NRS Genesis 9:9 “As for me, I am establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you, 10 and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the domestic animals, and every animal of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark.”
PEC EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND REPRESENTATIVES
The volunteer Steering Committee consists of a Moderator, Vice Moderator, Treasurer, Regional Representatives and at-large members. They are nominated and elected by the membership. All PEC members are eligible to serve on the Steering Committee. Terms are two-years in length, with the possibility of being re-elected twice. The PEC Coordinator is a part-time contract position who helps to coordinate the work of the Steering Committee. The PEC Steering Committee gathers annually for planning, usually at one of the camp and conference centers of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
M. COURTENAY WILLCOX
Courtenay’s passion around environmental issues is the third leg of a stool that also includes family and God. She moderated her church’s Environmental Justice Committee, founded a local interfaith green group, and partners with PA IPL to share resources with regional faith institutions. A recent seminary graduate with a certificate in environmental theology, she currently serves Tree of Life Church in Springfield, PA as a transitional pastor. And, for her, there is nothing like a sunrise walk on the beach!
JANE LAPING
Jane Laping started on the PEC Steering Committee in 2010 and then served as Vice Moderator of PEC from 2012-2014. In 2015 she became PEC’s part-time Coordinator and held that position for six years. Jane is also active at the local and state level, leading the Creation Care Team at her church in Asheville, NC, heading the Earth Care Team of the Presbytery of Western North Carolina (WNC), and is on the Steering Team of the Creation Care Alliance of WNC.
JO RANDOLPH
Life-long passionate environmentalist – educating the need for earth care since 1972. Presbyterian by choice and PEC member since 2013. Jo has served with PEC on the advocacy committee and the 2021 Conference planning team. She is a member of Heartland Presbyterian Earthkeepers and the Sustainable Sanctuary Coalition in the KC metropolitan area. As a member of Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church in Overland Park, KS, she encouraged and completed all the requirements for GCPC to become an Earth Care Congregation in 2011 and it has been approved yearly as a PCUSA ECC. Wife of 45 yrs, mother of 4, gigi (grandmother) of 5.
MARK EAKIN
Mark’s particular passion is coral reefs but he is very concerned that we need to move quickly to a fossil fuel-free economy. Mark recently retired after 30 years with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, focusing on climate change and its impacts on marine ecosystems, especially coral reefs. He was Chief Scientific Advisor for the Sundance- and Emmy-Award Winning film “Chasing Coral”. Mark lives in Silver Spring, MD.
MATTHIAS PETERSON-BRANDT
Rev. Matthias Peterson-Brandt (he/him) ministers with the faithful folks of Cherokee Park United Church, a PCUSA/UCC congregation on the west side of St. Paul. The congregation’s efforts at creation care predate Matthias’ tenure, but have been a shared commitment in their ministry together. CPUC was awarded the “Restoring Creation Award” in 2021 by Presbyterians for Earth Care for over a decade of dedicated creation care efforts across many fronts—solar panel installation, eco-centric facilities upgrades, advocacy for climate legislation, and creative earth-centered worship services. Matthias hails originally from Kansas City and has lived in Iowa and California. His family includes his wife Valerie, their two children Gabriel (7) and Bjorn (5), a cat, five chickens, and yard full of native plants.
SAM HAMILTON-POORE
Sam Hamilton-Poore is pastor of the Montevallo Presbyterian Church in Montevallo, AL. His church is a long-time Earth Care Congregation in the PCUSA. He is also the author of “Earth Gospel: A Guide to Prayer for God’s Creation” (Upper Room Books) and a spiritual director. His wife Terry is also a Presbyterian minister and serves as pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Birmingham, AL.
CONSUELO OCHOA DE WALKER
Consuelo serves in her church, Westminster Presbyterian Church of Santa Fe, as the chair for the Creation Care Committee, and as a member of the Presbytery of the Santa Fe Earth Care Committee. She is also in the Steering Committee for the New Mexico chapter of the Sierra Club; and a member of the committee for the Green Amendment initiative to input a better legal standing of Environmental Law within her State Constitution.
MATTHEW DAVIS
Matthew has served congregations across the country. His current call is located in Northern California in Mendocino, California. He is called to care for creation whether it is in experimenting with educational programs for high school students like “Looking at Life with God from the Top-Down and the Bottom-Up” culminating with a pilgrimage hiking the Bright Angel Trail to the Colorado River or creating a brush abatement non-profit business for the Mendocino Coast employing 80 rescued goats & sheep to be “Holy Goats & Saintly Sheep: Your Fire Prevention Angels”.
SHANNAN VANCE-OCAMPO
Rev. Dr. Shannan Vance-Ocampo Currently serves the Presbytery of Southern New England as their General Presbyter. Shannan finished over eight years of service in June of 2024 at the national church level as an elected member and co-chair of the Presbyterian Mission Agency Board, and through that role served over the years in several deployed roles.
DERRICK WESTON
Derrick currently serves as the theological education and training coordinator for Creation Justice Ministries, an ecumenical organization helping denominations, churches, and individuals protect and restore God’s Creation. He is a podcast producer and book author, and completed a fellowship on food, faith, and ecology held by Wake Forest Divinity School.
EILEEN BEST
Eileen is a retired Certified Christian Educator and lives in Kalamazoo, Michigan with her husband, John. She has served churches in Pennsylvania, New York, and Michigan and also served at the presbytery and synod levels. She chairs her congregation’s Earth Care Team. Eileen also serves on the Presbyterian Hunger Program’s Advisory Committee.
SARAH MAYER
Sarah Mayer (they/she) is originally from Wichita, KS. They studied sociology and Spanish at Davidson College and recently graduated with their MDiv and MACEF from Princeton Seminary. Sarah is certified ready for call through the Charlotte Presbytery and feels called to participate in congregational ministry located at the intersection of radical social justice and creativity.
MINDY HIDENFELTER
Mindy serves as the supportive staff for PEC. She holds degrees in forestry/wildlife science and natural resource management, and has experience in urban forestry as an ISA Certified Arborist in both state government and the non-profit world. She has coordinated the various aspects of the functioning of environmental non-profit organizations’ outreach and educational programs, including conferences and other large workshop-style events. Mindy currently serves as an elder at Wake Forest Presbyterian Church in North Carolina, and enjoys running and exploring national parks with her family.