Meet the Team
|
Rev. Dr. Sheldon Steen, Pastor
As a (nearly) lifelong Presbyterian, Sheldon has been working in ministry for more than two decades, earning a Master of Divinity and Master of Theology from Columbia Theological Seminary. He received his PhD in Religion from FSU in 2023. Sheldon began his professional work in youth ministry in Florida and Georgia, and then as the Pastor of Jasper First Presbyterian Church in Jasper, Florida. After serving as a Parish Associate at Faith Presbyterian Church in Tallahassee, Sheldon directed the campus ministry at UKirk Tallahassee, serving Florida State University and Florida A&M University. He was called to CPC in June, 2020. Sheldon and his wife Mary have five children and one dog, love to camp, and are co-owners of Amicus Brewing Ventures in Tallahassee, where Sheldon serves as the head brewer. |
|
Carol DeLoach, Director of Christian Education
With more than 30 years in Christian Education programming, Carol has served PC(USA) churches in both full and part-time educator positions as well as a brief stint with Youth Ministry Architects. She has a BS degree in Communication Disorders from Florida State University, and has completed coursework at the Presbyterian School of Christian Education/Union Seminary, Columbia Theological Seminary, and Princeton Theological Seminary. Carol currently serves as special assistant to the Provost at FSU and enjoys spending time with grandchildren, dogs, and raising monarch butterflies. |
Peri Flanigan, Director of Youth Ministry
Born and raised in Tallahassee, Peri attended Faith Presbyterian Youth Group and went on to
study at Florida State. In her time at FSU, she majored in English and Religious Studies while
also being an active member in UKIRK ministries under both Rev. Dr. Sheldon Steen and Matt
Frease. Peri was a UKIRK outreach intern during her senior year of college and was the
Children and Youth intern at Faith Presbyterian for two summers during college. Peri recently
moved back to Tallahassee after spending three years living in Bowling Green, Ohio and she is
excited to be back in Tallahassee and having the opportunity to work with youth again. She
enjoys reading, listening to music, puzzles, and watching movies.
Born and raised in Tallahassee, Peri attended Faith Presbyterian Youth Group and went on to
study at Florida State. In her time at FSU, she majored in English and Religious Studies while
also being an active member in UKIRK ministries under both Rev. Dr. Sheldon Steen and Matt
Frease. Peri was a UKIRK outreach intern during her senior year of college and was the
Children and Youth intern at Faith Presbyterian for two summers during college. Peri recently
moved back to Tallahassee after spending three years living in Bowling Green, Ohio and she is
excited to be back in Tallahassee and having the opportunity to work with youth again. She
enjoys reading, listening to music, puzzles, and watching movies.
|
Shannon Guse, Church Administrator
Shannon Guse is a former middle and high school health teacher who most recently served as the Director of High School and College Ministries at Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church in Dallas, TX. Prior to moving to Dallas, she worked with youth at Faith Presbyterian Church in Tallahassee, FL for 16 years. Shannon is excited to be back in Tallahassee with her husband Matt and two adult children. She loves reading, spending time outdoors, and volunteering in the community. |
|
Colby White, Choir Director
Colby is coming to us from Nashville, TN where he wore many different hats at Westminster Presbyterian Church over the past 10 years. From singing, to handbells, to standing in for the main Director, he was very involved. Before coming to Tallahassee, he taught middle school choirs and music production in Brentwood, TN. Other time back home was spent singing in community, semi-professional, and professional vocal groups like the Nashville Symphony Chorus, SONUS, and Vocal Arts Nashville. He was an avid vocal coach in the community and loves to sing with friends. When he is not singing, or teaching, he is either grilling food or enjoying time with his wife, Sarah, and dog, Dobby. He looks forward to growing as an educator, director, and overall person amidst so many wonderful people and opportunities here at CPC! |
|
Dr. Dean Peiskee, Pianist
Dr. Galen Dean Peiskee, Jr. has his degrees in piano performance and accompanying from Texas Christian University and Florida State University. He and his wife Cheryl (who is also a pianist) have six active children. He has been happy to serve as Christ Presbyterian Church's pianist since 2014. |
|
Emily Bruno, Pastoral Intern
Emily Bruno lives in Tallahassee with her husband, Dan; daughters, Corinne (8) and Ilsa (5); and their two cats and dog. She is a lawyer, elder at First Presbyterian, and M.Div. student at Iliff School of Theology in Denver. She has been involved locally in advocacy work for reproductive justice, death penalty abolition, and the Guns to Gardens movement. For recreation, she enjoys running, camping, and singing. |
Ms. Toby, Nursery Attendant
Ms. Toby, a senior at Florida State University studying English Education, is currently on track to get her Masters within this field in the spring of 2026. After college, she plans on teaching English abroad within different countries. She also hopes to work with underrepresented students specifically foster care students and students with intellectual disabilities to get them the advocacy and proper education that they deserve. Ms. Toby shares, "I am so excited to be working as the new nursery attendant for Christ Presbyterian Church and I plan to utilize this experience to help me become a better student and educator."
Ms. Toby, a senior at Florida State University studying English Education, is currently on track to get her Masters within this field in the spring of 2026. After college, she plans on teaching English abroad within different countries. She also hopes to work with underrepresented students specifically foster care students and students with intellectual disabilities to get them the advocacy and proper education that they deserve. Ms. Toby shares, "I am so excited to be working as the new nursery attendant for Christ Presbyterian Church and I plan to utilize this experience to help me become a better student and educator."