What's New:
Occurrences and Happenings at First

New Associate Pastor: Sarah Segal McCaslin

Please welcome to our new Associate Pastor, Sarah Segal McCaslin!

Born and raised in Atlanta, Sarah grew up in a close-knit family with her parents, Georgia and Stan, and her younger brother, Robert. In her youth, Sarah was an active member in a dynamic church. Her mother was a committed church member. Her father, of Jewish background, preferred the tennis court on Sunday mornings.Both, however, encouraged Sarah in her involvement in the church and community.

As a youth at Central Presbyterian Church in downtown Atlanta, Sarah was influenced at an early age by ministers and youth leaders. This was a church of "progressive theological thought" that believed in the living of Christ's ministry outside as well as inside the sanctuary walls. Sarah served on the youth council of the Atlanta Presbytery and as a Youth Advisory Delagate to the 207th PC (USA) General Assembly Conference in 1995. While participating in church and in the community, Sarah came in contact with those less fortunate and became involved in a vibrant ministry in response to their need. Sarah also learned the value of relationship and grew to understand its importance in her life and ministry.

Sarah's interests led her to Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in international relations and religion. Prior tograduation, she spent a year abroad at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem studying the cultures, religions and politics of the region. Sarah then moved to New York City in 1999 to work at Project Renewal as an outreach worker and later as a case manager at the New Providence Women's Shelter. From 2002 until 2004, she served as both case manager and program coordinator at Broadway Community, Inc. located in the Broadway Presbyterian Church on the upper west side of Manhattan.

Always committed to serving others, especially those in dire need, Sarah began to pursue a path that would incorporate her desire for social service and justice as well as theology and worship. She commenced her study and training in two professional areas: ministry and social work. Sarah is now a graduate of the dual degree program, Master of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary and Master of Science in Social Work from Columbia University.

At Union Seminary, Sarah was a highly regarded student. One of Sarah's great gifts for ministry is her ability to combine intellectual study with compassion and zeal for the day to day concerns of the people in the church. Sarah was awarded the prestigious Maxwell Fellowship, which is given to graduates who exhibit the most promise in ministry.

At the Columbia School of Social Work, Sarah chose the Advanced Clinical Practice track, with a focus on family and children. The program has an innovative curriculum that is aimed at preparing exemplary professional social workers. In September 2006, Sarah took and passed the LMSW exam.

During her social work training, Sarah served in two internships: one at the Jewish Home and Hospital for the Aged in New York, and the other at St. Vincent's Services, a foster care agency in Brooklyn. Through these and similar opportunities, Sarah has provided grief therapy to children, counseled nursing home residents, helped homeless adults with drug rehabilitation, provided support to the guests of a soup kitchen and developed a service for World AIDS Day.

In connection with her work at Union Seminary, Sarah served as intern in the Vacation Bible School Program for the New York Presbytery in which she visited and offered devotions for over 30 churches each summer from 2003-2005. Sarah was the ministerial intern for the Church of Gethsemane in Brooklyn in 2005-2006. This small Presbyterian church serves a congregation of former prisoners, families of those incarcerated, and the local community. Sarah led worship, preached, led a devotional series and provided pastoral care. Sarah continues to have a passion for serving those on the margins of society and looks for opportunities to work with interdenominational and interfaith communities.

Sarah was drawn to First Presbyterian Church because of the worship experience and its commitment to service. She joined in 1999. She has served on the Chirstian Education Committee from 2000-2003 and, as one who loved her own church youth group, served as a leader in the youth group at First from 1999 until early 2006.

Just as many new members begin their life at First, Sarah bagan hers by ushering. It was because of - and during - ushering that she met her future husband, Donny McCaslin. Donny, a member and current Deacon of First, is from Santa Cruz, California, where his extended family continues to live. He is a professional jazz musician whose instrument is the tenor saxophone. Donny composes, collaborates, records and performs world-wide.

Today Sarah and Donny reside in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn. When not engaged in work or study, Sarah enjoys the Greenmarket, cooking with friends, yoga, and when time and money allow, traveling. Both Donny and Sarah revel in the rich and lively music scene of New York and are blessed with a close group of friends.

The Associate Pastor Nominating Committee is excited about the training, skills and personal gifts that Sarah will bring to our church. Sarah is a woman of deep conviction, an open and compassionate counselor and a natural leader beloved by those who know her. She is well trained and personally grounded in the areas that will enable her to thrive in her call at First Presbyterian Church.

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