Glendale First Presbyterian Church

Rev. Dr. Dan Sandifer-Stech

Dan is a PCUSA Minister of Word and Sacrament and began serving as pastor on October 25, 2010. Dan is originally from Shreveport, LA and completed degrees from Baylor University (B.A. Psychology), Southern Seminary (M. Div. Pastor Care & Counseling), and Virginia Tech (Ph.D. Marriage & Family Therapy). His professional career includes experiences in academic, ministerial, and therapeutic institutions. Between 1997 and 2006 Dan was an associate professor of Family Studies at Samford University in Birmingham, AL. In the final two years at Samford he served as program director of Samford's Theological Exploration of Vocation (TEV) program. This two million dollar grant initiative, called "Samford in Mission", was funded by the Lilly Endowment, Inc. This grant initiative was designed to engage a broad spectrum of Samford students in experiences, reflection, and study to promote exploration of particular vocation.

Dan left Samford in July 2006 for a big adventure! Between the fall of 2006 and summer 2010 he and his family lived and worked in Beijing, China. During that time he served as pastor of an international, protestant, liturgical congregation called Congregation of the Good Shepherd (COGS). The participants in COGS had backgrounds in a wide spectrum of protestant denominations and traditions, and held passports from many different countries including England, Australia, Fiji, Botswana, New Zealand, Brazil, Canada, and South Africa.

Dan moved to Glendale, OH in October 2010 with wife Gwen and three daughters. Gwen grew up in Brick Township, New Jersey and has completed degrees from Furman University, Virginia Tech, and the University of Oregon. She has worked as a teacher in several secondary schools and postsecondary institutions teaching both Math and Japanese.

Dan enjoys hiking, reading, vegetable gardening, and eating dark chocolate.

The telling of stories is a connecting interest and craft that stretches across his life.

In a note to the congregation Dan recently wrote, "I am very excited about this opportunity to serve as your pastor and look forward to working with you in discerning and moving forward in God's call to this unique community of faith in the years ahead".

Beverly Cody - Secretary

Beverly Cody has been serving First Presbyterian as Church Secretary since November 2006 and is enjoying learning about the inner workings of a church. Beverly grew up in the neighboring village of Wyoming, where she still resides with her husband and two teenage daughters. In her spare time, Beverly likes to walk her dog, Daisy, and to read historical fiction.

Amy Duke - Organist

Amy Duke has served First Presbyterian Church, Glendale as organist since the summer of 2000. She previously served here as a substitute organist since 1996. Amy has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Organ Performance from Judson College in Marion, Alabama, and came to Cincinnati with her husband, John, after serving the First Baptist Church, Talladega. In addition to a love of music she enjoys creative food preparation and extensive gardening.

Jeremy D. Jones - Choir Director

Jeremy D. Jones is pursuing a DMA degree at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. Prior to his studies at CCM, Jones received a MM degree in choral conducting at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC. Jones also served as Director of Music Ministries at First Presbyterian Church in Rocky Mount, NC, where he founded the Stained Glass Concert Series. He taught at Riverdale High School as Director of Choral Activities from 2002-05 and at Siegel Middle School from 2001-02, both in Murfreesboro, TN. From 1999-03, he served in various capacities for the Music Ministries of First Presbyterian Church in Murfreesboro. He received his BM degree in vocal music education from Middle Tennessee State University and was named Most Outstanding Choral Music Education Student in May 2001.