Rev. Dr. Mark E. Parsons II became our pastor in November 2022. He has served the church since 1999 in both music and pastoral ministry, in both United Methodist and Presbyterian contexts, in both Ohio and West Virginia. Pastor Mark holds a Doctor of Ministry in Theology and the Arts (Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington, DC), a Master of Divinity (Methodist Theological School in Ohio, Delaware, Ohio), and a Bachelor of Arts (West Virginia University). His doctoral work focused on the arts and theology, specifically on developing and implementing a spiritual exploration curriculum for queer Christians. Prior to coming to Dover, he most recently served as pastor of Gallipolis First Presbyterian Church in the Presbytery of Scioto Valley, where he has also served as a presbytery leader and as a commissioner to the 225th General Assembly. He has served as consultant and conflict mediator for numerous congregations in his role as chair of his presbytery’s version of the Committee on Ministers and Congregations. Pastor Mark is father to Markus and Isabella, as well as to his four fur babies, Bentley (hound dog), Kermit (cat), and the cat siblings, Poe and Raven. Pastor Mark is a lifelong pianist and vocalist, avid bibliophile, lover of travel, connoisseur of craft beer and bourbon, and fan of all things creative. He is thrilled to serve the people of The Presbyterian Church of Dover with passion and compassion as we move into God’s glorious future.
Dr. Susan Vowels is our Interim Office Administrator. A long-time member of The Presbyterian Church of Dover, she has been part of the Church family since her family came to Dover when she was ten years old. In 2023, she retired as Associate Professor of Business Management from Washington College in Chestertown, Maryland, where she taught for twenty-one years after a long career in industry. She holds a bachelor’s degree from St. John’s College in Annapolis, Maryland, an MBA from the University of Delaware, and a Doctor of Business Administration from Wilmington University. Susan looks forward to supporting the congregation and staff of The Presbyterian Church of Dover.
Dr. Heather Thomson is our Technology Coordinator. Her duties involve all aspects of the livestream broadcast, Facebook posts, and scheduling all Zoom meetings for the church. She also coordinates livestream volunteers and keeps track of our audio-visual equipment. Heather is also an ordained deacon.
Mrs. Betsy Gray is the Handbell Director and Interim Choir Director at PCD. She has been playing bells since 1974 and joined the Bells of Praise when she joined PCD in 1995. She is a cradle Presbyterian having been baptized in the Tenafly Presbyterian Church in New Jersey. She graduated from Waynesburg University with a degree in Elementary Education and a minor in History. She worked with little people, ages infant to six years, for 27 years in her own home. She is happily married to Jimmy, the mother of two wonderful daughters and two stepdaughters. The lights of her life are her seven grandchildren. Her hobbies are music, both playing and singing, reading mysteries and historical fiction, as well as researching ancestry for herself and many friends.
Mrs. Michelle Taylor is an active pianist and piano pedagogue. After earning a bachelor’s degree in Piano Pedagogy and a master’s degree in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from Utah State University, she left the Rocky Mountains and moved to Delaware. In the last 10 years in Delaware, she has maintained a vibrant piano studio, worked for The Music School of Delaware as both an instructor and accompanist, and started Michelle’s Music Academy. Throughout her musical career, she has worked with all ages to experience music and the piano in new and exciting ways. Her award-winning teaching is tuned to each student’s personal learning style and skill set. As a teacher and a pianist, her skill is evident in the growth her students make in their personal musical journeys. They learn to love music and develop the skills necessary to play it well, earning top awards in music festivals.
Michelle’s love of music is apparent in her teaching, performing, and musical accomplishments. She has studied the piano and accompanying for over twenty years, taught piano for over fifteen years, and has recently specialized in early childhood music education as a licensed Musikgarten teacher. Throughout Michelle’s life she has filled a variety of music positions as a volunteer. She began regularly accompanying groups for hymns and providing special musical numbers at age 12. As a young adult, she began studying the organ and occasionally providing prelude, postlude, and hymn accompaniment for several years before it became a regular position. She lead her congregation’s children’s choir for 7 to 10 years and loved her time doing so. She is looking forward to returning to many of these roles in joining The Presbyterian Church of Dover as their Director of Music.