Staff

Pastor: Anna von Winkler

Originally from New Jersey, Anna has preached and pastored all over the United States and abroad. Anna has served as a chaplain in hospital and hospice settings, taught overseas in the Middle East and Africa, and served in several congregations as an interim pastor. Anna brings with her to Indiana her three-legged pup, Trinity, who is 2 years old. Trinity had a rough start in life and is extremely shy, but she can be found by Anna's side in the office during the week. If you have time, feel free to stop in to meet her and to say hi. Anna also brings her half hairless cat, Amarte. He, too, had a rough start to life, but he is loving and sweet and has never met a stranger. He will greet you with a rub against your leg. Anna is the proud mother of two adult children, Carissa and Elijah. Carissa is a student at Purdue, and Elijah, is serving in the Navy and is currently stationed in Japan.

Director of Music: Robert Nicholls

Robert Nicholls was born in Cambridge, England to a British farmer and an American mother from Carmi, Illinois and grew up in rural Cambridgeshire.  At the age of eight he joined the choristers at Westminster Abbey in London under the direction of Simon Preston.  He graduated from Oundle School and Cambridge University.  Robert was a member of the choirs of Gonville and Caius and St. John’s Colleges in Cambridge where he sang tenor.  He maintained an abiding interest in the organ to the chagrin of his singing teacher, and joined the staff of First Pres in 1996.

Robert is married to Emma Nicholls PhD, a pediatric Clinical Psychologist whom he met next door in Evansville.  They are proud parents of Elena and William. 

Robert enjoys walking to work in all seasons along historic First Street, running along the greenway, and growing what food he can in a small back yard.  His other passions are organ and choral music, silence for reading, and teaching youngsters to read music.  However, his secret desire is to be a good jazz pianist.

 

Director of Children and Youth Ministry: Carrie Aiken

 

Parish Visitor: Jerusha Van Camp

Jerusha began her work at First Presbyterian Church 10 years ago, starting first as a volunteer, and then serving as the Children and Youth Ministry Coordinator. Jerusha transitioned into the Parish Visitor position in the fall of 2022, and is continuing to grow her ministry skills as a Pastoral Intern at First Presbyterian Church. 

Jerusha was born in Lexington, KY, and grew up in Carmi, IL.  She attended high school at Carmi Christian Academy, and earned her BA in Music at Oakland City University in Oakland City, Indiana. Jerusha is a Candidate for the ministry of Word and Sacrament in the PCUSA under the care of the Ohio Valley Presbytery, and is currently earning her MDiv through the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa. 

Jerusha has worked with children, youth, and families in the tri-state area for more than 30 years. Jerusha is a community builder, advocate, and Founder of Greater Evansville Youth, a secular youth group that serves LGBTQ teens in the tri-state area.

Jerusha is married to Kathryn Van Camp, and is the mother of three amazing young people. When Jerusha is not studying or working, she can be found playing music or games with friends, watching the birds in her yard, petting her dogs Annie, Amos and Finn, tending to her garden, or watching Lord of the Rings movies and Star Trek. 

 

Office Administrator: Lora Blaylock

Lora Blaylock was born and raised in Dayton, Ohio.   She came to Indiana to attend the University of Evansville, from which she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Music Management.  Lora plays the flute, handbells, and has sung soprano with the Evansville Philharmonic Chorus and Evansville Chamber Singers over the years.  She joined the Choir of First Presbyterian Church in 1994, and the staff in 1999.

Lora met her husband Paul, an Electrical Engineer, at UE, despite growing up within an hour’s drive of each other in Ohio.  They still have family there and enjoy visiting whenever schedules allow.

When not in the church office or choir loft, Lora enjoys cooking, gardening, sewing, and old television shows.  She and Paul love living in downtown Evansville, and are still happily married even after building their home-away-from home (aka the garage!).