Church Elders


  • Bill Buelow


  • fay grant

    I have been at First Cumberland since 2008.


    I am retired from a career in health insurance and am an avid antique hunter and love to redecorate on a continuous basis!  I also love to garden and work in my yard.


    My favorite bible verse is Psalm 23 and my favorite hymn is Great is Thy Faithfulness, it has been my theme song throughout my life. 

  • Tim McDonald

    I have been a member since March 2017 and an Elder since January 2020.  I work for Blood Assurance, the local community blood bank.


    My two favorite Bible verses are:

    • 1 Corinthians 15:22 (For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.)
    • 2 Corinthians 5:17 (If any man is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, all things are become new.)
    Serving at First Cumberland is a great honor and my life is enriched and blessed by this church.  My family joined this church early in the 20th century when it was located downtown and 1st Cumberland is a wonderful legacy to me.  Thanks be to God.

  • mose Payne, IV

    I have been a member of First Cumberland Presbyterian Church for many decades. As a young boy, I played tee ball on the old Cumberland Youth Foundation softball field ("CYF Braves") and served as an acolyte. Also, I played on First Cumberland's church league basketball team in my much younger/teenage years. 


    In addition, I served as Cumberland Youth Foundation's summer tennis instructor for several years in the 1980's and also in 2016. Also, I helped my father, Mose Payne III, co-direct the annual Cumberland Youth Foundation summer tennis tournament in the 1980's which attracted many local tennis players each year.  Years ago, I served as a member of the Christian Education Committee, assisted with Childrens' Church, and taught Sunday School for our younger children.


    I have held a wide variety of jobs, including attorney, health insurance company supervisor/manager, Amazon warehouse associate, and Boyd-Buchanan School assistant middle school/high school tennis coach (girls and boys). I consider myself "pretty much retired" these days.


    My wife, Lisa, and I were married at First Cumberland Presbyterian Church in 1998. 


    My favorite Bible verse is John 3:16.

  • Caroline Quinn

    I have been a Presbyterian all my life and have been at First Cumberland for a little over 4 years.


    I was born and lived most of my life in Texas before moving  to Tennessee in 2012. My husband is retired and I work in healthcare at Memorial Hospital as an Executive Assistant.  I enjoy spending time with my husband Matthew on weekends working in the yard, reading books, studying the scriptures and watching English television series re-runs on Netflix .


    My son and daughter-in-law live in Massachusetts and I am soon to be a grandmother.


    My favorite Bible verse is Micah 6:8

    He has told you, mortal one, what is good ; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justice, to live kindness, And to walk humbly with your God.

  • Mike Ricketts

    Since the fall of 1974, Janet and I have been attending First Cumberland and were married in the church in August 1976.  After a 45-year career in education, I am now retired. 


    My early years were spent as a high school and college basketball coach and athletic director for 15 years, followed by a 35-year tenure at Chattanooga State, where I served as dean of the College of Applied Technology. 


    Janet and I enjoy traveling and cherish our time in Knoxville with our son, daughter-in-law, and four grandchildren, who are busy with sports and various activities. In my free time, I keep active by participating in senior softball. 


    My favorite Bible verse is Isaiah 41:10 — “Fear not, for I am with you…”



  • Shannon Twitchell

    My family joined First Cumberland in 2013 after we moved from Texas to Chattanooga.


    My interests include fitness, food & travel & I’m blessed to be able to teach fitness & healthy eating to others!


    My favorite Bible verse is Psalm 119:105: Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. 

Church Deacons


  • Linda Boran

    Jack (my husband) and I joined First Cumberland in January 13, 2013. I was installed as a deacon almost exactly 7 years later on January 12, 2020. I am a retired English teacher of 26 years from Red Bank High School here in Chattanooga. I love the book of Philippians and especially love Phil. 4:6-7. 


    God has blessed me all of my life; first with a Godly mother and grandmother who taught me Jesus' love and saving grace early. Then He blessed me with a wonderful husband, two wonderful sons, and two wonderful daughters by marriage. I am thankful for all of the Godly mentors, ministers, and church members He has graced us with who have been instrumental in our spiritual growth.

  • Guy carpenter


  • Mike Craft


  • Kim Rieder

    I have been a member of First Cumberland since August 2006. I am a deacon, on the CYF pool committee, and sing in the church choir.


    I am married to Denny Rieder and have 4 children and 2 grandchildren. My hobbies are enjoying the outdoors and the beach.


    My favorite bible verse is Romans 8:15 - "For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, “Abba! Father!”


    I have worked for Hamilton County Schools for 20 years. My titles include clerical assistant, school secretary, and paraprofessional in a multi~handicap classroom.


  • Steve Thompson

    Patty and I joined First Cumberland Presbyterian in January 2018 and I have been a Deacon since January 2020. 


    I am a Financial Advisor at First Horizon Bank.


    My favorite Bible verse is Psalm 121:1, "I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. "  Another verse is James 4:8, "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you."


    Spending time with my grandchildren is always interesting. I learn so much from them. 

  • Chris Topel


  • Jan Trousdale

    I have been a member of First Cumberland Presbyterian since February, 2020.  According to Dr. Kreuger, I will forever be known as the last member to join BP (Before Pandemic).  I was installed as a Deacon in January, 2025, an honor that is so deep that words will not suffice.  I've had many careers in my life, but my love and passion will always be flying with the airlines.


    Walking, baking, and planning events are some of the things I do to keep moving, because it keeps things working. 


    My favorite Bible verses are Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me", and Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." 


    There are many hymns that I love and it's hard to decide on one, but the title of the one I choose says it all. "What A Friend We Have in Jesus"


    Words I strive to remember each day:  "Be careful what you say to someone.  It could be the last thing you ever say to them." 

  • Colby williams

    I’ve been a member of FCPC since 2014. Bess and I were married here in 2004.  I am an English Teacher with Hamilton County Schools.


    I’m an avid hiker and love traveling.


    My favorite book of the Bible: James. My favorite verse is James 4:1 -- What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?