Transitional Pastor, Rev. Debra (Deb) Schmidt
Rev. Deb Schmidt arrived in January, 2023, to serve as our Transitional (Interim) Minister. Deb formerly served for eleven years at First Presbyterian Church, Wellington, Kansas, as their installed pastor. While a member of the Presbytery of Southern Kansas, Pastor Deb served for many years on the Committee on Ministry, acting as chair of that committee at the end of her term of service.
Pastor Deb attended Cowley College and Southwestern College in Kansas where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Computer Operations Technology, as well as a Master of Business Administration. She earned a Master of Divinity at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Pastor Deb spent a year with Norton Healthcare in Louisville, KY, as a clinical pastoral education resident.
Pastor Deb has interests in music, creative arts that include quilting, knitting, and weaving, as well as being an avid reader. She feels the warm welcome that Sunrise Presbyterian Church has extended to her.
Church Office Administrator, Edie Hurtig
Edie has been married to Tom Hurtig for over 50 years. They have three children and six grandchildren. They farmed for 40 years near Tescott, KS, and moved to Salina, when they retired from farming in 2007. Edie likes to cook and bake. She takes recipes and “foo foos” them all the time. She also enjoys having the grandchildren visit and cooks for them or bakes with them.
Financial Secretary, Karmel Spencer
Karmel has served as the Financial Secretary since April 2000. She tracks all the funds of the church from the time it is received to the time it is spent. She is responsible for the depositing of funds, payment of bills, and processing payroll. Karmel also records all contributions for each individual giver and helps the Stewardship & Finance committee with the Fall pledge drive and the budgeting process.
Director of Music and Bell Choir, Matthew Schwan
Matthew Schwan is excited to be a part of the Sunrise Presbyterian family! He joins the church music ministry with enthusiasm and energy towards new and exciting adventures. He would like to thank the church, on behalf of his family Becky (wife) and Lydia (daughter), that they welcomed them into this amazing church family. They are blessed to be a part of this ministry, and look forward to many years of service towards enriching the Sunrise congregation and community through music.
Matt graduated from Kansas Wesleyan University with a Bachelor of Music Education in May of 2010. He has completed his MME in Choral Music Education through Wichita State University summer of 2020. Matt is in his thirteenth year of teaching in public education, and has loved every minute of it. He was the Outstanding Elementary Music Educator in 2022-2023, and Middle Level Music Educator in 2020-2021. He was the first Departmental Distinction Award winner from Kansas Wesleyan in 2010. Matt is a part of the amazing staff at Coronado Elementary School where he serves on the vision committee, founder of the After School Music Club, has students participate in regional and state events, and works on his students having a visible part in the community. Matt’s students have consistently earned superior and outstanding ratings at music festivals around the area, and performed at the 2020 KMEA In-Service Workshop in Wichita, KS.
If you are interested in joining the Sunrise Ringers (Handbell Choir) or the Chancel Choir please feel free to reach out to the Music Director through email or the church directory.
Organist, Susan Will
Sue recently celebrated 40 years of service with Sunrise Presbyterian Church as its organist. She was honored with a reception and heard many expressions of thanksgiving for sharing her musical gifts with this congregation!
Custodian, Greg Kerr
Greg has a long history in problem solving and mechanics, which is a real gift to this congregation. Greg not only keeps the building neat and tidy, but does many extra duties behind the scenes that keep the church running smoothly.
Sunrise Presbyterian Church
825 E. Beloit in Salina, Kansas 67401
Phone: 785.823.6344 – Fax: 785.823.6345
secretary@sunrisepresbyterian.com