Jessica said she grew up in a home with loving parents who provided a strong faith foundation and encouraged involvement in their larger church family. "From an early age, I learned that God loves me and that we were called to show His love to others. As an adult, I have gained a greater understanding of the depth of God's love and the meaning of grace and community through groups like CAYA." She said it is a privilege to walk with the ladies of the Bible study group through life's joys and challenges and that their study together has been an enriching part of her faith journey.

What are the qualifications of an elder?

We believe that the only thing that qualifies anyone is the grace of Jesus Christ. However, we also believe that elders are leaders of the church and therefore are held to a higher standard. Our hope is that these men and women would most importantly live as disciples of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, both in word and works.

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