Our Staff
Alan Mace is the Interim Minister of the First Christian Church of Athens. Alan, a lifelong participant and member of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) grew up in Oklahoma. He attended college at Phillips University, Enid, Oklahoma where he received his Bachelor of Arts in 1968. He then attended Brite Divinity School, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas where he received his Master of Divinity in 1971.
Following several years in the pastorate, Alan attended the George Peabody College for Teachers, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee. There he received his Doctor of Education in 1983.
Since his ordination in 1971 by the Christian Church in Oklahoma, Alan has served congregations in Illinois, Florida, Kansas, North Carolina and Tennessee, as well as serving as Associate Regional Minister for the Christian Church in the Southwest and as Deputy Regional Minister for the Christian Church in the Upper Midwest. His ministerial standing is currently with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in North Carolina.
Alan has previously served as an Intentional Interim Minister. Additionally, he has led a support group for interim ministers in the United Church of Christ and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) for five years. Alan is trained as a consultant for congregations and non-profit organizations in the areas of conflict management, strategic planning, stewardship and development as well as staff development.
He and his wife Janice have been married for 42 years. Janice is a native of Georgia, having grown up in First Christian Church, Monroe. Janice is a graduate of Texas Christian University (Religion major) and Wichita State University (Masters of Gerontology.) Email Alan for more information.
Gretchen Pearce is a senior at UGA majoring in Public Relations. She is from Pine Bluff, AR where her home church (First Christian Church Pine Bluff) has been a large part of her life. She first walked, or rather was carried, into the church at 2 weeks old. Her involvement with the Disciples faith has been extensive and important to whom she is today. She attended Disciple church camps in the Great River Region from ages 9 to 18. In addition to being a camper she also has counseled at camp for four years. Her service on the Great River Region Youth Commission lead to involvement with the planning of a 5 year commitment to hurricane relief and mission work in the New Orleans and Lake Charles areas. In her two years of service on Commission she also helped plan two midwinter youth retreats for the region.
Here at UGA she is a member of Sigma Kappa Sorority where she has served as the New Member Educator in which she worked with the freshman pledge class to lead meetings and be a liaison for the chapter and its new members. She also represents Sigma Kappa as a Recruitment Counselor this fall and worked to mentor the women participating in Recruitment.
She believes her experiences with the Disciple faith and her sorority involvement will aid her in helping the youth of FCC Athens to reach their true potential as an individual as well as a member of the Disciples of Christ faith. She is looking forward to learning from the church and its members as well as bringing in her own ideas! Email Gretchen for more information.
Glenda DiGanci is the secretary for First Christian Church. Glenda came to us from a similar role at First Baptist church in Winder, where she served for seven year. Glenda is a single mom with two children, Ashley and Luke. A Georgia native growing up in Stone Mountain, she moved to Jefferson in 1996. She and her daughter are involved with animal rescue. Email Glenda for more information.
Mrs. Twila Willis is the Church Organist. She began at First Christian in 1994. Her music degree is from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
