Staff Profiles

Senior Pastor: Stephen Hamilton Wright   Email

Stephen has served congregations in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Tennessee. A native of Northern Michigan, he loves the Great Lakes and the great outdoors around them. Golf, skiing, reading, and home remodeling projects take up a lot of his spare time. He and his wife Katherine were married after graduation from Alma College in Michigan in 1979. They have three children at various stages of life. Wright earned the Master of Divinity degree from Louisville Presbyterian Seminary in 1983, and the Doctor of Philosophy in preaching and ethics from Vanderbilt University in 2000. He began work as head of staff at Wausau First Presbyterian in June 2002.  He will be on sabbatical from July thorugh September in 2009, learning woodworking, lowering his handicap, and writing about how to navigate through adult crises of faith

Parish Associate: Joy Nelson-Jeffers  Email

Joy has been at First Presbyterian Church since December of 1996. She is part time and works primarily with the Deacon ministries of the church and visiting the homebound. Though born and raised in Wisconsin, Joy was educated and served congregations in Minnesota before coming to Wausau. She has a Master of Divinity degree from Bethel Theological Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota. She and her husband, Chris, have a son, Jonathan. Outside of ministry Joy enjoys music and time spent with family and friends.

Director of Music:  Susan Schaefer  Email

Susan joined the FPC staff in August of 2003 as Director of Music. She is the organist, conductor of the Chancel Choir, Handbell Choir, New Creation Singers, and coordinates the worship ensemble, Hallelu! She earned her Bachelor’s and Masters’ degrees from Indiana University in Music Education and Piano, received the AGO Service Playing Certificate in 2000, and served the musical community in Waterloo, Iowa for twelve years. Susan has also accompanied recitals at the Wausau Conservatory, public school music contests, and Opera Workshop presentations at UWSP. Susan loves to keep in touch with friends all over the country, and especially her two grown children, who are musicians in Arizona and Israel.

Parish Nurse:  Rosemary Forbes  Email

Rosemary Forbes is originally from Canada. She moved to the USA with her husband and three sons in 1979, becoming American citizens, and now lives with her husband and two dogs. Her nursing career started in Canada, and has covered many fields including dementia care, spinal injury rehabilitation, and most hospital areas. She likes to spend time with her family and especially her twin grandchildren.

Youth Coordinator:  Scott Arambel  Email

Scott grew up in southern California and received a Bachelor or Arts Degree in Sociology from San Diego State University. He has worked with jr. and sr. high youth for over 25 yrs. and been a youth Director at two different churches for 5 yrs. Scott moved to Wausau with his wife, Shannon, their two sons, Jake and Nick and their dog lucky, in 1999. He enjoys playing golf, reading, movies, remodeling his home and hanging out with close friends.

Christian Formation Coordinator: Marilyn Paulson Email

Marilyn Paulson lives in Rib Mountain with her husband, Mark, and dog Gypsy. They have one son who resides in Golden Valley, MN. Marilyn holds a Bachelor's Degree in Child/Parent Guidance from UW Oshkosh, and a Master's Degree in Human and Community Resources/Adult Education from UW Stevens Point. She has been a Christian educator for over 12 years, and has served First Presbyterian since 2003, first as a volunteer and then on staff. For over 20 years Marilyn was founder and administrator for several child care agencies in Wisconsin, and was a part-time instructor of Child Care and Development at two state technical colleges. Her interests include reading, travel, volunteer work, music, and spending time with family and friends.

Business Manager: Kathy DeYarman  Email

Kathy is a native of the Wausau area but lived in Colorado, then in Qingdao, China for a number of years before re-locating back to the area. Kathy and her husband Kyle owned their own business in Colorado. After selling their business, she worked at her church as their Financial Secretary until they went to China. They returned to the states in the summer of 2006 and Kathy joined the team at First Presbyterian Church that September. Kathy and her husband live in Schofield with their golden retriever. She enjoys baking, playing piano and walks with the dog.

Maintenance Supervisor: David Neitzel  Email

David has lived in Wausau his entire life. He started working at First Presbyterian Church in March, 1989 (B.E. - before elevator). From 1981 to 1989 David was the supervisor in charge of maintenance, laundry and housekeeping at Marywood Convalescent Center. Prior to 1981 he was the head mechanic at the Wausau Bowling Center. Dave and his wife, Bonnie, have two adult children, Beth and Brian. His hobbies include fishing, working on his model train, biking on the Wisconsin State Bike Trails, and traveling. He enjoys working with the members of the church and is generally regarded as the staff humorist.