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 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 paid staff person who helps to coordinate the work of the Steering Committee. PEC Steering Committee gathers annually for planning 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: Nancy Fayer
Love for the Earth, instilled in Nan as a child on a farm in Indiana has led her to address current impacts of climate change and sustainability by founding the environmental speaker series The Earth Forum of Howard County, in 2009. She led her church to become one of the first PC-USA Earth Care Congregations and develop a Living Laboratory for stormwater best management practices. In the Baltimore Presbytery, Nan and the Creation Care Group overtured the 220th General Assembly to support the EPA. She is now working for Chesapeake Bay restoration and addressing water issues countrywide. PECRepCS@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: Jill Slade
Jill is a multi-generational Presbyterian and Texan and is active in her church, Trinity Presbyterian in Denton, Texas, where she serves on the Mission Committee and is Clerk of Session. Jill is an educator and has been involved in environmental issues since college. For Jill, earth care is part of becoming closer to our creator and that protecting our earth and helping it nurture all God’s creatures is an act of worship. 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