Philadelphia First Church of the Brethren


First Church of		PHILADELPHIA and surrounding area. Located in suburban Wyndmoor, PA
the Brethren
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	CHURCH STAFF Pastor - Secretary - Minister of Music - Sexton Pastor: Rev. Kevin Derr Pastor Kevin and his wife Pat and their son Kevin live in Melrose Park along with their two dogs, Baron, a Yellow Lab and Lucy, a Chocolate Lab. Pastor Kevin began serving at First Church in January of 1999. Pastor Kevin is a graduate of Bridgewater College (1991), Bethany Theological Seminary (1998) and is currently working on a Doctor of Ministry degree at Biblical Theological Seminary with plans to graduate in the spring of 2009. He enjoys reading on a broad range of subjects including: ancient history, church history, New Testament studies, preaching journal, philosophy, and fiction. Pastor Kevin is a member of the North American Patristic Society, the Evangelical Theological Society, the Evangelic Philosophical Society and the Evangelic Homiletical Society and the Clergy of Springfield Township. Kevin and Pat have lived in the community since the summer of 2000 and enjoy working in the yard and doing some updating to their home. Their son Kevin was born in September of 2005, and he enjoys swimming, music, toys and books of all sorts. Pat is a School Psychologist in a local school district and continues to do some private practice counseling with children, adolescents and families. As a family they enjoy traveling, movies, learning sign language and playing volley ball. Education: D.Min. Biblical Theological Seminary, 2009 Bethany Theological Seminary, M.Div. 1998 Bridgewater College, B.A. 1991 Forest Hills High School, 1987 Experience: Pastor: First Church of the Brethren, 1999-Present Pastor: Beech Grove Church of the Brethren, 1994-1998 Pastor: Yellow Creek & Bethel Church of the Brethren, 1991-1994 Youth Pastor: Dayton Church of the Brethren, 1988-1991 Summer Pastor: Mount Joy Church of the Brethren, 1990 Chaplain: Pennsylvania Council of Church State Park Program, 1988 & 1989 Minister of Music: Alex Ramirez Alex Ramirez began his piano studies at age three with Mrs. Tony Lama, wife of the famous boot maker in Texas. After her death he studied piano with Dr. Aryl Paul, the chairman of the piano department at the University of Texas. At age five, Alex became the youngest person ever to study piano at the University of Texas. During Middle and High School he won every major youth piano competition in the state of Texas. Following graduation he entered the University of Texas from which he graduated with highest honors. Today, he continues his piano with his coach of twelve years Robert Durso, a faculty member of the Golandsky Institute of Piano. He also studies conducting with Rosalind Erwin, the conductor of the Pottstown Orchestra and the Musica 2000 Symphony Orchestra. Alex plans no fewer than three recordings. One will include music by the master composers, another will include religious music, and the third is the long awaited Christmas album which will include his own arrangements of beloved holiday music and carols. See Alex perform Bach's Prelude in C# Major: (Picture will be full-screen. Press <escape> to reduce size) *Note: Some browsers, specifically Firefox will not display these videos without a plug-in:* Church Secretary: Carol Johnston Carol is married to David who is now retired. She has two children, both of whom are married, and one absolutely beautiful granddaughter and two gorgeous grandsons. Carol is a nurse by training, but now spends her time managing the church office and caring for injured animals. Bill the Cat is Carol's unofficial assistant. Bill the Cat Sexton: Karen Quinn Philadelphia First Church of the Brethren Karen is married to David and they are the parents of two children, a son and a daughter. Karen has a background in banking and proofreading, and now serves as the church sexton.

	8707 W. Cheltenham Ave. / Wyndmoor, PA 19038 / Phone: (215) 836-5083