Amy Smick is pleased to join the Central Pres family as the Administrative and Communications Coordinator! Amy comes in with experience working for non-profit organizations, holding various positions including outreach and program planning. Amy has a special interest in working with marginalized and vulnerable populations, most recently in behavioral health and forensic psychology as a board-certified music therapist by providing music therapy services and assisting in court competency restoration education. Amy holds music degrees from Roosevelt University’s Chicago College of Performing Arts and Illinois State University. When not in the church office, you can catch Amy singing with the choir during Sunday services. In her free time, Amy enjoys singing with the Kansas City Women’s Chorus, crocheting, watching hockey (Let’s Go Blues!), and hanging out with her dog, Freya.
Originally from the mid-Atlantic region of the East Coast, Amanda landed in the Kansas City area in 2014 when her husband accepted a call to serve as the pastor of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Grandview. Amanda grew up in the Washington, DC area, received a B.S. in dietetics from Virginia Tech, and then forged a career as a Registered Dietitian in acute care for many years. In 2004, Amanda’s name changed to Mom, and while she continued a part-time professional career, parenting became her primary focus and ultimately her full-time work when her family relocated to Missouri. Amanda is a mom of 6 amazing humans who she has had the privilege of raising and nurturing for the past 18 years. Amanda is a long-time member of the PCUSA, and she is thrilled and feels blessed to have been called upon to serve the neighbors of Kansas City with Central Presbyterian.
Colleen arrived in Kansas City in 2010 after 20 years in the pharmaceutical industry in Virginia. She is married to Donna Simon, the pastor at St. Mark Hope & Peace Lutheran Church. Since arriving in Kansas City, Colleen has worked with churches and nonprofits to provide food and housing to citizens returning from incarceration, low income neighbors, and senior citizens. Donna and Colleen have a six year old son that fills them with joy and two sons, their wives, and a grandson (with another on the way) from Colleen’s prior marriage. She is very happy to have this opportunity to serve with the faith-filled folks of Central Presbyterian Church in meeting the needs of our neighbors.
Dr. Cynthia Sheppard, Director of Music, oversees the music ministry at Central which includes choir, handbells, and individual musical offerings from the church and community. As the daughter of a music minister, Cindy has been involved in church music from childhood, and has served churches in Texas and Kansas City. Dr. Sheppard holds degrees in choral music education and church music from William Jewell College, Southwestern Seminary, and the University of Missouri, and has taught at Wayland University, Howard Payne University, and Olathe South High School. In addition to her responsibilities at Central, she is the Artistic Director and Conductor of the Kansas City Women’s Chorus.
Sarah Linton, BA, SPC, CAGO, has forty years of experience playing organ and piano in churches of different denominations and a deep knowledge of hymnody. As the daughter of a PC(USA) pastor, she is intimately acquainted with the Presbyterian Church.