Staff & Leadership

Rev Dr Fritz Ritsch
​Interim Pastor

Reverend Ritsch recently moved to Greensboro, NC after serving eighteen years as pastor of a church in Fort Worth, TX. Rev Ritsch graduated from Hampden-Sydney College and Union Presbyterian Seminary and has been serving as a minister since 1985. fritz@fpcma.com

Loida P. Slate, PhD
Director of Youth and Children's Discipleship 

Loida P. Slate joined our staff in 2017. As director of Youth and Children's Discipleship, she coordinates all activities for youth and children's worship and small group meetings, as well as Vacation Bible School, mission work, and retreats.   ​loida@fpcma.com

Anna Bush
Office Administrator and Music Director

Anna Bush began her role as part time office administrator and music director at FPCMA in the fall of 2021. She had previously been a stay-at-home mom to her three sons. Anna graduated from Appalachian State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Broadcast Communications and a minor in Music. She herself is a soprano and has been actively singing in church choir since the age of 12. In addition to her office administrator role, she directs adult and children's choirs, member led instrumental small groups, and sometimes handbell choirs. anna@fpcma.com
Jane Tesh
Pianist
Jane Tesh grew up in Greensboro, NC but moved to Mt. Airy in 1975 to become the first full time librarian at Jones Intermediate School. She is the author of two mystery series, as well as six fantasy novels and over 30 plays for children. In addition to her role as pianist at FPCMA, she enjoys performing and conducting the orchestra at the Andy Griffith Playhouse in Mt. Airy. 

​Mary Alice Leonard
Director of First Steps
​
​Mary Alice began working at First Steps in the Fall of 2021 as Staff Support and in the summer of 2022 accepted the role of director. Prior to joining First Steps, Mary Alice was a stay-at-home mom of three and recently welcomed baby number four. She enjoys working with the kids, our First Steps families and staff. In her free time she loves spending time with her family, attending her children’s sporting events and activities. Mary Alice attends First Baptist Church of Mount Airy with her family.  firststeps@fpcma.com ​

The Session of FPCMA

According to the Book of Order of PC (USA) each church shall elect a Session comprised of members of the congregation. The purpose of the Session will be to lead and guide the congregation as they interpret the calling of the Holy Spirit.

Class of 2023

Mike Branch
Mark Brown
Taylor Pike
Margaret Cockerell
Beth Pequeno 

Class of 2024

​Steve Yokeley
Lydia Taylor
​David Rives
​Gene Rees

Class of 2025

Kelley Jackson
Thomas Reisinger
Jane Tesh
​Laura East ​
The Session and Organizational Structure for Ministry:
  • In the Presbyterian Church, our form of government is representative, meaning the congregation elects its leaders to make decisions for the church and to define and carry out its mission.
  • This elected body is collectively called, the Session. The Session is comprised of teaching elders (pastor or minister) and ruling elders (elected members of the church).
  • First Presbyterian Church of Mount Airy has 12 ruling elders, three classes of 4 elders, each serving a three year term, plus the pastor or teaching elder. Our Session meets the third Sunday every month, except for July.
  • In addition, there is at least one youth elder, serving a one year term.
  • For several years, there has been a Clerk for the Session, a ruling elder who is not currently an active member of the Session, but one who does a splendid job of record keeping and communicating.