Staff

	Rev. Dr. Emily Anderson Pastor and Head of Staff Rev. Emily J. Anderson has served as our Pastor/Head of Staff since June 1999. Emily (as she prefers to be called) grew up in Houston TX, graduated from Vanderbilt University and from Princeton Theological Seminary. She received her Doctor of Ministry from Columbia Theological Seminary. Prior to her call to New Providence Emily served as Associate Pastor at the Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church in Tampa, Florida and as Director of the Princeton Institute of Youth Ministry in Princeton NJ. Among Emily's many gifts, we are grateful for her outstanding sermons and her ability to juggle so many different tasks with grace and common sense. E-mail Emily by clicking here.

	Rev. James Steven Musick Associate Pastor for Pastoral Care and Outreach Steve was the pastor at Washington Presbyterian Church in Knox County - the same church from which Isaac Anderson, founder of Maryville College, came. Steve is a native Texan. He is a graduate of Trinity University in San Antonio. He went into banking and after a number of years felt a strong call to the ministry. He enrolled at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Austin, where he graduated in 1986. Afterward, he became the Chaplain at Rhodes College in Memphis. He was recruited to East Tennessee to become the Director of the Presbyterian Student Center on the campus of the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, where he served for eight years. Steve had been at Washington Presbyterian Church since early 1999 where,among other things, he has developed a special interest and experience in older adult ministry. He has been active within the Presbytery of East Tennessee for over ten years. E-mail Steve by clicking here.

	Rev. Mark Curtis Associate Pastor for Youth & Young Adult Ministries Mark grew up in Sacramento, California, graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, in 2001, and most recently from Princeton Theological Seminary in May 2005. Ordained in April 2006, Mark began working at New Providence in June 2006. He jumped into the Youth and Young Adult Ministries with both feet, his goal being to keep the Youth Ministry effective and growing while developing a good College Ministry. Mark has worked in Youth Ministry in some form or another for the past 10 years. E-mail Mark by clicking here.

	Rev. Dr. Stan Rushing Parish Associate for Visitation Stan has been a member of the staff since April 2008. He serves part-time, working closely with Steve Musick, visiting members who are hospitalized, in retirement communities, assisted living facilities, nursing homes, or rehabilitation facilities. He also visits senior members who still live at home. Stan is a native of Mississippi. He is a graduate of Mississippi College (B.A and M.S.) and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div. and Ph.D.). He was a Baptist pastor for eighteen years, serving churches in Mississippi and Tennessee. Later he became certified as a marriage and family therapist and as a hospital chaplain. The last twelve years before his retirement, he served in these capacities in Jackson, Mississippi. E-mail Stan by clicking here.

	Melanie Rasnake Director of Children's Ministries Melanie came to us from Maryville College where she was the Director of Operations for the Initiative on Vocation. Melanie and her husband, Darryll, have two sons Nic and David. Melanie has impressed many at New Providence with her energy, experience and obvious love for children's ministry. In addition to her strength of character, Melanie brings gifts of music, drama and dance to the children's ministry. E-mail Melanie by clicking here.

	Rob Britt Director of Music Rob is presently in his twenty-fifth year as Director of Music at New Providence Presbyterian Church and his thirtieth year in music ministry. Prior to accepting the position at NPPC, he served two years at Emmanuel United Methodist Church in Hagerstown, Maryland and three years at Bearden United Methodist Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. Rob's educational background includes a Bachelor of Music Education from Shenandoah College and Conservatory of Music in Winchester, Virginia, a Master of Music in Choral Conducting from the University of Tennessee and a Master of Education in Administration and Supervision from Lincoln Memorial University. Rob's major college conducting teachers include Dr. David Stutzenberger, Dr. James H. Laster and Mr. Robert Shaffer. Post graduate studies were completed at the Choral Institute at Cambridge University in Cambridge, England where he studied with John Rutter, Sir David Willcocks, Barry Rose, Joshua Rifken, and Steven Cleobury. As a professional educator, Rob is completing his twenty-sixth year with the Blount County Schools where he has served as a choral music teacher and assistant principal at William Blount High School, and founding principal at Carpenters Middle School. Presently, Rob is in his third year as Superintendent of Schools. Rob is married to Liz Britt, who teaches music at the Webb School of Knoxville and they have three wonderful children, Robbie, Rachel and Reece. E-mail Rob by clicking here.

	Jason Graffis FirstLight Worship Coordinator Born in Richmond, Indiana and raised in Hendersonville, TN, Jason studied music at Middle Tennessee State University, and Psychology at The University of Tennessee. He worked at NaCoMe, a Presbyterian Camp and Conference Center as a counselor, lifeguard, and Music Director for 6 summers, and has played in the First Light band since 2007. E-mail Jason by clicking here.

	Peggy Rogers Organist and Director of Youth and Adult Handbells Peggy Rogers has been at New Providence for 26 years! Currently Peggy serves our organist and director of youth and adult handbells. Peggy grew up in Alcoa and graduated from Maryville College with a major in Organ Performance In addition to accompanying and directing handbells at New Providence, Peggy teaches private piano and organ lessons and is the choral accompainist for William Blount High School and for MAACO. Peggy is an extraordinarily gifted organist and pianist whose beautiful music enhances our worship services week after week. All who know Peggy appreciate her ability to remain unruffled, her willingness to accompany musicians of all kinds and abilities, and her dry sense of humor. We are truly fortunate to have someone with Peggy's extensive experience and keen understanding of music at New Providence. E-mail Peggy by clicking here.

	Shanda Keller Director of Children and Youth Choirs Shanda Keller has served New Providence as the Director of Children and Youth Choirs since 1995. Her responsibilities include leading (and accompanying) two children's choirs, the youth choir, two children's handbell choirs and Gathering Time (ten minutes during the Sunday School hour when all children gather in the choir room for music). Shanda's formal music education includes a B.A. degree from Carson-Newman College where she minored in Choral Music and participated in Acapella Choir, Jazz Choir and the Gospel Choir. However, Shanda's preparation for her current position began during her childhood when she first became a church pianist at the age of 13! As the daughter of a minister, church music always been a significant part of Shanda's life. In addition to musical talents, she brings energy, enthusiasm and great people skills to all her responsibilities at New Providence. E-mail Shanda by clicking here.

	Trish Badgett, R.N. Parish Nurse Trish was born in Ft. Worth, Texas and raised in Maryville. She has a BS in Nursing from East Tennessee State University and a certificate in Parish Nursing from Vanderbilt University. She has experience in hospital nursing, home health and legal nurse consulting prior to coming to New Providence as Parish Nurse and Director of Bartlett Adult Day Out Program. Trish and her husband, Tim, have two sons, Clark and Thomas. E-mail Trish by clicking here.

	Mamie Keyser Administrative Coordinator You will see Mamie if you would like information about members or have any session information. If you would like to know where a Pastor is, or what has been planned, talk to Mamie. Arrangements for baptisms, weddings and funerals are also Mamie's responsibility. Her work area is outside Emily's office and her office hours are Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. E-mail Mamie by clicking here.

	Coco Everett Communications Coordinator The Chancel Window, Sunday bulletins, website, E-news, Youth E-news, Annual Report, brochures, plus many other printed and electronic materials are Coco's responsibility. Coco's work area is beside the choir room and her work hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Being an Air Force brat, Coco traveled and lived all over the world, but once she settled in East Tennessee she put down deep roots. Married to her college sweetheart, Tim Everett, they have two sons, Matthew and Mark. Coco began working in engineering, first at Watts Bar Nuclear Plant and then for a small firm in Knoxville. Leaving her career to have a family, she began working outside the home again here at New Providence when her children went to high school. Both her sons are college graduates and married. E-mail Coco by clicking here.

	Glenna Strissel Financial Coordinator Glenna is responsible for the financial operations of the church office. Any money that comes through the church office will be touched by Glenna's efficient hand. Glenna does her work in the office next to Mamie's work area and her hours are Monday through Wednesday from 8:00 a.m. until 2:45 p.m. E-mail Glenna by clicking here.

	Karen Vogt Information Coordinator Originally from Union, SC, Karen moved to Maryville in April with her husband JT and children, Samantha (16), and James (6). Karen began working at the local radio station in her hometown while in high school and spent 17 years working for Georgia-Carolina Radiocasting Companies before changing careers to work as the Church Administrative Assistant and Financial Secretary of Leland United Methodist Church while living in Leland, Mississippi. She loves meeting new people and assisting the members of the church with their needs, so please stop by her office and say hello! Her office hours are Monday from 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., and Tuesday through Friday 12:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. E-mail Karen by clicking here.