Dr. Kathleen L.H. Wiggins, Pastor

"Pastor Kathi" has been with Siesta Key Chapel since June 15, 2003. She was born in Youngstown, Ohio and spent her teen years on Long Island, New York.

At the time of her ordination by the Presbytery of Philadelphia in 1989, she was already well-steeped in a wide-range of church ministries including short-term missionary service with the Tsimpsian of British Columbia; directing children's choirs and youth groups; teaching all age levels; and in the late '70s, interpreting for the Deaf community.

Kathi has been married to her "best friend" Chuck since 1973. Chuck is the Senior Pastor of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Venice, Florida. They have four children and six grandchildren: Emma, Grace, Chloe, Harvey, Rudy and Evan. Two more on-the-way and are due in October and December 2012.

Immediately before her Call to the Chapel Dr. Wiggins served as pastor of a new church development in Charlotte County—Wintergarden Presbyterian Church. Before that, she served two churches as Associate Pastor: The Presbyterian Church, Westfield, New Jersey and Bound Brook Presbyterian also in New Jersey.

Kathi's theological education prepared her well for the eclectic world in which the modern church exists. She has a B.S. in Christian Education from Philadelphia Biblical University (1970-1974), an M.Div. in Pastoral Counseling from Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary (1985-1988), and a D.Min. from San Francisco Theological Seminary (1999-2001).

Cynthia Roberts-Greene, Music Director/Organist

Cynthia Roberts-Greene has been the organist of Siesta Key Chapel since January 1997 and Music Director/Organist since 2001. 

Prior to her position at the Chapel, Cynthia was the Organist/Choirmaster of First United Methodist Church in Sarasota and the Assistant Organist at Church of the Redeemer, Episcopal.  She has been a Sarasota resident since her parents retired in 1973 (from Indianapolis) and graduated from Riverview High School. 

She received her Associate in Arts degree from MCC (then MJC).  Cynthia attended Florida State University on a full organ scholarship where she majored in organ and also studied harpsichord and composition, and received her Bachelor of Music degree Magna cum Laude in 1980.  She was a finalist in the National Organ Competition in Ft. Wayne, Indiana in 1981 and a regional finalist in the American Guild of Organists competition in the same year.  In 1983, she received her Master of Music degree in organ and literature from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY where she was a student of the late Russell Saunders, renowned teacher and scholar. 

Cynthia has performed many recitals on the West Coast of Florida, the United States, and England.  She sings with the Sarasota Earlye Musicke Consort as a soprano soloist on a regular basis.  Her original composition, "Memorial Requiem" written in memory of her brother David Owen Roberts, mortally wounded in the Vietnam War, premiered in 1999 at St. Thomas More Catholic Church.  Recently her original songs can be heard on her CD, "Wandering".  She directs the adult choir, the Cherub Choir, and recently started a Chapel Arts Series.

Patricia L. Abdallah, Administrator

Patricia was reared in Chesterton, Indiana.  She began her professional career in nearby Michigan City, Indiana after graduating Chesterton High School and attending two years of study at Purdue North Central where she majored in Business Administration and English.  After placing her formal education on hold to have her son Michael, she became both a working mom and homemaker.  Her skills led her into the field of data entry where she excelled in a supervisory roll with a major corporation that manufactured and sold industrial compressors world wide.

In 1983, Patricia, her son, and husband Ben relocated to Sarasota, Florida where she continued her career path with a large Professional Employer Organization (PEO).  She served as an executive supervisor in payroll administration and client services.  In 2000 she left the PEO industry to join the staff at Siesta Key Chapel where she has enjoyed the position as Administrator, originally working with Rev. David Cozad, interim Pastor Marty Hager and now, Pastor Kathleen Wiggins.

Dr. Thomas McElheny, Adult Christian Education Director

Originally from Williamsport Pennsylvania, Tom received his Doctor of Education and Master of Business Administration degrees (both with honors) from Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida where he later served as Director of The Center for Management and Leadership Development. He also holds a BA from Lycoming College.

Tom and his wife Dee have been active in Presbyterian Church activities since their marriage in 1974. Together they have been involved in church planting, evangelism, church growth, finance, education, facilities and governance at three Presbyterian churches. Tom has served many years as an Elder and 12 years as Clerk of Session at Presbyterian churches.

With a heart for Adult Christian Education, Tom's focus at The Chapel is assisting in the development of quality Christian educational experiences built around core Foundational and Life Application experiences.

Tom is currently CEO and he and Dee are co-owners of The ChurchPlaza Companies, www.churchplaza.com. He has served as CEO of two NASDAQ listed companies, a national leadership training organization, as an elected member and Chairperson of the Sarasota County School System and as a Trustee at New College of Florida and other colleges. Tom served six years as a ground officer in the United States Marine Corps and is a decorated combat veteran of Vietnam and airborne jumpmaster.

Tom and his lovely wife of 38 years are the fortunate parents of four great kids, a son and daughter in law and three wonderful grandchildren. The McElheny's have been Siesta Key residents since 1976.

Angela Hall, Financial Secretary

Angela has served as the Chapel's Financial Secretary since February 2006. She is a graduate of the University of South Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Business and an emphasis on Management and Marketing.

She was born in Sarasota, grew up in Georgia and moved back to Florida in 2004. She and husband David are the proud parents of three adorable little girls: Haiden, Mackenzie and Hadley.

Carole Burkhart, Parish Nurse

Carole Burkhart is a Registered Nurse (RN) with 50 years of experience.

She is a Graduate of Albert Einstein Medical Center, Philadelphia; took post-graduate training at Hahnamann Medical College in clinical perfusion (ran the heart-lung machine during open heart surgery); attended courses at Villanova in business and psychology.

Carole completed the Faith Community Nurse Preparation Course in 2008 at Georgia Baptist College of Nursing Mercer University.

Scott Penxa , Custodian

Scott has been the custodian at Siesta Key Chapel since 2008, when John Miller retired. He had previously worked for 18 years, in a similar position at El Presidente condominium on Siesta Key. We look forward to many years working together at God's Treehouse.

Lynda Fischer, ChapelKidz Teacher

Lynda is originally from London, England. She brings years of experience in Christian Education, including serving as the Coordinator of Parish Catechesis at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church. Currently, Lynda is studying at the Blessed Edmond Rice School for Pastoral Ministry.

Cliff Menezes, Webmaster

Cliff designed the chapel's first website back in 2005 and has been the webmaster since then.Over the years, the chapel website has been completely redesigned and now includes several popular features such as audio sermons, newsletters, an online calendar and a member directory.

Cliff works as a consultant to help businesses implement internet technologies.