Staff

Mark is thrilled to be invited to serve as Bridge Pastor at Presbyterian Church of the Covenant. Mark recently finished a term as Bridge Pastor at Head of Christiana Presbyterian Church in Newark. Since 2017, Mark has served as a Commissioned Ruling Elder in the New Castle Presbytery, providing pulpit and pastoral supply at numerous churches in the Presbytery. Mark serves on the Committee for the Preparation of Ministry and Mission and also serves on the Stewardship Committee at The Presbyterian Church of Dover. In January 2015, he received a Certificate in Theology and Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary and in 2016 concluded his pastoral studies at the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary. Mark has served as an Elder at First Presbyterian Church of Pompano Beach, FL, Union Presbyterian Church in Newburgh, NY, and most recently at The Presbyterian Church of Dover. Mark and his wife Barbara Bayers (a substitute church organist) relocated to the Dover area in March of 2016 when Mark took a position running Physician Recruitment for Bayhealth Medical Center. In spite of retiring from Bayhealth in October 2022, Mark continues to serve on the Boards of regional physician recruitment organizations. In his down time Mark enjoys bicycling, hiking, camping, reading and needlepoint as well as time with family – son Jon, Sarah and grandkids Tyler and Nora; and son Chris, Christa and grandson Elliott.

Sharmina Ellis is an academic, non-profit and workforce development consultant with over 20 years’ experience in higher education, K-12, training, coaching, sourcing, and recruitment management. Formally educated and trained in management, organizational leadership, and human resources, Sharmina is a dedicated leader with an extensive background in workshop facilitation, employee retention, and business, career, and curriculum development. Sharmina is passionate about breaking down barriers and building bridges to success for each person that she meets. She believes that education is the great equalizer and aims to help people improve their quality of life via academic enrichment, co-creation models, and community service and outreach. Sharmina's mantra is grow, gain, and give! In her downtime, you can find Sharmina spending quality time with her friends and family. She enjoys nature, aromatherapy, watching movies, and good food. 

Ryan Pryslak has served as the Organist and Director or Music Ministries at Church of the Covenant since June 2017. He is a graduate of the University of Delaware with a Bachelor of Arts in Music, majoring in voice and choral conducting with a minor in church music. Ryan's role oversees all aspects of Music and Worship in conjunction with the Pastor and Worship & Arts Committee which includes providing music for all worship services, Holy Days and Feasts, weddings and funerals, directing the Covenant Choir which offers anthems and other service music during worship throughout the year, and coordinating the Covenant Handbell Ensemble.  In 2017, Ryan began the ever popular "Arts at Covenant" Concert Series which is now in its Fourth Season and provides accessible performing arts events to the North Wilmington Area as well as educational opportunities for youth and adults alike in the Bellefonte and Edgemoor Communities.  Ryan was the founder and director of The Opus One Vocal Arts, a community based Chamber Choir that performed throughout the area from 2005-2015.   He was also the founder and music director for The Mid Atlantic Chamber Singers. His teachers include Dr. Patrick Evans, Dr. Nicole Aldrich (voice); Sharon Parker (piano); Dr. David Herman and David Christopher (organ); Dr. Paul Head (choral conducting). Ryan and his lovely wife, Jessica are parents to two children (Greyson & Addison) and reside here in the local community. 

Tom Davis spent nine years in campus ministry and then 18 more in small church ministry, seminary teaching, and counseling in Miami, Florida, before moving back to his hometown, Wilmington, where he was pastor of Hanover Street Presbyterian Church. He has a Ph.D. in Religious Studies, an M.A. in Philosophy, and an M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy. After retiring in 2007 he taught myself photography, film making, and website design and launched Teledavis, LLC to help communities of faith and small not-for-profits with easy-to-edit and inexpensive websites. In 2011 New Castle Presbytery commissioned him an Interfaith Peacemaker. After 9-11 he opened a listserv of 200+ interfaith activists called Many Candles One Light. 

Nancy has been a Presbyterian all her life, including graduating from Westminster College, a small Presbyterian college in western Pennsylvania. She has been active in Presbyterian Women at the local (Wilmington, DE), presbytery (New Castle), synod (Mid-Atlantic), and Churchwide levels. Nancy recently served as Synod Representative for the Synod of the Mid-Atlantic to the Presbyterian Women’s Board of Directors (Churchwide Coordinating Team) where she chaired the Leadership Development Grant Committee and the Justice and Peace Committee.  Nancy has presented workshops at PW synod and presbytery Gatherings and retreats including book discussions | “Reduce! Recycle! Rejoice!“ | “Stories of Justice & Peace in Children’s Books” | “Fitting into the Justice & Peace Puzzle:  Discussion on White Privilege”.  Nancy is an ordained Elder and Deacon. Nancy enjoys reading, bird and butterfly watching, gardening, and spending time with her two cats.