Staff Biographies
Rev. Anne Weirich, Interim Pastor, Head of Staff
Anne Weirich began her interim ministry with the First Presbyterian congregation in October, 2011. Anne comes to us from Grand Rapids Westminster, where she served as Associate Pastor for the past six years. She also served churches in Massachusetts and California in that position. Altogether Anne has 15 years in ministry, 13 as an ordained minister of word and sacrament.
She received her theological training at Princeton Theological Seminary. She is also a certified Youth Minister and Pastoral Counseling Specialist. Her other continuing education experiences are numerous, including leading pilgrimages to Israel and Palestine.
Anne says that, “The first line in my statement of faith is, 'I believe God is love.'”
Dr. Jeffrey Stanton O'Neill, Retired
Jeff O’Neill began his ministry at First Church, Lansing, in March, 2005. Previously he has served pastorates in Nappanee, IN, Peoria, Evanston, and Barrington, IL, and Alma, MI. His first call was as Staff Producer in Radio and Television for the American Bible Society in NYC. Employment outside the parish setting has included serving as Interim Director of Doctoral Programs for McCormick Theological Seminary and Senior Program Officer at the Foundation for Independent Higher Education.
Active in governing bodies of the Presbyterian Church (USA), he has served as moderator of Great Rivers Presbytery, Committee on Ministry of Chicago Presbytery, and Committee on Preparation for Ministry of Lake Huron Presbytery. He has served as a commissioner to several General Assemblies and was chair of Administrative Services Committee of the Synod of Lincoln Trails. He currently serves as a member of Lake Michigan Presbytery's Leadership Team.
He has a bachelor’s degree from Carroll College (BA) and a master’s (MDiv) and doctorate (DMin) from McCormick Theological Seminary. He is married to Mary Therese (“Sam”) and is a father and grandfather. Avocations include woodworking and motorcycling, but not at the same time.
Sallie Campbell, Director of Youth and Family Ministry 
Sallie joined the First Pres staff in a new position as Director of Youth and Family Ministry in September of 2011. Sallie’s background includes previous church staff experience as a Christian Educator and Youth Director and also working in a foster care program with refugee youth. She earned a masters degree from Western Theological Seminary (Holland MI) in Religious Education and as a licensed social worker.
Sallie originally came from the east coast but was raised in the Detroit area. She is currently involved at the Presbytery level as the moderator of Self Development of People. She has served Presbytery in the past as part of the Leadership Team, the Nicaraguan Partnership, Presbyterian Women, as well as moderator of the Agency for Camp Greenwood. She is looking forward to the program development opportunities this new position will bring.
Sallie has been married to Steve for 37 years. They have 4 grown children and 2 grandchildren. She enjoys knitting, music, gardening, walking, reading and getting together with family and friends in her spare time.
Kathy Banghart, Director of Christian Education
Kathy is a native of California, but since she has now lived in Michigan longer than she lived there, she considers herself to be a Michigander (or is it Michiganian?). She has been a member of First Pres, Lansing, since 1984, and has been the Director of Christian Education here since 1996. Kathy has been active at the presbytery level of our denomination in a number of capacities, including serving on the Discipleship Ministry Team, being a POINT (Presbyterians Organized in Nurture and Teaching) representative for PC(USA) educational ministries and being a commissioner to the 2008 General Assembly. She is currently serving on the planning committee for our Lake Michigan presbytery’s Educator Fellowship support group, as well as on the local planning committee the 2012 Association for Presbyterian Church Educators’ annual conference.
Kathy and her husband Mark have 3 grown sons. She enjoys all of the arts, especially theater, dance, music and literature.
Carolyn Teremi, Administrative Assistant Emeriti
Carolyn joined First Presbyterian Church in 1972 and soon began volunteering in the Financial Office to pass the time while waiting for her youngest son to attend the Mary Poppins Nursery School located in the church.
In 1973, the Financial Secretary resigned her position and Carolyn began her service to First Presbyterian Church. She remained at that position until the mid-1980's when she became the Administrative Assistant.
She has been involved in many church activities throughout the years. She served on 8 Youth Mission trips (1978, 1983 and 1994 as a leader, and 1984,5,6, and 1995,6 as director). Carolyn played bells in the handbell choir for 12 years until a shoulder problem interferred. She has also been involved in the adult fellowship group, women's activities, youth fellowship leader and Vacation Church School. She has served as a Deacon and an Elder.
Her husband, Jim, is also a member of First Church. They have two grown sons and four "wonderful" granddaughters.
Tracy Weldon, Church Administrator 
Tracy is a Lansing native and graduated from Harry Hill High School and Lansing Community College. Her professional experiences include being an office manager/sales administrator for a large equipment firm, customer information representative and retirement counselor for the State of Michigan and operations director for a Lansing area fast food chain.
Tracy and her husband, Rory, have three grown sons and three grandsons. Tracy enjoys spending time outdoors, especially "Up North," being at the beach, bike riding, and yoga class.
Perry Black, Sexton
A native of Indiana, Perry is married, and he and his wife have four children. A six-year veteran of the Marine Corps, Perry has extensive experience as an industrial maintenance supervisor and truck driver. He enjoys sports and home projects.
Zeb Highben, Director of Music
Zeb Highben is our Director of Music. Zeb is a native of Navarre in northeat Ohio, and the oldest of five brothers. He studied music education at Ohio State University before moving to St. Paul, Minnesota where he earned a master's degree in sacred music and choral conducting from Luther Semiary and St. Olaf College. He was a full-time church musician in suburban Minneapolis and taught part-time at Luther Seminary and the University of Wisconsin at River Falls.
He is currently working toward a doctor of musical arts degree in choral conducting at Michigan State University. He and his wife, Amanda, live in Lansing.
Sergei Kvitko, Organist
Sergei Kvitko is the organist for First Church. Born in Russia, Sergei began studying music at the age of six. He received his doctorate of Musical Arts degree from Michigan State University where he won numerous piano performance awards.
He is an award-winning recording engineer and producer as well as a composer, and is a voting member of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (GRAMMY). He organizes the Fine Arts Concert Series.
Shelia Conrad, Bell Choir Director
Shelia Conrad is director of the First Church Lansing handbell choir. A member of the student services department of Waverly Community Schools, she is a Lansing native. She manages a resort in the northern Michigan village of Elk Rapids, and enjoys cooking and reading. She has three children and one granddaughter.