The Reverend Mark Peake
Mark was born in Burlington, North Carolina, but grew up in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch country. Mark attended Elizabethtown College in Pennsylvania where he earned a B.A. in History. From there Mark traveled to Boston’s historic north shore where he earned the Master of Divinity degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Mark describes himself as a Christ follower and as passionate both for issues of personal living and social justice firmly rooted in a Biblical ethic. Mark served churches in Michigan and New Jersey until he was called to Monterey in the Summer of 2010. Mark and Kimberley (a native of Santa Cruz) have been married since 1997 and have two school-aged boys.
The Reverend James Potts
James was born and raised in Danville, Illinois—the hometown of the great Dick Van Dyke. James earned a B.A. in Psychology with a concentration in child and adolescent development from Southern New Hampshire University. He earned his Master of Divinity from McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago. James has served as pastor in Illinois and as Children’s Ministry and Youth Ministry Directors in Nashville, TN and Hollywood, FL. He came to Monterey in February of 2024. James is currently in the Doctor of Educational Ministry program at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, GA. In his spare time, he enjoys quilting, reading, and trying new baking recipes.
Susan Weir
Church Administrator
Susan joined FPC Monterey in 1994 about a year after she moved here with her family. As the daughter of Presbyterian missionaries, she has a lifelong connection to the church. At FPC Monterey she has taught Sunday school, served as an elder on session, was the financial secretary and now is on staff as the church administrator. She has an MBA with work experience primarily in tax and accounting, but finds working at the church much more rewarding than preparing tax returns.
Monique Garretson
Director of MMO Preschool
Monique was born in San Jose, but has called many places home both in and outside the USA. Monique has been teaching for over 30 years; at MMO since 2003, where she has served as Director since 2011. She lives with her wife, Bona, a middle school teacher, and their cats in Pacific Grove. They love going to and watching San Francisco Giants games, traveling, game nights, movies, TV, the outdoors, and spending time with family and friends. Monique also has a passion for photography.
Isabel Orejel
Church Assitant
Isabel is a recent graduate with a Bachelor's degree in Cinematic Arts and Technology from California State University, Monterey Bay. Growing up as the daughter of a pastor, she was deeply influenced by the values of community, storytelling, and creativity. Isabel's passion for film and photography has shaped both her personal and professional pursuits. When she's not creating films, you can find her immersed in a good book or capturing moments through her film camera.
Jody Lee
Choir Director
Jody is thrilled to be the chancel choir and bell choir director at First Presbyterian Church of Monterey. She sings with Carmel Bach Festival, Central Coast Chamber Choir, Choral Artists of Carmel, I Cantori di Carmel, Madregalia, and Voices of Silicon Valley in the Bay Area. She also leads small ensemble music, most recently with Musikiwest in Sand City. She holds a B. Mus. from Brock University (Canada) and was active as a soloist, adjudicator, vocal coach, and chorister throughout Southern Ontario, Canada through 2011. Jody was Assistant Choirmaster/Soprano soloist at St. George's Anglican (St. Catharines) and appeared regularly with Niagara Vocal Ensemble and Opera Ontario, and with Carmina Inc. after emigrating to the US in 2009. Jody has sung as a soloist at various churches in the Monterey Peninsula area, and also works in allied health services as a Certified Massage Therapist.
Emi Wada Saeki
Organist
Emi Saeki, born in Tokyo, is an organist, clavichordist, pianist, accompanist, and composer. She has a diverse music repertoire from Renaissance to Contemporary. Emi has given concerts in Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Russia, The Netherlands, the US as well as Japan, and appeared on local radio and TV shows in Japan.
Elders
Bev Prowell
Emily Julian
Denise Hand
Ellen Tucker
Jeanne Porter
Karen Fowlie-Blacker
John Durein, Clerk
Robin Dickson
Tom Housel
Olivia Cain
Jeff Barrett
Deacons
Gail Bartow
Ron Bowers
Kathy Caves
Becky Eskenasy
Joyce Matzen
Hal Laughlin
Claire Rygg
Marilyn Uwate