Rev. Dr. R. Scott Herr, Pastor/Head of Staff
Scott was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and raised in Portland, OR, graduating from Lewis and Clark College. He studied in Guilin, China for a semester. After graduating with a BA in history, he worked in Kanazawa, Japan, and from there went to Princeton, NJ, where he received his M.Div. from Princeton Theological Seminary. During his years at PTS he served at an inner-city Presbyterian Church in Wilmington, DE, and traveled through Central America which put him in contact with the Union Church in Mexico City, where after his ordination in the PCUSA, he served as Associate Pastor from 1987 – 1990 and as Senior Pastor from 1990 – 1993. He met and was married to his wife Kim Harrison in Mexico City.
In 1993 they moved to Switzerland as Scott was called to serve as the Senior Pastor of the International Protestant Church of Zürich. They lived in Zürich for six years where their first three children, Danny, Chris, and Rebecca, were born. In 1999 Scott was called to serve as the Senior Associate Pastor for the First Presbyterian Church of Fort Collins, Colorado. He served in that position for nine years and, Matthew, their youngest son, was born there. In 2006 he received his Doctor of Ministry from Fuller Theological Seminary. In 2008 the family moved to Paris, France, where he joined the American Church in Paris as Senior Pastor/Head of Staff.
Scott has eclectic interests and loves walking with Kim and seeing their kids over the holidays. He enjoys various genres of music, art, reading, movies, cycling, skiing, good food, and wine. Scott’s favorite Scripture is Philippians chapter 2. His favorite quote is: “I am a weak man in the hands of a strong God”, and he is absolutely thrilled to be called to serve the congregation of the First Presbyterian Church of New Canaan!
CONTACT
203.966.0002 (ext. 4)
scott@fpcnc.org
Terence J. Flanagan – Director of Music and Fine Arts
Terry was born in Corpus Cristi, TX, but spent his childhood in eastern Pennsylvania. He comes to New Canaan from the Presbyterian Church of Mount Kisco, where he served as Music Director from 2010-2021. Before this post, he served for over 18 years at the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church in New York City working alongside Dr. Richard Westenburg. Terry studied organ under the instruction of Dr. John Weaver at both the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia and the Juilliard School in NYC. Terry has attended French, British and German Organ Music Seminars. Of note during the 2005 French trip was the privilege of playing music of Jean Guillou at St. Eustache with the composer present. While studying in Philadelphia, Terry served as an assistant to Dr. Keith Chapman, Head Organist of the Grand Court Organ at what used to be the Wanamaker Store.
Terry is a past Dean and current member of the Westchester Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. In addition, he is a member of the New York City Chapter and the Fairfield West Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. Terry is a member of the St. Wilfrid’s Club. He sings with and accompanies Charis Chamber Voices (where he first met Art Sjögren and had the privilege of working with him) and serves as Organist for Columbia Preparatory and Grammar School’s annual Commencement Ceremony, held in New York City’s Alice Tully Hall. Terry occasionally plays continuo and organ works for performances of the New Baroque Soloists. He enjoys teaching organ, piano and voice.
In his free time, Terry enjoys being with his family and gardening at his home in Mount Kisco, where he continues to design and plant beds, as well as care for his collection of perennials and conifers.
CONTACT
203.966.0002 (ext. 3)
Direct Line: 203.408.2861
terry@fpcnc.org
Stephanie L. Hare – Director of Family Ministries
Born in Massachusetts, Steph has lived the majority of her life in Westchester County, NY, and mostly within walking distance of the Hudson River. She is a graduate of Manhattanville College and the Catholic University of America and she holds a certificate in Youth & Theology from Princeton Theological Seminary. Prior to serving at FPCNC, Steph served as the Director of Youth and Intergenerational Ministries at the First Presbyterian Church of Yorktown, NY for seven years. Her previous work includes development and administration in several non-profit organizations as well as in technical theater.
Steph enjoys travel, especially for educational and service opportunities. She spent time in Cork, Ireland as an undergrad and Dublin as a grad student – interning in the Dáil Éireann (lower house of the Irish Parliament) while in Dublin. She has also traveled on numerous service trips to Nicaragua, Kenya, and the Dominican Republic as well as many places in the US as both a participant and as trip leader and organizer on a variety of service projects. Currently, Steph lives in Peekskill, NY with her energetic dog, Tucker, and languorous cat, Dawson. She spends her free time walking in the woods with Tucker and friends, baking, singing and learning to play the ukulele, drinking coffee, spending time with family, and she recently began studying improv comedy. Steph grew up as the youngest of three Presbyterian pastor’s kids, is ordained in the PC(USA) as both a Deacon and an Elder, and is a self-described Presbygeek. Her favorite scripture passage is Micah 6:6-8 and her favorite quote of the moment is from Glennon Doyle: “Be brave because you’re a child of God. Be kind because everyone else is too.”
“I’m looking forward to getting to know everyone, building an intergenerational ministry, and serving in the larger community.”
CONTACT
203.966.0002 (ext. 5)
Direct Line: 203.680.8504
stephanie@fpcnc.org
Sherry Tate, Director Cherub Choir
Ms. Tate is an inspirational music teacher of young children, as well as a talented vocal soloist with extensive credentials in church music, choral ensemble, and musical theater. As the director of the cherub choir for more than 20 years, Sherry helps the youngest in our musical family discover their singing voices, explore music basics with movement, and perform simple anthems and songs for worship.
CONTACT
music@fpcnc.org
Wendy Ann Starr, Office Manager
Wendy was born and raised in New Canaan along with her 3 older brothers and is very excited to be back in New Canaan working for and supporting the First Presbyterian Church. She loves her family, close posse of girlfriends, and is a huge dog lover. Fall is her favorite season and she likes to visit ME, NH, and Long Beach Island. Favorite Quote: “I strive to be the person my dogs think I am!”
CONTACT
203.966.0002 (ext. 1)
Direct Line: 203.293.9171
wendy@fpcnc.org
