The Pastoral Nominating Committee 

Tori Carlson: Tori (Victoria) Carlson-Foscz joined St. Andrew’s in 1995. She is married to Norm Carlson, also a St. Andrew’s member, and has two sons, Lindsey (15), a youth member, and Rigel (10), a part of the Holy Molies. Tori has served as Missions Elder and Children’s Discipleship Ministry Elder. She has been engaged on a number of committees including the evaluation of worship times in the new sanctuary, evaluation of expanding our Preschool/Kindergarten into an elementary school, and the discernment of our church’s position on the Confessing Church issue. Tori and her family have participated in Sunday classes and many of the church’s mission programs including Habitat for Humanity, One Step Beyond, and currently the new Sandwich Squad. Tori has presented Sunday Children’s Messages, taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. For many years she led a weekly Moms in Touch prayer group praying for schools, teachers, and students. She has also served in Bible Study Fellowship leadership roles as adult discussion leader and children’s leader. Tori has a Master’s degree in Earth Science and a Bachelor’s in Geophysics. Her full time occupation is home educating her children and teaching classes within the home school community.   

Ronnie Crider: Ronnie is a physical therapist and has worked at the Center for Outpatient Rehabilitation at St. Mary’s Hospital for almost 20 years. She is the proud mother of Daniel, age 10, who is very involved in the Children’s Ministry here at St. Andrew’s. Ronnie’s affiliation with St. Andrew’s began in the 1980’s when she attended high school youth group here and made a decision to be a Christ-follower. She became a member in 1991. She has served as an Elder, has served on the Youth Discipleship Ministry Committee, and volunteers with the high school students in D’WAVE Youth Ministry. You will also find her on stage during Vacation Bible School.  She has been attending The Well on Sunday nights since it started in 2003. 

Joyce Haugh: Joyce has been a member of St. Andrew’s for over 31 years. During this time, she has served as a Deacon, Elder, and Trustee. Joyce has served on many committees including the Mission Committee, Long Range Planning, the Building Committee, and is still on Physical Resources (20 yrs.) She has been involved with Presbyterian Women’s Circles/Bible Study for over 25 years and, currently, is Vice-Moderator of the PW at St. Andrew’s. She also attends the Women’s Friday Morning Bible Study. For 16 years, Joyce facilitated St. Andrew’s participation in the Homeless Ministry: Deep Freeze, Operation Hospitality, and One Step Beyond. After taking early retirement from teaching 20 years ago, she became a member of the Monday Intercessory Prayer Group and collects the prayer cards on Sundays to compile the Prayer list. 

Cedric Hay: Originally from Albuquerque, Cedric moved to Tucson in 1981 to attend the University of Arizona. After graduation he began work at American Airlines where he met his wife Deann. Deann sings with the Contemporary Worship Ensemble and it was the Contemporary Worship Service that first drew them to St. Andrew’s in 1997. Just a year after becoming members, Cedric began law school in New Mexico in 1998 while Deann stayed in Tucson. It was during these difficult years apart that Cedric’s appreciation of the people of St. Andrew’s and the support they gave to Deann grew. Now, as Assistant Town Attorney for the Town of Marana, Cedric sees St. Andrew’s as the sort of environment where he wants to raise his two children, Calla and Samuel. He served on Session, is currently active with the K’Deo puppet ministry, and substitute teaching Sunday School classes. If given the opportunity to serve on the PNC Cedric hopes to help the church move forward and grow in new directions while preserving those gifts which have made this his spiritual home.  

Barbara Gross: Barbara and Bill arrived in Oro Valley in August 2003 and joined St. Andrew’s in October 2003. Barbara joined the Friday Women’s Bible Study in September 2003 and was a member for four years. In January 2004 Barbara began serving on the Worship/Music Committee. After volunteering in the HUB program during her first year at St. Andrew’s, Barbara answered God’s call to take over the original HUB program and developed it into our senior outreach ministry, Northwest Senior Fellowship. She will begin her 5th year with the program in September. She also serves on the Communications Committee as liaison to the Worship/Music Committee. Barbara was confirmed in the Presbyterian faith at age 12 and has been active ever since. God has abundantly blessed our congregation under the leadership of Pastors Gus, Carla and Jennifer. Barbara is excited about the future possibilities for St. Andrew’s as we select a new pastor to join our dedicated ministry team. 

Pete Perona: Pete and his wife, Gayle, have three adult children and recently celebrated their 34th wedding anniversary. They were born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, but have lived in Tucson since 1977.  Pete retired from the University of Arizona five years ago, after which he volunteered as a chaplain at Northwest Hospital, and is currently the Mobile Meals Coordinator at Interfaith Community Services. They have attended St. Andrew’s on a regular basis for the past two years and became members last year. They attend the Contemporary Service and have been involved for several years in the Family of God class during Connections. Together with Jim and Nancy Murtagh, they recently started a small group for parents of children with a drug or alcohol addiction.  Gayle attended the Evening Edition Bible Study this year; Pete is part of a men’s prayer group. 

Bill Ricker: Bill Ricker and his wife Sandy have been members of St. Andrew’s since 1981. He served as Moderator of the Board of Deacons in the mid 80s and as Elder for stewardship in the mid 90s. Bill returned to Session in 2006 with responsibility for Youth Discipleship Ministries. He is a trial lawyer practicing in the area of personal injury. Sandy and Bill have two sons, Drew and Alex, who are also members of the church. 

Don Spiece: Don Spiece has been a Presbyterian his entire adult life. Don became an ordained Deacon in 1996 and served on the Board of Deacons at Burke Presbyterian Church, Burke, Virginia. In 1998 Don and Mary Beth moved to Tucson and joined St. Andrew’s. Don was ordained as Elder in 2002 and served as Clerk of Session at St. Andrew’s for five years. Since leaving Session, Don has been part of the Evangelism Ministry, helping to organize the Shepherd Connector Ministry that reaches out to visitors and new members, and has continued helping with the Master Greeter Ministry. Don is a retired Army officer and works for Pima County. He is married to Mary Beth, a St. Andrew’s Sunday School teacher. They have two children, Elizabeth, who recently graduated from college and works in Washington, DC, and Trey, who will be a sophomore at the University of Arizona in the fall. 

Mike Thompson: Mike Thompson has been a member of St. Andrew’s for three years and has attended regularly for nine years. Mike is a 31-year-old mechanical engineer working at Raytheon Missile Systems and is married to Jennifer (Nott) Thompson, a lifelong St. Andrew’s member. Mike and Jennifer were married at St. Andrew’s and they have a one and a half year-old daughter, Melanie. Mike grew up in Tempe and came to the University of Arizona for his undergraduate degree where he first attended the Presbyterian-led, University Ministry college group. During college, this group was an important part of his life and he was involved in mission trips and leadership work there. At St. Andrew’s, Mike has been part of several Bible studies and a mission trip to Rocky Point to build houses. Mike is looking forward to having a positive impact on the Pastor Nominating Committee and is excited to have the opportunity to serve at St. Andrew’s.

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