Rev. Dr. Tom Walker, Pastor and Head of Staff, was born and adopted in Raleigh, North Carolina. He grew up in the Presbyterian church. Tom studied biology at Davidson College, received his M.Div. at Columbia Theological Seminary and his Ph.D. in Old Testament Studies at Princeton Theological Seminary. Tom has served local congregations and taught in seminaries. He has a deep passion for local congregations learning about their faith by exploring biblical texts, theological themes and their own journeys. Tom and his wife, Jan, live in Ponte Vedra and have two sons, Worth, in college, and Chris, in high school.

Rev. Dr. Carol DiGiusto is a native of Jacksonville. She lived with her family in the Ortega area, attended local schools, and was awarded a B.A. degree in Theatre Arts from Jacksonville University. After graduating, Carol pursued a successful career in television and public relations with her own PR consulting business, which included the Gateway Girl Scout Council as a client.

Carol came to Palms in June, 1999. She was ordained as a Minister of Word and Sacrament, PC (USA) in September, 1999. She received her Doctor of Ministry in Christian Spirituality from Columbia Theological Seminary in 2007. Carol has two adult children: her daughter Sara who is Development Director at San Jose Episcopal Day School, and son Scott married to most wonderful daughter-in-law, Hope. They live in Burke, Virginia, where Hope is stationed with the Navy. Scott is flying C130s for the Navy.

Rev. Andrew Kukla was born and raised in Wheaton, Illinois. Andrew grew up with his three sisters as cradle Presbyterians, and following in his parents’ footsteps, was very active in church life. Andrew met his wife Caroline while attending the College of William and Mary where he received a B.A. in Philosophy. Andrew received his M.Div. degree from Columbia Theological Seminary in 2003. In October, 2005, he joined the staff of Palms Presbyterian Church as the Associate Pastor of Discipleship. He works primarily with adult education and new membership. Andrew and Caroline are the proud parents of three children: Warren, Elizabeth and Meredith. They are the “right kind” of chaos!

Rev. Katie Day is a native of Jacksonville, growing up in Mandarin, where her family still lives. She was awarded the Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre Arts from Furman University in Greenville, SC. Katie has worked in youth ministry since 1998, and graduated from Columbia Theological Seminary and accepted her call at Palms in 2006. Katie is married to Rev. Kevin Day, who is teaching and coaching at Episcopal High School. They live in Jacksonville with two cats and a dog. Katie and Kevin both enjoy disc golf, pub trivia, and reading, and are in the process of adopting a daughter from Ethiopia.

Rev. Laurie Furr-Vancini is a native of north Florida. She grew up in Gainesville and then Macclenny, Florida, and is a graduate of Baker County High School. Following high school, Laurie attended Wake Forest University earning a B.A. with double majors in Religion and Sociology. She earned an M.A.Ed. from Virginia Tech. Upon leaving Virginia Tech, Laurie worked in Housing and Student Activities offices at Georgia Tech, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and Georgia Baptist College of Nursing. Laurie attended Candler School of Theology at Emory and Columbia Theological Seminary, earned an M.Div. and was ordained as a Minister of Word and Sacrament, PC (USA) in October, 1999. Laurie works primarily in our Children’s ministries. Laurie is married to Jeff and they have 3 children: Charlie in high school, Sam in middle school, and Abigail in elementary school. Laurie enjoys her book club, sweating it out at the gym and travel.

Born and raised in Minnesota, Ronn holds degrees in piano performance and conducting from The University of Wisconsin, Southern Methodist University (Dallas) and The University of North Texas College of Music (Denton). He studied conducting with Joseph Hawthorne, Elizabeth Green, Murry Sidlin (Aspen School of Music), Herbert Blomstedt and Anshel Brusilow. In 1997 he earned the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from The University of North Texas and subsequently joined the faculty of UNT where he served as Assistant Director of Orchestras, conducting the UNT Chamber Orchestra and teaching conducting. In 2000 he accepted a position as Director of Orchestral Studies at The University of Akron where he led the University Symphony Orchestra and taught music history, conducting and orchestration. While in Ohio he also served as Director of Music at The First Congregational Church of Hudson. In June of 2004, Dr. Cummings was appointed as Director of Music and Fine Arts at Palms Presbyterian Church.

Lynn Mallinson, Director of the Preschool and Child Care Center, calls Jacksonville home, having been here since 1976. Her entire career has been working with children or Early Childhood educators, and she has a strong commitment to quality care and education for children and their families. She and her husband Gregg have raised three children and now have 8 grandchildren as their reward.