Meet
Rev. Dusty Luthy
Rev. Dusty’s ultimate pastoral goal is to allow, encourage, and equip individuals to “experience God,” but understands that this experience can happen at any time and in any space and for any person. Her passion is helping others practice the presence of God through the awareness of the Holy Spirit by promoting spiritual disciplines found through creative worship opportunities, Bible study, and holy fellowship opportunities. She takes seriously Jesus’ directive to “love God and love neighbor” and seeks to engage the community to form relationships that exemplify this love.
Dusty arrived in Denton and at First Cumberland Presbyterian Church in January 2021 after spending 13 years in Paducah, KY. For six years she worked as a sports writer for a local newspaper, after which God called her to work as the Youth Director and later the Associate Minister at New Hope Cumberland Presbyterian Church. At Memphis Theological Seminary while pursuing her Master of Divinity, Dusty was steeped in practices of spiritual and social justice pursuits, and was named the 2020 Vanderhaar Symposium Student Peace Laureate through Christian Brothers University. In 2007, she received her Bachelor of Journalism degree from the University of Missouri, and is a native to the Show Me State. In Denton, she lives with her two cats, Baxter von Triptrap and Beatrix, loves riding her bike, traveling, and is an avid Star Wars fan.
The Session
At First CPC, church leadership is shared among elected elders, typical of a presbyterian-style system of church organization, known as a session. The pastor serves as the moderator of the session. Together, the pastor and session discern the will of God and serve both the spiritual needs of the church and the business needs.
Music at First CPC
For a small church, we are musically gifted, and love making a joyful noise to the Lord! Kathy McIntire is our longtime choir director, and does a wonderful job choosing music and directing our voices, as well as playing both the piano and organ. Lisa Barber is our musician, splitting time between the grand piano and the organ. Rev. Linda Howell, also a classically-trained vocalist, leads our Dementia Friendly Worship music. Billy Roy Switzer, known throughout Texas, often plays gospel music on a variety of instruments, including the harmonica! Other members of our church share their gifts in choir arrangements and by singing solos.
Merri Blow - Intern
Merri Blow is our intern at First CPC, and will be with us through May 2024 as our outreach liaison and will be experiencing the life of the church in all its capacities. Merri is a student at Brite Divinity School through TCU in Fort Worth. She is a graduate of UNT, and spent her first career in education. Merri is discerning a call to chaplaincy or ministry in the non-profit sector.
Church Mascot: Smidge
Schmidgeon "Smidge" Cadenhead is our unofficial (but kind of official!) church mascot! Smidge, a miniature schnauzer, is an emotional support dog who is also in training to become a therapy dog. Smidge comes to worship every Sunday, and loves to stand and sing the Doxology! He can be seen just about everywhere his owners, Joe and Pat, can be found. Come say hi to
Smidge when you come visit — his favorite people are children!
