Staff
Rev. Ernest L. Gardner, III, Pastor
It is with profound gratitude to God and joyful spirits we announce that our four-year search for a full-time solo pastor came to fruition with the Unanimous Acceptance of The Reverend Ernest Leatherbury Gardner, III.
Rev. Gardner comes to us from Philadelphia, PA, where he is currently completing an Interim pastorate at Leverington Presbyterian Church. We’re excited to see what the future has in store for us at First Presbyterian Church, and we welcome Rev. Gardner and his wife, Reverend Ellen Campbell Gardner.
Dr. Joan Hubbard, Organist
Dr. Joan Hubbard began playing for church when she was 10 years old and she hasn’t really stopped playing! She took piano lessons for 14 years, but she is self taught on the organ. She has been a business teacher all of her adult life, first at the high school level in Kansas, then at the college level and received all three degrees at Oklahoma State University. Dr. Hubbard’s first university position was at Southwest Texas State University (now known as Texas State University), then she moved to the University of West Georgia in Carrollton. She began her tenure at UNT in 2004 and just fully retired in May. She has been fortunate to have visited more than 60 countries throughout her life–and she says she is not finished yet!
Joshua Cossette, Office Manager
Joshua Cossette is a DMA Candidate in Jazz Studies at the University of North Texas, where he serves as a Teaching Fellow. An active performer in the Dallas–Fort Worth area, he is also a versatile composer and arranger whose work spans a wide range of ensembles. His dissertation, Tones for Poe: A Musical Suite Inspired by the Poetry of Edgar Allan Poe, explores the intersection of poetry and music as a vehicle for emotional expression. For Joshua, music is an all-consuming pursuit—one that transcends stylistic boundaries and finds meaning in collaboration across diverse musical languages and creative settings.
Irene Rodriguez, Custodian
Irene Rodriguez is our church custodian/care taker. Irene came to the Denton Area in 1979. In 2018 she retired from the Argyle Independent School District where she served in the maintenance department. Irene has served our church since January 2020.
John Pinder, AV Technician
John Pinder is our AV technician. John is responsible for live streaming the worship services. John has been serving since 2021.
Lay Leadership
Music
Beverly Hoch, Music Director
Mike Steinel, Trumpeter
Committees
| Committee | Chair |
|---|---|
| Administration | TBD |
| Christian Education | TBD |
| Fellowship | TBD |
| Mission | TBD |
| Property | TBD |
| Worship | TBD |
Session
| Class of 2026 | Class of 2027 | Class of 2028 |
|---|---|---|
| Carolyn Smith (T) | Paul Mehaffey | Judy Royal |
| Jim Welborn | David Storrie (T) | Mike Steinel (T) |
T: Trustee
Clerk of Session: Carolyn Smith
Diaconate
| Class of 2026 | Class of 2027 | Class of 2028 |
|---|---|---|
| Scott Starkweather | Katherine Mehaffey | Diana Shenberger |
Webmaster
| Chandler Hall | webmaster@fpcdenton.org |