Incoming Interim Staff
As we look forward to a new program year, we'd like to update you on our Children's Ministry, Youth Ministry, and Music Ministry. We are pleased to announce that Rye Presbyterian Nursery School’s Co-Directors Margaret Sculti and Kristin Kumar will be stepping up in mid-August as our new Interim Co-Directors for Sunday School and Children’s Ministries, and that that Eric Birk will join the staff in late September to serve as Interim Assistant Organist for the 2026-2027 program year. Read on to learn more!
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ERIC BIRK
KRISTIN KUMAR
MARGARET SCULTI
RPC Children’s Ministry Update
Wondering what will happen next for our children and youth, after Anne A. Halloin leaves for seminary, and before we find our full-time Director/Associate Pastor of Children, Youth, and Family Ministry?
We are pleased to announce that Rye Presbyterian Nursery School’s Co-Directors Margaret Sculti and Kristin Kumar will be stepping up in mid-August as our new Interim Co-Directors for Sunday School and Children’s Ministries.
Margaret and Kristin, well-known to many of you, are a long-time powerhouse combo of leadership and children’s programming, serving as guiding lights for RPNS for 27 and 20 years, respectively. As veteran teachers and administrators, Kristin and Margaret come to us with a wonderful history of coaching teachers, coordinating staff, communicating with parents, planning events, and most importantly, loving and educating children. While still directing the nursery school, Margaret and Kristin will work a combined fourteen hours per week for RPC, up until the time our full-time director/pastor begins. They will oversee all parts of Childcare and Sunday School, including teacher recruitment and training, supplies and set-up, classroom support, and parent communications.
Alongside Aileen Lynch, who lends administrative help to Sunday School materials preparation, and our capable crew of volunteer teachers, Margaret and Kristin will ensure that our vibrant Sunday morning children’s experience continues to reach every child and family who walks through the door. They will also work with the current Christian Education Committee and Co-Pastor Cari Pattison, to see that our children’s programming and special events continue smoothly during this interim time.
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KRISTIN KUMARInterim Co-Director for Sunday School and Children’s Ministries
Kristin Kumar is Co-Director of Rye Presbyterian Nursery School with Margaret Sculti. Kristin begins her 20th year working at RRNS. Kristin's love for the children is at the heart of everything she does. Her bubbly, joyful spirit fills the school, reflecting her deep passion for early childhood education. She embraces each day with enthusiasm, cherishing the wonder of the preschool years and the happiness it brings to children and families alike. Kristin is a reflective and compassionate leader who guides the school with warmth and vision. Before becoming Co-Director, Kristin was part of the RPNS administrative team as the Director of Admissions, Marketing, and Technology, and she was a teacher at RPNS for ten years. As Co-Director, Kristin continues her work with registration and admissions. Kristin is head of marketing, technology, and finance. Both Directors support all RPNS families and work with every member of the faculty. Kristin graduated from Bucknell University with a Bachelor of Science in both Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education. Kristin has a dual Master of Science in Early Childhood Education and Literacy from Long Island University. Additionally, she earned a Post-Master’s Degree in Special Education. Kristin holds Professional New York State Teaching Certifications in Early Childhood Education, Literacy, and Special Education. As a former member of the Bucknell Dance Company, Kristin also has a Minor in Dance and greatly enjoys teaching creative movement to young children. |
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MARGARET SCULTIInterim Co-Director for Sunday School and Children’s Ministries
Margaret Sculti is Co-Director of RPNS with Kristin Kumar. She has been a part of RPNS since 1999. Margaret 's unwavering dedication ensures RPNS is a safe, happy, loving, and nurturing place for families. She is a trusted guide for parents, partnering with them to discuss and support their children's goals. Margaret's love for the students is woven into every part of her work. She is most often found in the classrooms, fully engaged with the children rather than behind her desk. As Co-Director, she brings exceptional leadership to our school and is especially gifted in the field of Special Education, where her expertise ensures every child is supported to thrive. Margaret is the school’s liaison with the Rye Presbyterian Church. Before becoming Co-Director, Margaret was the Assistant Director and a teacher at RPNS for thirteen years. Margaret has an undergraduate degree in Psychology, has a Master’s in Early Childhood Education from Lehman College, and is NY State Certified N-6. |
RPC Youth Ministry Update
Co-Pastors Dan Love and Cari Pattison will continue their involvement with the teens of our church. Together, they will lead Middle School Connection twice a month on Wednesday nights. Additionally, they will coordinate service and fellowship opportunities for high schoolers that vary between Saturdays and Sundays. As always, 9th graders will enjoy the usual rich experience of regularly scheduled confirmation class with Dan, supported by occasional teaching from Cari.
We look forward to shared support from our youth ministry volunteers, as well as youth deacons and elders, to continuing to grow together in faith and friendship. Stay tuned for calendar details! Feel free to reach out to the Co-Pastors with any questions, ideas, and to learn more about how to get involved.
RPC Music Ministry Update
We are pleased to announce that Eric Birk will join the staff in late September to serve as Interim Assistant Organist for the 2026-2027 program year. Eric is familiar to many here, as he has served as substitute organist for Jason Charneski when Jason has been on vacation (and will do so again this summer). Eric also was with us as an assisting organist and choir director for Advent/Christmas 2024 and Easter 2025.
Following much discussion about the future of RPC’s ministry needs, the Worship & Music Committee recommended to the Personnel Committee that, for the foreseeable future, we move from having a sacred music intern (a student) to having an experienced church musician in this very part-time role. Such would provide stability in the near term while church leaders look to the longer term. The goal of this process is to discern further and then develop a comprehensive, interconnected plan for staffing and programming for the church’s music ministry (looking to span and engage all ages).
In addition to Eric providing support to the congregation, the Chancel Choir, and Jason for the 2026-2027 program year, his presence and broad range of abilities will enable Jason to foster additional music education, enrichment, and performance opportunities for RPC’s children and youth.
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ERIC BIRKInterim Assistant Organist
Eric is the Executive Assistant of the American Guild of Organists, working from the Guild’s headquarters in New York City. Since 2012, he has served as a substitute organist and choir director in various churches in the New York City area, including interim minister of music and organist of the Brick Presbyterian Church in the summer of 2021, and organist and choirmaster at Christ & St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in 2022 and 2023. From 1994 to 2011, he was organist and choir director of the Flatbush-Tompkins Congregational Church in Brooklyn, where he and the church developed a graded choir program for children and youth. A native of Texas, Eric holds degrees in piano performance from the Baylor University School of Music and the Manhattan School of Music. |
Learn more about our staff at Rye Presbyterian Church.