Church Staff
Andrew Whitehead
Senior Pastor
Andrew grew up in Atlanta, Georgia. He attended Presbyterian College for his B. A. in Religion and Philosophy, received his Masters in Theological Studies from Candler School of Theology at Emory University. He attended Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond for his Masters of Divinity. He was awarded the Martha and Fred Stair Fellowship, a grant given in recognition of promise for Pastoral ministry, by the Union faculty.
email: [email protected]
Barbara Adams
Church Administrator
Barbara has been with Hidenwood for more than 30 years. She is responsible for helping staff and church members with anything and everything. She has an Associate’s Degree from Thomas Nelson Community College and is a PC(USA) Certified Church Administrator. Her son Patrick is married to Jessica, she has three granddaughters, Sunshine Grace, Peyton Rayne and Phoenix Hope. She enjoys watching baseball games, traveling, and reading.
Email: [email protected]
Carey Gerstner
Director of Faith Formation
Carey joined our staff in October of 2014. She is a native of Alexandria, VA. She has a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA and a Master’s degree in Christian Education from Union Presbyterian Seminary. She moved to Newport News in 2003. She and her husband Tom have four children and two grandsons. Grant, his wife Brandi and their sons live in Maryland, Alyssa is an attorney in Washington DC, Eric is a mechanical engineer, and Tarquin who is attending nursing school at the University of Pittsburgh. She has two dogs, Ellie and Ronin; and two cats, Sophie and Theo. When at home, she loves spending time reading and gardening.
Email: [email protected]
Diane Drury
Director of Music Ministries
Diane grew up outside of Philadelphia, PA, and holds her BM and MM degrees from Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ. She also studied in France with organist Marie-Claire Alain. Diane is the Assistant Musical Director/Chorus Accompanist for the Virginia Choral Society, and teaches Music at Virginia Peninsula Community College. She has worked in churches and schools in the Tidewater area, as well as in Bryn Mawr, PA, Perth Amboy, NJ, Toledo, OH, Pine Bluff, AR, and Paris, France. Her husband is an electrical engineer at Jefferson Lab. She has two sons and a step daughter, three grandchildren, and two cats. Diane’s hobbies include genealogy and attempting to garden.
Email: [email protected]
Pennie Brown
Facilities Coordinator
Pennie Brown was born in Newport News and grew up in York County. He was a Technology
Education teacher for 42 years. He also worked at The College of William and Mary in the
School of Gifted Education. He is an instructor for the Department of Wildlife Resources and the
United States Coast Guard Auxiliary. Pennie lives in Newport News with Paula, his wife of 43
years. His children and grandchildren also live in Newport News.
Email: [email protected]
Leadership
The Session and the Board of Deacons
The heart of the Presbyterian system is government by elders. Currently, Hidenwood’s congregation has elected 7 people who, meeting together, form the Session and are responsible for guiding the total life of the church in obedience to Christ, who is the Head. Likewise, the Board of Deacons consists of 6 people also elected by the congregation, who have been given the responsibility for care of the congregation. They work with and under the final authority of the Session. Thanks are expressed to all of these people that serve.