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 Regional 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.).
Moderator: Dennis Testerman
Dennis’ ministry of environmental stewardship has spanned three decades of chaplaincy, global and student missions and public service. He was a consultant to the PCUSA Eco-justice Task Force that produced the report, “Restoring Creation for Ecology and Justice.” Currently, Dennis serves as the Stewardship of Creation Enabler with the Presbytery of Charlotte, is a novice with the Order of Ecumenical Franciscans, a fellow with both GreenFaith and the Natural Resources Leadership Institute at North Carolina State University, and is certified as an
environmental educator by the State of North Carolina. PECModerator@gmail.com
Vice Moderator: Bruce Gillette
Bruce Gillette wrote the overture approved by the 2016 PC(USA) General Assembly that amended the Book of Order by adding the phrase “caring for God’s creation.” He also wrote the “Creation and Unity” report approved by the World Communion of Reformed Churches’ 2017 General Council meeting in Germany. Additionally, Bruce helped found Delaware Interfaith Power & Light
Bruce and his wife, Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, were the co-pastors of Limestone Presbyterian Church in Delaware when it installed 180 solar panels on its sanctuary roof and built community and rain gardens. They earlier served the First Presbyterian Church in Pitman, NJ, a community that was once the number one clean-up site for the EPA Superfund. PECViceModerator@gmail.com
Treasurer: Sue Regier
Sue Regier has been a member of PEC since 2004 and has many years of experience managing finances. She has been on the finance committee at the Church of Reconciliation in Chapel Hill NC since 2010. She is experienced in tracking funds, writing grants and managing grants through her professional work managing land acquisition planning and implementation for the NC State Parks System. Her passion for faith-based justice is rooted in her family where her parents worked for social justice causes from a faith perspective. Sue lives in Durham NC. PECFinance@gmail.com
Northeast Regional Representative: John Preston
Most of John’s work experience as an ordained Presbyterian minister was focused on his congregation and the low-income people in the community surrounding his parish. He organized the ecumenical group, Foothills Rural Community Ministry, reaching out to low income people in that community. However, his other major interest has been environmental justice. He joined the PEC network, attended conferences, educated himself about environmental and climate issues, and served three two-year terms on the PEC Steering committee. John believes that the mission of the Church to address environmental issues is a top priority, and PEC is a very important dimension of this mission in raising awareness. PECRepNE@gmail.com
Southeast Regional Representative: Tama Eller
Tama has enjoyed leading educational experiences in earth care since 1990 and serves in the Creation Stewardship Ministry in New Hope Presbytery in North Carolina and the surrounding region. She loves discovering in the wild and her action interests include litter, safe crossings for wildlife, water, and wildlife habitat. Tama finds strength for this calling through her relationship with Christ, family and friends, and earth care companions. PECRepSE@gmail.com
Central East Regional Representative: Barbara Chalfant
Barbara is currently the Associate for Mission for the Presbytery of West Virginia. Her responsibilities include ministry to older adults, peacemaking, social justice, hunger action and disaster response. She is a graduate of Union Presbyterian Seminary, a certified educator and holds a certificate in older adult ministry from Columbia Seminary. She has served congregations in Virginia, Tennessee, and Pennsylvania. She is a curriculum writer, artist, singer, and is prone to bouts of laughter. Having seen the direct effects of bad environmental stewardship as she works in disaster ravaged communities, Barbara has become proactive concerning environmental issues, human caused disaster and damage, and working to reverse climate change. PECRepCE@gmail.com
Midwest Regional Representative: Rick Person
Rick Person was Program Administrator, waste and recycling for the City of Saint Paul MN, environmental planner and energy manager before retiring in 2009. Rick has been very active in his church and community. At Westminster Presbyterian, he has been a Deacon, Elder, and a founding member of Westminster Eco-Justice Ministry Team. He has volunteered for the St. Louis Park Planning Commission and Eureka Recycling Board since 2009 and coordinates the MN Retiree Environmental Technical Assistance Program, conducting energy/waste assessments throughout the state. PECRepMidwest@gmail.com
Southwest Regional Representative:
Dave Wasserman
Dave Wasserman (Rev. Dr.) retired from active ministry in 2013. He has served as a county jail chaplain, associate pastor and new church development pastor twice (with his wife Marney). For 25 years, Dave continued in Administrative service as a presbytery executive in Michigan, Oklahoma, Texas and Arizona. Since retiring, Dave’s ministry has focused on earth care education and advocacy. Last year, his latest book Riding the Blue Marble was published. His sailing days showed him the coral bleaching in our seas, and life in the mountains has unearthed the challenges of drought, fires, and methane release. Dave enjoys music, woodworking, photography and walking/hiking. PECRepSW@gmail.com
Pacific NW/Mountain Regional Representative: Paul Heins
Paul’s love for God’s creation has grown on the beaches, woods, mountains, and waters of California, Hawaii, New Jersey, Utah, and Washington where he now pastors a congregation in the town of Port Townsend. His concern for God’s creation has grown as he has witnessed our growing ecological crisis. He loves working with his congregation, his colleagues, and his neighbors on bringing healing to the environment and on nurturing a healthy relationship with all life. In his study of environmental ministry, he has discovered the rich resources the Christian faith offers in this work. PECRepNW@gmail.com