Westminster Presbyterian Church Staff
The staff of Westminster Presbyterian Church works together to provide sacred worship, fellowship, and service opportunities to members and visitors.
Ben Dorr
PASTOR |
Ben Dorr
Ben came to Westminster in the summer of 2018, after serving as Pastor/Head of Staff at churches in Dallas, Texas, and Bloomington, Indiana. A native of Michigan, Ben holds degrees from Princeton Theological Seminary and Carleton College. He is married to Heather, a speech-language pathologist, and they have two sons, Sam and Cooper. In his free time, when he’s not serving as a taxi driver to get his children to their various school and sports events, Ben enjoys reading history and novels, exploring new restaurants, rooting for the New York Yankees to win their 28th world championship, and hoping that one day the Minnesota Vikings will finally win a Super Bowl.” ”
Leigh Stuckey
ASSOCIATE PASTOR |
Leigh Stuckey
Born in Charleston and raised in Columbia, Leigh comes to Westminster from Lawrenceville, NJ, where she served The Presbyterian Church of Lawrenceville. She holds degrees from Princeton Theological Seminary (Th. M., M. Div.) and Presbyterian College (B.A.). Leigh enjoys listening to and playing music, eating Southern food and trying to read more than she can. She’s an avid fan of the Gamecocks and the Blue Hose, and believes them to be the world’s two best mascots. Leigh serves as the Associate Pastor for Young Adults, Mission, and Social Media.
Mary Kathleen Duncan
ASSOCIATE PASTOR |
Mary Kathleen Duncan
Born and raised in Anderson, South Carolina, Mary Kathleen is a graduate of Clemson University (B.S. in Recreation) and Columbia Theological Seminary (M.Div.). Prior to coming to Westminster, she and her family lived in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, where she served as the Associate Pastor at First Presbyterian. Mary Kathleen met her husband, David, while they were students at Clemson University. Their family includes two young children, Mary Eliza and Teddy, and a lovable Boykin Spaniel named Maggie. Mary Kathleen loves cheering on her Tigers, boating, running, and getting lost in a good novel. She serves as Associate Pastor for Youth and their Families.
Lauren Slingerland
ASSOCIATE PASTOR |
Lauren Slingerland
Lauren grew up in Seneca, South Carolina, near Clemson. She is a graduate of Furman University (B.A. in Education, M.A. in Special Education) and Columbia Theological Seminary (M.Div.). Lauren comes to Westminster after being an educator in public schools. She and her husband, Stephen, have a lab named Sunny, and they enjoy boating and Clemson football. Lauren is passionate about connecting children with God and their church family. She serves as Associate Pastor for Children and their families.
Julia Watkins
ASSOCIATE PASTOR |
Julia Watkins
A native Atlantan, Julia came to Westminster in the spring of 2021, having previously served at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Charlotte and graduated from both Princeton Theological Seminary (M.Div.) and Davidson College (B.S.). Julia loves (mostly vegetarian) cooking, (mostly folk) concert-going, (mostly experimental) gardening, and (mostly downhill) hiking. As Associate Pastor for Mission and Congregational Life, she is passionate about the work of justice and enjoys connecting people with opportunities to grow in faith.
Amos Workman
PARISH ASSOCIATE |
Amos Workman
Amos is a graduate of Washington and Lee University and Erskine Theological Seminary. He has served churches in Western North Carolina Presbytery and in Spartanburg and Greenville. He was an associate pastor at Westminster in 1997-1998. He has always been very active in Foothills Presbytery, serving on the Mission Team, Bills and Overtures Team, Examinations Commission, and most recently, Committee on Preparation for Ministry. Amos is married to WPC member Cecile Boren Workman. They have three sons and eight grandchildren.
Mark Kemp
music director |
Mark Kemp
Mark joined the staff of WPC in February 2003. Born in Seoul, Korea, into a military family, his family settled in Augusta, Georgia. He came to Greenville to attend Furman University, where he earned the BM in Church Music. It was at Furman that Mark met his future wife, Kelly, who also majored in music. They married in 1999 while living in Alabama, where Mark completed his Masters in Church Music degree at Samford University. Prior to returning to Greenville to become Westminster’s Director of Music, the Kemps resided in Lexington, North Carolina, where Mark was the Music Minister at First Baptist Church. Mark and Kelly have two sons, Cooper and Levi.
Cara Puntch
Weekday School Director |
Cara Puntch
Cara Puntch is a Westminster church member. She has a BS in Early Childhood Education from Presbyterian College and a Masters in Administration from Clemson University. Prior to becoming the Weekday School Director, she worked for Greenville County Schools as a classroom teacher and as an ADEPT Teacher Leader. Cara and her husband, Bryant, have two daughters and one son. Two of her children attend Westminster Weekday School. She enjoys spending time with her family, running, and coffee.
Lauren Hood
Associate Director of Youth |
Lauren Hood
Lauren is originally from Columbia, South Carolina, and moved to Greenville to attend Furman University. She graduated in 2019 with degrees in Religion and Educational Studies. During her time at Furman, Lauren enjoyed creating and leading multiple student programs to encourage Furman students to critically think about their vocations and religious beliefs. She enjoys exploring Greenville restaurants, going to the mountains, and watching the latest Netflix documentary. Lauren is passionate about working with youth to empower and encourage them through transformative stages of life.
Sherri Owens
Financial Secretary |
Sherri Owens
Sherri joined the staff of Westminster in March 1995 and currently serves as Financial Secretary. She is a native South Carolinian and graduated from Clemson University with a degree in Financial Management. She is married to John and has two children, Lauren and Alex. Her passion is women’s ministry and teaching, and she enjoys reading, cooking, and serving others.
Michelle Little
Office Manager |
Michelle Little
Michelle has been employed at WPC since 1998. She and her husband, David, live in Easley and have three daughters, Kelsey, Ashley, and Celia. Together, she and David love gardening, antiquing, and restoring their 105 year old house.
Candi Lay
Weekday School Assistant Director
Candi Lay
Candi has been a part of Westminster Weekday School since 1997. She worked as a 4K assistant teacher for 18 years before moving to be part of the office staff. Candi is married to Robert and has one son, Will, who graduated from the University of Oregon. Candi loves being part of the Westminster family.
Nancy Smith
organist |
Nancy Smith
Nancy is a native South Carolinian who has been active in music ministry for over 40 years. She has served as organist, pianist, and music director in churches in Kentucky, North Carolina, and South Carolina and has also been active as a composer and arranger of church music. Nancy graduated from Furman University with the Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education and from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary with the Master of Church Music degree in Piano Performance. She joined the staff of Westminster in March 2003. In addition, she is a member of the music faculty at The South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities. She was married to the late E. Thomas Smith and is the mother of two grown children, Kim and Clay, and the proud grandmother of Madison, Thomas, Ian, Molly, and Miller.
Katie Knauer
Children’s Choir Coordinator |
Katie Knauer
A native of Houston, Texas, Katie came to Greenville to attend Furman University. She began singing at Westminster Presbyterian while in college and soon made it her church home. While working toward her Bachelor of Music degree at Furman she met her husband Andrew, who was also studying music. After graduating, Katie moved to Chicago to earn her Master of Music degree from Northwestern University. In 2007 she and Andrew were married at Westminster Presbyterian and soon returned to live in Greenville. Katie and Andrew have two sons, Daniel and James.
Aly Friend
Director of Nurseries |
Aly Friend
Aly joined the WPC family in 2018 after moving to Greenville to join her wife, Ellis. Originally from Southeast Missouri, Aly and Ellis call Greenville home with their three dogs Seymour, Graham, and Toby. She works as a Director of Engagement at the Clemson Alumni Association and enjoys cheering on the Tigers, good music, and cooking for family and friends. Aly serves as Director of Nurseries and is excited to welcome the youngest members to WPC.
