Church Staff

The Reverend Richard G. Neale
Rick is a Minister of Word and Sacrament in the PCUSA.  He has pastored churches in upstate New York and Miami, Florida, and he has served as a hospital chaplain here in Atlanta.  He has been a teacher all his life, working with children and adults in secular as well as church settings. 

He holds Bachelor of Arts and Master of Education degrees from Lehigh University, and a Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary.  He taught elementary children for nine years in Bethlehem, PA, before entering seminary.

Rick served small, rural churches in upstate New York, and then the First Presbyterian Church of Waterville, NY, where he was ordained. Later he was called as a co-pastor to Riviera Presbyterian Church in Miami, FL, where he served for nine years in the midst of urban and multi-ethnic people.  While in Miami he worked extensively with Habitat for Humanity, the Miami Coalition for the Homeless, and the Hurricane Andrew recovery effort.  Here, in the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta, Rick serves on the Pastoral Team and the Presbytery Resource Partners team.

After coming to Atlanta, Rick completed an internship and a residency in Clinical Pastoral Education, which began his work in chaplaincy.  He served as Chaplain for Oncology at Northside Hospital, a tremendously rich ministry among courageous patients and deeply dedicated medical staff.

Rick has three grown daughters, two of whom have growing families of their own.  Rick’s wife, Ellen Herbert, is a graphic arts consultant.  She serves as an elder at North Decatur Presbyterian Church.  Together they enjoy spending as much time as possible with their four grandchildren.

George Tatro, Seminary Intern
We are very excited to welcome George Tatro into our fellowship as our new Pastoral Intern for this program year. George will be with us through May, 2008. He will be working primarily in the areas of outreach ministries and evangelism, and he will also be helping out with pastoral care and worship leadership.

George has been an apartment manager in Chamblee since 1992, and his involvement in the community will be a real asset in developing programs and outreach. He is President of the Chamblee-Doraville Apartment Manager's Association and has been a member since its inception.

George is working towards a Master of Divinity degree at Columbia Theological Seminary. He has led several immigrant encounters for the seminary's Alternative Context as well as Faith and the City -- an interfaith community-building dialogue. He is a member of GALEO (Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials), who sponsored the recent community leadership workshops that were held here.

Paula Couch, Seminary Intern
Welcome to Paula Couch, our new seminary intern, who will be working withour youth and participating in Worship services. We are glad to have you!

Paula is a dual (Christian Education and Divinity) Masters degree candidate, studying at Johnson C. Smith, the Presbyterian branch of Interdenominational Theological Center. She has been in school there for 4 years part time and has 2 more years to finish. She is also a full time Special Education Science teacher in Cobb County at McEachern High School, Powder Springs. So she is a very busy young woman. Her home church is Oakhurst Presbyterian.

Paula was born, raised, and presently lives in Marietta. She has a “little” sister with 2 nephews in Cobb also, but her parents now reside mostly in Panama City. She graduated from South Cobb High and from Truett-McConnell and North Georgia College/University. Interestingly she was raised in the Southern Baptist church, was a youth leader, always active, and loved church from early on. The Presbyterian Church won her allegiance several years after college graduation, however, when she realized that leadership was limited for women in the Baptist tradition.

Education has been Paula’s life since the teen years. She has been a teacher in all types of Special Education classes from Severe/Profound Mentally Handicapped to a “collaborative” teaching position that she enjoys now. She has taught every subject, but mostly Science and Math. She was in Middle school for 2 years and High school now for over 14 years. She has also taught P.E. and coached and played softball and basketball for years.

Her real loves, however, are Abigail, her 2-year-old shepherd/collie mix (the amazing WONDER dog!!), and Ash, her gray cat. They are best friends and wonderful companions. In her spare time, which almost doesn’t exist, Paula loves to read, hike, camp in the mountains and watch CSI. She also strongly supports and raises funds for breast cancer, as several family members have died from this disease.

Paula is a delightful, fun-loving, and bright young woman and we are so fortunate that she has chosen to spend her intern time with us. Welcome, Paula.

Office Administrator (interim)
Jason Clay is currently filling in as our office administrator as we seek a new one.