Our Church Staff
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The Rev. Anthony Rivera - Pastor
Click for e-mail The Pastor Nominating Committee is pleased to announce the Rev. Anthony Rivera as our new pastor at FPCE beginning October 19, 2020. Rev. Rivera is originally from New York and received his Master of Divinity degree and Master of Theology degree from Princeton Theological Seminary. Currently, he is pursuing a Doctor of Ministry degree from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. Rev. Rivera has worked as an accountant and has experience teaching in colleges and seminaries. For many years, he was involved in the Office of Admissions at the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary where he started as the Associate Director of Admissions and then served as the Director of Admissions. More recently, Rev. Rivera was the transitional pastor at Forest Hills Presbyterian Church until earlier this year. The congregation members and his colleagues were impressed with his knowledge of scripture, compassion and sincerity. He has been known as a pastor who responds to those in need and loves developing relationships with others. |
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Shaun Cloonan - Minister of Music
Click for e-mail Shaun Cloonan is no stranger to FPCE. This is his home church – he's been around the congregation since he was baptized as an infant by the late pastor emeritus Dr. Hollingsworth. Upon graduation from Westminster College in 2000, Shaun became tenor soloist with the Edgewood Sanctuary Choir. Shortly thereafter, he joined pianist Sunny Sakai leading music at the former Wednesday Night “Edge” service, while working as a graduate assistant in the choral department at Duquesne University. In late 2003, he took over as Interim, then a year later, as Director of Music. Shaun also maintains FPCE's online presence (website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, SoundCloud, YouTube), and is the resident FPCE "sound guy." Outside of Edgewood, Mr. Cloonan teaches at North Hills High School where he directs 3 choirs, teaches music theory and technology courses, and works with the drama club as producer and vocal director. Professionally, he has sung with the Bach Choir of Pittsburgh, St. Maurice Masterworks Choir, and is a current member of Voces Solis. Shaun is active with his professional organizations, having served in various board positions, helping to plan conferences, run websites, manage publicity, edit newsletters, host festivals, lead workshops, and guest conduct festivals. Shaun resides in Blackridge, just around the corner from recently retired Pastor Michael Rucker. |
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Sunny Sakai - Organist & Pianist
Click for e-mail Sonomi Sakai and her family joined FPCE in 1999 after moving to the Pittsburgh area from Toronto. Originally from Kyoto, Japan, Sunny began her piano studies at the age of four. She is a graduate of the Aichi Prefectural University of Fine Arts and Music, with a Bachelor of Arts and Diploma in Piano Performance. In 1984, she attended a four-week master course in Vienna, Austria, where she studied with Noel Flores. She has performed in numerous recitals as a soloist, chamber musician, and accompanist in Japan, Canada, and the United States. Since moving to Pittsburgh, she has begun teaching private lessons, played for recitals, accompanied choirs, and played with the Cross Culture Jazz Quartet. Beginning in 2001, Sunny served as the primary accompanist for FPCE’s Wednesday Night Worship service, “The Edge.” Her time exploring more contemporary styles of music sparked an interest in jazz, and she began studying improvisation at the Afro-American Institute with Dr. James Johnson. Over the next 10 years, she would start playing more with the Sanctuary Choir on select anthems as well as with the Emerging Worship instrumental ensemble. In 2010, she began taking organ lessons, at which point she took over as organist in addition to her piano duties. Sunny resides in Wilkins Township with her husband, Ted. They have three adult children who grew up at FPCE and are now pursuing successful careers across the United States. |
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Judy Mysels - Office & Cleaning Manager, FROGS Program Director
Click for Office e-mail; Click for FROGS e-mail Judy Mysels joined the church staff as Program Secretary in 1989, back when the church supported 2 full time pastors and 2 full time secretaries. Over the years, her responsibilities have evolved as the church has changed. If you call the church office, it will likely be Judy's friendly voice that greets you. She serves as office & cleaning manger, making sure the office runs smoothly and the building is kept beautiful for daily use. In 2015, she took the reins as Program Director of our after school program for neighborhood children, FROGS. Judy oversees a staff of dedicated volunteers, partners with Edgewood Elementary School, Wilkinsburg Community Ministry, and PACES educational non-profit, assuring that our elementary students have a safe place to come for a snack, activity, and homework help 2 days per week. She has also served on the board of Deacons and is a current member of Session, chairing the Parish Life Committee. Judy and daughter Mariah represent FPCE at the Pittsburgh East CROP Hunger Walk in Wilkinsburg each October. She and husband Rob reside in Edgewood, and have 2 adult children. |
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Rob Mysels - Building Manager
click for e-mail Rob Mysels has served as Building Manager at FPCE since 2004. He can be seen doing larger projects around the church building and grounds, like painting, climbing up on ladders to change light bulbs in the sanctuary, helping with set-up and tear down of holiday decorations and larger events, landscaping, and any other special requests of the Session's Property Committee. |
