First Presbyterian Church of Hightstown

The Rev. Bryan James Franzen is our Pastor and Head of Staff. Bryan has served this congregation since February 2005. Bryan is a graduate of Millikin University, a small Presbyterian school in Decatur, IL, where he majored in religion and San Francisco Theological Seminary in San Anselmo, CA. Bryan started serving the Church in 1993 as a mission worker to South Dakota, from there he served churches in Illinois, California, and North Carolina as Youth Director, Chaplain, and student pastor. Bryan was ordained in 2001 as Pastor and Head of Staff for the First Presbyterian Church of Council Bluffs, Iowa (Now part of New Horizon Presbyterian Church.) Since 2008 Bryan has been enrolled as a student in the Doctor of Ministry program at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia focusing on Gospel and Culture. Bryan hopes to complete the program by the summer of 2012. In addition to his ministry, Bryan is currently the President of the Rutgers Protestant Campus Ministry.

The Rev. Suzanne Schafer-Coates is our Minister to the Meadow Lakes Congregation. Suzanne has served this congregation since August 1990. Suzanne is a graduate of Eckerd College, St. Petersburg, FL, and Princeton Theological Seminary. Prior to joining the Staff of First Presbyterian Church Suzanne was the Associate Pastor at Trinity Presbyterian Church in East Brunswick. In addition to her ministry at Meadow Lakes, Suzanne is the Chaplain for Hightstown Engine Company No. 1.

Mary Maleski is our Director of Children and Youth Ministries and has been a member of our church staff since August 2005. Prior to joining us Mary's experience included teaching preschool at Play & Learn, and working as the Christian educator for The First Presbyterian Church of Bordentown. She graduated from The College of New Jersey with a degree in Early Childhood/ Elementary Ed. In 2005, upon the completion of her coursework/exams at the Princeton Theological Seminary, she celebrated her new title - Certified Christian Educator. Certified Christian Educator is the highest level of certification recognized in the PCUSA for Christian educators.

Laura M. Stubaus is our Church Administrator. Laura joined the church staff on February 1, 1984. Laura is approaching 20 years as a member of The Administrative Personnel Association (PCUSA) and has been certified as a Fellow in Church Business Administration at several levels. She continues to study and work toward additional certification. Laura has served her APA region as President and on various committees and has served national APA on various committees.

Kathy Toth is our Director of Music. Kathy has been a member of our staff since February 1999. Kathy received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Music, with a concentration in Piano Performance, from Wilson College in Chambersburg, PA. Kathy holds a certification to teach Music, K-12, in New Jersey. Kathy has over seven years of experience teaching music in the public school setting and has been teaching private piano for almost 40 years and now concentrate completely on teaching private piano and operating a full-time private Piano Studio with Music Lab